Lucy Ellen Guernsey

“ Rome may claim omniscience and omnipotence while her priests sit in the confessional, and men and women kneel crushed slaves at their feet. I have groaned beneath this bondage, and secretly resented it for you, but now I will be free, and the God of the free and true shall alone hear my last confession."
"Countess," cried Guy with animation, "the Spirit of that God cannot be excluded by prison walls. If He teach at all, He teaches only truth, and 'if the truth make him free, he is free indeed.' Whatever is to occur on earth, you may by God's grace be one in Christ in heaven." ”

“ THE last evening before the removal of the family from the Moat, the moon shone out brightly at intervals from a cloudy sky, touching with silvery light the gables and turrets of the mansion, the old church tower, and the edges of the tombstones that nestled amidst the grass and shrubs. Beneath three fine old cedars which wrapped one spot in the churchyard in gloom, was the family vault of the Falconers, and thither from her last visit to the cottage of the dying gardener, Mrs. Falconer directed her steps. ”

“ There was an easel bearing an unfinished picture of some lovely spot, an open portfolio of designs and copies, brushes and paints and chalks, a few books, a delicate piece of ladies' fancy work, on which Maude was sometimes employed; and from the hand of the sleeper, a little Testament had slipped.
From these surroundings, Mrs. W—'s gaze returned to that still beautiful face, and she almost shuddered to see how very worn it looked, how delicate and thin the cheek, how care-lined the brow.
"This will never do," thought she; "something must be done, or she will die." ”

“ Howbeit the Squire of Daisy-Meade thought and said, and endeavoured to enforce his idea, that woman's endowments, both by nature and grace, are to be exercised in private life, and felt in the blessedness of home; not armed to the teeth for strife and debate, or fussy and famous before the world, which mocks while it applauds, and sneers while it submits to the intrusion of things out of place. ”

“ Early the next morning, all the inhabitants of the Falconer Range were astir; groups of people well-to-do, and groups of poor people, and of children innumerable, gathered about the park gates and along the village street, and when Joe and the black horses emerged from the park with the much loved exiles behind them, there was a rush to the carriage windows, hands were shaken and kissed, and murmured benedictions burst from many lips. Old men uncovered their grey heads, women sobbed, and children for once moved quietly. ”

“ For Master Guy had found himself in several violent passions, had indulged in more unbecoming language concerning his uncle and grandfather than had ever been heard from his lips before, had flung his lesson books into a corner, trampled down the flowers in his own particular garden, shaken his young fist at the aggravating birds that sang on cheerily among the trees, and exhausted himself in a flood of tears, with his arms clasped round the neck of a sympathising pony. ”

“ A gifted man may dedicate his genius to purity and virtue, and so guide public taste and feeling in the right direction; or he may degrade his gifts to the sensuous and profane, and leave the stamp of satanic triumph on his day and generation. To use genius aright, dear Guy, it must be consecrated and directed by the Spirit of Almighty God. In all that is beautiful and sublime, He, the source of beauty, the impersonation of all perfection, is the safe and willing Guide. ”

“ But will it do any good in the world?"
"'Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.'"
"And if I cannot do that, I will not be a painter," thought Guy; "to earn money is all very well, and I like the idea very much, but it isn't everything. Can I serve God in my work? I can think about Him, love Him, admire Him, but can I serve Him by copying His beautiful works on to my canvas, and wishing men to buy the representation? ”

“ I hope you are not going to be like the Pope, Roger."
"Protestantism forbid! How, pray?"
"Infallible," laughed Dorothy.
"I don't know, Mistress Dorothy, my bump of self-esteem has been rather growing lately. Did you ever see any child so improved as Evelyn, and did not I say that it would be better to have a governess at home than to send her to school?"
"You did, Roger, and I can never thank God and you enough for bringing us such a governess as Mrs. Falconer." And Dorothy looked up with grateful affection into her husband's face. ”

“ Spadeley had misgivings as to whether it would be real worship in a building without aged pillars, and pointed arches, and many-coloured glass, and especially without the mouldering dust of the hamlet's "rude forefathers" begetting solemn thoughts of death and decay; but as all great occasions would rally the people round the old mother-church, and he himself was undisputed monarch of the parish graveyard, it did not seem that any great diminution of his importance would accrue from a small unpretending neighbour like the little chapel at Pine-wood End. ”

“ Pride is as natural to the human heart as any instinct we possess, and the most cruelly tenacious of its grasp; there is but one Power that can subdue it; 'and this is the victory that overcometh even our faith,' for 'whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.' Pride is Satan's and the world's view of things; true humility belongs to another seed, and came from heaven with the Lord Jesus, Who 'took upon Him the form of a servant,' and was content with the station in which He could best do His Father's will. ”

“ Blinds were down, and shutters closed, a black crape scarf was thrown over the far-famed sign, and the whole family stood bare-headed under the beautiful elms in solemn silence.
At the village school, the children stood in silent array, and the tallest of them presented a basket filled with little pin-cushions, needle-books, and such like tokens of loving handiwork. And a boy, gentle and modest-looking, handed up a little carving in wood of the front of the Moat House, which he had privately executed in his leisure time. ”

“ Between your soul and God there is nothing but sin; let that be put away by faith in the blood of His dear Son, and you and God are one, as free to speak and love and trust, as your child to you. Only take this in, my friend, by the power of God's Holy Spirit, and the priest will be much more afraid of you and your influence than you of him and his."
"I do wish, sir, if it baint taking too much of a liberty, somebody might call round, and tell all this to mother; she be greatly feared of this man," said Hodge, earnestly. ”

“ A frightful storm that wrecks ships of all sizes on our shores, and makes hundreds of widows and orphans in a night; an earthquake that swallows up the good and bad alike; the sickness that wastes, the poverty that crushes, the deformity that revolts, the tears of bitterness that fall on many an innocent face, what then of your fanciful ideal of God? How do His attributes of benevolence and beauty stand in such a contrast? Who enjoys, who has satisfaction in such scenes? Who renders worship then to Him who is so beautiful and good? ”

“ The carriage-and-four rolled deliberately through Falcon Range, where, notwithstanding the novelty of a private equipage in mail coach style, doors were suddenly banged, and surly faces peered from cottage windows; the crape yet hung over the Falconer's Arms, and its landlord stood with his hands in his pockets, and his hat on his head, not deigning to salute the purchaser of the estate of the Falconers, even though his pedigree dated back to the Saxon instead of the Norman Conquest. ”

“ People were already made to anything that turned up in either religion or politics that human schemes could devise, but to make a true Puritan required the grace of God. I would have preferred to be a Puritan if I had lived in those days, even if they would not have allowed me to paint."
"I am glad to find that you are not fettered by prejudice, dear Guy; for it is painful to hear the narrow judgments and one-sided views of so many young people who are wholly ignorant of historical and biographical facts, and are carried away with romantic misrepresentations of heroism and honour. ”

“ As for Squire Hazelwood, I don't want to hear nought about him, but what about the missus, and poor Miss Maude, and Master Guy?"
"Why, Joe, they won't let me go with them, that's my trouble," and Jane's tears began to struggle into her eyes, though all through a trying interview with her mistress she had bravely bidden them back.
"Won't let you go?" said Joe in amazement; for the thing seemed incredible. He would have let her do anything she wished.
"No; and why they won't breaks my very heart to think of. They can't afford to keep a maid to wait upon them now. ”

“ God's gracious plan is not to crush out the individualism of human character, but to consecrate and utilize all that is susceptible of sanctifying influence. His gifts are manifold in natural things, and when the supernatural takes possession, it is like a new steersman taking his place at the helm of an ill-directed ship, when she is constrained to yield to a master's hand, and to stand for the destined haven. ”

“ And here by your dear father's grave I am able to forgive fully and freely, as I hope to be forgiven, all whose conduct may have seemed to injure us, and I charge you solemnly before God to do the same. No peace, no rest can help the unforgiving spirit, and so long as you encourage hate and anger, you will be the unhappy slave of unspeakable wretchedness. ”

“ I am glad to feel that I have real sympathy with their cause, and glory in their noble stand against tyranny and priestcraft, when the religion and liberties of England were threatened either by the weak or the wicked; but did they not push non-essential matters to an extreme?"
"Unhappily it is the tendency of the human mind to rush to extremes, and many a noble cause has been damaged by the violent reaction which results from success. The Puritans (why, Guy, the very name is an honourable witness) restored the supremacy of God's Word, with its holy precepts of self-denial and godliness. ”

“ Then she laid her hand upon the black brow, and felt the yet feverish pulse, while the kind hostess came forward with a tempting breakfast.
"Phœbe get up; 'shamed to lie like big log; can walk now bery quick again."
But poor Phœbe found that her powers would not justify her words, and dismay succeeded her hopeful smile.
"Must go on to de Moat House,—must, must find it soon," she said imploringly. "Massa Guy help poor Phœbe if him know."
"We shall help you, Phœbe; we will take you there as soon as you can travel: you are the very person they want to find." ”

“ The old nurse knew that the death-blow had been struck, and that all hope and desire of life had departed from the mind of the sufferer. Guy's Bible was studied in secret, and justified its priceless value, affording comfort and satisfaction beyond language to express, when the Eternal Spirit fulfils His enlightening office, and takes "of the things of Jesus, and shows them" to the sinner's heart. They alone can fill the sore gap bleeding from the wrenching away of earthly happiness, and they alone abound in blessed hopes which cannot be disappointed ”

“ The Squire, too, was within the charmed circle, and the expansive principle of Christian love was warming and winning its way amongst the generous impulses of natural feeling, consecrating and leading them to the service and glory of a new Master, whose claims were being affectionately recognized with a pleasure and peace which only "he that dwelleth in love" can know.
"But, my dear Dorothy," said the Squire, thoughtfully, after ways and means had been discussed, "we can build and prepare, but you know we cannot make the minister: where shall we find the right man?" ”

“ Now farewell until to-morrow."
"Sir," said Guy as the Squire gave his address in London, "I am very sorry for my rudeness, and I beg your pardon."
"Granted, young sir; and the best proof of good terms between us will be that you accept my invite, and come at once. Our good young parson will see that it is not lost time in your preparations for work. I protest against everything until we see the country bloom on your cheeks again."
"I am at a loss to thank you as I ought, Mr. Hazelwood," said Mrs. Falconer as she followed her visitor down the stairs, "but you must not think me ungrateful." ”

“ Falconer's hand with a gentle pressure; "but we may perhaps meet again under happier circumstances." And drawing back with a curtsey, she re-entered her carriage.
"The sooner the better," said the Squire; "Evelyn is shy, but she means well, silly child. Good-bye, madam; your hand, young sir—we must be friends you know, though the Moat is between us. I hate feuds, and would rather carry your God-speed with us among the people who may be pardoned for feeling that we can't supply your place." ”

“ There are certain things that no amount of effort will ever attain; they belong to the individual, are his by nature, and make what man calls genius."
"Do you mean when one's mind and thoughts and hopes and chosen work run in any special channel, and one wishes to press everything into its service, that one may be said to have a genius for it?" said Guy, with a flush on his cheek, and a new light dancing in his eyes. ”

“ Falconer. "Many things might have happened, and have produced no effect. This, which has altered the whole tenor of our lives, must produce some effect. Our Heavenly Father chastens only for our profit; therefore I feel He has sent us a blessing in disguise. Let us penetrate the disguise to find the blessing, and so honour Him in adversity as we should not have been able to do in our late comparative prosperity. And, Guy, if ever we should have the means of helping others, how much wiser and more tender will be our sympathy with those whom God brings low. ”

“ Hazelwood, smiling.
"But the world isn't you; do you think pride can be 'proper' in any shape? I want to know."
"No, surely not, dear husband."
"Then a fig for the world's opinion; so tell Mrs. Falconer just your mind about it, Dorothy."
"But, Roger, there is such a thing as self-respect, you know, and we must not ask Mrs. Falconer to sacrifice that, if such should be her view of it. What would you like me and Evelyn to do, if we were situated as she is?" And the fair face clouded a little, and the Squire looked considerably perplexed. ”

“ But what if our hearts are so naughty and rebellious and so angry at not having things our own way, that our heavenly Father will be obliged to strike harder yet?"
"Not you, Maude, not you," said Guy, in a half-suffocated voice.
"What touches my brother, touches me also," said Maude, lovingly drawing closer, and putting her arm round him; "and I know mamma would be willing to die, if she thought a sorrow like that would bring you to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness and peace. ”

“ By that time Guy had recovered consciousness, and knew the loving face that bent over him in such heart-sick fear; and leaning on Joe's arm, insisted on walking home, making anxious inquiries about the condition of the Squire.
"I think the horse must have hurt him, and so prevented him from getting out of the water," said he.
"There be a wound on his head, sir," said Joe, "and that stunned him; but he be a fine strong man, and it'll take more nor this to knock the life out of him."
"And you will have been the means of saving him, our kind, good Mr. Hazelwood," said Maude. ”

“ I fear many make that fatal mistake, forgetting the word of warning to such, 'What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shalt that a man give in exchange for his soul?' It is a question man has never dared to answer, so he evades it, until compelled to estimate the profit and the loss in the eternal consequence of his miserable neglect. But what of the other condition, Guy?"
"The tribulation, the humble and lowly lot of those who care most for following Christ and obeying God, do you mean?" ”

“ The landlord could never resist a cheery voice, or a civil speech, so he felt bound to speak.
"True, sir; more's the pity that it's got to change hands. I suppose nobody's offered yet—it would take all the county by surprise."
"It is a pity, and I'm very sorry for the family," said the stranger, rising instantaneously in the estimation of at least one of his hearers; "but if we get Mr. Hazelwood here, there will be nothing to regret in the matter of the landlord."
"Mr. Hazelwood! Squire Hazelwood of Hazel Copse! You don't say so!" said Timothy. ”