At last, and this before the year had come to its close, the drooping wife and mother took to her bed, never again to leave it until carried forth by the mourners. We will not pain the reader by any details of the affecting scenes attendant upon the last few weeks of her mortal life; nor take him to the bed-side of the dying one, in the hour that she passed away. To state the fact that she died, is enough--and painful enough. For all this, it did not occur to the people of Y--that, in anything they had been lacking. They had never given but three hundred a year to a minister, and, as a matter of course, considered the sum as much as a reasonable man could expect. As for keeping a clergyman in luxury, and permitting him to get rich; they did not think it consistent with the office he held, which required self-denial and a renouncing of the world. As to how he could live on so small a sum, that was a question rarely asked; and when presented, was put to rest by some backhanded kind of an answer, that left the matter as much in the dark as ever. Notwithstanding the deep waters of affliction through which Mr. Carroll was required to pass, his Sabbath duties were but once omitted, and that on the day after he had looked for the last time upon the face of his lost one. Four Sabbaths more he preached, and then, in accordance with notice a short time previously given, resigned his pastoral charge. There were many to urge him with great earnestness not to leave them; but a year's experience enabled him to see clearer than he did before, and to act with greater decision. In the hope of retaining him, the vestry strained a point, and offered to make the salary three hundred and fifty dollars. But much to their surprise, the liberal offer was refused. It happened that the Bishop of the Diocese came to visit Y--a week before Mr. Carroll intended taking his departure with his motherless children, for his old home, where a church had been offered him in connexion with a school. To him, three or four prominent members of the church complained that the minister was mercenary, and looked more to the loaves and fishes than to the duty of saving souls. "Mercenary!" said the Bishop, with a strong expression of surprise. "Yes, mercenary," repeated his accusers. "So far from it," said the Bishop, warmly, "he has paid more during the year, for supporting the Gospel in Y--, than any five men in the parish put together." "Mr. Carroll has!" "How much do you give?" addressing one. "I pay ten dollars pew rent, and give ten extra, besides," was the answer. "And you," speaking to another. "The same." "And you?" "Thirty dollars, in all." "While," said the Bishop, speaking with increased warmth, "your minister gave two hundred dollars."