330 THE HIDDEN LIFE. 



heaven." Such were Mr Wilson's feelings. To his sensi- 

 tive nature, everything like an appearance in public was 

 trying ; but regarding the office as one highly honourable 

 and responsible, after he had undertaken it he would 

 allow nothing to deter him from the discharge of its 

 duties. He was an excellent elder. Shrewd and sagacious, 

 his opinion was all the more weighty on account of the 

 modesty with which it was stated, and his mild concili- 

 atory spirit made him a favourite with all his colleagues. 

 With his tender-heartedness, he was a welcome visitor in 

 the poor man's home and in the house of mourning ; and 

 his accurate methodical habits made him anxious that all 

 things should be done " decently and in order." On the 

 eve of the communion Sabbath he used always to visit the 

 church, in order to satisfy himself that all its arrangements 

 were complete, and he was extremely solicitous to ensure 

 that outward decorum and solemnity, which in his own 

 case he found so conducive to the full impression and 

 enjoyment of the sacred season. It was on such occasions 

 that the two following letters were addressed to his dear 

 friend and fellow-elder, D. Crole, Esq. : — 



" Woodville, 21d Oct. 1846. 

 " My deae Sir, — I have written a few lines with regret 

 to our minister, informing him that, in consequence of an 

 increased attack of swelling and internal inflammation in 



