and bred a Dissenter, and still remain so. The laws of the country allow a perfect freedom to every one to hold his own religious opinions, provided he does not interfere with those of his neighbour. I have come here, gentlemen, because I understood there was to be an opposition to a grant of Church rate. (Loud cries of Hear, hear!) Perhaps I shall surprise some of you who are present, but I here declare plainly that, as an honest man, I cannot vote against the Church rate. (Loud murmurs, and exclamations of surprise from the Radicals, and triumphant shouts from the Church party.) I have given the matter a good deal of consideration, especially during the last few days, (here the speaker looked at Mr. Herbert,) and if you will favour me with your attention, gentlemen, I will briefly give you my reasons.

"When I purchased my property in Ashdale, I calculated all the outgoings and expenses; I reckoned up the taxes, poor rates, tithes, Church rates; and, allowing for these drawbacks, I paid accordingly; I gave so much less for my purchase than I should have done had there been no drawbacks. Therefore I say, gentlemen, that having bought my property subject to a certain deduction for Church rates,

I cannot, as an honest man, turn round and vote against a Church rate, and so put the money into my own pocket: it would be a robbery to do so.

"Another reason why I cannot vote against the Church rate, is, because I have a respect for the law of the land and it is the law of the land that a Church should be kept up in every parish, by a general assessment on property; and, so long as that law remains unrepealed, I am not the man to disobey or evade it.

"A third reason is, that I consider that by refusing the Church rate, I should be robbing the poor, who have a right, by law and long prescription, that a place of worship should be provided for them by the owners of real property, without exception: the property of Dissenters is equally liable with that of others.

“And, lastly, I will not vote against the rate, because I do not consider it of sufficient importance to quarrel about. It is but a few shillings, after all, and I do not think it is worth disturbing the peace of the parish for such a trifle. My maxim is, 'If it be possible, live peaceably with all men.' And I have no notion of being dictated to by a set of selfish fellows in London, or any where else, whose purpose it may suit to set

us at loggerheads together. I, for one, will not be made their tool; but take the liberty of judging for myself. And I think, gentlemen, if you would do the same, you will see that it can answer no good purpose to carry on this opposition any farther. If you had come to me for advice, I should have said, you had better never have begun it."

This speech of Mr. Owen made a marvellous impression on the assembly. Mr. Owen was owner of the greater part of the cottages in Ashdale, Mr. Stubbs' amongst the rest, and his tenants did not much care to vote in opposition to their landlord. Some perceived the force of his argument; the tide of opinion suddenly changed, and many acknowledged that they did not know why they had made all this uproar and confusion.

The consequence was, that when it came to the show of hands, some had quietly left the Church, others did not vote at all, and the Churchmen were in a majority of at least three

to one.

Mr. Herbert briefly addressed the assembly. He was sorry that any difference of opinion should have arisen in the parish; but it was so far satisfactory, that it had proved to him the

sincerity of the friends of the Church, and had shown that even its opponents were not indisposed to listen to sound reason. He assured them that nothing should be wanting on his part to promote good neighbourhood so long as he lived amongst them, and he had great hopes that, when the new building at Ashdale was completed, his parishioners on that side would then become aware of the value of the Church.

And so they separated, better satisfied with each other than when they assembled.

Herbert's predictions were not disappointed. Ashdale church was consecrated during the summer, and an active curate established there. Some little jealousy remained for a while, but, by kindness and attention, the population was soon prevailed on to attend divine worship, and a marked change became apparent in the community. None complained but the owners of the beer and gin shops; not even Mr. Stubbs,for his opinions on religion and politics quickly suited themselves to those of his customers.

Herbert used often to go to Ashdale, though the district was now separated from the parish; and assist in the duty, and superintend the school. And often when, in after years, he walked in the summer evenings to join the congregation

at Ashdale, or when he visited the well-conducted school which adjoined the church, he would feel that he had been wrong in grudging that valley for the habitation of men. Beautiful as are the

wild solitudes where nature dwells in her retirement, bright as the spray of the bounding cataract, sweetly as the rippling stream murmurs on the ear—there is something far more lovely and beautiful in the sight of a congregation of faithful Christians kneeling before their Maker, and in the voice of Christian children hymning the praises of their Saviour.

Oh if but half the labour, which men exert to cultivate the desert or train the mountain stream, were employed in bringing under the yoke of Christ those moral wildernesses which blight and blacken our land,—in training the young, and reclaiming the adult population of our heathen wastes, -we should not, as we now do, turn away with sadness and aversion from the densely peopled district,-the abode of toil and avarice. It is not so much the crowded streets and teeming lanes of our overgrown cities that breed ungodliness and vice; but it is, too frequently, the utter absence of every attempt to apportion pastors to their wants, and bring them to the fold of Christ. It is because sordid politicians