RIVER LIFE. 197 



ward the rising sun, and overlooking a vast region of country, 

 and there poured forth sacred melody to our heart's content. The 

 echo was glorious. Verily we thought our ' feet were set in a 

 large place ;' and we could readily imagine that the wide crea- 

 tion had found a tongue with which our own exulted in unison. 

 "At the hour appointed we assembled in the camp, and en- 

 gaged in the exercises of a religious conference. It was good to 

 be there. The scene finds its portraiture in the words of Cow- 

 per : 



" ' The calm retreat, the silent shade, 

 With pray'r and praise agree. 

 And seem by thy sweet bounty made 

 P'or those who follow thee. 



Then, if thy spirit touch the soul, 



And grace her mean abode, 

 O ! with what peace, and joy, and love 



She there communes with God.' 



" It is not too much to say that we enjoyed a measure of such 

 experience. The day — the place — the topics of remarks — the 

 songs of Zion — all encircled by a kind Providence, and made ef- 

 fective by the presence of God, will ever be worthy of a grate- 

 ful remembrance. 



" In the afternoon, by request. Rev. Mr. Munsell addressed us 

 from the 1 1th verse of the 145th Psalm, ' They shall speak of the 

 glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power.' Our position add- 

 ed deep interest to the theme of discourse, and naturally furnished 

 much ground for illustration. Indeed, the entire services of the 

 day were attended with peculiar influences, being had under cir- 

 cumstances so widely diflerent from the ordinary life of the com- 

 pany. 



" That Sabbath was our delight, even in the face of a possible 

 deficiency in food. But the course adopted imparted bodily rest 

 and a peaceful mind. 



