SABBATH EVENING IN THE COUNTRY. 63

Fresh flowerets through the casement peer'd,
The sleeping dog no harshness fear'd

His master's feet beside,

While he, in true contentment blest,
With every anxious thought at rest,
The gathering twilight eyed.

She too, his friend from youth to age,
The dearest and the best,

Gave to his ear that sacred page

On which their hope did rest;

The aiding glass was o'er her eye,
And from her cheek the roseate die

With gayer years did part,
But her calm brow that beauty spake
Which time more exquisite doth make,
The beauty of the heart.

Fast by her side, with blooming face,
Her gentle daughter rose,
Nurtur'd in all the simple grace
Which pious care bestows.

Maiden-thou hear'st that word whose power
Can give thee, for thy trial hour,

Strength when the heart doth bow,

Peace though the stricken bosom bleeds,

Eternal life when earth recedes,

Oh! learn its spirit now.

As a fond mother's evening kiss
Doth lull her weary child,—
Kind nature pour'd a smile of bliss
Around the landscape mild;

But though in love to all she spoke,
Though her soft tones in music broke,
Like balm her breezes stole,-

Yet nothing seemed of joy to tell
So pure,—as in that hallow'd cell,

The Sabbath of the soul.

HARTFORD, CT.

L. H. S.

THE BLESSINGS OF ADVERSITY.

Illustrated by the History of Mr W.

PROSPERITY is that condition of human existence, which most covet; but uniform experience attests, that it more frequently injures the character of a Christian than improves it. It creates so many sources of enjoyment, that he is in danger of withdrawing his affections from things unseen and eternal, to those which are visible and temporal: for 'who are so likely to mind earthly things, as those who abound with them? Who has so many ties to life? No condition, indeed, here will bear any comparison with the future state of the blessed; yet, according to our present views and feelings, the mansion, and the pleasant scenery around, have more power to attract and retain, than the desolateness of the poor house. How little have some to resign? How often does the heart's bitterness lead them to sigh, 'I loathe it, I

would not live always'—'Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away and be at rest, I would haste me from the stormy wind and tempest.' What uneasiness have others to excite them! How much have they to give up! How deep rooted are they; and what force is necessary to loosen them from their position !'

And though prosperity increases their obligations to love and honour God, yet, in general, by making them more independent, it makes them more ungrateful. It induces a conformity to the habits and customs of the men of the world; promotes selfindulgence; engenders pride; damps the ardour of zeal for the universal establishment of the kingdom of Christ; and by the extravagance of its expenditure in dress, furniture, recreations and the various departments of domestic economy, it leaves but a very scanty proportion of its abundance for the claims of charity and religion. Indeed, we rarely see a prosperous Christian, a consistent Christian; and though I would not place every one under the ban of the divine displeasure who has on earth a goodly heritage, yet, I often deplore the unhallowed influence which a state of prosperity has over the heir of immortality. If it does not always corrupt his principles, it generally weakens them; if it does not always destroy his taste