Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-07-03
CHAPTER XI.

Every morning. at nine O'Clock, the inmates of
Winstone Manor-house assembled in the great
hall. where the curate of the parish officiating as
Mrs Geantley's chaplain, read family prayers,
and the appointed portion of the Scripture
Clearly and solemnly his lips pronounced the un-
dying words, amidst the reverent attention of the
household and then, with one mind and one voice,
| mistress and servant drew near the Almighty to-
gether.
All this was mystery to Mllicent 1t is true,
the image Of the Creator, by an unerriug and
wondrous ordinance, is stamped on every soul
that comes into the world; and even the stolid
savage, in his wilderness of moral and physical
debasement. catches at times faint and momen-
tarv glimpse of the Pillar of Fire. There was
something, too, in Millcent's heart, but it was a
shadow--a dark, gloomy, wandering cloud, with
out form, and void.
Not comprehending, then, what was done, she
did not know how to conduct herself ; and her
imitation of others was so awkward, that it at
tracted the notice of Mrs Grantley, who, when
prayers We're over, retiring from the hall, bade
Milcent attend her.
'I observed your hesitation at prayers" she
said, as soon as they were alone. ''Remember-
ing how you should have been employed hitherto,
| cannot expect that you should be accustomed
to Join in family worship; but trust you always
say your prayers in private"
'sI haven't yet, ma'am," answered Millicent,
with look of perplexity; 'but if you'll set some
one to show me, I'll be very glad to-"
Mrs Grantley gazcd at her in astonishment.
"What do YOU mean?' she said in agitated
tones at is impossible that with your quick
intelligence, you can come to such an age with
out learning to pray. Do you not know Godr'
''I've heard the men swearin' about him, ma
am but aint ever seen him myself"
.'You shock me-you frighten me- said Mrs
Grantley. ''Can there really be such ignorance
in England, where knowledge is so ditfused? On,
don't cry. poor child; for am not angry with
you. DR. Thornhill prepared me for finding you
nnnformcd, though not to such an extent !; and
81 al feel satisfaction in giving you instruction."
Thank yol kindly, ma'am, murmurcd poor
Micent."
"You say YOU have never seen God?" said Mrs
Grantlev. ..Loolk ~ And she pointed at the
sun. arrayed in its brightest elfulgence. NAY,
look again! Why do you turn away your cyes?''
at blinds me, ma'am."
"Weli. that light. which pours its beams over
the world from end to end, and which you can
not even look at. is darkness compared with God.
How could YOU behold Him. when you are daz-
zled-blinded. you now tell me, by one OF the
lamps before His great throne?"
ooh. no. no, | couldn't ma'am," said Mlicent.
masking her eyes with her hand. 'No one could
do that"
"Not really and visibIy for even if such glory
could be revealed to sight, the Almighty, who has
He is seen. Millicent, even in His malesty-seen
in His wondrous power, in His more wondroas
love, mrrored in everything eye can look on
More than all, he is seer in our own selves, made
after His image, and, as one of His holy proph-
els has said, made fearfully and wonderfully:,,,
''Did He make me, too, ma am ?" asked MUM
cent, hesitatngly, as if fearing the idea might be
deemed presumptuous. "
eyes, you and me, and every one-everythihg
that lives, and everything that is seen, ana thinSs
not seen. In His sight, too, we are all alike rich
and poor the same-His creatures, His children,
provided we love and obey him."
"How kind how goodH' exclaimed Mlllicens,
Welding TO burst of new and mysterious feeling.
II will love. will obey him, if can only find
| out the way"
"With His gracious help, will show it TO
vou" said Mrs Grantley, soemnly. ':Now,
| kneel down.
/ Millicent obeyed and, with trembling lips. re-
peated after her those holy and hanowing words,
so fervent and yet simple, so expressive of all
our ever-craving wants, so touching in their de-
voton reverence, and pious submission, in which
the divine founder Of our faith, to leave nothing
in doubt, has taught lis how to appeal to our IA
| thcr in heaven.
! The beautiful and matchless PRAYER was learnt.