Blakes and Manns in the world; and what I have witnessed to-day, is, I fear, of very frequent occurrence. Rivalry and spite influence useful or mischievous plans alike, raise a subscription, or withhold an alms, just in order that the very principle on which all alms are founded, and by which alone they are acceptable, may be destroyed, that ill-will may have its way instead of love."

Another thought also weighed heavily on Mr. Lee's mind, as he returned home. Before business began, and at intervals, Mr. Mann had been full of gossip as to what his landlord, to whom he had been, did and said. Sir John said this, and Sir John said that. No flattery, no obsequiousness seemed too great for Mr. Mann, in the presence of his landlord. With him he had not only no independence, but no principle; but out of his sight he was the great man, and lorded it over the poor, and even bullied his parson. Thus Mann was a true coward; and yet no uncommon character, for bravery and independence of character go hand in hand with moderation and forbearance.

Whilst the coward bullies and oppresses those beneath him, the true independent Christian is gentle in the exercise of power, and is the same under all circumstances, remembering that God is above him, and the grave below him, and that he is no farther from either in the presence of a lord, than in the cottage of a peasant.

CHAPTER VI.

Affliction.

"Glory to Thee, who hast bestowed
No settled home below,

No perfect good, no sure abode,

No pleasures safe from woe;

Peace to our wandering feet Thou hast not given,

Nor to unerring souls their fulness out of heaven."
GRESWELL'S EXPOSITION OF THE PARABLES.

MONTHS wore away: Mr. Lee was making progress with his people, that is, with his poor; but little enough with farmers or tradesmen. These were only to be gained by time. He had few opportunities of being kind to them, and still fewer of advising them, with any hope of that advice being gladly received; whereas the cottage had always need, and always, therefore, offered means of approach to its affections; and the poor, who were conscious that they knew nothing, received counsel gratefully, and often acted upon it.

At last it came to William Blake to need comfort and support; and he at once received them. The spring had been a long and cold one; and what was at first an indisposition in Ellen Hilton, became, it was feared, a consumption. This

was a sore trial, and the weight of it became more oppressive and overwhelming when it was determined that she should be removed to a distant county, in order to try a different air and scene. Parting was very painful, and scarcely cheered at all by Christianity, for although Ellen often felt religiously disposed, her mind had never been disciplined or instructed; she did not know herself, nor had treasured up any of those truths and principles which alone are able to endure in the day of adversity. Unlike the wise householder, the truths which she had she knew not how to bring forth; and her comforts were few and failing.

After the separation, an utter desolateness came over poor William. His brother was gone; and now she whom he loved more than brother or parent, who had more than filled up the void of his heart, seemed about to follow him. He was unused to

read. True religion he had not. His farming occupations seemed insipid and useless, for what could property serve him, if she for whom he sought it was to be his no longer? The love of money had not seized upon one of his age; neither did he find enough to make him happy in the routine of his calling. He had not as yet been reduced into the bondage and dull apathy of mere work. He was, therefore, most unsettled and desponding. He wandered through the fields, scarcely looking at them. His heart and mind were utterly unhinged.

It was in this state of feeling that Mr. Lee found

him on a hot June day, leaning over a stile far from his house, and resting as if he had been ill. He rejoiced at his opportunity, and, by kind inquiry after Ellen, and manifest interest in William's sorrow, drew him on to open much of the hidden sickness of his soul. Having gained this point, he turned the conversation for a time, and asked:

66

Does this oppressive heat remind you of anything as you sit here, weary and listless, and feeling scarcely able to move?"

"No, Sir; I don't understand what you mean.' "Even thus, with this same feeling of weariness, with sorrow and faintness, sat our blessed Saviour. Do you not remember the words? 'Jesus, therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well; and it was about the sixth hour,' that is, about noon. These words have never struck you, for you have been well and strong, and real weariness has never befallen you until now; but they have given comfort to others. A living poet has entered into them, and writes thus :

'Thou, who didst sit on Jacob's well,

The weary hour of noon :

The languid pulses thou canst tell,

"You have never felt comforted by these reflections, and was it not because you have not habitually

thought of your Saviour? If you had been accustomed to meditate upon His sufferings, you would have thought of His weariness and sorrow; and if you had thought of them, they would have lightened yours. Let me beg of you to reflect, with prayer, upon this subject. You will find it more than a consolation."

William Blake was much struck with what Mr. Lee said, and still more by his kindness. Hitherto he had considered that a farmer had one course and a parson another, and he had no notion how the two were connected with, or had anything to do with, each other. He felt no interest in Mr. Lee, and was amazed and won by Mr. Lee's interest in himself.

Shortly after this, Mr. Lee preached on the relation between pastor and people; and in his sermon begged his parishioners to avail themselves of his services as often as they needed them; and to come to him at any hour, and on any matter in which they felt that he could be of use to them. William thought much of this invitation, and had very nearly resolved to go to the Rectory; but a false shame and the unhappy novelty of such a step held him back.

But Mr. Lee was not satisfied with mere invitation. He asked men to come to him; but if they would not, he went to them. He called at the Moat House again and again, but never found William at home. At last, somewhat hopeless, he left a copy of the