us all, he and his flock were finally committed, to whom they were accountable for what was done here in the body, and in whose lives were to be expected examples of the living and true faith.

The laying on of hands, especially, produced a visible effect on the crowded assembly. They remained almost breathless during this impressive ceremony. It seemed to bring the reality of the Christian warfare more directly before them. They could in a greater measure feel what the sacredness of the Christian ministry was. And there, in that crowded little country meeting house, many a simple heart was that day, for the first time, touched with love to God, and with that ceremony dated its beginning in the life of faith, and purity, and godliness.

An appropriate hymn was sung by the choir, after which the doxology was joined in by the entire congregation. O, how strangely beautiful sounded the notes of that dear old hymn, and the echoes of those village voices, as they gathered and spread over the silent street! What a holy spot, even then, seemed that quiet little town! as if the selfish world were all shut out, its cares, its griefs, its ambition, its deceit, and only Heaven and the Spirit of Heaven hung gently over the whole place. How many simple hearts felt the immediate presence in their midst of a Power that wings itself wherever faithful worshippers are gathered together!

Mr. Humphreys pronounced the benediction, the assembly rising to receive it; and then the public exercises were closed.

It was a day to be remembered, no less in the calendar of the clergyman's life than in that of the lives of the · people a great day for the church there, and for the entire parish by which the circle of its influence was limited.

Mr. Humphreys retired, first of all, to his study, and threw himself on his knees in prayer.

CHAPTER XII.

THE MINISTER'S WIFE.

THE autumn was waning slowly, its greatest glories beginning to fade out. The mornings were frosty and the evenings chill; and only in the pleasant noons, when the hills were begirt with hazy smokes, like colored transparencies, did the sun feel genial at all.

Mr. Humphreys was seriously thinking of undertaking the next important step of his life.

He took Deacon Burroughs into his room one afternoon, and there proceeded to disclose to him what he had in contemplation. He was about to get married!

The deacon opened his eyes quite widely, as one who had never before thought of such a thing naturally would.

"I only want to know if you can continue to accom.modate me, with my wife," said Mr. Humphreys, "through the winter. If perfectly convenient to your family, of course I should by all means prefer to stay here. In the spring, I suppose, I shall go into the parsonage, and begin housekeeping in good earnest."

Deacon Burroughs, for himself, would be very glad to have Mrs. Humphreys board with his family; and he would forthwith proceed to lay the subject before his wife. But wasn't this a rather sudden affair?

"O, no, by no means," said Mr. Humphreys.

"But I hadn't heard any thing of it before."

"Nor any one else, I presume. In fact, it is, up to this very hour, my own secret. I have committed it to but one other friend, Mr. Hawley, of Grassville, whose wife was an old and close friend of the future Mrs. Humphreys, and who is himself going to supply my pulpit in my necessary absence. O, no, deacon; it's not a sudden matter. I have had it in my mind for nearly two years."

The deacon answered by a low "Hum," sinking his chin deeper in his cravat, and musing on it.

"Suppose you do not say any thing of it to your wife until night," said Mr. Humphreys; "and, even then, it will be a gratification to me if the matter is not talked of at all until my return with the real Mrs. Humphreys."

"O, yes," assented the deacon; "I'll say nothing about it; and I'm sure my wife won't, if I just tell her it's your wish."

"It is. I hope she won't."

"Never fear, Mr. Humphreys; never fear. I think we can do for you all you desire. Mrs. Humphreys shall be made just as comfortable as possible when she gets here, no matter where she boards. Yes, I'll see my wife about it all to-night. She can't have any other mind than I have

about it. We should hate to have you leave us; and I know we should like to try and make Mrs. Humphreys comfortable. But in getting ready a little for you, I suppose my wife will be obliged to tell Lucy something about what's going to happen."

"O, certainly. I have no special reason of importance for wishing to keep the matter a secret; I simply think it will be as well. Such things are generally talked about a good deal, you know, deacon; and I think it will be time enough to begin the discussion when I get back. That is all."

"And that's reason enough, Mr. Humphreys. I am exactly of your mind in this matter. But who is the Mrs. Humphreys that is to be? May I be so bold as to ask her name?"

"I will tell you gladly, deacon. She is at present Miss Caroline Edmonds, the daughter of Mr. Edmonds of Thornton. I taught the academy there a long time, and studied there at the same time."

"Ah!" answered Deacon Burroughs.

"I intend going there next week, and shall be absent in all about a fortnight. Then I hope you and your wife can accommodate us here."

"And I haven't any doubt that we can. I will talk to Mrs. Burroughs about it this very evening."

The next morning, when Mr. Humphreys came down to breakfast, he met the deacon and his wife with the usual salutations his own spirits, perhaps, a little raised by the