stre, which rendered the atmosphere warm, though not oppressive, and
the face of the country smiling and cheerful. The people around the
place--men, women, and children, clean and neatly clad--assembled in an
orderly manner; while the sombre stillness of the bush tended to impress
the beholders with an earnestness, a feeling of devotion, and a
confirmed belief, that, verily, "the Spirit of the Lord moved upon the
face of the earth." There are, we venture to say, few more inspiring
scenes than the performance of Divine service, or "a preaching," in the
wilds of the woods; and we believe the spiritual influence was felt that
day by not a few of the number who listened to the exposition of the
Word, which was delivered from the lips of the preacher with a truth and
pathos characteristic of a sincere and devout mind. The same orderly and
sober manner marked the dispersion of the people, as did their
gathering; and if no spiritual good arose from it (though we sincerely
trust and believe there did), in a moral point of view the people reaped
a reward; and by the same means, indirectly, the squatter was benefited.

These preachings contrast pleasingly with the general thoughtless and
frivolous manner of some of the congregations in our large towns, and it
is only to be regretted that they are not of more frequent occurrence.
Nothing would more greatly tend to advance the morals of those people of
Australia who too frequently live in a state of vitiated depravity and
mental degradation, and who are perfectly destitute of religion, and
ignorant and neglectful of its observances.

When William and his party had remained at Barra Warra for about a week
he thought it time to push forward to his home; and, after some little
persuasion with Mrs. Dawson, induced her to part with his sister, and
the young lady to consent to go. They took their leave amidst a general
expression of cordiality, and an entreaty from their kind friends to
find their way back again as soon as possible. They then proceeded on
their way, Kate more than ever delighted with her prospect. In the
spontaneous ebullition of her youthful and innocent feelings, and
charmed beyond measure at the kind reception she had met with from the
amiable people she had just left, she was in the highest spirits, and
gave frequent vent to her joy. Her merry peals of laughter rang through
the woods with an echo that sounded as if all the trees had taken up the
chorus, and supported