775. Sunday Scholar's Influence. -"One day," says Robert Raikes, the founder of Sunday-schools, "as I was going to church, I overtook a soldier just entering the door. This was on a week-day. As I passed him, I said that it gave me pleasure to see that he was going to a place of worship. 'Ah! sir,' said he, I may thank you for that.' 'Me!' said I; 'why, I do not know that I ever saw you before.' 'Sir,' said he, 'when I was a little boy I was indebted to you for my first instruction in my duty. I used to meet you at the morning service in this cathedral, and was one of your Sunday scholars. My father, when he left this city, took me into Berkshire, and put me apprentice to a shoemaker. I used often to think of you. At length I went to London, and was there drawn to serve in the Westminster militia. I came to Gloucester last night with a deserter, and took the opportunity of coming this morning to visit the old spot, and in hopes of once more seeing you. He then told me his name, and brought himself to my recollection by a curious circumstance which happened whilst he was at school. His father was a journeyman currier, a most vile, profligate After the boy had been some time at school, he came one day and told me that his father was wonderfully changed, and that he had left off going to the alehouse on the Sundays. It happened soon after that I met the man in the street, and said to him, My dear friend, it gives me great pleasure to hear that you have left off going to the alehouse man. 6 on the Sunday: your boy tells me that you 776. Rebellious Will.-Mr. Kil66 I knew a pin, of Exeter, writes: case in which the minister, praying over a child apparently dying, said, 'If it be Thy will, spare The poor mother's soul, yearning for her beloved, exclaimed, 'It must be His will! I cannot bear ifs.' The minister stopped. To the surprise of many, the child recovered, and the mother, after almost suffering martyrdom by him while a stripling, lived to see him hanged before he was two-andtwenty." 777. Thankful Hearts.-As a poor pious man was sitting by his little fire one cold evening, with his wife and children, he said to them, "I have been thinking a great deal to-day about that part of Scripture, The Son of man hath not where to lay His head.' How wonderful it is!" "It is wonderful, indeed, father," said the eldest girl; “for though our house is mean, and our victuals scanty, yet it seems that Jesus Christ was not so well provided for as we are." "I am righ glad to hear you speak in that way, Sarah," said the wife. "How happy we all are in our little dwelling this cold night, and as soon as we wish, 66 we have beds to rest ourselves upon. Oh that this thought may make us thankful for our many mercies!" Tommy," said the father, "reach that hymn which our dear minister gave you last Sabbath at the Sabbath-school; and, as our hearts are in a good frame, let us try to keep them so by singing it." The whole company, father, mother, and children, then, with a glow of sacred ardour and pleasure, sang the hymn entitled "The Son of man had not where to lay His head." 778. "The Roman Charity."Who can read, without admiration, the story of that justly celebrated female Xantippe, who nourished her imprisoned father-condemned to death by starvation-with that breast of milk with which Providence had furnished her for the use of her darling infant? This prayer. Religious conversation action was so striking that it ob- was almost as rare, though usually tained the honourable appellation on the Sabbath he would read the of "The Roman Charity." The Bible or some religious work, the Senate decreed that the father merits of which would call forth a should be restored to his child, and casual remark. At the time to that on the spot where the prison which these words refer his eldest stood a temple should be erected son was about eighteen years of age, to filial piety. and till then remarkably healthy, but now was visited by a severe attack of typhus fever. The progress of the disease was rapid, and in a comparatively short time fatal symptoms very evident. This information was in the evening communicated to Mr. G., and in the course of the night to his son. He received it with surprise, but entire composure. He inquired for his father, but, hearing he was Before day, however, the father asleep, chose not to wake him. when the conversation commenced was at the side of the sick-bed, in nearly the following words:"Father," said the young man, "the doctors tell me I must die; 779. Truthfulness with Children. -Some females had met at the house of a friend for an evening visit, when the following scene and conversation occurred:-The child of one of the females, about five years old, was guilty of rude, noisy conduct, very improper on all occasions, and particularly so at a stranger's house. The mother kindly reproved her. "Sarah, you must not do so." The child soon forgot the reproof, and became as noisy as ever. The mother firmly said, "Sarah, if you do so again, I will punish you." But not long after Sarah "did so again." When the company were about to separate, the mother stepped into a neighbour's house, intending to return for the child. During her absence, the thought of going home recalled to the mind of Sarah the punishment which her mother told her she might expect. The recollection turned her rudeness and thoughtlessness to sorrow. A young lady present observing it, and learning the cause, in order to pacify her, said, "Never mind, I will ask your mother not to whip Oh," said Sarah, "that you." 66 will do no good. My mother never tells lies." were they say they can do no more for me. "I know it." "Well, father, I have one, and but one favour to ask for me! you; will you grant it?" "I will, my son, if it is possible. Ask me anything I can do; it shall be done." "Father, I want you to kneel down by my bed-side, and 99 "I cannot, my pray for me.' son; I cannot." "Do, father, pray You never prayed for me; pray for me while I can yet cannot!" hear "I cannot, my son; oh, I Dear father, you never taught me to pray to the Lord Jesus, and now I die: you never prayed for me;-this once! Oh, do not let me die without my father's prayers." In an agony of weeping, the father rushed out of the room. The otherwise kind and indulgent parent had thus long neglected his own soul, and also the soul of that beloved son, and now could not find a heart to grant this dying request for one prayer to the Father of mercies. 780. Unable to Pray.-Mr. G., an American gentleman, was in easy circumstances of property, and held a respectable station in life. His character for probity and honour was high. In his domestic relations he was courteous, kind, and dignified. But all his high morality was of this world, and not of the Gospel. Except when visited by the minister of a neighbouring church, or some other pious friend, 781. Youthful Influence.-Mr. his house knew not the sound of Wilderspin, in his evidence before the Parliamentary Education Coin- in the same bed. The man came mittee, relates the following:-"One home one night drunk; his wife rewoman came to me, and told me monstrated with him, when he that her child had remonstrated struck her. The woman cried very with her. She had taken it out on much, and continued to cry after Sunday morning to pick up some she got into bed, but a little creature, sticks; the woman was not exactly two or three years old, got up and contented with picking up the loose said, 'Pray, father, do not beat poor sticks, but pulled a few out of the mother.' The father ordered it to hedge; and the child was with her get into bed again: the little creaas she was returning with the sticks, ture got up again, and knelt down and said, 'Mother, you have broken by the side of the bed, and repeated two of the Commandments; you the Lord's Prayer, and then conhave been stealing the sticks, and cluded in this simple language : you have been stealing them on the Pray God bless dear father and Sabbath-day;' and the child re- mother, and make father a good peated the two Commandments. It father. Amen.' This went to the so affected the woman that she heart of the drunkard; the man came to me and told me she hoped told me he covered his face over she would discontinue the practice. with the bed-clothes, and that the I can state also," says Mr. Wilder- first thoughts he awoke with in spin, "that a man discontinued the morning were thoughts of drunkenness from the simple prattle | regret that he should stand in need of his infant. He was in the habit of such a remonstrance from so of frequently getting drunk; there young a child, and it produced in were two or three children under him self-examination and amendseven years of age, and they all ment of life. slept in the same room, though not | PASTORS AND FLOCKS. 1 Sam. ii. 35; Jer. iii. 15, xxiii. 21; Ezek. xxxiii. 7; Acts xx. 28; Rom. xii. 7; Ephes. iv. 11. 782. Bigotry. Mr. Jay, in one of his sermons at Surrey Chapel, thus illustrates bigotry:-"Some time ago a countryman said to me, 'I was exceedingly alarmed this morning, sir. I was going down in a lonely place, and I thought I saw a strange monster. It seemed in motion, but I could not discern its form. I didn't like to turn back, but my heart beat, and the more I looked the more I was afraid. But as we approached, I saw it was a man; and who do you think it was?' I know not.' Oh, it was my brother John!' 'Ah,' said I to myself, as he added that it was early in the morning, and very foggy, 'how often do we thus mistake our Christian brethren!'" 783. Careless Hearers.-A celebrated preacher of the seventeenth century, in a sermon to a crowded audience, described the terrors of the last judgment with such eloquence, pathos, and force of action, that some of his audience not only burst into tears, but sent forth piercing cries, as if the Judge Himself had been present, and was about to pass upon them their final sentence. In the height of this commotion, the preacher called upon them to dry their tears and cease their cries, as he was about to add something still more awful and astonishing than anything he had yet brought before them. Silence being obtained, he, with an agitated countenance and solemn voice, addressed them thus: "In one quarter of an hour from this time the emotions which you have just now exhibited will be stifled, the remembrance of the fearful truths which excited them your carnal occupations or sinful pleasures with your usual avidity, and you will treat all you have heard as a tale that is told.' will vanish; you will return to who was addicted to that sin, was present. This gentleman thought the sermon was designedly addressed to him, and that the eyes of the whole congregation were 784. Deaf to the Gospel.-A indignant, he kept his place till the fixed upon him. Though he felt nobleman skilled in music, who service was concluded, and then had often observed the Hon. and waited on the preacher, and asked Rev. Mr. Cadogan's inattention to him to dine with him, as he was his performance, said to him one quite alone. The invitation being day, "Come, I am determined to accepted, the gentleman after dinmake you feel the force of music; ner thus addressed the minister:pay particular attention to this "Sir, you have insulted me to-day piece.' It accordingly was played. in the church. I have been three "Well, what do you say now?" times in church lately, and on every "Why, just what I said before." one of them you have been holding "What! can you hear this and not me up to the derision of the audibe charmed? Well, I am quite ence; so I tell you plainly, sir, I surprised at your insensibility. shall never enter the church of Where are your ears?" "Bear Tarbolton again, unless you give with me, my lord," replied Mr. me your promise that you will abCadogan, "since I too have had my stain from such topics in future, as surprise. I have often from the I am resolved I shall no more furpulpit set before you the most strik-nish you with the theme of your ing and affecting truths; I have discourse." Mr. Ritchie heard this sounded notes that might have speech with calmness, and then, raised the dead; I have said, 'Surely looking him steadfastly in the face, he will feel now,' but you never thus replied: "Very well, sir; if seemed to be charmed with my you took to yourself what I said tomusic, though infinitely more in-day against swearing, does not your teresting than yours. I too have conscience bear witness to its truth? been ready to say, with astonish- You say you will not enter the ment, Where are his ears?'" church till I cease to reprove your 785. Dr. Johnson's Opinion of sins; if such is your determination, Clergymen. To a person who re- it is impossible you can enter it gretted, to the celebrated Dr. John-again, for which of the Commandson, that he had not become a ments have you not broken ?" On clergyman, because he considered observing his firmness, and feeling the life of a clergyman an easy and that he was wrong, the gentleman comfortable one, the Doctor made held out his hand to Mr. Ritchie; this memorable reply:-"The life a mutual explanation took place; of a conscientious clergyman is and while the minister would abate not easy. I have always considered none of his faithfulness, the heritor a clergyman as the father of a larger endeavoured to overcome his evil family than he is able to maintain. No, sir, I do not envy a clergy. man's life as an easy life, nor do I envy the clergyman who makes it an easy life." 786. Faithful Minister. Dr. Ritchie, of the University of Edinburgh, was one day preaching in Tarbolton Church against profane swearing in common conversation, while one of his principal heritors, habits. 787. Going to the Root.-A young minister, addressing a rather fashionable audience, attacked their pride and extravagance, as seen in their dresses, ibands, ruffles, chains and jewels. In the afternoon, an old minister preached powerfully on the corruption of hu man nature, the enmity of the soul towards God, and the necessity for a new heart. In the evening, as the distressed inhabitants, and exthey sat together in private, the erted all his eloquence to move the young minister said, "Sir, why do Swedish monarch in their behalf, you not preach against the vanity until at last the King assured him and pride of the people for dressing that he would spare the town. so extravagantly?" "Ah, my son,' "Orders were issued accordingly, replied the venerable man, "while and the more effectually to prevent you are trimming off the top the inhabitants from sustaining branches of the tree, I am endea- injury, Charles Gustavus ordered a vouring to cut it up by the roots, guard for their protection. This and then the whole top must die!" act of the patriotic Jessen is recorded by a portrait placed in the town-hall at Nyekoebing. It represents a venerable man, whose expressive features give assurance of the eloquent and persevering zeal with which he succeeded in personally assuaging the anger of a warlike King, and averting a general calamity. 788. Honest Minister. The town of Nyekoebing, doomed to the flames by Charles Gustavus, King of Sweden, in consequence of the inhabitants being unable to pay the heavy contributions levied upon them, was preserved by the bold and patriotic conduct of the rector, the Rev. Mr. Jessen. Sunday was the day appointed by the enemy 789. Kindness and Tact.-"Many for carrying into execution their years ago," says a writer in a redreadful purpose, and the impend-ligious magazine, "a certain minising danger naturally afforded a ter was going one Sunday morning He walked most affecting subject for the clergy- to his school-room. man's discourse. He expatiated through a number of streets, and as on the miserable fate to which he he turned a corner he saw assembled and his fellow-citizens were doomed, round a pump a party of little boys and pointed out the only source of playing marbles. On seeing him consolation in religion. Perceiving approach they began to pick up some Swedes of rank in the lower their marbles and run away as fast part of the church, he raised his as they could. One little fellow not voice, and eloquently animadverted having seen him as soon as the rest, on cruelty and oppression. The before he could succeed in gatherworthy minister had scarcely en- ing up his marbles, the minister had tered his house after the service of come up to him and placed his the morning, when he received a hand upon his shoulder. They message from Charles Gustavus, were face to face-the minister of who had been at church, siguifying God and the poor little ragged boy, his Swedish Majesty's intention of who had been caught in the act of dining with him. The clergyman, playing marbles on Sunday mornstill retaining sparks of that warmth ing. And how did the minister with which he had pleaded the deal with the boy? That is what cause of his countrymen, instantly I want you to notice. He might returned the following answer: have said to him, 'What are you "Sire, my dinner consists of pea- doing there? You are breaking the soup and pork-it is all your Ma- Sabbath. Don't you deserve to be jesty's soldiers have left me; and punished?' But he did nothing of such fare being too mean for a King, the kind. He simply said, 'Have I most humbly beg to decline the you found all your marbles?'No,' • Then,' honour your Majesty most gra- said the boy, I haven't.' ciously intended me." The King, said the minister, I'll help you.' however, would not be refused, and Whereupon he stooped down, and sent another messenger, announc- began to look for the marbles, ing his approach. At table, Mr. and as he did so he remarked, ‘Í Jessen turned the conversation on liked to play marbles when I was a |