on of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
I often availed myself of these opportunities to call to their
recollection the more recent deaths of their own relatives that lay
buried so near us. Some had lost a parent, others a brother or sister;
some perhaps had lost all these, and were committed to the mercy of their
neighbours as fatherless or motherless orphans. Such circumstances were
occasionally useful to excite tender emotions, favourable to serious
impressions.

Sometimes I sent the children to the various stones which stood at the
head of the graves, and bid them learn the epitaphs inscribed upon them.
I took pleasure in seeing the little ones thus dispersed in the
churchyard, each committing to memory a few verses written in
commemoration of the departed. They would soon accomplish the desired
object, and eagerly return to me ambitious to repeat their task.

Thus my churchyard became a book of instruction, and every grave-stone a
leaf of edification for my young disciples.

The church itself stood in the midst of the ground. It was a spacious
antique structure. Within those very walls I first proclaimed the
message of God to sinners. As these children surrounded me, I sometimes
pointed to the church, spoke to them of the nature of public worship, the
value of the Sabbath, the duty of regular attendance on its services, and
urged their serious attention to the means of grace. I showed them the
sad state of many countries, where neither churches nor Bibles were
known, and the no less melancholy condition of multitudes at home, who
sinfully neglect worship and slight the word of God. I thus tried to
make them sensible of their own favours and privileges.

Neither was I at a loss for another class of objects around me from which
I could draw useful instruction; for many of the beauties of created
nature appealed in view.

Eastward of us extended a large river or lake of sea-water, chiefly
formed by the tide, and nearly enclosed by land. Beyond this was a fine
bay and road for ships, filled with vessels of every size, from the small
sloop or cutter to the first-rate man-of-war. On the right hand of the
haven rose a hill of peculiarly beautiful form and considerable height.
Its verdure was very rich, and many hundred sheep graced upon its sides
and summit. From the opposite shore of the same water a large sloping
extent of bank was diversified with fields, woods, he