Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/269

, till an angle of the wall of the church-yard intercepted her view; soon after all was still. The last toll of the bell died away upon the distant hills, and gave place to a silence particularly solemn and impressive. It denoted the conclusion of that ceremony which returns dust to dust. "Where now," thought she, "are the distinctions of rank? Where those barriers, which, in this world, separate man from man? Even here sorrow embalms the memory of the righteous alone. When selfishness is silent, the heart pays its tribute to nought but worth. Why, then, should those of lowly station envy the trappings of vanity, that are but the boast of a moment, when, by piety and virtue, they may attain a distinction so much more lasting and glorious? To the humble and the lowly are the gates of Paradise thrown open. Nor is there any other path which leads to them, but that which the gospel points out to all. In that path may the grace of God enable