Page:Young cottager, or, An account of Jane Seymour, the daughter of ignorant and irreligiuos parents.pdf/24

 haps this narrative may be permitted to her memory to other generations, when the hands and heart of the writer shall be cold in the dust.

The story of this Young Cottager involves a clear evidence of the freeness of the operations of divine grace on the heart of man; of the inseparable connection between true faith and holiness of disposition; and of the simplicity of character which a real love of Christ transfuses into the soul. How many of the household of faith, in every age,

have journeyed, and are now travelling to their 'city of habitation,' through the paths of modest obscurity, and almost unheeded piety. It is one of the most interesting enjoyments of the Christian minister to search out these spiritual lilies of the valley, whose beauty and fragrance are nearly concealed in their shady retreats. To rear the flower, to assist is unfolding its excellences, and bring forth it's fruit in due season, is a work that delightfully recompences the toil of the cultivator.

While he is occupied in this grateful task of labouring in his heavenly Master's garden, some blight, some tempest may chance to take away a favourite young blossom in a premature stage of its growth.

If such a case should befal him, he will then perhaps, as I have often done, when standing in pensive recollection at little Jane's grave, make an application of these lines, which are inscribed on a grave-stone erected in the same church-yard, and say,