who were instrumental in the hands of God, of planting the first churches in New Hampshire. They were men of God, and no one can look back upon their history without admiring the wisdom of the Great Head of the church in choosing such men, at such a time. They were called to labor in peculiar circumstances, and God gave them peculiar endowments. Their advantages were not such as are now enjoyed, to acquire an education, but they were men of great industry, and therefore were enabled to rise with the improvement of society.

But most of these devoted men have rested from their labors. We look around upon our beloved brethren and fathers, and see but here and there a hoary head which may be numbered with the first ministers of New Hampshire. They have departed, one after another, to rest with their Redeemer. We follow them. And while standing on the ground which they occupied, we would cherish their memory, and wish to copy the piety, zeal, and singleness of purpose, which was so strongly developed in their life and character.

We now occupy the place of our fathers. In turning our minds from them, and looking around us, we see the goodly heritage which they have bequeathed to us. Let us most solemnly feel that an important trust has been committed to our hands.

While, therefore, we are called upon to admire the character of the churches, and their former ministry, may we so imitate their excellences as to be followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The circumstances upon which we are thrown, may not require of us the same kind or the same degree of sacrifices, as was required of our predecessors. Temptations, however, to forsake the right way may be spread before us, which may be equally subtle and resistless. But in the midst of such temptations, may we turn and look back at the firm and undaunted courage, portrayed in those that have gone before us, and then let us consider that every particle of truth which now

attaches to our declaration of faith and practice, is committed to us in sacred charge, to keep inviolate amid all the efforts that may be made to wrest it from our hand.

Much has been said for half a century to fix a reproach upon our faith and practice. We have met the charge of bigotry, ignorance, undue tenacity about small matters, and are even ready to meet them again; yes, we will meet them as often as they are charged upon us, for in this respect we can defend ourselves on scripture ground. We will always try to meet such unkind charges in the spirit of the gospel. May we always retain the consciousness that all such charges are unfounded, and bear fruits of our innocence to the world! May other generations, when they shall stand and survey the history of our churches, and find us on the record of her departed sons, have the assurance that we were not unworthy of a place with them on the pages of history!

"WHAT read'st thou there, my fair-haired boy, With eye so soft and blue?

What spell has chilled the tide of joy,
Which late thy veins ran through?
Up looked he from that page of fear,
(Such dread our race inherits,)
And spoke the title, low but clear,
"The World of Evil Spirits."

"Hand me the book, my gentle friend,
And let me o'er it glance,
Whilst thou a patient hearing lend
To what I may advance.

"Spirits of Evil,"

ah, my child!

They are of fearful might :

"T is well thou seek'st to shun their guile ; Be sure thou seek'st aright!

"In glossy suit, perchance of black,
The Devil is oft arrayed;

While the dapper boot on his sinister foot
Does honor to Crispin's trade.

Ah! not by outward shape of fear

Is the cunning Devil shown;

But the gamester's wile or the scoffer's sneer
Shall make his presence known.

"Witches!' Ah yes, they too, abound ;
But ne'er in a garb like this:

They rather in silks than rags are found,
And betray, as of old, with a kiss.

When the witch looks out from a wanton's eye,

Or up from the ruby bowl,

Then, if thou would'st not to Virtue die,
Stand firm in thy strength of soul !

"Ghosts! Ah, my child! dread spectres they
That tell of our wasted powers;
The short-lived elves of Folly's day;
The ghosts of our murdered hours;
Of friendship broken, love estranged,
Of all that our hearts condemn;
Of good repelled to evil changed;
Beware, my boy! of them!"

179

THE MAIDEN AT CHURCH.

SUGGESTED ON SEEING A MAIDEN LADY AT CHURCH, WHOM THE AUTHOR HAS SEEN THERE EVER SINCE HE CAN REMEMBER.

How prim, and starched, and kind she looks,
And so devout and staid!

I wonder some old bachelor

Do n't wed that good old maid!

She does not look so very old,
Though years and years are by
Since any younger she has seemed,
E'en to my boyhood's eye.

That old straw bonnet she has on,
Tied with that bow of blue,

Seems not to feel Time's cankering hand,
'Tis "near as good as new."

The old silk gown- the square-toed shoes,
Those gloves-that buckle's gleam;
That silver buckle at her waist,

To me, like old friends seem.

Live on live on- and may the years
Touch lightly on thy brow;
As I beheld thee in my youth,
And as I see thee now;

May I, when age its furrows deep
Have ploughed upon my cheek,
Behold thee in that pew, unchanged,
So prim, so mild, so meek!