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cousinly affection was of the warmest and truest quality, especially
when there were any hopes of cherry-stone baskets.

Full of enjoyment as they were, none were too intent upon fun and frolic
to neglect accompanying their kind relatives to the pretty little
country church, for it was their uncle's habit to begin the day with
religious exercises: he said it seemed to him ungrateful to spend it in
unbroken jollity, and to forget entirely the original motive of its
institution. It was a very pleasant custom, and very conducive to mutual
attachment, for friends and relations to give and to receive presents:
but this should be subordinate to the remembrance of God's Great Gift to
the children of men, which was celebrated on that happy day. So the
young people passed a unanimous vote that church-going was as regular a
part of keeping Christmas as presents or mince-pie, and gladly set off
to walk through the frosty air to the ivy-covered church, shaded by
ancient trees. It was situated on a hill, and was approached by numerous
paths running across the fields; and as Ellen gazed upon its spire,
standing in relief against the deep blue sky, she thought of that
beautiful line of Wordsworth,

"Pointing its taper finger up to heaven!"

The chime of bells, too, joyfully pealing out, appeared to be the voice
of the church calling upon all who heard it, to return thanks to Him who
blesses the families of men; it seemed to say, "Both young men and
maidens, old men and children, let them praise the name of the Lord."
What a mistake it is, to think of religion only as a refuge from sorrow,
and a solace for the disappointments of the world! It is that, truly,
but it is also the sanctifier of joy: the happy young heart should be
laid upon God's altar, as well as the stricken spirit, and the eye
moistened with tears. That the services of the church had not a
depressing effect upon the minds of any, was very evident from the
heart-felt greetings and warm shakes of the hand which were exchanged by
all, as they left the house of prayer. It was a very pleasant sight to
behold young and old, rich and poor, joined together in one common
feeling of brotherhood, under the genial influences of the season. "A
merry Christmas" seemed not only to spring from every tongue, but to
sparkle in every eye.

If I were to attempt to describe the varied pleasures of that day, which
was declared by Charlie Bolton to be the most glorious one he h