The young minister, Rev. Mr. Lomax, was an earnest, devout and gifted young man.  Born in the midst of poverty, with the shadows of slavery encircling his early life, he had pushed his way upward in the world, “toiling while others slept.”  His father was dead.  While living he had done what he could to improve the condition of his family, and had, it was thought, overworked himself in the struggle to educate and support his children.  He was a kind and indulgent father and when his son had made excellent progress in his studies, he gave him two presents so dear to his boyish heart—­a gun and a watch.  But the hour came when the loving hands were closed over the quiet breast, and the widowed wife found herself unable to provide the respectable funeral she desired to give him.  Thomas then came bravely and tenderly to her relief.  He sold his watch and gun to defray the funeral expenses of his father.  He was a good son to his aged mother, and became the staff of her declining years.  With an earnest purpose in his soul, and feeling that knowledge is power, he applied himself with diligence to his studies, passed through college, and feeling within his soul a commission to teach and help others to develop within themselves the love of nature, he entered the ministry, bringing into it an enthusiasm for humanity and love of Christ, which lit up his life and made him a moral and spiritual force in the community.  He had several advantageous offers to labor in other parts of the country, but for the sake of being true to the heavenly vision, which showed him the needs of his people and his adaptation to their wants, he chose, not the most lucrative, but the most needed work which was offered him with

  A joy to find in every station,
  Something still to do or bear.

He had seen many things in the life of the people with whom he was identified which gave him intense pain, but instead of constantly censuring and finding fault with their inconsistencies of conscience, he strove to live so blamelessly before them that he would show them by example a more excellent way and “criticise by creation.”  To him religion was a reasonable service and he wished it to influence their conduct as well as sway their emotions.  Believing that right thinking is connected with right living, he taught them to be conservative without being bigoted, and liberal without being morally indifferent and careless in their modes of thought.  He wanted them to be able to give a reason for the faith that was in them and that faith to be rooted and grounded in love.  He was young, hopeful, and enthusiastic and life was opening before him full of hope and promise.

“It has been a beautiful day,” said Mrs. Lasette, seating herself beside Mrs. Larkins,[6] who always waited to be approached and was ever ready to think that some one was slighting her or ignoring her presence.

“It has been a fine day, but I think it will rain soon; I judge by my corn.”