the men whose names have given Olney a justly historic fame-William Cowper, the poet; John Newton, the unfaltering champion of the faith; John Sutcliffe, Thomas Scott, and William Carey, the pioneer of missionary enterprise.

In those days of new-born life the barriers between the Church and Nonconformity were not suffered to be separation. In the case of earnest and spiritual men, hungry for the good of those amongst whom they laboured, hand clasped hand, and shoulder to shoulder they marched under the same Captain, their banner like that of the old crusaders, their motto the same "Deus Vult." It is refreshing to turn back to those fair green pastures and flowery meadows, watered by the gently flowing Ouse, and live with those simple earnest men who were faithful and loyal to the cause to which they had pledged themselves.

There is no time in the history of our country when religion was more absorbing and real. It was not then, to those men who had been awakened by the trumpet-call of the Whitfields and Wesleys, as a robe, which must be worn on Sundays and laid aside in the week. It was not a mere form of creeds or prayers still less of dogma; but it was as the very air which was breathed, as the one thing which dwarfed all other things into insignificance, and made the pleasures and pains, the joys and sorrows, the learning and ignorance of the world, as nothing when weighed in the balance with the question John Newton puts into the mouth of the inquirer:

"Do I love the Lord or no?

Am I His, or am I not?”

It was this question that so often vexed the soul of the gentle poet as he paced his garden-walk. It was this question that the proud spirit of John Newton, brought low as a little child, could answer for himself with what may seem to us over-bold assurance. It was this question which Sutcliffe had answered, and William Carey, brought up at his feet, had echoed; and as he answered, he was fired with the zeal of bringing in the heathen to the fold, and bringing them to the cross of Christ. Paul Chamberlain was a student in Mr. Sutcliffe's house, and had been sent forth in the spring of this year to try his powers as a preacher. A "missioner we should now call him. Paul was of humble origin, but he was one of Nature's gentlemen, and a certain mild refinement and courtesy characterized him, which made his master say of him, "Paul is prone to be too gentle with the erring. He may win souls, but he will never use the hammer which Mr. Newton wields with such success. Paul must feed the babes with milk, and leave it to others to provide the strong meat."

But Mr. Sutcliffe did not judge this student of his aright. If ever strength and sweetness were combined, they met in Paul Chamberlain; and Cuthbert Rollestone was not really more courageous in the face of danger, nor capable of greater endurance.

Katharine did not hasten downstairs into the

parlour, where poor Paul was undergoing a sharp fire of cross-questioning from Miss Perry.

"You came to tell us of a meeting in the Vicarage garden, you say? My niece is much engaged, expecting her intimate friend, Miss Cicely Whinfield, who comes to fix sundry matters connected with her approaching marriage to Squire Rollestone, the heir of Coltswood Manor."

Miss Perry gave a little toss of her head, and a sniff peculiar to herself, as if she were smelling something fragrant, or the reverse, over her shoulder.

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'My niece is to be bridesmaid, and will be off to Bedford to-morrow to choose her wedding-gown. My brother desires that she should be dressed becomingly, considering her station in life." Again a toss of the head, and a sniff more significant than before.

"I heard from Drusilla Allen that the marriage. between Squire Rollestone's son and Squire Whinfield's daughter was to take place. I heard it with sorrow and concern."

"Indeed!" said Miss Perry. "Here, Kath, is one who comes to look solemn instead of joyful at the news."

Paul Chamberlain rose when, as Miss Perry spoke, Katharine entered the parlour, and, without attempting to take her hand, bowed his head, and said:

"I am glad to see you looking so well, Miss Katharine. I came to ask as a favour that you would attend the meeting-house to-night, where

Mr. Sutcliffe is to give an address on the subject of missions."

Before Katharine could reply there was a sound of horses' feet in the yard at the side of the house, and Katharine, starting up, exclaimed:

"They are come! It must be Cicely and Squire Rollestone."

In another minute Cicely appeared in the garden, her face lighted with smiles, her dainty figure set off to advantage in her riding-habit, the long skirt of which she had thrown over her arm.

Katharine ran out to meet her, and the two girls flew into each other's arms.

"It is good of you to have me here, Kath; and we will have such fun choosing the lace, and all the rest of it; and my father has given me leave to buy my wedding-gown, and your's, too, at Bedford. We will go to-morrow, shopping."

"I am happy to see you, Miss Whinfield," Miss Perry said, "and I bid you welcome to Lavendon Mill. It's humble accommodation, I know, and not a house so fine as the Pleasaunce or the Manor; but

Miss Perry's formal address, accompanied by formal curtsies, was interrupted by a laugh from Cicely.

Pray don't apologize. be excused for taking Why, Cuthbert," she

"Oh! it is all very nice. It is I who ought to beg to Kath's invitation in earnest. said, turning to her betrothed, who now joined the party by the door, "you did not tell me how pretty