, this had been of a rather gloomy character. Many of the
teachers had fallen into a melancholy, droning manner of talking to
their pupils about the horrors of sin and the awfulness of God's wrath.
The old clergyman's cheerful discourse had so much the better effect,
from the contrast. How happy and bright was religion, according to his
faith! How glorious was truth! How unutterably sweet was the conviction
of God's infinite goodness and love!

It was like the pouring down of sunshine through murky clouds,--that
earnest, beautiful discourse. The children never forgot it; and, happily
for them, the teachers treasured it in their hearts.

Mrs. Royden thought it did not do her much good to go to meeting. She
was so nervous, during the morning service, that it had been quite
impossible for her to fix her mind on the sermon, or enjoy the singing.

"I may as well give up going to meeting altogether," she said to her
husband, on their way home at noon. "There is so much to be done, every
morning, before we start, that it is all hurry--hurry--hurry; and if I
take my time, then we are late."

He could not make her believe that she did a thousand things, on such
occasions, which she might just as well leave undone; and, to "have
peace," he gave over the argument.

The baby had been very cross, and Mrs. Royden concluded to stay at home
in the afternoon. This was melancholy intelligence for Sam, who had
enjoyed a fine season of fun in the morning, playing with the cat,
cracking "but'nuts," and plaguing Hepsy. With the old lady around the
house, fun was out of the question on the Sabbath.

Hepsy got ready, and returned with Mr. Royden in the afternoon. Father
Brighthopes preached, and his sermon was just such a one as the poor
girl needed, to cheer her hopeless, doubting heart. In listening to it,
she quite forgot how many eyes regarded her deformed figure and plain
face with scorn and dislike; she remembered not the pangs which had shot
through and through her sensitive heart, when Chester told her of his
intended marriage; the world faded, with its selfishness, pride and
envy, and heaven opened, with its angels of peace and love. The old
man's eloquent sermon delighted old and young; but there were few
fainting, thirsty souls, who drank in its glorious thoughts with such
intensity of feeling as did the afflicted Hepsy.

XVIII.

MR. KERCHEY.

Chester, in the meantime, had made the acquaintance of a new resident in