UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 91 



The wildest glen, but this, can show 

 Some touch of Nature's genial glow. 

 But here above, around, below, 



On mountain or in glen, 

 Nor tree, nor shrub, nor plant, nor flower, 

 Nor aught of vegetative power, 



The weary eye may ken ; 

 For all is rock, at random thrown, 

 Black waves, bare crags, and banks of stone, 



As if were here denied 

 The summer's sun, the spring's sweet dew, 

 That clothe, with many a varied hue, 



The bleakest mountain-side *. 



4A. Sunday. My uncle read some parts to 

 us, this morning, of a book which he likes very 

 much " Sumner on the Ministerial Character 

 of Christ." I intend soon to read it. There was 

 a curious fact mentioned in the part my uncle 

 chose, which, however, must be well authenti- 

 catedj or Sumner would not have given it. 



In speaking of the gradual manner by which 

 converts were taught the truths and mysteries of 

 the Gospel, he says that the Catechumens were 

 not permitted to say the Lord's Prayer till after 

 they had been baptised, and had therefore been 

 thoroughly instructed in the Gospel. The Chris- 

 tian converts, he says, were divided into the 

 Catechumens, or learners, and the Fideles, or 

 believers ; and there was a great distinction 

 maintained between these classes, in the pri- 

 mitive church. The Catechumens were allowed 



* Lord of the Isles, c, iii. 



