Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Deacon P. was the character of the anonymous presents,that the very things so much needed and no others, should be sent; and he was sure he had mentioned his want of them to no human ear.

He questioned the children anew. They described the man who knocked at the door, the horse and truck he drove. A new thought struck him. "Why," said he, "that team belongs to my old enemy, Graff. Can it be possible he is the donor? If so, surely the finger of God has touched his heart." Deacon P. was, however, so convinced that he was their benefactor, that he resolved on an immediate call on that gentleman.

But who was Mr. Graff?

Some years before, the sacredness of the Sabbath was openly violated by a brisk trade in fish. The hundreds of boatmen, sailors, and their friends, engaged in this desecration, were so potent in influence that nobody thought of risking interference. Deacon P., though a man of peace, was also a man of moral courage. He determined to put a stop to the iniquity. His friends warned him that his life would be endangered, but at first alone, and afterwards with a brother deacon, he would take a walk along the wharves of a Sabbath morning to ascertain who broke the laws by traffic on that day. Men swore at him like fiends, fired his dwelling at several different times, and at last "bound themselves with an oath" to kill him. Yet they feared his presence, and at his approach stores would be deserted of customers and closed with great celerity. This species of Sabbath-breaking was at length broken up, after various hair-breadth escapes on the part of Deacon P. and his compatriot, the authorities being shamed into action by their fearless zeal.

The brutal drunkenness of the sailors, and the degradation and suffering of their families, with whieh Deacon P. was in his enterprise brought into contact, opened his eyes to the evils of the liquor traffic; and, turning over his Sabbath reform to the legal authorities, he became known as a temperance advocate. This also brought him enemies, sometimes changing even friends into foes. Distiller Graff was

among the latter, from a warm friend becoming bitterly alienated. In vain did the grieved deacon strive to conciliate by explanation and personal kindness. Even the trifling civility of a bow was rudely unnoticed by Mr. Graff. Deacon P. entered the distillery of his old friend. For the first time for years its proprietor looked up with a nod and smile of recognition. It was evident something unusual had softened his heart.

"I have called," said the deacon, "to ask if you can tell me who sent some wood and candles to my house to-day?" "Yes, sir, I sent them."

"You are very kind; but pray, tell me how you came to do so?"

"But first let me inquire if you really needed them?" "Oh, I cannot express to you how much!"

"Well, then, I suppose I must explain," said Mr. Graff. "It's all very singular, and sometimes seems very foolish. This morning, about ten o'clock, as I was busy at my work, suddenly a voice seemed to say to me, 'Send some wood to Deacon P.; he is in want!' I was astonished. I could not believe you needed it. And I could not send it to you of all others. I tried to banish the thought, and went to work again more earnestly. But the voice,-it secmed within me,—said again with painful distinctness, "Send some wood to Deacon P.; he is in want!' I scouted the idea as weak and silly,—a mere phantasy of the brain; but it was of no use; I had to succomb. The more I ridiculed and fought it, the more vivid and irresistible was the impression, until to purchase peace, and in some awe, I confess, I bade John load his team with wood, and leave it at your door."

"For a moment I was at rest; but only for a moment. The imperative whisper came, 'Send some candles!' Said I to myself, this is too absurd; I will not gratify this whim. But again I was so beset with the mandate, and so distressed and baffled in repelling it, that as a cheap way to get out of torment, I handed John a package of candles also.

"This matter has been in my mind ever since. Sometimes I have thought it almost a freak of insanity, and then, again, such was the strange character of the impression, so

unexpected, so solemn, and powerful, and such the singular peace following compliance with its dictates, that I almost believe it to be supernatural."

"It is indeed the doings of Him who is wonderful in working," replied Deacon P. "It was about ten o'clock, I well remember, that I pled with God for the very articles you sent me. It was then, too, that my soul was filled with the conviction that my prayer was heard and relief would come."

Since hearing a venerated relative relate this incident in his own life, we have often wondered how the sceptic can dispose of such occurrences. While it would be presumption for the believer to expect to live by prayer alone, to be fed without his own co-operation, as was Elijah, yet are there not events happening all along the history of the church, in the experiences of individual members, to be accounted for only on the ground of a special Providence regardful of the emergencies of the believing, suffering people of God? Surely, "light is sown for the righteous," and to them,

"The deepest dark reveals the starriest hope."

VARIETIES.

SWEARING REPROVED.

AN American planter had a favourite domestic negro, who waited at his table. His master was a profane person, and often took the name of God in vain. Whenever he did so, the negro made a low and solemn bow. On being asked why he did this, he replied, that he never heard this great name mentioned, but it filled his whole soul with reverence and awe.

His master took the hint without offence, and was reclaimed from a very sinful and pernicious practice by his pious slave. The poorest Christian may thus be encouraged in the faithful discharge of duty. A word fitly spoken, how good it is."

66

QUANTITY OF TOBACCO CONSUMED.

THE annual consumption of tobacco is said to be on an average considerably more than a pound weight to every man, woman, and child, throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

ROWLAND HILL AND THE CAPTAIN.

ONCE when I was returning from Ireland, (says Rowland Hill) I found myself much annoyed by the reprobate conduct of the captain and mate, who were sadly given to the scandalous habit of swearing; First the captain swore at the mate, then the mate swore at the captain, then they both swore at the winds; and I called to them, with a strong voice for fair play.

"Stop, stop," said I, "if you please, gentlemen, let us have fair play, it's my turn now.'

"At what is it your turn, pray?" said the captain. "At swearing," I replied.

Well, they waited and waited, until their patience was exhausted, and they wanted me to make haste and take my turn. I told them, however, that I had a right to take my own time, and swear at my own convenience.

captain replied with a laugh,

[ocr errors]

'Perhaps you don't mean to take your turn."

To this the

"Pardon me, captain," I answered, "but I do, as soon as

I can find the good of doing so."

My friends, I did not hear another oath on the voyage.

DOING WHAT I LIKE WITH MY OWN.

CROSSING Hampstead Heath, Erskine saw a ruffianly driver most unmercifully pummelling a miserable bareboned pack-horse, and on remonstrating with him received this answer:-" Why, it's my own: mayn't I use it as I please ?" As the fellow spoke, he discharged a fresh shower of blows on the raw back of the poor beast. Erskine much irritated by this brutality, laid two or three sharp blows of his walking stick over the shoulders of the cowardly offender, who, crouching and grumbling, asked him what business he had to touch him with his stick.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][merged small]

"Why," replied Erskine, "my stick is my own; mayn't I use it as I please ?"

AMERICAN STATESMEN.

DANIEL WEBSTER was the son of a new Hampshire farmer in very moderate circumstances. Henry Clay, was the son of a poor backwood preacher. Martin Van Buren was too poor in youth to obtain a tolerable education, and it had been said of him in reproach, that he had sold cabbages round the village of Kinderhook. Andrew Jackson was an orphan at an early age, and was left penniless, with nothing but his own efforts to aid him. Governor Nance, of Ohio, had been a plain farmer through life, and entered that state as a pioneer with an axe on his shoulder and very little in his pocket. John Ritner, formerly governor of Pennsylvania, served his time with a farmer as a regular bound apprentice, after which time he for several years drove a waggon from Philadelphia to Pittsburg.

A HAPPY HOME.

"SIX things," says Hamilton, "are requisite to create a happy home. Integrity must be the architect, and kindness the upholsterer; it must be warmed by affection, and lighted up with cheerfulness, and industry must be the ventilator, renewing the atmosphere, and bringing in a fresh salubrity day by day; while over all, as a protecting canopy and glory, nothing will suffice except the blessing of God.

TRUE KNOWLEDGE.

HE nothing knows who knows not this,
That earth can yield no settled bliss,
No lasting portion give;

He all things knows, who knows to place
His hopes on Christ's redeeming grace,
Who died that we might live.

THE LIGHTHOUSE.

DR. HUIE.

THE watchman of the Calais Lighthouse was boasting of the brilliancy of his lantern, which can be seen ten leagues

« AnteriorContinuar »