Melcomb from India? Where did they go after the funeral?"

"I believe they went to London, as I heard that Jefferson had undertaken to bring the little fellow to his friends; but I never saw or heard any thing about them since the day after William Melcomb was buried."

121

CHAPTER VI.

Our heavenly guide

With us shall abide,

His comfort impart,

And set up his kingdom of love in the heart.
The heart that believes

His kingdom receives,

His pow'r and his peace,

His life and his joy's everlasting increase.

C. WESLEY.

THE recital which Henry had received from his friend, respecting Miss Percy, greatly increased his respect and interest in her; and he felt more than ever desirous to observe her character and' occupations. But there was something so unostentatious in the former, and so quiet and systematic in the latter, that he did not find it so easy to trace her steps as he had expected. Though Mr. Leighton had proposed in the outset, that Henry should visit throughout the parish, and see every plan that had been arranged in complete operation, (and this he had done at the particular request of Theophilus, who was anxious that Henry should see every thing

that might profit him, both for his own sake and that of the future work in which he might be engaged,) yet, as the individuals of the family knew their duties were simple and common, and though perhaps neglected by others, nothing more than natural to do, where there is love to God and man in the heart, they continued just to go on as heretofore, without extra conversation on such subjects, or needless display, and therefore Henry was uninvited to accompany their walks of mercy, and saw little of what was going on. Theophilus, however, was far from losing sight of his object, and meant to introduce his friend, by slow degrees, into such habits of intimacy with the family, as would make them feel his presence no intrusion, even in their most quiet and retired engagements; and thus enable him to see the Christian character in its internal as well as external developments.

Henry had been nearly a fortnight at Lilybrook when an evening arrived, occurring twice in the month, in which Mr. Leighton held a kind of meeting, for the more serious members of his parish, in which they considered some portion of the word of God, prayed for the Divine help in assisting them to understand it, and conversed together, or made inquiries of Mr. Leighton as to the meaning of such portion. They had also a subject proposed on every occasion, generally arising out of the particular part of Scripture they were reading: this subject they were to consider during the interval of the meeting, and find in what manner it

was proved or illustrated by Scripture. The subject was always of a practical nature, and had two important uses; first, it accustomed the people who assembled, to search the Scriptures, and made them familiar with their contents; and secondly, it led them to look upon this book as their guide in all matters of doubt and perplexity, and to try their principles by its unerring standard. Mr. Leighton always presided at this meeting; Mrs. Leighton, Miss Percy, and the elder branches of the family also attended. The remainder of the party consisted of six or eight persons, in the rank of farmers or yeomen, who by their serious attention at church, and consistent conduct, had given their minister reason to hope that they were truly in earnest about the concerns of their souls. On the evening I have mentioned, the meeting commenced with a hymn, in which every one present tried to join, and then Mr. Leighton offered up a fervent prayer, that there might be a divine blessing sent down upon all who were assembled to search the word of God, and learn his will; that the Holy Spirit might aid them to read and understand the Scriptures aright, giving them spiritual eyes to see into the truth, and devoted hearts, ready humbly to receive and obey it when known; that they might all have an humble, teachable, and childlike spirit, united in Christian love, anxious to edify one another, and ready to sit for instruction at each other's feet; and that, finally, their meetings here below might all tend to raise their affections to a better world, quicken their faith,

and brighten their hopes, and enable them so to pass through things temporal, as to gain at length the things eternal, through the merits and all-prevailing intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The subject conversed on this evening, had arisen from some questions that had been considered on the last occasion, in connection with the portion of Scripture then read, viz. the 2d verse of 1st chapter 2 Corinthians, Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father. An inquiry was made, how this peace, when once in the possession of a believer, was to be kept alive and sensibly retained, amidst the storms and billows of this unruly world. Mr. Leighton had then proposed, that this should be the subject in reference to which they should search the Scripture, during the following fortnight; and now, after he had read for a little while with his party, and conversed as usual, the question was brought forward.

"Well, friends," said Mr. Leighton, 66 we have a sweet subject to talk about this evening, and I hope we have all been thinking of it during our separation-How we are to retain and enjoy that peace which is the gift of God? Now this peace is a principle of enjoyment altogether distinct from outward ease, prosperity, health, friends, or any other circumstances whatever, for the Lord Jesus himself says, In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in ME ye shall have peace. John, xvi. 33. Now, farmer Johnson, perhaps you can tell us from whence this peace arises."