THE PURPLE CROCUS. 177 



meetings in the spacious school-room, just by his 

 cottage, how rejoicingly did the venerable believer 

 listen to his pastor's exhortation — how devoutly did 

 he fall down before the Lord, in fervent prayer — 

 and what a privilege was it reckoned, among the 

 Christians near his usual seat, to assist his tremb- 

 ling hands in turning over the leaves of the hymn- 

 book : or to hold a candle near the page, assisting 

 his dim sight, while his low, but distinct accents 

 swelled the song of praise ! Often had I the 

 delight, of thus assisting him : and never shall I 

 lose the remembrance of his bending figure and 

 striking countenance. There was a singular in- 

 tellectual character about the latter : his broad, 

 full, lofty brow, and the fine expansion of his bald 

 head, added to a really pleasing cast of features, 

 never failed to arrest an observant eye ; and I have 

 rarely noticed a manner so marked by perfect pro- 

 priety, among those of his humble rank, who have 

 been hailed as brethren beloved by men very much 

 their superiors in worldly station. Old B. never 

 aspired to rise above the level of a poor man in an 

 almshouse ; nor did he ever sink below that of 

 the conscious heir to an everlasting and glorious 

 kingdom. 



After observing him at the prayer-meetings and 

 the church, and ascertaining that my very favorable 

 impressions were rather below than above what 

 his character would justify, I one day met him in 



