200 HILLS AND LAKES. 



the uneven things that happen in this world, how 

 hard the lot of one, and how happy that of another is, 

 I say to myself, ' HE ordereth all things well.' There's 

 a great many things I can't understand, and some that 

 the wisest men can't understand, and the dealin's of 

 Providence with human fate, and human destiny, is 

 one of 'em. If he troubles the just man, it is for some 

 wise and benevolent purpose, that will be made 

 known in time or in eternity. 



" I'm a poor man, Squire, and an ignorant one. I 

 don't care about riches, but I should like to be wise ; 

 but I would not barter my faith in the good provi- 

 dence of my Maker, for all the kingdoms of the world, 

 and all the knowledge that human wisdom ever at- 

 tained to. I don't belong to any church, for I don't 

 clearly understand the difference in their doctrines. 

 But I've a simple doctrine of my own that I hold to, 

 and it's this : that the man who believes in God, and 

 fears him, who does the thing that is right, may go on 

 his journey of life rejoicing, like the running stream 

 that travels quietly to the ocean, and lay down at last, 

 in the hope of a place among the happy hereafter. 

 Not that I believe in his being saved by the merit of 

 his works, for man is a sinful and erring creature at 



