“‘Brother,’ said she, ‘I do not regret my past conduct in this matter; on the contrary, I rejoice in it as the only proof of fidelity that I have been permitted to give to the law of my divine MASTER. Could I believe that I might have saved him—but no, I will not think it possible! I was not to do evil that good might come. My Bible, Robert Walker, and my own heart approve of what I have done; and if I die for it, it may be that I shall live for it (through my SAVIOUR’s Blood) hereafter. Brother, pray for me! I dread the coming night; but I trust to the LORD’s power to drive away from my pillow evil thoughts, and evil spirits. My mind begins to wander—I must to prayer. Come to me early to-morrow morning. Good night, and GOD bless you!’ “I went early according to her request, anxious to hear her report of the past night, and sincerely praying that it might have been more peaceful than my own. I stood by her bed-side, and called her name: all was still. I opened her window-curtain (bed-curtain there was none) and gazed on her face. She was dead! Her hands were folded peacefully on her breast, showing that she had passed away in prayer, and there was a faint—a very faint—smile still lingering on her lips, as though at the very moment when she closed her eyes on earth she had just caught a glimpse of heaven.—Poor Martha!” {91} After a pause, the old man proceeded—“I will say no more of my final parting, because I would avoid my mother’s name. Behold me then in SALFORD! Hard at work from morning till night, breathing the dense and foggy air of Hanging-ditch, instead of the pure and invigorating breezes of Tilberthwaite and Yewdale. Much have I learnt, from sad experience, during my long life, of the condition of the labouring classes in this busy hive of men, and much could I tell you of cruelty on the part of masters, and of ingratitude and improvidence on the part of men. But I will keep these matters for another occasion. Suffice it to say, that I believe a manufacturing state may and _will_ become (though it may be neither in my time nor yours) quite as happy and as healthy a one as that of the best-regulated agricultural district. But, sir, the reformation must begin at the other end—it must be from the top first, and then to the bottom! I will tell you a little secret—_the men_, _as a body_, _are quite as well educated for their station in life_, _as the masters_, _as a body_, _are for theirs_. The next generation may see masters who have been brought up to the trade of masters, and not merely men who have become masters by good fortune; and then may we hope for a thorough reform in the whole system of conduct of masters and men towards each other; of which, till then, I almost despair. Meantime, if the Church had fair play, she would throw her healing branch into the bitter waters which surround us, and teach mutual love and forbearance to ‘all sorts and conditions of men.’”