The tour. Accident. CHAPTER VIII. PROVIDENTIAL DEVELOPEMENT. "Though all seems lost, 'tis impious to despair; Mr. Colchester had still several incidents to relate by way of illustrating what had gone before; and he, therefore, continued his remarks, as follows: "The third summer had robed the earth in all the rich luxuriance of vegetable life, before I again had occasion to pass through that section of country, in which lay the scene of the occurrences that I have just described. "I had undertaken to make this tour in a one-horse vehicle, and as I approached the vicinity of the village of P———, the surrounding country called up many associations, and trains of thought full of interest and solemnity. It was just at the close of a warm summer's day. The heat had begun to decline, and the freshness of evening to breathe upon me. I was descending a hill, almost lost in my own meditations, and paying very little attention to my horse, when one of the wheels of my carriage suddenly came off. The horse took fright, and dashed forward with the fleetness of the wind. I was scarcely conscious of any thing, till I found myself sitting on the ground, and saw an old gentleman running towards me with apparent perturbation and concern. "I hope,' said he, almost out of breath, I hope you are not seriously injured!' “I think I am not,' said I, making an effort to rise. "It is of the Lord's goodness,' said he, extending his The escape. 6 Country scene. hand to assist me, that you are alive. When I saw the horse descending the hill with such fury, I thought you must have inevitably been dashed to pieces. If you feel able to walk to the house, we will do every thing in our power to make you comfortable, and prevent any serious effects resulting from this disaster.' "While thanking him for his kindness, two or three labouring men came up. He ordered them to see to the horse, and collect the fractured pieces of the wagon, and then told me to lean upon his arm, and that of one of the workmen, and thus we went towards his house. It stood some forty or fifty rods back from the road, and was approached by a lane or avenue. I soon found that I could walk without difficulty, and that I had escaped without broken bones. I was met at the door by the female part of the family, with countenances full of sympathy and concern and all the kindness and attention which the unfortunate man that fell among thieves, received from the hands of the good Samaritan, were promptly extended to me. Taking my seat in the door, where I could inhale the fresh air, my mind soon settled down into a peaceful and collected frame. The providential escape I had made very naturally lifted up my thoughts in grateful acknowledgment to that almighty Preserver, who had just saved my life from destruction, and without whose knowledge and permission not a sparrow falleth to the ground. 66 "The scene around me was calculated to inspire calm and serious feelings. Mr. Sinclair's residence-such was the name of the family under whose hospitable roof I was sitting-was a plain substantial farmhouse, situated at the foot of a range of hills, extending north and south. On the east side of the house, an expanded valley spread out in all the beauty of a rich and diversified landscape. It was traversed in the centre by a winding rivulet, and covered through its whole extent with the various and exuberant productions of a fertile soil. "Immediately before the house was a large corn-field Domestic arrangements. an object by no means uninteresting to the eye that loves to gaze upon the wonderful works of God. And while sitting in this contemplative mood, there came upon my ear those rural sounds which exhilarate the spirit and fill the soul with peace. “There was one thing that particularly pleased me in relation to this family. I found before retiring for the night, the protection of God was invoked. I always feel interested in every place where there is an altar to the Lord. "The next morning I found it would require most of the day to get my wagon again in a state of repair; and, as I was warmly solicited by the family to remain a few days with them, my business not being urgent, I made up my mind to avail myself of their polite invitation, and not renew my journey until I had entirely recovered from the effects of the jar I had received in being thrown from the wagon. I could not but feel myself quite at home in the bosom of this kind and hospitable family. Their conversation and intercourse evinced a knowledge of the world and a degree of refinement which showed that they had not always been accustomed to this retired mode of life. Still they all seemed to engage in the respective duties of the kitchen and the field, with the alacrity and cheerfulness of those who find satisfaction and pleasure in discharging, to the best of their ability, the duties connected with the station that Providence has assigned them. "There was something in the conversation and kindhearted hospitality of Mr. Sinclair, that made me unwilling to leave his roof. He was truly a pious and benevolent man. The spirit of the gospel seemed to animate and influence all that he said and did. In the domestic arrangements and regulations of the family, I found much to admire. Morning and evening devotion was conducted under this roof in a manner that showed, that with them it was not a mere matter of form, but that God was worshipped in spirit and truth. Family prayers were not put off to a very late hour in the evening, when the younger members Family prayer. of the household were in bed, and those who remained up, so near being asleep, that the evening oblation was a drowsy, tedious task. But the family were assembled at an early hour, when the faculties of all were still fresh and active; and none were permitted to retire until God's protection had been invoked, and his great name honoured with suitable adoration. So also in the morning, whatever might be the engagements within and without doors, the family were regularly convened for prayer. "I have known some Christians, who were uniform in their evening devotions, to excuse themselves from offering the morning oblation on account of the want of time, and their anxiety to get to their business at an early hour. O that such Christians had more of the spirit of their heavenly Master! He could rise up a great while before day for prayer. What a rebuke is this upon the indolence, and sloth, and impiety of those who frame such miserable pretexts to excuse themselves from one of the most delightful and heavenly duties in which the Christian is permitted to engage! How can that man love his family, who can leave them morning after morning without assembling them around the family altar, to commend them to the Most High, and implore his blessing upon them! And how stupid and preposterous is the supposition that the time spent in prayer is lost! as though our business could prosper without the aid of Heaven! "Mr. Sinclair thought the time spent in family prayer the best employed of any during the day, even in a secular point of view. And it is undoubtedly true, that when the first-fruits of the day are consecrated to God, the remainder will be more likely to be spent in a way to advance our worldly as well as spiritual interests. Acting upon this principle, and also with a view to their eternal wellbeing, Mr. Sinclair had all his workmen and domestics called in at the hour of prayer. Upon this point he was A little occurrence which I was privy to, during my stay with them, will illustrate this remark. very strict. A father's gentle rebuke. "Julia Sinclair, the youngest daughter, a girl of about fourteen, one morning did not come down early enough to be present at family worship. In the course of the morning, while her father was engaged in the garden, Julia went out to spend a few moments in weeding a flower bed. The window of the room I occupied opened immediately into the garden, and I was so near that I could distinctly hear the conversation that passed. "Come here, my daughter,' said Mr. Sinclair: see what a beautiful flower is growing here. How delicate the texture-how rich the colours-how exquisitely are they laid on! What pencil but that dipt in uncreated light can paint like this! Then consider the ten thousand invisible ducts and channels through which the moisture is absorbed, the air inhaled, and the juices conveyed through every segment of this flower. How curious, and complicated, and wonderful its vascular system! The same Being who looks upon this little flower, and moves the subtile lymph through its unseen capillary tubes, looks through all the amplitudes of infinity, guides the stars in their courses, and upholds all worlds! Do you not think, my dear, that this glorious Being ought to be regarded with the highest reverence and respect?' "Certainly, my dear father,' replied Julia. "Well, my child, if Mr. the governor, should send me word to-day, that he would favour us with a call to-morrow at a certain hour, do you not think it would be treating him with great disrespect, if we were not at home to receive him at the appointed hour?' 666 6 Certainly,' answered the daughter; and I do not think that we could be guilty of so great a piece of rudeness.' "And yet, my daughter, I did not see you this morning, at prayers, when the great Eternal, who painted this flower, and has stamped his glory upon the tablet of the skies, met us. And was this treating the morning visit of your Creator and almighty Preserver with respect ?' |