A third. "There is too often to be seen an indifference to that noble cause amongst the class to which I belong; this I think arises in a great measure from ignorance, which I hope your Charter will be instrumental in dispelling. This I have to confess was my own experience; I have never experienced anything else but the free enjoyment of the Sabbath, and I never thought on the value of the blessing I possessed, till I saw the advertisement for the Essays; this set me on considering what the working man would have done without the Sabbath; then the conviction that many of my fellow-workmen were deprived of the blessing, pressed upon me. I was thus led to make inquiries on the subject, and the result was, from being indifferent on the subject, zeal was enkindled in my breast, and the Essay was produced." Another-"With respect to the Essay, it has been the means of very much improving my knowledge on the temporal advantages of the Sabbath to the working man; it has found full occupation for my thoughts, so as to exclude many indifferent, inferior, and trifling subjects from my mind; it has caused me to peruse the sacred volume of Holy Writ, with a greater degree of attention and reverence, for the purpose of investigating all the passages of Scripture relating to that Sabbath which God had made for man, and has enabled me to make a complete concordance of the word Sabbath, that will no doubt be of service to my young family. As for expecting any remuneration as a prize, I did not; being fully aware that there are many well-educated working men; myself not having been taught the common rudiments of education till I was twenty-three years of age, in a Mechanics' Institute. In writing the Essay I am amply paid, and fully remunerated, (for the trifling expence of postage and paper,) by the information obtained, by the knowledge derived, by the pleasure enjoyed,--by the temptation avoided,—and by the satisfaction of having spent several hours of my time in endeavoring to advance so good a cause. And further, if I have only given one hint that may be of the least service to the Sabbath cause, I am more than doubly compensated, in being able to render some service to the glorious cause which I have endeavored to advocate, and still continue to do." POETRY. THE TEACHERS. (From "Rhymes worth remembering.") I WANDERED in the garden, and I saw the noisome flower With all a coxcomb's flaunting pride above his fellows tower, But 'neath my feet the violet scarce showed her modest head, So lowly and obscure she lay upon her leafy bed. I wandered in the meadow, and I saw the weed so tall It hid itself so modestly beneath its leafy screen. I wandered by the river, and I saw upon the tide The corks and straws and worthless things upon the surface glide; "HIS END WAS PEACE." [Suggested by reading the above words on a tomb in Crondall churchyard.] Do they not say a Christian sleeps below, And a bright home among the good and blessed? "His end was peace:" ah! what, was then his life? Or had he to endure the stormy strife Of the world's warfare, and of Satan's power? сс "His end was peace;" his sorrows all are past He mourns no more—the haven gained at last— He weeps not now, for sweet and holy rest Is his fair portion, 'mid the good and blessed. ANNIE WHITE. WORDS OF MERCY. Now is full and free redemption,— Come from earth's remotest bound! Call the dark son of the tropics, Him who braves the Arctic cold— Widely let his woe be told. Yes, let each despairing sinner, Fathomless his love shall prove. See, he calls you to his bosom, Trust him, love him, as a friend. When the rod of sharp affliction Then, his healing mercy trust. Those who wilfully reject him, Shall not always hear the word; Soon, no more those sounds of mercy, Loudly echoing shall be heard. S. X. |