in German, and those Germans who have intermarried with natives will no longer be compelled to go to different places of worship on account of their difference of language. Nor is their resolution to have English preaching in their church the only proof which they have given of their readiness to assimilate themselves to the Americans. But a few days ago, for instance, they assembled to listen to the governor's proclamation, which had been translated for them into German; and though many of them, unlike their American hosts, are here without a family circle with which they might unite in thanksgiving and praise, they were consoled by the consciousness that they felt towards each other as members of the same family, as the "children of God;" for "our conversation," they said, "is in heaven, whence alone we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It is not in accordance with my feelings and views, to attend foreign service with a view of acquiring a knowledge of the language in which it is held, but I do not hesitate to say that every American should at least once in his life enter a place of foreign worship. He will there meet with the most healthful portion, the true elite of that foreign population: and he will learn to respect them. They have prayed with Agur "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed me with food convenient for me;" and

Their very

their prayers have been granted. faces show that they are men of humble hearts, whose "pursuit of happiness" consists partly in the grateful, unassuming spirit with which they receive even the slightest favor conferred on them, and in their earnest endeavors to guard themselvesto speak in the language of Dana-against tyranny of opinion which leaves to no man the freedom of his own thoughts; that prying spirit, which mouses him out in his most secret retirements; and that meddling disposition, which puts shackles upon the freedom of all his acts."

that

But, perhaps, you would know, reader, whether they are entirely without sore trials, whether there is nothing to disturb this continuation of heavenly joys, whether the children of God are not often filled with grief and compassion at the foolish course of the worldling?

Though you may not find in this little flock the external wall of separation which in many of the New England congregations exists between church and society, the internal division between those who only attend these meetings because their hearts re-echo the chime of bells, as it were, which comes to them from their "lost Church," and those others, who relying for heaven solely on a Saviour's blood, indulge the hope, that, justified by their faith, they are the children of God, is probably equally great, and as familiarly known to their

teacher; nor are the latter, who cannot regard this passing world as their only treasure, without many peculiar temptations; but they have found, and they hope to find consolation and comfort under all the trials imposed on them in that blessed faith which they profess.

Even now you might almost imagine to see a tear glistening in their eyes, and a smile of resignation passing over their sad countenances, when you hear them complain with a voice of deep sadness, that at a time when in Germany all the spiritual influences, to which the heart of man is accessible, seemed to be concentrated, they are to remain without the preached gospel, without the reviving power of the holy ordinances, brought near and impressed on their hearts by the medium of a language which they can understand. But even at such times they are not left without hope, for they remind each other again and again, that this is the last Christmas which they are to spend as an orphan flock in a foreign land.

After having joined you, kind American reader, in celebrating the day which has secured to youas is devoutly to be hoped-the enjoyment of political independence; after having met you with hearts full of gratitude in the presence of Him, who has prospered you in almost all the enterprises in which you have engaged since that memorable day, we now indulge the hope that you also will not disdain

to enter into our Christmas joys. It is on this day that we celebrate a world's deliverance from misery and sin, and that we offer thanks and praise to Him who "will have all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." We have told We have told you, that particularly on this day the images and pictures of the past are rising before our inner view, but that we experience at the same time that a gleam of hope is thrown into the time to come. It is with this delightful consciousness that we now take leave of you, reader. It is with the hope that this little flock, which the Holy Spirit has planted here, may under His influence be watered and abundantly strengthened and increased by the shepherd who is to take charge of this flock, that every one of its members " 'may be encompassed within the gentle enclosures of redeeming love," and that finally they may be found among the thousands and thousands who are saying-"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing!"

This, reader, is the THE STRANGER'S HOPE.

CONCLUSION.

It has been said of Goethe, that he never entered upon a new enterprise without being fully convinced that he should be able to carry it through. I should heartily rejoice if I had imitated the prudent course of the great poet in regard to this little volume. I need not state explicitly, that it is the spontaneous production of a few leisure hours, and that from want of time its publication has been much hurried, since my reader has no doubt become aware of it from various defects in style and manner. And yet I would not ask his indulgence on account of the imperfect form in which this little Gift is presented, without at the same time expressing the hope, that the Christmas spirit in which these pages have been written will dispose him to regard them with the eye of a friend rather than a critic. It is likewise owing to want of time, that I have been prevented from developing satisfactorily many of the views, the expression of which a sense of duty did not permit me to delay, and from adding others which it was my intention to communicate; though I hope to find, in the course of next year, an opportunity of embodying them in