1846.] Another Sketch of Character. 15 concerns meum and tuum, this or that man's right; or concerning a question depending between the government and any particular person, concerning a criminal matter. Nothing more ordinary than to have persons catechised about such things in public assemblies; and it is not thought strange. And why should there be a particular shyness, strangeness, and aversion, to give an account of things relating to the kingdom of God? As if it were a criminal thing to have one's mind engaged about matters of that nature, or as if persons were afraid to be thought guilty of religion, as if it were a dreadful thing to be thought guilty of minding God and the concerns of another world."-Howe, abridged. ANOTHER SKETCH OF CHARACTER.* [The following article will be found interesting and instructive. It contains several important points, such as love for the Sabbath school, constancy of attendance, systematic reading of the Bible, early training, etc., which might be read and enlarged upon with great profit at the Sabbath school concert.] ON the first Sabbath of September, 1843, there was a peculiarly interesting scene in the Tabernacle, at Salem, Mass. Three young men, whose stature and countenance indicated more of the youth than of the man, presented themselves together for a public profession of their faith in Christ. It was an impressive spectacle, although, perhaps, from the increased number of early conversions since the establishment of Sabbath schools, the occasion was remarkable chiefly from the fact that those three were unaccompanied by any others of either sex. The youngest They were all children of the covenant. of the three, BENJAMIN MILLETT, was now a little more than sixteen years old, having been born April 16, 1827. * See the June number of the Visiter, 1844. When less than four years old, he was placed in the Sabbath school. There he found a pleasure which, if it did not regularly grow with his growth, never departed from him. He loved his teachers, and was loved by them. For thirteen years and upwards, he never was absent from the Sabbath school, unless providentially prevented from attending. It was his testimony, after his conversion, that he had received more good instruction there than any where else; and it was a matter of surprise and grief to him that so many of the young have no more interest in it. He was carefully taught at home; and if I may speak so freely, it was to his great advantage that he daily heard a mother's prayers for the covenant blessings of the God of Abraham, as well as knelt, morning and evening, at the family altar. If at any time the service was a weariness to him, there can be no question that the purpose was dutifully appreciated, and the prevailing influence was most salutary in guarding him against those "evil communications" which "corrupt good manners." While in many things he would not have been discriminated from his associates, in studies and in amusements, he yet exhibited a very tender and enlightened conscience, was most exemplary in his regard for truth, and generally unyielding in the maintenance of what he believed to be right. When about six years old, he commenced reading the Scriptures in course, and continued the practice ever afterwards. His familiarity with the Bible, his modest, docile spirit, "his understanding and his answers," made him one of the pleasantest of scholars in the Sabbath school. And when his heart was turned to God with full purpose, his "profiting appeared" in delightful manifestation. His parents had two children only. When his sister united with the church, he felt as if he were left alone. Yet he found his heart so "hard and impenitent," that it cost him a severe struggle to submit to God and embrace the 1846.] Another Sketch of Character. gospel. Some months had passed away, during which the enmity of the carnal mind repeatedly demonstrated, that, amiable and moral as he was, he had not become "a new creature in Christ Jesus." And when at last he was humbled as in the dust, it was clearly manifest that his heart smote him at the remembrance of his many sins against God; and that he had felt strongly those evil inclinations and impulses which, when indulged, so often beguile children, even of the most pious parents, into a perilous proximity to absolute demoralization and certain destruction. In fact, there had been times when religious restraints had been felt to be grievous, and not joyous, and when it was happy for him that parental influence was exerted in command, as well as counsel, and that appropriate authority was united with love the most tender and faithful, in an inflexible decision. Would that many others had been so trained in the way they should go! In his convictions of sin and his confession of Christ as all his salvation, he seemed greatly anxious to make thorough work, and not to deceive himself or others. His Bible became his constant companion. It could be said of him most truly, "His delight was in the law of the Lord, and in his law did he meditate day and night. And he was like a tree planted by the rivers of water.' His seasons of secret devotion were very strictly observed. He rose early, sometimes with the dawn, and usually spent from one to two hours in reading the Scriptures, in meditation and prayer. After his health was impaired, through some disorder in the digestive functions of his system, it is not improbable that his strength was materially diminished by the intensity of his devout contemplations. In hope of recruiting his debilitated constitution, he took passage in a fishing-vessel, at Marblehead, July 6, 1844. He was last heard from on the 6th of October following. While the vessel was on the Banks, he wrote to his friends VOL. III. 2* several letters, which are now a treasure of comfort and consolation in the sorrows of their bereavement. The witness of those, also, who saw him, and who received from him the purest tokens of his Christian interest in seamen particularly, is now cherished with the greatest satisfaction. He made friends of all, and if he had lived would, doubtless, have been one of the most useful members and brightest ornaments of the church. In what way the vessel was lost is unknown. There is much reason for the opinion of many, that she was run down in the night, by some one of the numerous merchantmen whose path lies directly across the anchorage of the adventurous fisherman. But however it was that "the inevitable hour" came upon him, we need not have a shadow of a doubt that he "departed to be with Christ; which is far better." He was of the "sons" who are as plants grown up in their youth; the joy of all that pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The God of peace grant that we may see many more such, with those "daughters," also, who are as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace. L. N. R. SWAMPSCOT SABBATH SCHOOL. In the eastern part of Lynn, upon the sea-shore, there is a flourishing village, of about one thousand inhabitants, named Swampscot. In this place there has never been a house of worship. Several attempts have been made to sustain a Sabbath school there; but there having been no minister or church to watch over it, its existence has been brief. Last summer, among the numerous invalids who resorted to this neighborhood for the recovery of health, was Rev. J. Bowen Clark. He proposed preaching to the 1846.] An Aged and Faithful Teacher. 19 people in a school-house, and a goodly number attended. A Sabbath school was now organized, with the most encouraging prospects of being permanent. So much interest has been manifested among the people, that the friends of the enterprise are now erecting a house of worship. A few weeks since we had the pleasure of spending a Sabbath with this interesting people. The Sabbath school had then been established fifteen Sabbaths. It was held at 9 o'clock in the morning; and it was delightful to see the interest with which the children collected on that cold day. One little lad, we were told, was so anxious to attend and be there in season, that he went without his breakfast. There were present sixteen teachers and one hundred and two scholars; the average attendance has been fourteen teachers and eighty scholars. Most of the scholars are between the ages of five and twelve. Some very small children have ceased to attend since the commencement of cold weather. During those stormy Sabbaths of the autumn, the attendance was about the same as on pleasant days. When the church is completed, so as to afford room, it is thought the school will be nearly doubled in numbers. There has been a most striking improvement in the appearance of the school, and its happy influence is already seen and acknowledged by many of the people. The children are quite attentive and orderly, and there can no where be found a hundred children, with more intelligent, sprightly and interesting countenances. AN AGED AND FAITHFUL TEACHER. DURING the past year, we were called to follow to the grave an aged and faithful Sabbath school teacher, with one of her beloved pupils. The teacher, Mrs. SARAH C. STUDLEY, was truly a "mother in Israel." She has long been an |