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But the larger portion of their acquaintance gradually avoided and forgot them. They never thought of complaining at this conduct, and, as we think, they had no right to complain. It was impossible for them to reciprocate attentions according to the established forms of society, so that the visits and notice of more prosperous persons could only have laid upon them a burden, which it was not in their power to discharge. Murmurings have been too frequent against the hard heartedness of the world in this respect. Undoubtedly we can find too many instances for the honour of human nature of proud and haugh, ty prosperity but do we, on the other hand, find too many examples of meek and resigned adversity? And besides, we might perhaps discover, if we looked into the breasts of the rich, that it is often rather a delicacy of mind than a triumph of imagined superiority, which induces them to avoid their former friends when sunk into poverty. They may imagine that notice, under such circumstances, is oppression; that condescension is insult; that intercourse is intolerable, because it is not equal; and indeed, if we may judge by what we have sometimes seen, their supposition would not be far from the right. But we are forgetting that our immediate business is narrative, and not discussion.

In proportion as Mr. and Mrs. Olney became abstracted from the rich and fashionable world, they were compelled to seek for resources of felicity within themselves, In their

brightest days, religion had never been swallowed up by "the deceitfulness of life." Its light had only served to mellow and subdue the brilliancy which glistened from the sunshine of the world Now that that sunshine had gone down there still beamed within their hearts the same religion-like the evening star which only seems to glow more intensely, from the com. parative darkness around it.

Their days were now passed in labour. Instead of those benevolent projects, those charitable visits, those festive assemblies, and that idly busy routine, with which their time was formerly measured and filled up, they were constantly employed in manual industry. But they were as happy as they were industrious. One evening, when they were conversing on the many resources which even the humbleness of their present situation allowed them for happiness, Mr. Olney exclaimed, "But for the best and richest of all our comforts. Mrs. O. we are indebted to your care and providence. Explain your self, Mr. Olney," said she. "Why," replied he, "have we, or can we have a greater pleasure on earth than we derive from our daily and punctual task of perusing a portion of the holy scriptures? When engaged over that sacred page, what a contrast does the em ployment present to our occu, pations abroad? There, all is, tumult, hurry, noise. Here, all is peace, calmness, joy. In the world, we see many examples of folly and wickedness, by the influence of which we are constantly liable to be corrupted.

In the bible, we see treasures of heavenly wisdom, which so far from disgusting or making us degenerate, impart both to our intellects and hearts a delightful charm, and resist, as I hope, the contaminating influences to which we are exposed. How many times have I been able to subdue a temptation, by the recollection of some forcible precept which I had read in the morning. How often have I been cheered and sustained in my weary toil, by the thought of the single hour which I should pass in the evening, either in reading that holy book, or pursuing those silent meditations, or joining with you in that sweet converse, which its sublime truths and doctrines suggested! Did I I go then too far, in pronouncing you to be the immediate author of our most valuable blessings? The eyes of Mrs. Olney dropped, as she heard this sincere and well-merited praise. Her heart throbbed with so much pleasure åt listening to commendations from one, whom she had every reason to cherish and respect, that she began to grow alarmed at her almost exulting self complaceney. which she checked immediately by the following reply: "Rather, Mr. Olney, let us look up to a higher source for whatever comforts and blessings we are at present enjoying." They kneeled, and joined in their evening devotions.

On the next day, when her husband had departed for the scene of his daily employments, she was compelled, for some reason or other, to chide a fine little daughter, who seldom indeed gave her parents cause of

anger or regret. It had hithérto been her custom to reward the virtues of her young family by allowing them to amuse themselves over the plates in the family bible. The girl just mentioned was therefore punished for her misdemeanour hy an exclusion from the amusement during that day. She received the punishment with sorrow, rather because it was an expression of her mother's displeasure, than for the sake of the trifling disappointment which she had incurred For that very reason, however, so long as the exclusion lasted, so long she felt unhappy; and while her brothers and sisters were engaged in admiring some new picture which they had never happened to see before, or in tracing the history of another, or eagerly pointing out beauties in another, perhaps for the hundredth time-our little culprit could no longer endure her state of condemnation, but going with tears in her eyes to her mother, said, "I remember,

mamma, that you told papa what an excellent command you thought that one was, which he read this morning-Let not the sun go down upon thy wrath. And when I asked you what wrath was, you said it was anger, and told me always to observe the command Now,mamma, I will confess I was a little angry, though I had no right to be, for not being permitted to look over the pictures in the bible; but I forgot it all a good while ago, because you told me I must obey the command. Now do, dear mamma, do the same as I have done, and forgive me before the sun goes

down, since I am very sorry for my fault." The enraptured mother, as she clasped her child to her bosom, and exclaimed, I do forgive you, my daughter, lifted up her eyes to heaven, and silently breathed out her gratitude, that in the time of her distress she had had it in her heart to sacrifice a pair of paltry jewels, to procure a treasure, which she was every day experiencing, in most unexpected ways, to be indeed of great price.

Many years did not elapse, before new and unforeseen events restored this humble, peaceable, happy family to the prosperity and splendour it had once enjoyed. Their trials had not been inflicted upon them in vain. They had learnt a lesson of religion, and especially they felt with so strong a force the value of the word of God, that they could not contemplate their late adversity with the least emotions of regret. They still continued in the daily practice of reading a portion of its contents; the character of every member of the family in consequence received a higher tone of elevation, was imbued with more seriousness, and enjoyed a richer calm, than the influence of any other book could possibly bestow.

When Mrs. Olney was attacked with her last illness, she was one day so restless and agitated, that no anodyne could soothe her to repose. The physician who was called, declared, "She has a fever, which I cannot allay." Her afflicted hus.

band was unceasingly desiring her to inform him what could be done to afford her ease. But she knew not how to satisfy him. While the whole family with their friends were thus involved in agony and apprehension, the daughter of whom we have just related a juvenile anecdote, and who had now arrived at the years of full discretion, silently went to the table, and taking the family bible, sat by her mother's bed-side. She asked her no question; she only caught her eye; that eye appeared to say, you are the best physician, my daughter. She opened at the fifteenth chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians, at the middle of which she began, and read in an audible voice till she arrived at the fifty-fifth verse. She was about to proceed, when her dying mother caught hold of her arm, and said, Stop, my daughter, let me repeat the next verse: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? In a few moments she calmly expired.

The daughter, who bore so eonspicuous a part in this interesting scene, is now in possession of her mother's bible, and what with the impressive recollections connected with that event, together with the unutterable value of the book itself, and the pleasure of following her mother's example, in all that relates to it, she estimates "the family bible" far higher than the rest of the portion which fell to her lot.

PROGRESS OF LIGHT ON THE CONDITION OF THE AFRICANS IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE apathy which has generally prevailed in regard to the condition of that part of the population of our country which has been deprived of the rights of man and doomed to slavery, must be astonishing to men of reflection and benevolence. Nor can it fail to give them pleasure to know that the eyes of many are opening on this awful subject. The following information has been collected from two letters, written by Evan Thomas, jun. of Baltimore. The first was dated in July, 1816, and addressed to Richard Phillips, of London. In speaking of the salutary influence of Bible Societies in this country, the writer observes :

"Amongst the numerous salutary effects which result from the influence of gospel light, the melioration of the condition of the enslaved Africans, and a general disposition to emancipate them are conspicuous. Not more than 40 years ago, when my father proclaimed liberty to those in his possession, it excited the greatest alarm throughout the state, and every effort which sophistry could suggest was made to induce him to retract. Now emancipation seems to engage the attention of all ranks. Societies are forming in the midst of the slave states, in some instances almost exclusively by slave holders, for the express purpose of promoting that interesting measure. Formerly the right to hold slaves was scarcely ever questioned; now it is admitted on all sides that they are justly

entitled to their liberty. Under this impression many are disposed to emancipate them, but are not willing to turn them loose without education upon the community. The Societies to which I allude seem to be in favour of colonization. To a petition circulated under the auspices of the Abolition Society of Tennessee to the legislature of that state for some legislative provision in the case, there were upwards of 1500 signatures; and as an evidence of their earnest desire for the consummation of their request, many of the slave-holders were so particular as to write opposite to their names slave-holder. In this state emancipation' seems to be the order of the day

many families of the first rank have recently manumitted their slaves-few die now without making provision for their enlargement."

"I expect very soon to have it in my power to announce to thee, the organization of a society in this city for the melioration of the condition of the Afri

can race."

"I regret that I cannot give thee an account of the last annual exhibition of the African Academy in this city-but it is with much satisfaction that I can state that there is an evident increase of attention to the literary education of the black and colored people."

"Ever since my return from England, I have reflected with surprise and regret upon the continuance of the cruel unchristian penal code, which an

nually hurls into eternity so many of your athletic, ingenuous and enterprising young men, who might under a more humane system have been made useful and valuable subjects. I wish the people of England could take a view of our penitentiary, and see how we manage the banditti, which are poured upon oùr shores from all parts of the world. It would be a spectacle not easily effaced from their recollection: instead of foul and gloomy apartments, and clanking chains, they would see open and airy rooms, free from close offensive smells, walls as white as snow, and floors as clean as they can be scrubbed. On all sides the busy artisans ply sedulously and silently at their several occupations. Smiths, nail-makers, spinners, weavers, shoe-makers, tailors, and a long train of manufacturers in their proper apartments, present to the eye of the spectator such a scene of active industry, order and comfort, as to cause him to lose sight of punishment, and to consider himself in the midst, as it really is, of a very thriving manufactory. They would also see that, notwithstanding there is a regular and ample supply of excellent provisions, such as beef, &c. furnished to the criminals, their labour is found to be quite adequate to their maintenance, a fact of the utmost importance, as it is conclusive evidence of the expediency of the institution.The state is not only at no expense for their maintenance, but is actually benefitted by their labours.

Second Letter.

This letter was dated the 12th

of Jan. 1817, from which we select the following passages :

"Some time last summer a few individuals compassionating the deplorably neglected condition of the numerous coloured people of this city, and persuaded of the truth of the scriptural declaration--' He hath made of one blood all the nations of them that dwell upon the earth,' associated for the purpose of imparting useful learning to them. Three hundred pupils immediately presented themselves. In a short time the number of pupils increased to upwards of one thousand. The association formed itself into a society, assumed the title of 'The African Free School Society, and adopted rules and regulations for the government of the Institution."

"Such has been the progress of these pupils such their desire to improve their intellectual faculties such their attention to decorum and good orderthat a very lively interest has been excited, not only in the Society but amongst the different individuals who have visited the establishment."

"Thus by the blessing of Providence a number of our fellow beings, who have been existing in a state of deplorable ignorance, in an age termed the most enlightened, are about to partake of one of the greatest blessing, of civilized life-useful learning."

"Good fruits are already apparent; more than two thirds of our pupils are rapidly advancing in their studies, and exhibit in their deportment a condescension and decorum creditable to any people."

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