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MEMOIRS,

ETC.

CHAPTER I.

Introductory Remarks.-Dale Abbey.-Its Monastic History.-Times of Nonconformity.-Times of Methodism.

NEVER does true piety exist around us, even in the humblest sphere of life, without extracting a tribute of respect from the lips of those, who are yet strangers to its influence. Some may frown upon it-others be indifferent; but there is a dignity and a beauty about it which has repeatedly won the admiration, and attracted the homage of an ungodly world. Periods have occurred when the most thoughtless and depraved

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have had their attention arrested by its manifested excellence; they have felt how awful and yet how lovely goodness is—how

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more to be desired than gold" is its possession-and their own destitution of it has prompted the transient sigh, and wrung from them the momentary lamentation. In the history of the Saviour's life we have many exemplifications of this truth: often did the purity of his character draw forth a testimony even from his enemies, and make the wrath of man to praise him : it disarmed passion of its rage and violence of its purpose: and not unfrequently those who came to cry him down as an imposter were awed into silence, or humbled into submission by his blamelessness and sanctity. Thus it came to pass in the lives of many of the early Christians: their innocence and stern integrity often unnerved their persecutors; the lovely sight of meekness, gentleness, and patience, softened the hardened heart, and calmed the exasperated mind, and when knowledge was taken of them that they had been with Jesus, the hand of violence was arrested ere it reached its victim, and those

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