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Show 27G UNCT.E TOM'S CA lHN : OR1 fore, pride compasscth them as a chain i violcn~c covercth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out w1th fatness; they have more than heart could wish. They arc corrupt, n.ncl speak wickedly concerning oppression ; they speak loftily. Therefore his people return, and tho waters of a full cup arc wrung out to them, and they say, !Iow doth God know 1 and is there knowledge in the Most IUgh 1" "Is not that tho way thee feels, George? " "It is so, indeed," sa.id George,-" as well ns I could have written it mysolf." "Then, hear," said Simeon: '' 'Vhcn I thought to know this, it was teo painful for me until I went unto the sanctuary of God. Then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places, thou castcdst them down to destruction. As a dream when one awaketh, so, oh Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Nevertheless, I am continually with thee ; thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. It is good for me to draw ncar unto God. I have pnt my trust in the Lord God." Tho words of holy trust, breathed by the friendly old man, stole like sacred music over the harassed and chafed spirit of George; and after ho ceased, he sat with a gentle and subdued expression on his fine features. '' If this world were all, George,'' said Simeon, ''thee might, indeed, ask, where is the Lord? But it is often those who have least of all in this life whom he chooseth for the kingdom. Put thy trust in him, and, no matter what befalls thee here he will make all r ight hereafter." If thc~c words had been spoken by some easy, self-indulgent exhorter, from whose mouth they might have como morel y as pious and rhetorical flourish, proper to be used to LT.FE AMONG THE LOWLY. 277 people in distress, perhaps they might not have had much effect; but coming from one who daily and calmly risked fine and imprisonment for the cause of God and man, they had a weight that could not but be felt, and both the poor, desolate fugitives found calmness and strength breathing into them from jt. And now Rachel took Eliza's hand kindly, and led the way to the suppor-table. As they were sitting down, a light tap sounded at the door, and Ruth entered. '' I just ran in,'' she said, ''with these little stockings for the boy,-three pair, nice, warm woollen ones. It will be so cold, thee knows, in Canada. Does thee keep up goocl courage, Eliza?" she added, tripping round to Eliza.' a side of the table, and shaking her warmly by the hand, and slipping a seed-cake into Harry's hand. " I brought a little parcel of these for him," she said, tugging at her pocket to get out the package. "Children, thee knows, will always be eating ." " 0 , thank you ; you are too kind/' said Eliza. "Come, Ruth, sit down to supper," said Rachel. " I couldn't, any way. I left John with the baby, and some biscuits in the oven; and I can't stay a moment, else J ohn will burn up all the biscuits, and give the baby all the sugar in the bowl. That 's the way he docs," said the little Quakeress, laughing. "So, good-by, Eliza; good-by, George; the Lord grant thee a safe journey ; " and, with a few tripping steps, Ruth was out of the apartment. A little while after supper, a large covered-wagon drew up before the door; tho night was clear starlight; and Phineas jumped briskly down from his scat to arrange his passengers. George walked out of the door, with his child on one arm and his wife on the other. Ilis step was firm, his face settled and resolute. Rachel and Simeon came out after them. 24 |