their Saviour and my Saviour, of their God and my God. Father in heaven, into thy hands we commit our immortal spirits!"

When he had thus spoken, he sat down in the pulpit, and wept bitterly. Nor did he weep alone. The man of gray hairs wept, and the child sobbed by his side. And when they looked to the holy man, whose sorrow was all for them,-and when they turned their eyes to the seat, where his wife sat, bathed in tears, and her children, Andrew and Mary, weeping aloud, and looking up to their father, and when they thought, that they were to be driven out from their happy home, to wander in poverty,-again their tears flowed, and again they looked and wept.

Mr. Bruce was the first to recover some degree of composure. He begged his sorrowing audience not to give themselves up to vain lamentations, but rather to be thankful for the comfortable days they had spent together; to be putting their hope and their confidence in God; and to be preparing for the sufferings to which it was likely they would soon be exposed. In surveying the aspect of the times, he said, he had no doubt that the entire destruction of the presbyterian church was meditated; and a severe persecution, he had

every reason to believe, was about to commence, in which their faith and their patience would be put to a severe trial. He advised them to be as inoffensive as possible to the civil powers, and to give prompt and cordial obedience to all their lawful demands; but exhorted them rather to suffer, than renounce the covenant, or make the smallest compliance in violation of their own consciences,-assuring them at the same time, if they suffered now they would rejoice hereafter. God would remember every sigh, and treasure up all their tears in his bottle. Their patient endurance would tire out the arm of persecution. They would thus leave the blessings of religious liberty to their posterity; and if they themselves suffered to the death, they would be rewarded in heaven with a crown of life.

After this valedictory admonition and encouragement, having recommended his flock again to the care of Heaven, he descended from the pulpit, amidst the weepings of his congregation; and when he had, with difficulty, withdrawn himself from them, he retired, with his wife and children, to his house.

In the pulpit, Mr. Bruce had carefully avoided making any allusion to his own family. His feel

ings of sorrow, on their account, were of that deep and sacred kind, which we rather wish to shut up in the sanctuary of our own bosoms, than trust to the sympathy of the most confiding friendship. How could he see her, who had been long the companion of his life, endeared to him by every tie that can draw kindred souls into the closest fellowship, her who had been ever used to the comforts of plenty, driven from a home which she had made so comfortable, exposed to fatigue, to houseless wandering, and, perhaps to want itself? How could he see his dear children, whom she had nursed so tenderly, and in whom resided his dearest earthly hopes, turned out, unable as they were to provide for themselves, on the sympathies of the world? He knew, indeed, that as long as he and his family were permitted to wander among his flock, they would be in no danger of want; but it was easy to read, from the face of the times, that even this would soon be denied them and he already saw his family, in the forward eye of imagination, suffering under all the evils of insult and beggary.

On this subject he had not dared hitherto to enter, even to Mrs. Bruce. She observed it, and was well aware of the cause; and anxious to re

lieve his feelings, on the Sabbath evening, while they sat in their snug parlor, gazing in silent dejection on their children, she thus began the conversation.

you too;

and so

"Do not be so sorrowful on our account, dear James," she said, "I have shared in all your enjoyments, and I can suffer with can these children. We may have many hardships to encounter; but we will have the approbation of our own minds, we will have the protection of that God in whom we have always trusted; and we know that he will not suffer any thing effectually to hurt us. We will have your love, my dear James; and we shall still be happy in sharing your trials, and soothing your cares.

"Dearest Eliza," said Mr. Bruce, "you are indeed right, God will be our protector: why should we hesitate to cast ourselves upon his care? I could have easily made up my mind to this trial, but for you and these children. But why should I cast one lingering look on these comforts, which my Master bids me leave? He can protect you as well as me. Under his guidance we are safe. To-morrow we quit this house, which is to be occupied by another; and let us quit it without a murmur. What is the threaten

ing or indulgence of this world to us? What are its joys or its pains? To do our duty to God,— our Creator and Redeemer, to love, to honor, and to obey him, this is sufficient for us. He will see that no evil befal us."

Here Mr. Bruce paused for a little, and then proceeded thus :—

"But let us act with prudence, my dear Eliza, Might it not be proper for you and the children to go and live with your friends at Lanark for the present. You will then have a settled home; and I am sure you will be kindly treated. For my own part, I am resolved to continue among my flock, and to take every opportunity of serving their spiritual interests."

"No, no,” said Mrs. Bruce; "we will not leave you. I am determined to suffer with you. Nothing but death shall part me from you." "But these children," said Mr. Bruce;

of them, dear Eliza."

"think

"They are stout and healthy," replied Mrs. Bruce; "and you shall see how cheerfully they will submit to every thing, rather than part with you. Will you leave your father, Andrew? Will you, Mary?"