Ireland the birthplace of Mr. Gurley-His ancestry and religious training-Wesleyan preachers visit his father's-Wesley's care for youth-Death of Mr. Gurley's father—Amusements of early years-Love of the sea-Irish wakes and funeral ritesHis taste for reading-Fairies and apparitions-Religious impressions-Commences family prayer-Reflections on early piety.
IRELAND, or the "Emerald Isle," as the Irishman loves to call it, was the birthplace of the Rev. William Gurley. Love of country is a sentiment natural to man, and common to the inhabitants of every portion of the globe. But with the Irishman the feeling has all the power of a strong passion.
The appellation of Irishman, it must be confessed, is not always a passport of honor; yet, who ever saw a son of Old Erin ashamed of his country?
Robbed of its ancient freedom, oppressed, degraded, and despoiled, as has been this unfortunate land—enslaved by British domination, and ruined by the wretched policy of its masters—yet, from every country under heaven where may be found the Irishman, he turns his thoughts to the home of his childhood with an affection which distance can scarce diminish or time impair. And well may he cherish such a predilection, for Ireland is a land of surpassing loveliness. Her skies may not be deemed as bright as those of Italy, England may surpass her in the grandeur of her