36 THE FTJRZE-BUSH. 



could not enter into my views, because they saw 

 not that wherein I was daily privileged to rejoice. 

 It was a small matter to her, or to me, to be judged 

 of man's judgment. Mary had the witness in 

 herself, and she died in perfect peace — a peace 

 that had possessed her soul for many weeks, pre- 

 vious to its happy enfranchisement from the per- 

 ishing clay. I too, had a witness, in the signal 

 answers to prayer, whereby my path was daily 

 opened to the chamber of my beloved charge, not- 

 withstanding an almost unprecedented stretch, 

 both of influence and authority, to bar it against 

 me. I had another witness, in the unwonted 

 patience that possessed my intemperate spirit, 

 under many indignities ; and the faith that led 

 my steps continually to the scene of opposition. 

 That God himself had set before me an open 

 door, was manifested in this — no man could shut 



it. 



Well, the scratches were soon healed, that 



those ungracious thorns inflicted ; and the certain- 

 ty that I did indeed behold the flower removed to 

 a fair garden where no thorns can enter, renders 

 me joyfully willing to encounter as much, and 

 more, wherever the Lord points a way. I should 

 be well pleased so to connect the memory of my 

 interesting Mary with the bright-blossomed furze, 

 that every survey of its golden treasures, scattered 

 over our heaths and glens, might suggest a theme 



