y, sir, do not be offended at the freedom and manner of my
writing. My parents' duty and love to you are sent with these lines
from

"Your humble servant in Christ,

"E--- W---."

Epistolary communications, when written in sincerity of heart, afford
genuine portraits of the mind. May the foregoing be viewed with
Christian candour, and consecrated to affectionate memory!

CHAPTER VI.

Travellers, as they pass through the country, usually stop to inquire
whose are the splendid mansions which they discover among the woods and
plains around them. The families, titles, fortune, or character of the
respective owners engage much attention. Perhaps their houses are
exhibited to the admiring stranger. The elegant rooms, costly furniture,
valuable paintings, beautiful gardens and shrubberies, are universally
approved; while the rank, fashion, taste, and riches of the possessor,
afford ample materials for entertaining discussion. In the meantime, the
lowly cottage of the poor husbandman is passed by as scarcely deserving
of notice. Yet perchance such a cottage may often contain a treasure of
infinitely more value than the sumptuous palace of the rich man; even
"the pearl of great price." If this be set in the heart of the poor
cottager, it proves a gem of unspeakable worth, and will shine among the
brightest ornaments of the Redeemer's crown, in that day when He maketh
up his "jewels."

Hence the Christian traveller, while in common with others he bestows his
due share of applause on the decorations of the rich, and is not
insensible to the beauties and magnificence which are the
lawfully-allowed appendages of rank and fortune, cannot overlook the
humbler dwelling of the poor. And if he should find that true piety and
grace beneath the thatched roof which he has in vain looked for amidst
the worldly grandeur of the rich, he remembers the declarations in the
Word of God. He sees with admiration, that the high and lofty One that
inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, who dwelleth in the high and
holy place, dwelleth with _him also_ that is of a contrite and humble
spirit; and although heaven is his throne, and the earth his footstool,
yet, when a house is to be built, and a place of rest to be sought for
himself, He says, To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and
of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (_See_ Isa. lvii. 15;
lxvi. 1, 2.)

When a house is thus tenanted, fai