Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Grandpap hastily limped up and thrust a big package in the hand of the astonished young man. "That's the saffron-you proberbly didn't save the blows last year. How many of 'em did you say was down? I really think both of you'd better staid at home tendin' of 'em, instid of traipsin' around so. Pour on bilin' water, and bile it well. It's jest the yaller tops that's good. Jest make 'em drink a plenty, if they do squirm; an' if you or your wife has any kind o' pizen in yer blood, it'll bring it out on you too."

Both thanked him, and seemed quite grateful that the old man's heart was touched by their gratitude, and as they hastily walked away with blazing faces, he stood and called out various directions to follow, in case "them measles struck in," and answered Granny's, father's, and Sarah Jane's rebukes for his " 'aggra- | vatin' questions," with self-congratulations.

"Yes, indeed, I'm powerful glad I thought of that there measle-medicine," till they gave him up in despair, finding words were as useless as their previous pulling of his coat-tail, shakes of the head and winking had been; so father and the rest gave it up. "Grandpap will say his say," they decided, and went into the

house and out to the farm-yard, to "do the evenin' chores."

It is now a pleasant May evening as I sit writing my reminiscences of that evermemorable visit. Betsey did not marry the preacher after all, so Zerubbabel's "February chickens" were sacrificed on the priestly altar in vain.

But she and I are to start out next week as partners in a "Life and Trust Assurance Company," warranted not to fail, and after a short trip, we will spend the month of June in the old farm-house, where we have engaged Loard on the following terms, as set forth by Granny: "Seein' as you two will not make mutch more truble than one, we will feal it right to charge you three an' two bits for a weak's bord, an' I shall be proper glad an' plezed to see Miss Betsey agin, with witch I am your servant; an' the Kernul jines me in this, an' so does father an' Sarah Jane."

"Betsey" has traced up the antecedents of some "Spillman" family she fortunately fell in with; in climbing their genealogical tree, she found that one had been hanged; but as another figured as Major in the war of 1812, she will doubtless suppress the former fact; and give the old lady great pleasure by her knowledge of "the Spillmans."

We are all akin, the world over. Among the youth sent to this country from Japan to be educated, are two little girls. When the youngest of these, eight years old, left Japan, her mother placed in the bottom of her trunk a package carefully sewed up in cloth, and labeled, "For my little daughter-not to be opened until she shall have arrived in America." When settled in her Georgetown home she opened it, and bursting into tears she cried as if her heart would break. Such a good mother, to make the gift-one so inexpressly dear to every girl-heart the world over. Of course it was a doll, in all the splendor of Japanese costume, and, for the moment,

the pcor child was overwhelmed with home-sickness and longings for the mother's face.

A BOSTON girl being asked if she had not once been engaged to "a party by the name of Jackson," who was at that time a Harvard student, languidly replied, "I remember the circumstance perfectly, but am not certain about the name."

A PARTY of gipsies were in Danbury recently. The News says: "These people appear to think a good deal of their native land; they carry it around with them."

OUR MISCELLANY.

GRACE AT TABLE.

One pleasant Sabbath day last spring, after ten Americans, including a few ministers and a missionary or two, had held a little meeting on Mount Olivet, at which the communion had been administered, they invited to a nearer interview three Arab boys, about ten ar eleven years of age, who had been looking on with much curiosity. These boys being questioned, were found to be intelligent, and possessed of a fair knowledge of the difference between the religion and worship of Christians, Jews and Mohamnedans. Among other shrewd remarks one of them said, "We notice that sometimes you English people eat and drink without 'any worship."

How does it come that a people calling themselves Christians, should lead the way in the neglect of customs dictated by natural religion? Do those heads of families whose neglect of a plain duty is a wonder to the children of Mohammedans and Pagans, think that their conduct will not be questioned by their own children? Why should it be understood that in such a country as ours the part of our population who make no "profession of religion," may eat their meals without the performance of so plain a duty as giving thanks? What must be the position of this class in the day of accounts, when Tyre and Sidon, and India and the Syrian deserts shall rise in judgment against them, bearing, in the opening of the books, their silent testimony? And in that day what will those many professed Christians have to say for themselves, who eat their daily bread without visible recognition of the God on whose bounty they feed, and by whose grace they expect to be saved?

Among the animals over whom man in his creation was invested in the dominion, there is a difference in the seeming recognition of man's right of sovereignty. Some, in their mute, patient way, own the care and providence of their human protectors. It is said in Isaiah :

"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib;

But Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider."

There is another class of brutes with whom we loathe to be compared. "" The swine look not up to the one above them who threshes down the acorns." Such animals as these does ungrateful man, eating and drinking without thought of the Giver, more closely resemble.

44

The Rev. Dr. C. S. Robinson, in a well known Sunday school weekly, begins an article on Saying Grace at Table" with an expression of surprise, on reading in a journal the following slip:

"Why do Christian people ask a blessing at table? Why before eating, any more than when partaking of any other privilege from God, as sitting down to read a book, or going to a concert, or singing a song?"

A graceless extract, indeed! From this Dr. R. passes to record his regrets that in so many ways our family customs He adds: changing for the worse.

are

"When our country was young, households were gathered together morning and night for prayer. Now the hurried life we live, seems to eat out all the wish for such things.

"One of the most beautiful images that ever rose upon my imagination, was suggested to me by a chance delay for two days, among the lakes and mountains of the Trcsach's Glen. I happened to make the inquiry, what became of the villagers, so suddenly disappearing at nightfall from the streets; and a sandy-haired Scotchman replied, 'Most of them would be at prayers about this time.' And I looked up into the fair blue sky, and thought how fine a thing it would be to have a resting-place, high enough just to hear the murmur of voices, as they read a verse about, and sang one of the old Psalms, before the impressive hush in which the father offered prayer. How grand would be the swell of sound, when a

whole village was going on its knees before manhood, when, on the evening of my dear God!

"Prayer in the family is the one thing to be looked after, at the altar or the table; that act in which the head of the household is the high priest for his home-sacrifice. Bishop Burnet, in his history, tells us that in the days of our ancestors, England was as true as Scotland in this duty. He says that when a person' came early to the door of his neighbor, and desired for a moment to speak with the master of the house, it was as common a thing for the servant to tell him, with freedom, My master is at prayers,' as it is now to say, 'He is not up.' "Even in the annals of New England, there used to be told the story that, when Lord Dartmouth, after whom one of our greatest colleges is named, was once going on a hunting excursion with King George, he kept the entire cavalcade for a half hour at his door, courtiers and hounds waiting, and his simple apology, as he at last came forth, was, I was paying my morning homage to my heavenly King."

[ocr errors]

Our children are living a shallow life compared with that which gave us training. We had few books, and some of them were dull and hard. We had no newspapers or Lausic. And Puritan Sabbaths have become a proverb to many for their severity and ruggedness. I would we were all worthier of our start. That sort of life, after all, made manly men and womanly women. It wrought out character in as fine a pattern as ever shone in strength and beauty. O, it is a pity to let even one so small a custom as grace at table, fade out of use. That pause of decorum, when all are quietly seated, and even the baby closes her big eyes, and folds her little hands, when the father rises to his office as a 'king and priest unto God,' and thanks him for hearing the prayer for daily bread, he knows the children offered; O, how full of might and meaning it is! Ah, me! shall I ever forget that first meal, when home for a visit, just after I had become a Christian in the distant village where I was a teacher, my father turned suddenly to me, delegating his intercession for the moment to me, his son. And I am sure all of us will remember the majesty of my elder brother's

old father's funeral, he did not wait for me, nor suffer me, minister though I was, to summon the broken circle, but calmly and modestly drew forth the Bible, and assumed his primacy at the honored family altar.

"So far from fashion's interfering with this ancient and honorable custom, I have observed in Great Britain, on many occasions, that it is a mark of decided ill-breeding to omit grace at the table. On public feastdays, the ceremony is quite elaborate. In the houses of genteel people, the guests often stand behind their chairs until the blessing is asked. Even among godless people, the practice is retained. It may only be a form, but the form is decent. And I have never noticed an absence of seriousness or becoming gravity, even when I knew the company was decidedly unsympathetic.

[ocr errors]

'Perhaps the most remarkable instances of this I ever knew, have been on some of the ocean steamers. When we crossed in the Helvetia,' the captain, by whose side I sat, invariably, himself, asked the blessing at every meal. And a sedate, respectful gravity attended the exercise. Upon the

Spain,' the captain always called upon me for the giving of thanks, and in every instance caused the covers to remain unlifted. When the weather was rough, so that he had to be on duty, he sent audible and public word to me by the head steward, 'The captain's compliments, sir, and will you be so kind as to say grace in his absence?'

"These magnificent ships were both of the National Line of Liverpool. All honor to those true gentlemen of the sea!"

In what remains to be said upon this subject, we will be practical. Neither the excuse, "I am not a professor of religion," nor,

[ocr errors]

I have no gift for speaking," will avail for the omission of a short prayer of thanks at the table. Above all, the man who says, "I am as good as many Christians," pretty nearly right, and expect to be saved on the ground of a well spent life," cannot

[ocr errors]

"

I do

consider himself exempt from the obligation.

Those who fear to trust themselves to a

longer exercise, should begin with a single sentence. No rhetorical gifts are needed. Speak clearly, briefly and to the point. The

spirit of thankfulness is illy promoted by a long exercise, scarcely audible. We have wondered at the change when, after hearing a man speak like a Trojan at a public meeting, his "blessing" at dinner was a low muttered sound, not one word of which a guest five feet off could hear. Perhaps the bend in the neck, which was worse than useless, choked and stifled the utterance. We have heard many a blessing which, although doubtless understood by the one offering it, others did not understand. Some put a hand to their forehead, by way of support, and without being aware of it, prevent the escape Others put both arms around their plate, as if to shield it from harm. As all must eat, the profane as well as the saintly, it should be remembered that the honor of religion is more at stake in the faulty performance of grace at table than exercises in the church or prayermeeting, where the thoughtless are only occasionally present, or perhaps never seen at all.

of the sound of their voices.

[blocks in formation]

We add five short prayers to be used at And hearts have broken for harsh words meals.

For what we are about to receive, O Lord, make us thankful, for Christ's sake. Amen. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, and bless these refreshments to our use. Help us to be grateful for all thy gifts, and to serve thee in holiness and righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord, and thou givest them their meat in due season. Be pleased to direct us by thy good Spirit, that we may be fitted to partake of what thou hast prepared for thy saints in heaven. Amen.

Command thy blessing upon us now, O Lord, and let this food strengthen and serve us. Provide for the wants of the poor and needy; forgive us our sins, and save us in Christ.

Amen.

We thank thee, O Lord, for thy continued remembrance of our wants. Help us always to receive thy gifts with thanksgiving, and to use them all to thy praise, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

spoken,

That sorrow can never set right.

We have careful thought for the stranger,
And smiles for the some time guest;
But oft for our own the bitter tone,

Though we love our own the best.
Ah! lips with the curve impatient,

Ah! brow with the shade of scorn, 'Twere a cruel fate, were the night too late To undo the work of morn!

THOUGHTS ON ORATORY.

One of the books always lying on my table is "Webster's Speeches." They are a noble contribution to American letters. Mr. Clay was perhaps the greatest orator we ever had. Mr. Calhoun was a great political thinker, but he used words, as he himself says, as the "scaffolding of his thoughts." Webster alone of the three has left speeches rich in thought, and adorned with all the graces of style.

Is there any speech in our language superior to the reply to Hayne? Power of argument, power of expression, the clearest

statement, impassioned declamation, wit, imagination, heroic recollection, pathetic apostrophe, all meet and mingle in that mighty production of that mighty mind.

Is it true that the poet is born and orator made? Not a word of truth in it. Oratory is a gift. It is in the blood, the temperament; learning may enrich its sweet tones, and graceful manner may adorn it, but these are not oratory. One may have wit, reason, imagination, exquisite sensibility, pathos, and yet fail as an orator. It is a thing of temperament, it belongs to the blood.

It is a great mistake however, to suppose, as many do, that real genuine oratory must be declamatory. Many conversational speakers are great orators. In fact most of the great declamatory orators have made conversation the ordinary basis of their speaking, rising from this level to brilliant bursts of declamation, or sinking into the plaintive notes of pathos. This was the case with Mr. Clay, and is true of Henry Ward Beecher.

Preaching and speaking would be far more effective if men would learn that the conversational style is the natural one. Many men preach and speak in a style like nothing in heaven above, or on the earth below. It is neither good declamation, because it is forced; nor conversation, because it is unnatural; nor reading, but a horrid mixture of all.

Students in seminaries should be taught that the most effective style for wear, is the simple, easy tone of ordinary conversation. Unless a man has in him that electric power by which he thrills and controls his audience, (and few men have it throughout a sermon, or speech,) he will accomplish far more by earnest conversation. Loud and vehement declamation, especially in argument, always produces the impression of acting a part, because it is unnatural. No man makes bargains, buys or sells, talks to his friends, argues, pleads, expresses hopes or fears, joys or sorrows, in ordinary life in this manner. When a speaker talks as in ordinary life, the audience feels that it is no acting, no holiday affair, but business; it comes home to them as an earnest matter. REV. E. H. HARDING.

GLUTTONY.

Under the heading, AN OLD FASHIONED VICE, the Rev. Dr. Stork discourses in the Lutheran Observer on Gluttony. He says, "Our fathers used to preach against this vice, but we leave all that to the doctors and health journals now." But we are rather of the opinion that the medical doctors have followed the example of the spiritual ones, for we are sure that remonstrances from physicians against the real cause of numberless ailments are seldom heard in this day. In respect to excess in eating, there is a deplorable lack of faithful dealing all around. Our progress as a nation, in civilization and wealth, is accompanied by a growing desire to extend the domain of the palate. A "good table" at hotels and restaurants, gook cooks, fine confections, and the like, are more and more openly spoken of and insisted upon. What would be our small evening parties, now-a-days, without their gastronomic entertainment?

Dr. Stork's questions and remarks are pertinent.

"Is not gluttony a sin? Is it not a very common sin? Does it not affect many Christian characters seriously? I walked home with a young man, the other day, from a Methodist church, where the preacher had been laying the lash pretty sharply on those 'whose God is their belly.'

[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
« AnteriorContinuar »