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                                  23 busy together at a black part of the room; in a corner were two ruddy-cheeked children, amusing themselves by drawing pictures upon a slate; a third was reading aloud from a little book ; and a fourth, younger than the rest, was playing with a dog and a cat upon the floor. These occupations were interrupted by the entrance of the stranger, and all seemed pleased to see him. The traveller sat down by the fire, and began to play with the children, which he gathered around him. Warmth was soon restored to his limbs, and gladness to his heart. The arrival of a stranger was, in this retired place, one of those remarkable occurrences which occasion an alteration in the usual family arrangements; and after a fire had been kindled in the front room, the traveller, together with the children and their father, resorted thither. The preparations for their evening repast were soon completed. All took their seats, the blessing of heaven was solemnly implored, and the little circle partook of their food in gratitude and love. The short evening passed rapidly away in this happy domestic circle, and at an early hour the father gave notice that it was time for their customary evening devotions. The family collected their Bibles, and gathered around the bright fire which was glowing upon the hearth. The traveller was seated at one corner, at another were the father and mother, reading the sacred volume, and the children arranged themselves together in pairs, with their backs to the fire, that its strong light might shine upon the books they were to read. At a notice from their father, the youngest began, and in a slow artless manner, read one verse of a chapter; the next and the next continued; the mother, the father, and the guest took their turns, until the chapter was concluded, and they then knelt together, while the stranger, at the father’s request, I offered the evening tribute of penitence, thanksgiving, and praise. A few moments after the exercise was completed, the children came to the stranger one after another, repeated some simple verses and the Lord’s prayer; they then bid him and their father good-night, and followed their mother from the room. “You have a happy family,” said the stranger, when he found himself, alone with his host. “ O yes, sir,” replied the farmer, “ I have everything to make me thankful. But it is to religion I am indebted for all.” “I have no doubt that religion is the source of your greatest enjoyment; but you do not mean that religion has placed you in the prosperous situation and circumstances which you enjoy? ” “Oh yes, Sir, I owe every thing I possess to the power which the gospel has had upon me. Ten years ago I was an idle, disjt solute man, and my vicious course was fast making my farm a