5KB THE YOUNG CLERGYMAN. 



During these years he had frequently visited home, and, as may be 

 supposed, a warm welcome ever awaited him at the Parsonage. 

 His father viewed him with pride, and prayed only that his life 

 might be prolonged till he saw James settled in a living when 

 " he should depart in peace." His attachment to Mary was 

 avowed, and sanctioned. The high reputation which he enjoyed for 

 talents, joined to his excellent moral character, made Mrs. Jennings's 

 heart glad within her, and most cordially did she approve of Mary's 

 choice. She looked forward to their union in the fond hope that 

 her old age would be passed with them ; and she blessed the " Giver 

 of all good things" for this, which she esteemed a special mark of 

 His favour. 



The intercourse of Mary and James was thus encouraged on all 

 hands, and no restriction was placed upon their association. Poor 

 Mary heard the highest praises lavished upon the chosen object of 

 her wishes ; but these could not enlarge the extent of her love, for 

 already this had swallowed up all her earthly hopes and desires. 

 Placid and sweet in her manners, she had a heart which was the 

 abode of the most enthusiastic feelings; and kept alive as these con- 

 stantly were, they began to prey upon a constitution far too delicate 

 for the struggle. She would have vowed her vows at the altar at 

 this time, and have been a happy wife ; nay, she would have been a 

 "crown of glory" to her husband. But this was thought im- 

 possible. Marriage would have been incompatible with James's pre- 

 sent mode of subsistence, and might prove fatal to his farther pros- 

 pects of preferment, dependent as this was on his college. 



The havoc of over-excitement in a temperament like Mary's soon 

 became visible. During his transitory visits, indeed, her eyes sparkled, 

 and her cheek glowed, as in the first burst of their happiness ; but 

 throughout his long absences, she pined and drooped, with hope 

 deferred, that " maketh the heart sick ;" and like the lily, which in 

 all its bravery has exposed itself to the scorching mid-day sun the 

 first symptoms of decay only rendered her still more touchingly 

 beautiful. 



CHAPTER III. THE CURATE. 



" A heart that, having once laid hold, 

 Closely adheres, and but in death drops off. v 



" How beautiful is death, when earn'd by virtue ! " Beautiful, 

 indeed, is the death of that man, who has, through life, fulfilled with 

 an upright mind the various duties of his station, and who sinks into 

 forgetful ness, in the calm hope of a Christian, and full of trust in 

 God ! Such was the death of the Reverend James Edwards, who 

 was gathered to his fathers when his son was about to enter upon 

 the sacred duties of his profession. He died full of affection for his 

 family and for his people, and in the confident hope that He who 

 had watched over him would watch over his family. 



This was the second epoch in the life of James Edwards, and it 

 came fraught with melancholy consequences. The death of hi 



