FIRST DAY. 11 



certainly are, but take what class you 

 will, I believe you will find within it a 

 larger number more vicious, and with in- 

 finitely less excuse for bad living. To me 

 there is something affecting in the hard 

 and simple lives of these people, who, 

 when well-disposed, present better examples 

 of Christian patience and resignation than 

 may be found even among the educated. 

 If you knew them as well I do, you would 

 confess that the agricultural labourer is a 

 long-suffering and enduring creature rude 

 and unpolished, but often honest and sub- 

 missive to his superiors, to a degree that 

 you will look for in vain among the half- 

 educated and often half-infidel mechanic. 

 I can never forget that our Great Master 

 and Teacher chose for his companions on 

 earth men of the simplest habits and hum- 

 blest walk of life ; and often as I have 

 looked upon the cluster of white frocks in 

 the aisle of our village church, and watched 



