12 



BOYHOOD. 



[Chap. L 



heart's desire : and he could have had no better training for it 

 than he had at home. This was, perhaps, the happiest period 

 of his father's life : his colleague, the Rev. R. B. Aspland, M.A., 

 lightened his burden by efficient help ; his plans of usefulness 

 were now cordially appreciated, and were bearing fruit ; and he 

 was able to devote himself more uninterruptedly to the study 

 of the Gospels in which he delighted. The first edition of his 

 "Apostolical Harmony" was published in 1835, an d the "Disser- 

 tations" bore evidence of his long study of everything relating 

 to the Holy Land that was accessible to him. " He seemed 

 almost as familiar with the respective places, as if he himself 

 had visited them : and this gave a peculiar vividness to his 

 details. He found the morning the most uninterrupted time 

 for his labours, and often rose between four and five, spending 

 the hours before eight o'clock in close but refreshing study. 

 This was to him the most delightful portion of the day; and 

 when he joined his family at breakfast, his face would wear an 

 expression not easy to be forgotten, as he would say, 6 1 have 

 been with the Lord in Galilee this morning.' Those who saw 

 him might indeed take 'knowledge of him that he 'had been 

 with Jesus' " (" Memoir of Dr, L. Carpenter," p. 394). 



The unfeigned faith that was in the father characterized the 

 son, who was sharing his spirit, and was deeply interested in 

 his work. It was in the summer vacation of this year (August 3, 

 1835) that Dr. Carpenter wrote to his sister; "We have been 

 very happy in our family meeting. The children have been to 

 each other, and to us, as their parents would desire ; and there 

 is a good spirit among them, and manifestation of stable prin- 

 ciple, which it is a great comfort to witness. To-day we have 

 had the singular satisfaction of all — parents and six children — 

 uniting together at the Lord's Supper. ... As to Philip, on 

 conversing with him in family council on Saturday, I find, as I 

 expected, that his bias is very decided towards the ministry." 



When Philip left home the following year, he wrote a letter 

 to the superintendent of the Sunday school, testifying to the 

 interest he had taken in it, since he began to teach there, when 

 twelve years old. Throughout life, boys had his love ; and to 



