78 THE HAWTHORN. 



ly to fall and die. I was yet pondering with tear- 

 ful eyes on this poor record of departed gladness, 

 when a letter reached me from one who labours in 

 his Master's cause among the deluded people of 

 Ireland. He asked me to plead for an estimable 

 society, established in the diocese of Tuam, for 

 the education of poor children ; and subjoins ' one 

 of our best schools was instituted by you?' late la- 

 mented brother.'' Now, to the glory of God's grace 

 be it spoken, He never yet left me without some to- 

 ken for good, when my mind had been strongly exer- 

 cised on the glorious subject of his faithfulness and 

 truth. I had even questioned whether it would be 

 expedient to send forth this story of hopes and 

 prayers, where many might doubt whether they 

 had been fulfilled : and I do not envy the faith or 

 the feeling of that person who should chide me, 

 for recognizing in this case a distinct message of 

 encouragement from Him whom I have dared to 

 trust. 



I knew long since that my dear brother, shortly 

 before his death had discovered a little hedge- 

 school in a remote part of that country, which he 

 only visited to find a grave beneath its sod. I 

 knew that he had compassionated its destitute case, 

 and obtained for the children a small supply of re- 

 ligious books : but I never knew, never suspected, 

 that the Lord had put such honour upon his work, 

 as to bid it grow up into an important establishment 



