"For miles the country seemed well cleared, except where portions of
forest were left to supply wood for the years to come. The cedar-rail
fence and 'Concession roads' marked all into well-defined portions.
On these roads the homesteads are built in every variety of style,
from the log-hut built of cedar-trees laid one upon the other,
cemented together, and roofed with bark, to the stone and brick
edifice, with barns and stables, and other surroundings, like unto
one of our own old country farmhouses.
"Our fellow-travellers were farmers, returning from Toronto Fair.
They seemed amused and willing to listen to our conversation with the
driver, and received our books most politely.
"The 'lumbering district' stretched away northwards, some seventy-five
miles from where the giants of the forest had been felled. The
recollections of our fellow-passengers were interesting as to the few
years ago, when the very country we were passing through was a dense
mass of similar unhewn timber. Now on every side there were homesteads
telling of plenty, and enlivened by rosy, healthy little ones. Who
will question the desirability of thus peopling our Father's glorious
landscapes, and gathering up our poor perishing children from our
overcrowded dens and alleys, where they are dying by thousands yearly
for want of pure air and sunshine, many becoming criminals ere they
scarce leave their mother's knee?
"The past encourages us to hope that He will not permit us to go
before Him, and will both send sufficient strength for the day, and
sufficient means for the support of all He would have us rescue from
misery, by bringing them under the influences of a pious home,
placing them in Sabbath schools, and above all, gathering them
beneath the sheltering wing of the loving Shepherd.
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