sonage had been the seat of every rural pleasure—every domestic enjoyment; life had seemed one delicious spring! Nor ever did he dream of the storm which lowered over his head and threatened to deprive him of his lovely partner. After a painful illness she departed this life, and was shortly followed by her child, when, like a blighted tree, he was left to bemoan his irreparable loss.
"When such friends part,
'Tis the survivor dies."
Time, the assuager of all human sufferings, at length restored him to health, exchanged his grief for composure, and recalled those sentiments of his religious belief which were previously imbibed, but which, in the first stage of his affliction, were partially obscured. He bowed with patience and submission to the will of a wise but inscrutable Providence, and his bosom swelled with gratitude for the many blessings surrounding him.
Few knew justly how to appreciate the merits of this excellent man, whose chief delight and constant care had been the study of the Sacred Scriptures; and well qualified was he to elucidate their mysteries, by penetrating through the veil of their literal sense; by this means, what might seem obscure was clearly understood, and apparent contradictions were reconciled. To the cursory peruser,
