ly but surely recovering, and his preservation from
meeting sudden death unprepared was to her a source of unutterable
thankfulness. Her own family appeared to regard her with even more
tender affection than if no coldness had ever arisen between them; and
their love was to her beyond price. Even Sir Gilbert's harsh, worldly
character, was somewhat softened by trials, and by the unmerited
kindness which he met with from those whom, in his prosperity, he
had slighted and shunned. Lady Grange felt that her prayers had been
answered indeed, though in a way very different from what she had hoped
or expected. The chain by which her son had been gradually drawn down
towards rum, by those who sought his company for the sake of his money,
had been suddenly snapped by the loss of his fortune. The weak youth
was left to the guidance of those to whom his welfare was really dear.
Philip, obliged to rouse himself from his indolence, and exert himself
to earn his living, became a far wiser and more estimable man than he
would ever have been as the heir to a fortune; and he never forgot the
lesson which pain, weakness, and shame had taught him,--that the way of
evil is also the way of sorrow. _Thorns and snares are in the way of
the froward._

Who Wisdom's path forsakes,
Leaves all true joy behind:
He who the peace of others breaks,
No peace himself shall find.
Flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting woe,--
Such is the fate that sinners know!

The drunkard gaily sings
Above his foaming glass;
But shame and pain the revel brings,
Ere many hours can pass.
Flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting woe,--
Such is the fate that sinners know!

The thief may count his gains;--
If he the sum could see
Of future punishment and pains,
Sad would his reckoning be!
Flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting woe,--
Such is the fate that sinners know!

The Sabbath-breaker spurns
What Wisdom did ordain:
God's rest to Satan's use he turns,--
A blessing to a bane.
Flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting woe,--
Such is the fate which sinners know!

O Lord, to thee we pray;
Do thou our faith increase;
Help us to walk in Wisdom's way,--
The only way of peace:
For flowers above and thorns below,
Little pleasure, lasting w