foolish and weak for thinking and caring so much for them. But it was in vain-all would not avail, and I found no peace till my connexion with the church was dissolved."

Mr. Merton is now the pastor of the church in the wealthy farming town of P, where his ministry is much blessed; the fruits of it already having been seen in a precious revival. He has had the pleasure of baptizing fortyseven converts, and of seeing many backsliders. return to their Father's house. His salary is $600, which, with numerous presents, (such as wealthy farmers of generous hearts often give,) affords him a comfortable maintenance; as the expenses of living are much less than He has not entirely overcome his SENSITIVENESS yet; but says he "don't care half as much as he used to, what people say about him."

in

It is due to the church in

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they raised by subscription a sum of money sufficient to liquidate the debts of Mr. Merton, so that he left the place unenibarrassed. They have now settled the gifted Rev. Charles Melville, and find no difficulty whatever in paying him a salary of $900.

CHAPTER V.

A BURLESQUE LETTER.

Mr. Daniel Berkland was a Christian gentleman of the legal profession, and was one of the best hearted men in the world.

He was

somewhat eminent as a lawyer, and had an extensive practice. His clients, as a general thing, were a very honest class of men, because it was understood throughout the region, that Squire Berkland resorted to no chicanery, never took advantage of his clients by prolonging their cases, or making them unnecessary trouble and expense; but always advised them to let the law alone, when they could in any practicable manner adjust their difficulties without it; for strange as it may seem to some—

"There are who, living by the legal pen,
Are held in honor-honorable men;

Men who would starve, ere meanly deign to live
On what deception and chicanery give."

Squire Berkland was known, in repeated instances, to interpose so successfully between

contending parties, as to lead them to a happy and amicable settlement; so that instead of going to law, they actually became strong friends through his kind and Christian-like mediation; when by fanning the flame a little, he might have carried the cases' through many cents, and put handsome fees into his pocket.

Such being his character, it cannot be wondered at, that good men, forced into the law, would naturally apply to him.

Squire Berkland had formed a very strong attachment to his pastor as a man, and highly respected him as his spiritual guide and counsellor. His pastor warmly reciprocated his friendship, and greatly esteemed him as an active and devoted Christian. He often used to say to his wife, "I wish we had more of such straight-forward Christians in the world as Squire Berkland.”

The Squire was afflicted in all his pastor's afflictions. He could not bear to see him in the least troubled, or depressed in spirit; and whenever he found him in this condition, would be contriving something to cheer him up; and having a curious vein of humor, he almost always succeeded. One time calling

at his house, he found him quite dejected, because complaints were rife in the parish that he did not visit enough. Many of the people murmured loudly, and some with considerable acrimony; although the fact was, the good man visited as much as he could, consistently with attending to his other duties. After the Squire went to his office, the thought struck him that he would write his minister an amusing letter; hoping thereby to give a turn to his feelings, and lead him to see that it was not wise to trouble himself with unreasonable complainers. The following is a copy of the letter, which he wrote immediately, and sent to his pastor's house in the evening.

M-, March 19, 18-.

Rev. and Dear Sir:-I am sorry to write you such a letter as my duty imperatively demands, because I am aware that of all classes of men, ministers are the last that are willing to take any sort of advice. Devoutly hoping, however, that you may prove an exception to your profession in this respect, I reluctantly gird up my loins to my onerous duty. There is a very great complaint in the parish on the

score of visiting; and really sir, unless there can be a change on your part in this respect, the sooner you pull up your stakes and go, the better it will be, both for you and the people. I candidly acknowledge that I am myself one of the complainers, and I believe your good sense will at once lead you to see the reasonableness of my course, when I inform you that you have not darkened the door of my dwelling, since three weeks ago yesterday. Only think of that-more than three. weeks have passed and gone, and you, our pastor, our guide to heaven, our minister, whom we hire expressly to teach us the way of life, have not called even once to give us the word of advice and counsel. Verily you cannot think it strange that we are dissatisfied, and feel that unless you can alter your course, we must have another and a better minister.

Now sir, I will inform you what I shall require of you, if you remain among us. I shall expect you without fail to visit my house once a week, and spend one hour in personal, religious conversation and prayer with the members of my family. I cannot put up with anything short of this. Now I have reckoned