THE HAWTHORN. 79 



of truly spiritual instruction, and to stand forth among 

 a little cluster, appointed to shed abroad the light of 

 life and immortality over those regions of darkness 

 and the shadow of death. I cannot communi- 

 cate to my readers my own peculiar feelings, but 

 fain would I speak of hope and joy, to those who 

 go in heaviness for souls not yet brought under the 

 power of divine truth ; fain would I urge them 

 always to pray, and never to faint ; fain would I per- 

 suade them, when looking abroad on the bursting 

 buds, the unfolding leaves, the embryo fruits of 

 May, to read on every petal, every pod, the soul- 

 cheering invitation, " Lift up your eyes on high, 

 and behold ! who hath created these things, that 

 bringeth out their host by number : he calleth 

 them all by names, by the greatness of his might, 

 for that he is strong in power, " not one faileth." 



