220 ARRIVAL OF EMIGRANTS.

stretches out his arms toward the heavens; he kneels
and weeps. These are only the signs of a tumultuous
feeling, awakened by the sudden news of such a favour.
“Surely,” cried he, “goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life!” (Ps. xxiii. 6).

The gathering of friends, and reunion of families,
after years of separation, may be ranked among the
most.affecting circumstances of that emigration which
is now so common. Not a vessel passes the ocean
which does not carry some message or some person
connected with these touching scenes. Sometimes the
children precede, and, after a while, are followed by
- their aged parents. Sometimesa young husband comes
over, explores and prepares, and then returns, or sends
for his wife and little ones. When the union is com-
plete, and a whole family meets in the new home, in
the rich wheat lands of New York and Pennsylvania,
or the prairies of the West, and the hymn of praise
goes up from the domestic choir, amidst the indescrib-
able beauties and glories of nature, the cup of Christian
happiness, for:a little while at least, runs over the
brim; and hearts flow together and praise God in a
full, irrepressible torrent of thankful love,