fellow! I never thought him the same man again. He used to smile at our plans occasionally, but he would not mix in our boyish sports and I never afterwards saw him laugh, but he seemed to feel with the inspired penman, when he exclaims, 'I said of laughter, it is mad.'" Here Ivan paused; and I could perceive that his own heart beat in harmony with that of the royal penitent; and if I mistook not the expression of his countenance, he could have added, "and of mirth, what doeth it?" He also had proved by painful experience that "man is born to trouble;" and had not his hopes risen above this lower world, and all connected with it, and rested amidst scenes whose joys are untarnished, and whose pleasures shall neither fade nor cloy, he too, with thousands who had journeyed before him through the vale of tears, had been most miserable indeed. But he had been taught that "secret of the Lord, which is with them that fear him;" and, though the wicked were flourishing around him like the green bay tree, he was conscious they were set in slippery places; for he "had gone into the sanctuary of God, and understood their end." As regard ed himself, he knew whom he had believed; was assured that here his Redeemer would guide him by his counsel, and did not doubt but he would afterwards receive him to glory. In patience, therefore, he possessed his soul, and waited in humble resignation his appointed time. I was sensible of something peculiar in the beam which at that moment illumined the venerable visage of this aged pilgrim, now nearing the haven of his repose, and my soul calmly responded to his :— "Some chord, in unison with what I saw, Was touched within me, and my heart replied." N CHAP. VII. "On this side, and on that, men see their friends Could scarce have leisure for. Fools that we are! At the same time; as if to learn to die IVAN continued, raising again his darkened eyes to heaven: "Oh I recollect it well. It was a scene much to be remembered by me, while the pulse of life shall move in this aged heart. Yes, Sir," and he put his hand upon my friend's knee as he sat beside him; "Yes, Pastor, the scenes of a dying bed of a Christian are much to be remembered. I could not see Bethlin, it was true: but well did my ears hear the voice of praise that left his lips, and warmly did my soul, redeemed, as I trust, from among men, reply to all the feelings to which he then gave utterance. "It was on a fearful winter's night, that I received a summons to visit the cottage in the wood. The swell of the distant lake, as it dashed against the rocks of Underwald, sounded with a dismal echo through the chill and piercing blast. At intervals, too, the sleet fell, mixed with a penetrating rain. Even the very savage tenants of the wilds seemed to cower at the tempest; for not a cry was heard from the wolf of the evening, and the bear was silent in her fastness. We had shut our doors about us; the casement was closed; the candle lighted; the hearth cheerful from the blaze of some fir faggots which had lately been sent us by our kind neighbour the woodman; and my little grandson had just taken the Bible that we might conclude the day as became disciples of the Man of sorrows. He had read the passage, in our usual course, Matt. xiv. "The ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary. And, in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit: and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer it is I, be not afraid: '-when there came a loud rap to the door. voluntarily I exclaimed, repeating what I had heard, It is I, be not afraid.' I could not but apprehend some evil tidings; yet, Sir, I knew that the Lord God reigned. Whatever might occur, I trust, I was not unprepared to recognize therein the hand of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, and to bow in resignation to his just and righteous dispensation. As In |