mate with John Wesley, and once How were you able, with such a useful local preacher. They patience, on various occasions, to entered into conversation about bear my abuse?" "Friend,” reWesley's times, when, among other plied the Quaker, "I will tell thee. things, the old gentleman observed: I was naturally as hot and violent "On one occasion, when Mr. Wesley as thou art. I knew that to indulge dined with me, after dinner, as this temper was sinful, and I usual, I prepared a little brandy found that it was imprudent. I and water. On perceiving this, observed that men in a passion with an air of surprise he cried, always spake aloud, and I thought, 'What! my brother, what's that?' if I could control my voice, I "It's brandy,' said I; 'my digestion should repress my passion. I have is so bad, I am obliged to take a therefore made it a rule never to little after dinner.' How much let my voice rise above a certain do you take?' said he; let me see.' key, and by a careful observance 'Only about a table-spoonful.' of this rule I have, by the blessing Truly,' said he, that is not much; of God, entirely mastered my but one table-spoonful will soon natural temper." lose its effect, then you will take two; from two you will get to a full glass; and that, in like manner, by habituating yourself to take it, will lose its effect, and then you will take two glasses, and so on, till in the end perhaps you will become a drunkard. O, my brother, take care what you do!'" 717. Passion Mastered.-A London merchant had a dispute with a Quaker respecting the settlement of an account. The merchant was determined to bring the account into court, a proceeding which the Quaker earnestly deprecated, using every argument in his power to convince the merchant of his error; but the latter was inflexible. Desirous to make a last effort, the Quaker called at his house one morning, and inquired of the servant if his master was at home. The merchant, hearing the inquiry, and knowing the voice, called out from the stairs, "Tell that rascal I am not at home." The Quaker, looking up at him, calmly said, "Well, friend, God put thee in a better mind." The merchant, struck afterwards with the meekness of the reply, and having more deliberately investigated the matter, became convinced that the Quaker was right and he was wrong. He requested to see him, and after acknowledging his error, he said, "I have one question to ask you. 718. Poison in the Cup.-Cyrus, when quite a youth, at the court of his grandfather Astyages, undertook one day to perform the office of cup-bearer. He delivered the cup very gracefully, but omitted the usual custom of first tasting it himself. The King reminded hini of it, supposing he had forgotten the practice. "No, sir," replied Cyrus; "but I was afraid there might be poison in it; for I have observed that the lords of your court, after drinking, become noisy, quarrelsome, and frantic; and that even you, sire, seem to have forgotten that you are a King." "Does not the same thing," replied Astyages, "happen to your father? "Never," answered Cyrus. "How then?" "Why, when he has taken what wine he chooses, he is no longer thirsty-that is all." 719. Self-control.-During the reign of Peter the Great he made a law that if any nobleman beat or ill-treated his slaves, he should be looked upon as insane, and a guardian appointed to take care of his person and of his estate. This great monarch once struck his gardener, who, being a man of great sensibility, took to his bed, and died in a few days. Peter, hearing of this, exclaimed, with tears in his eyes, "Alas! I have civilised my own subjects, I have conquered claimed, "Oh, Diamond, Diamond! you little know the mischief you have done!" other nations, yet I have not been had the mortification to find that able to civilise or to conquer myself." | Diamond had overturned a lighted candle upon some papers, the nearly 720. Self-restraint. Philip, finished labour of many years, King of Macedon, discovered great which were soon in flames, and moderation even when he was almost consumed to ashes. This spoken to in injurious terms. At the loss, from Newton's advanced age, close of an audience which he gave was irreparable; but, without at to some Athenian ambassadors, all punishing the dog, he exwho were come to complain of an act of hostility, he asked whether he could do them any service. "The greatest service thou couldst do us," said Demochares, "would be to hang thyself." Philip, though he perceived all the persons present were highly offended at these words, made the following answer, with the utmost calmness of temper: "Go, tell your superiors that those who dare make use of such insolent language are more haughty and less peaceably inclined than those who can forgive them." 723. Virtue of Silence.-John Wesley one day remarked to Dr. Adam Clarke, "As I was walking through St. Paul's Churchyard I observed two women standing opposite to one another. One was speaking and gesticulating violently, while the other stood perfectly still and in silence. Just as I came up and was about to pass them, the virago, clenching her fist and stamping her foot at her imperturbable 721. Singular Punishment.-It neighbour, exclaimed, Speak, appears from Gardiner's "England's wretch, that I may have something Grievance in relation to the Coal to say.' Adam," said Wesley, Trade," that in the time of the "that was a lesson to me; silence Commonwealth, the magistrates is often the best answer to abuse." of Newcastle-upon-Tyne punished drunkards by making them put a tub over their heads, with holes in the sides for the arms to pass through, called the Drunkard's Cloak, and thus walk through the streets of the town. 722. Sir Isaac Newton's Equanimity of Temper.-Sir Isaac had a favourite little dog, which he called Diamond. Being one evening drawn out of his study into the next room, Diamond was left behind. When Sir Isaac returned, having been absent but a few minutes, he 724. Wise Counsel. -Anachonis, the philosopher, being asked by what means a man might best guard against the vice of drunkenness, answered, "By bearing constantly in his view the loathsome, indecent behaviour of such as are intoxicated." Upon this principle was founded the custom of the Lacedæmonians, of exposing their drunken slaves to their children, who by that means conceived an early aversion to a vice which makes men appear so monstrous and irrational. OBEDIENCE. Deut. xi. 27; Jer. vii. 23; Luke ii. 51; Acts v. 29; Ephes. vi. 1; Heb. xiii. 17. 725. Bravery in a Child.-A touch. "You need not be afraid," little boy was tempted to pluck said his evil companion, "for if some cherries from a tree which your father should find out that his father had forbidden him to you have taken them, he is too kind to hurt you." "Ah," said the brave little fellow, "that is the very reason why I would not touch them; for though my father would not hurt me, yet I should hurt him by my disobedience." 66 728. First Downward Step.At a meeting of the American Prison Discipline Society it was stated, as the result of the examinations made by that institution into the history and career of the various criminals confined in the prisons of the United States, that in almost all cases their course of ruin began in disobedience to parents. This was followed by intemperance, and that made way for all other crimes. The statement was made by the secretary of the society, the Rev. Louis Dwight, whose opportunity for observation had certainly been very great. He was 726. Conscience-stricken Son.Dr. Adam Clarke, when but a little boy, one day disobeyed his mother, and the disobedience was accompanied with some look or gesture that indicated an undervaluing of her authority. This was a high affront; she immediately took up the Bible, and opened on these words, Prov. xxx. 17, which she read and commented on in a most solemn manner :- 729. Good Resolve.-The Rev. The eye that mocketh at his Samuel Wesley, the father of father, and despiseth to obey his the Rev. John Wesley, when a mother, the ravens of the valley youth, acted very disobediently, shall pick it out, and the young and grieved his friends by witheagles shall eat it." The poor drawing from the school in which culprit was cut to the heart, be- they had placed him. lieving the words had been sent soon, however, convinced that he immediately from heaven; he went had done wrong, and resolved to out into the fields with a troubled act very differently. He walked spirit, and was musing on this to Oxford, entered himself as a terrible denunciation of Divine poor scholar at Exeter College, displeasure, when the hoarse croak and commenced his studies withof a raven sounded to his con- out possessing more money than science an alarm more dreadful two pounds sixteen shillings. He than the cry of fire at midnight. received scarcely any help from He looked up, and soon perceived his friends; but by assisting his this most ominous bird, and ac- fellow-students in their acquisition tually supposing it to be the raven of learning, and by the greatest of which the text spoke, coming frugality, he finished his studies, to pick out his eyes, he clapped and possessed, when he went to his hands on them, and with the London for ordination, upwards utmost speed and trepidation ran of ten pounds. towards the house, as fast as his alarm and perturbation would admit, that he might escape the impending vengeance. 730. Honest Self-denial.-A boy about seven years old was on a visit to a lady who was very fond of him. One day, at breakfast, 727. Counting the Cost.-A there was some hot bread upon soldier was once condemned to the table, and it was handed to die for plucking a bunch of grapes him, but he would not take it. against the General's command, "Do you not like hot bread?" and on his way to execution he asked the lady. "Yes," said he, went eating the grapes. One of "I like it very much, ma'am." his comrades remarked, with sur- "Then, my dear, why do you not prise, "What! are you eating your take some ?" "Because," said grapes now?" The poor doomed he, "my father does not wish me man replied, "I prithee, friend, to eat hot bread." "But your do not envy me these grapes, for father is a great way off," said they cost me dear." the lady, "and will not know whether you eat it or not. You may take it for once; there will be no harm in that." "No, ma'am, I will not disobey my father and mother. I must do what they have told me to do, although they are a great way off. I would not touch it if I were sure nobody I would see me. I myself should know it, and that would be enough to make me unhappy." 731. Lesson to a Servant.Dean Swift, though a good master, was very rigid with his servants. The task of hiring them was always entrusted to his housekeeper, but the only two positive commands he had for them he generally delivered himself. These were, to shut the door whenever they came into, or went out of, a room. One of his maid-servants one day asked permission to go to her sister's wedding, at a place about ten miles distant. Swift not only consented, but lent her one of his own horses, and ordered his servant to ride before her. The girl, in the ardour of her joy for this favour, forgot to shut the door after her when she left the room. In about a quarter of an hour afterwards the Dean sent a servant after her, to order her immediate return. The poor girl complied, and entering his presence, begged to know in what she offended or what her master wished. "Only shut the door," said the Dean, "and then resume your journey." 732. Obedience better than Sacrifice. A story is told of a great captain who, after a battle, was talking over the events of the day with his officers. He asked them who had done the best that day. Some spoke of one man who had fought very bravely, and some of another. "No," he said, " you are all mistaken. The best man in the field to-day was a soldier who was just lifting up his arm to strike an enemy, but when he heard the trumpet sound a retreat, checked himself, and dropped his arm without striking the blow. That perfect and ready obedience to the will of his general is the noblest thing that has been done to-day." 733. Taught by Savages.Among the American Indians, one of the first lessons they inculcate on their children is duty to their parents and respect for old age, and there is not among the most civilised nations any people who more strictly observe the duty of A father need filial obedience. only to say, in the presence of his children, "I want such a thing done; I want one of my children to go on such an errand; let me see who is the good child that good" will do it." This word operates as it were by magic, and the children immediately vie with each other to comply with the wishes of their parent. If a father sees an old decrepit man or woman pass by, led along by a child, he will draw the attention of his own children to the object by saying, "What a good child that must be which pays such attention to the aged! That child indeed looks forward to the time when it will likewise be old." Or he will say, 66 66 May the Great Spirit, who looks upon him, grant this good child a long life!" PARABLES AND SIMILITUDES. Hosea xii. 10; Matt. xi. 16, xii. 3, 10-15, 34, 35; Mark iv. 30. 734. Careful Husbandman.- oxen, and I go to prove them: I Roberts, the traveller, furnishes this apt illustration of the invited guest's reply in our Saviour's parable-"I have bought five yoke of 66 pray thee have me excused: "— This was not such a trifling affair as some have supposed, for it should be remembered it is with oxen only that the Orientals perform all agricultural labour. Such a thing as a horse attached to a plough or cart, amongst the natives, I never saw. A bullock unaccustomed to the yoke is of no use; they therefore take the greatest precaution in making purchases of this kind, and will never close the bargain till they have proved the cattle in the field. Nor will the good man trust to his own judgment, he will have his neighbours and friends to assist him. The animals will be tried in ploughing softly, deeply, strongly, and they will be put on all the required paces, and then sent home. When he who wishes to purchase is fully satisfied, he will fix a day for settling the amount and for fetching the animals away." 735. Discontent.-An Oriental fable is told about a certain man who had a nice little garden of leeks, but he was discontented at having to toil for his daily bread. His good genius came to his aid, and made him owner of a villa with two slaves to wait on him. He was delighted with the gift, and promised to crave nothing more. It was not long before he coveted the neighbouring garden, with its statues and fountains. The garden was given him, and then he took a fancy to the meadow beyond. The meadow was granted him, and then he wanted the park on the farther side of it. The park was bestowed on him, and then, like Ahab, he wanted to rob a poor man of his little vineyard. Open the door to one discontented wish, and how many will follow!. 736. Dream of Life.-"An old man," says Richter, "stood by the window, on a New Year's night, and gazed upward, with a look of pensive despair, at the immovable, ever-glowing heavens, and upon the still, pure, white earth, upon which no one was now so friendless and sleepless as himself. For his grave lay hard by him; it was covered only with the snow of age, and not with the green foliage of youth. A whole richly-gifted life had produced nothing but errors, sins, and diseases; a wasted body and a desolate soul; a bosom full of poison, and an old age full of remorse. The beautiful days of his youth now came thronging back upon his memory like spectres, and again transported him to that lovely morning when his father set him upon the crossway of life, which leads, on the right, by the sunny path of virtue, into a wide, peaceful land, full of light and harvests; and, on the other, down into the mole-walks of vice, into a black cavern, full of distilling poison, and dark, sultry vapours. Ah! the snakes were now hanging about his neck, and the poison dripping on his tongue, and he knew where he was. Distracted, and with unutterable grief, he cried to Heaven, 'Give me back my youth! O father, set me again on the cross way, that I may make a different choice!' But his father and his the earth. He youth were gone long ago. saw ignes fatui dancing over the marshes, and disappearing upon the cemetery, and he said, 'These He saw a are my foolish days.' star dart down from heaven, and, glittering in its fall, vanish upon his bleeding heart; and the snakeThat is myself,' said teeth of repentance struck deeper this conflict the music of the new into his wounds. In the midst of year suddenly came flowing down dies. His emotions were softened. from the steeple, like far-off meloHe looked around the horizon, and over the earth, and thought of the friends of his youth, who were now better and happier than he, teachers of the people, fathers of happy children, and blessed men; and he said, 'Oh, I could have slumbered this first night of the year, with dry eyes like you, had I desired. Dear parents, I too might have been happy, had I obeyed your precepts! In the midst of these feverish remembrances of his youth, a skull, reinvested with its features, seemed to rise up in the dead-house |