-An unhappy Speech-The Scraper-A Break in the Cloud— A lovely Being-The Turning Point-Terror-Great Joy-Un- A Soliloquy-The Parting Scene-Alone-A Friendly Caution- "The Seventh Flat "-A learned Athenian-A heartless Perso- nage-A Friend in Need-Reflections-A sublime View-A Gift-The Elder-The Inference-Natural Dispositions-Sin- clair's Dream-The Evening Walk-Fever-A Situation-Con- troversy-Turning Author-A great Principle-The Dictates of Conviction-"The Free Church "-The Junior Clerk-A chari- table Opinion-A startling Request-The first Sermon-The Apostrophe to Cowper's Shade-Divine Providence-Fatalism- Coveting Knowledge-Schemes-Emigration-Letters of Intro- duction-Fresh Disappointments-A Surprise-A Hurricane- Shipwrecks-A House at Sea-" Bones and all"-Shin Plasters -The Wrong Time-Terrible Anxiety-An Advertisement- Benevolent Clergyman-Sunday Work-I am Discharged-A happy Sabbath-Angelic Ministration- "Wanted "-Perpetual Motion-A Thought--The Transition Period-A great Crisis- The Heart of Humanity-Principles-Christian Paradoxes- EXPERIENCE OF A VILLAGE PASTOR. The rural Pastorate-Sober Truth-Home-Fields-Painful Reflec- Jewelled Gentleman-A negative Creed-An agreeable Chat- A fine view-Effect of Contrast-The Churchyard-Cemeteries -Praise-Another Landmark-Voluntary Humility-My Flock -Mr. Ardphist--True Prayer-A caustic Epistle-Appealing - My Orthodoxy doubted Useful Articles - - A Scene-An eccentric Lady-Schism-"Tracts for the Times" -No Prayer for broken Ribs-Paltry Persecution-The Chapel Debt-Town and Country-True Charity-Counterfeit Charity -The Science of Begging-Answers-A choking Sensation- ....Page 153 The Place of Circumstances-Nervous Sensibility-The Doctor's Prescription "Friends "-The Letter-The Sea-side- Self- questioning-Official Dangers-The whispering Voice-Self- loathing-The Return- - The Tea Party-Rustic Critics- Preaching about the Stars-Hedger's Grave Remark-Reluc- Condemned to be a Gentleman-Turning Schoolmaster-Tricks of ress 197 217 Willing Service-The Contrast-Power of Life-Conscious Com- munion-Facts-A cold Dogma-Need of a positive Faith- Motive everything-An autumnal Evening Creation groaning -The Bible-An angry Female-An Apostrophe-An Appeal to the Opulent-Jacob Moore-Power of Religion-Strong Faith-Looking to Jesus-A Letter-All Burdens not heavy- Another Letter-Unity of Trust-"One thing" to do-Settle- ment-The grieved Flock-Literary Lectures-Power of the Gospel-Effects of the Truth-Fidelity required - No denomi- national Safety-Excellent Clergyman-Desire for Union—A Modern Doctrine-Christian Union-All to blame-Voices of the Sects-Less of the Ishmael-Beauty of Union-Anecdote -The clerical Visitor-Unity and Uniformity-Mistakes-The STRUGGLES FOR LIFE. CHAPTER I. BIRTH AND INFANCY. "This is the place. Stand still, my steed, And summon from the shadowy past Longfellow. HE water in the bay is famous for its clearness; even where the largest ships can ride at anchor, you can see the bright pebbles and the sea-weed at the bottom. As you enter the harbour, there is a green terraced mound on your left hand, evidently the quiet relic of what was once a fortifiChurchbank, cation or castle. The only mep. 2. morial of war remaining on the spot is a venerable piece of artillery, which probably, in some forgotten age, did service, as the oldest inhabitant has certain traditions on the subject, derived from his grandfathers, which he will circumstantially relate to you for the small consideration of a pinch of snuff. The mound is the favourite resort of children, and you may see them in scores at this moment running around its green base, leaping from its terrace, riding on the old gun, and gambolling at pleasure, as children in all ages B have loved to do, whilst their shouts and laughter come ringing across the smooth surface of the water, and enter your ear as you stand upon the deck of the vessel viewing the dream-like scene. On your right stretches a green shore, with here and there a patch of land well. cultivated, while about a mile and a-half inland, a lofty conical hill rises and bounds the view. Right before you lies the venerable old town, stone-built, sea-washed, evidently enjoying repose, and looking as if it had been accustomed to nestle in the bosom of that bay for at least half a dozen centuries. In the centre of the town, like a giant monarch standing among his subjects, the parish church lifts its lofty dome, which sends forth sweet sounds daily to the inhabitants from a set of the finest toned bells in the Queen's dominions. The unusual size of this building, for the purposes of a parish church to a small population, is accounted for by the fact that it was at one time a cathedral. It was built in the early part of the twelfth century. Many a legend, curious and wild, hovers around the history of this noble structure. Beyond, and a little to the right, sleep the ruins of the bishop's palace. Sparrows, starlings, and ivy flourish in the remains of the upper storeys, and rats and kindred vermin enjoy themselves in what were once wine cellars and kitchens, well replenished for ecclesiastical appetites by a people devoted to the ancient Church of Rome. The town itself consists of one long street, as irregular as the stem of a gnarled oak, which shoots out at irregular intervals short lanes, that, like the street itself, at the time of which I write, were odorous with heaps of ashes, rotten fish, and all kinds of abomination, which were allowed to accumulate from month to month, much to the benefit of disease and the doctors.* This is the ancient town of Churchbank. * I understand things are wonderfully improved now, so that "Churchbank" is not to be discovered by the description in the text. |
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