Thomas.-Why, Sir, as to that, I have no dislike to telling any thing about myself to any one, and more especially to such a pleasant spoken gentleman as you, if I may make bold to say so. You see, Sir, I went into the public line very young, and, having no father to put me right, and being too head-strong to mind all my poor mother's advice, I took to bad company, and that soon led me not to be afraid of drink, so long as I could do my work, and so long as my master was not angry. Mr. F.-It would have been better for you, perhaps, if you had had a strict severe master. T-Ah! that it would, Sir, a deal better for me; but nobody cared much about it, and I thought I did no harm to any body. Well, Sir, then I married, and promised my wife, and myself too, that I would not drink any more; but somehow I could not help it I fancied; and in a year or two I began to get quite ill, and my poor wife too, and to look quite miserable, and no money going home for her, or for the poor children, who looked always sickly and beggarly. At last, master got quite tired of my ways, and lost so much custom, that he would not keep me any longer, and so I lost my place, and a good place it was. And then, Sir, it was, I began first to think about what I was doing, drinking away all my money, and starving my wife and my two poor children. I could not bear to see them looking so miserable and wretched; it quite went to my heart when I thought it was all my doing, and so, Sir, I made a solemn resolution that I would not touch a drop of liquor again, for their sakes. Mr. F. And I fancy, my friend, from your present appearance, that you kept your promise well. T-Indeed, Sir, I have, though it was a hard matter at first, and I used to feel very dry and very low-spirited, but I could not think of breaking my word, and besides I thought of my children, and then I persevered. And, somehow, Sir, ever since that time, things have prospered with me; I got better and better in health every day, till now I am as strong and hearty as ever. I soon had a few odd jobs, and when people found I was got so steady, and was always as able as willing, they were not afraid to take me; and after living rather hardly for some time, I got here as an under-waiter, and here I have been these five years, till I have been advanced to be the head one, and now master trusts me with the keys of every thing, and there is not another man he ever had to whom he could do that. I have got the best of places, and have every thing comfortable at home, and as my wife is very prudent too, she makes the most of the money I take home; and though she and the children have all that they really want at home, yet we have, besides that, a pretty little sum of money in the Savings' Bank too. And. now, Sir, I can see how wrong I was to make so light of drinking, for if I had done no harm to any one else, I know now I was doing a great deal of harm to myself, both in body and soul; and so I hope I shall never fall into such troubles again. Mr. F.-I trust not, as you view it so properly. I am much obliged to you for your story, and now I understand the reason of your being so much changed, and I wish you may be an example for many others to profit by. E. E. AN HYMN. JEHOVAH reigns! let Earth rejoice! Nor length, nor breadth exclude his sway; Events are all beneath his eye, Whose councils first ordain'd 'em all; 'Tis far beyond all human skill, The wonders of his ways to scan: Yet, in this doubting state below, There's ground where humble hope may rest, That all is wise, that all is best. Harrison's Miscellanies. CONTENTMENT ARISING FROM RELIGION. "ALL these things are against me," said Jacob of old *. He had sent his sons into Egypt to buy corn, but the lord of the land had detained Simeon, one of the brethren, till Benjamin, the youngest brother, who had been left with their father, should be brought for him to see, that he might find out the truth of the story they told him. When Jacob's sons returned without their brother, Jacob in despair exclaimed: "Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away : all these things are against me." But all these things were for him; though he knew it not. For we see that all his happiness in finding Joseph, arose from those circumstances, which he thought so unfortunate. And now let us apply this subject Gen xlii. 36. Contentment arising from Religion. 223 to ourselves. We must all allow that we are too apt to murmur at events, and every-day occurrences which seem to cross our plans and purposes. And though perhaps some would, I dare say, be much offended to be told they murmured against God, yet still they do, since He is the orderer of all things, and nothing happens unless He wills it. To-day even, I heard a party of people lamenting the weather, which happened to be very wet, because they had anticipated an excursion, and hoped it would have been fine;-"Poor, weak, foolish creatures," I said to myself, "if you had the management and government of all the world and its affairs, how sadly would it be mismanaged, and how dreadful would be the disorder reigning around; yet you feign would like it so to be, or you would not doubt, and complain, and murmur, at the disposals of a wise, good, and beneficent God." Let the example of Jacob shew us that God can bring great good out of evil, and lead us to much prayer, that we may bear little as well as great crosses with submission. That sad spirit of grumbling, not only is displeasing to the Lord, but also renders a person exceedingly miserable; whereas a spirit of thankfulness and child-like faith in an Almighty and merciful Father, is not only pleasing to Him who sees the heart, but also spreads and infuses a calm to the spirit, and creates a peacefulness of heart, which the murmurer never enjoys. The believer has the assurance that "all things shall work together for his good;"-this, indeed, is a blessed assurance; let us pray that we may be among the number of those to whom this promise may be applied. Then we shall indeed find, that "Godliness is profitable for this life, as well as for that which is to come." A. A. TO-MORROW. OUR kind friends are about us: our converse sincere, But rough storms drive the sea-bird in land with affright, J. H. T. VERSES ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. THESE are some of the last verses that Hayley composed; and were suggested by seeing the swallows assemble on his roof before their departure. YE gentle birds that perch aloof, Ere winter's angry threats commence; May God, by whom is seen and heard J. H. T. |