Earlier text: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS NOT ABOLISHED(Condensed from Review and Herald.) WELLSVILLE.—The interest here still continues, and the attendance is good. The Methodist minister of the place has spoken on the millennium. He took the position that the thousand years of Rev. 20 are prophetic years, and that therefore there will be a universal reign of peace and righteousness on this earth before the second advent of Christ, and that the resurrection to take place at the commencement of this period is a “moral resurrection” (a new term for theologians to define) which has already taken place, and the millennium commenced. He has announced that he will prove the immortality of the soul next Sunday. PULASKI.—Meetings in the tent here closed Sunday evening. After the forenoon meeting Sunday, seven more were baptized. The exact number who have fully decided to keep the Sabbath is not yet ascertained. A Bible-class has been formed, and arrangements have been made for weekly prayer and Sabbath meetings, and preliminary steps taken for the building of a house of worship. JAMESTOWN.—Sabbath, August 11, nineteen adults pledged to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Not one of these had ever heard of the present truth or third angel’s message before the tent was pitched in this place. PORT HURON.—The work is going on here. Five more were baptized last Sabbath, and more are to go forward in a week. The ministers are much excited over the fact that so many are accepting the doctrines preached in the tent. August 12, a pastor of the M. E. church delivered a sermon on the Sabbath question. His argument was a strange mixture of “Fuller’s Two Sabbaths” and the ordinary view of a change. It was freely admitted that there was no positive proof from the Scriptures either for the abrogation of the ancient Sabbath, or for a change to another day. The sermon was closed with the usual appeal to the “fathers,” to make, as he said, what were really facts of Scripture, though by the Scriptures involved in obscurity, bright and luminous! LAKEVIEW.—A class of thirty-one members has been organized in this place, and when all come in there will not be far from sixty, including children, about half of whom have been won to the truth since Brethren Burrill and Ellsworth commenced labor here. The subject of building a church has been agitated with good success. A prominent citizen has given a lot on which to build. FOWLERVILLE.—The tent is pitched in a good location here; and the people take a lively interest in the meetings, giving their undivided attention to the truth presented. Brethren Kenyon and Miller write that the temperance reform movement is creating much excitement in this place, and with their consent a mass meeting is appointed to be held in the tent. PARDEEVILLE.—Meetings were commenced here August 3. Brethren Olds and Smith write that they have a tent full nearly every evening; have presented the subjects of the judgment, the advent, and the Sabbath. The oldest inhabitants say the people were never so interested in the religion of the Bible as now. ELLSWORTH.—The tent has been taken down in this place, and the brethren are now holding meetings in the M. E. church, which has been kindly granted them. A goodly number have expressed a determination to keep all the commandments of God. The Sabbath-school and Bible-class are in a flourishing condition. OSKALOOSA.—Brother L. McCoy writes: “As a part of the results of the efforts put forth in this place, thirty-five have decided to obey God. Our Disciple friends challenged us for a discussion, but when we publicly stated that we stood ready to affirm what we preach, and should expect them to do the same, and that we were ready to meet them, they failed to come to time.” MODALE.—Brother J. Bartlett writes: “The Lord is at work here. Some of the most prominent citizens have decided to keep the Sabbath. The interest here is good. This is a small place, but the country people turn out well. Our tent is full almost every evening.” TECUMSEH.—Meetings were commenced here June 21, and continued until August 5. Sixty-one discourses have been given. There were no Sabbath-keepers in this place when these meetings commenced; now there are about twenty-five who have accepted the doctrines presented, and many others who are yet undecided. The Work at Danvers, Mass.
By C. W. Stone
We pitched our tent in this place, and commenced meetings on the first day of August. The first evening brought out a great crowd. They filled our sixty-four-foot tent, and formed a deep ring clear round it. Curiosity called out a class from whom the authorities said we might expect trouble. At the commencement of our singing, however, they all became quiet, and the best of order has prevailed at every meeting. After the first evening, the ladies and best citizens came; and our audience is one of intelligence. Leading members of churches and men who have not attended church for five years have happily met together here. They come from places eight miles distant every evening, and fill the tent, and stand in large numbers around the outside. The subjects now presented are the prophecies of Dan. 2 and 7, Matt. 24, United States in prophecy, nature of the soul, end of the wicked, and Spiritualism. From the first the interest has increased. People want to investigate. We have been here thirteen days, and in that time have sold $56 worth of books. The people are reading the Bible, and the common remark is, “I have learned more of the Bible in the last ten days than I ever knew before.” They stop after meeting, to talk, and seem loth to go away from the tent. Already some who never professed religion have begun to pray; and though we have not touched the Sabbath question, several are inquiring what about it, and how they could keep it. We look for a good number here who will obey the Lord. Elder Canright has had great freedom in presenting the truth. Sunday, August 12, the Congregationalist minister preached against us. He said that the prophecies of Daniel were fulfilled centuries ago, were not written for us; and that a day is not a symbol for a year in prophecy. He exhorted his flock to accept what he taught and not trouble their heads about these things. The result is, that his own members are much displeased with him. Elder C. reviewed him the next Tuesday evening, before a very large audience, leaving an excellent impression. The Ohio Camp-Meeting.
By Uriah Smith
We can hardly say that this meeting commenced on the day appointed, August 10, 1877. Elder H. A. St. John, the president of the Conference, was detained by an unusual interest in Van Wert, Ohio, where some sixty have embraced the truth, and the arrangements were consequently very far behind on the opening day. It was found just possible to hold a meeting without a tent, in the open air, on the evening of that day. The attendance of brethren and sisters is quite small. The location of the camp-meeting so far south, the failure of crops and the hard times, are assigned as the probable causes. There are but eighteen church and family tents erected. But the attendance from without is unexpectedly large. On Sunday, there was a heavy thunder shower in the morning, lasting till after nine o'clock A. M. Yet in the afternoon there were, it is estimated, some two hundred teams on the ground, and about five thousand people. We have never been in a place where there seemed to be less prejudice, and where such a spirit of inquiry was manifested. A very excellent class of people, apparently, are in constant attendance, and the questions they have to propose after almost every discourse, show the interest they feel in the subjects presented. Large congregations are present both day and evening. We have now reached the fifth day of the meeting; the social seasons are growing in interest, and we anticipate that the meeting will be very successful in the end. U. S. Southern France.
By D. T. Bourdeau
INTERESTING accessions have been made to the cause in this city since I reported last. Brother Gabert's two daughters, who are first-class teachers, have been at home on a vacation, and, after close and serious examination at our meetings and in private interviews, have decided to cast their lot with this people. One of these persons has taught seven years in a high school in Southern Switzerland, and the other, a poetess whose productions are highly prized in France and Switzerland, is connected with a high school in Germany, and is a friend of a daughter of the emperor of Germany. No pains will be spared to turn these persons away from the truth; but they seem to have counted the cost. Let us pray for them. They both speak and write French and English, and have a partial knowledge of the German tongue. The political contest in this country is waxing hotter and hotter. Evidently a crisis is coming, which, we hope, will result in our favor. God's eye is on France, as well as on other countries. There are many honest souls to be saved in France; and God will thwart the purposes of the rulers of the powers of darkness, if he has to humble the nation a second time. Deliverance will come to the honest. The extreme aggressions and injustice of the clericals must be followed by a favorable reaction. The noblest sons of France, her greatest scholars, are Republicans. Such men as Thiers, Victor Hugo, Gambetta, Jules Simon, and a host of others, will not be easily put in the shade. Their influence will be felt in favor of freedom. Who among us can read their able speeches before the dissolution of the House without being impressed with the thought that they are God's chosen agents to open the way for the spread of the truth in France? God bless Jules Simon, the former Minister of the Interior, who was heartlessly and shamefully excluded from his office while pleading for the liberty of the press, to meet our case in connection with that of others. But in view of the present excitement, and the aggressive measures of the clerical party to gain the ascendancy, depriving the people even of the meager privileges the laws allow in matters of religion, I think it will be proper for me to labor in Switzerland for a season. I have been gradually preparing the minds of our friends on this point. I have made a trip with Brother Gabert in the mountains of Ardèche, away from the influence of the clericals and their emissaries, and have spoken a few times, and scattered tracts. It was our privilege to receive a profitable visit from Brother Andrews on his way to Italy. I expect to see him again shortly, as he returns to Switzerland. Perseverance in Every Undertaking
It is an easy matter to commence tunneling a mountain; the difficulty is to drive through to the other side. Yet this is done not by a resolution or single effort, but stroke by stroke. Skill, labor, and perseverance are thus necessary in every department of life to accomplish whatever one ought to do. The Assurance of Our Salvation
The greatest thing that we can desire next to the glory of God, is our own salvation; and the sweetest thing we can desire is the assurance of our salvation. Heaven is a resting place from toil; the only port that is always calm. The Duties of a Mother.
By Ellen G. White
The Christian mother, to a very great extent, has it within her power to secure to her children good constitutions, sound morals, and correct views of the duties and responsibilities of life. Thousands of mothers are to-day ignorant of the laws of health and morality, and utterly reckless in the management of their children. Thousands are ruined for life and rendered worthless to society through neglect of proper training in early youth. A failure of health prevents the cultivation and development of the mental faculties, the talents lie dormant in consequence, and the world loses the benefit of them. A knowledge of, and obedience to, the laws of nature would have preserved the healthful action of body and mind and given to humanity the blessing of many a life now wasted in uselessness. Through the inefficiency of parents, much good is lost to the world, and God is robbed of the glory he should receive through the proper direction of youthful talent and energy. Mothers are not thoroughly qualified to discipline and educate the minds of the young, unless they have that knowledge of God by which they can conscientiously train their children for the highest usefulness in this life and for the future immortal life. In the education of her children, the mother needs the wisdom which God alone can give her. She also needs health and its accompaniment of calm nerves, clear judgment, and sound reasoning powers. She will then have decision as well as gentleness, firmness as well as love, and will be able to hold the reins of guidance with a firm yet patient hand. She should cultivate that quiet dignity and independence of character which is necessary to her sacred life-work, and the proper conducting of her household. The customs and habits of the world in regard to the training of children should not turn a Christian mother from her course. In no case should she sacrifice her ideas of right because she sees many mothers yielding their scruples in order to gratify the inclinations of their children for questionable amusements, idleness, or a style of dress calculated to foster vanity and injure the health. Indulgence of wrong desires and gratification of the animal passions are the order of the day in this age of the world. Youth is surrounded with the fascinations of pleasure and the seductive temptations of sin. For these reasons a great and important responsibility rests upon the Christian mother. It is hers, in a measure, to rectify the growing evils of the world by rearing her children in such a manner that they will take a firm stand for the right and cast their influence on the side of virtue. But the mother who submits her God-given womanhood to the slavery of fashion wastes, in useless labor and frivolity, time and energy which should be devoted to her sacred calling. She cannot feel a sense of her solemn responsibility to God and humanity. Satan has invented manifold temptations to divert the minds of mothers from their most important work. The matter of dress holds the larger share of women in the veriest bondage. The study of fashion-plates is pursued with untiring zeal, and is followed up by an endless round of cutting, fitting, stitching, ruffling, pointing, and plaiting, to arrange for vain display. All this costs time, money, and concentration of mind, for which no equivalent is returned. The mental powers are dwarfed for want of proper cultivation, and wretchedly abused by being almost wholly bent upon the object of preparing raiment for the body, while their children are on the way to ruin. Many mothers are much more concerned as to the dress and adornment of their children than they are for their behavior and the proper direction of their minds. They will spend precious time in ruffling and trimming the garments of their little ones, while those who are to wear them are running in the streets, subject to the influence of vile associates and breathing in the atmosphere of vice. The hours that should be devoted to prayerful communion with them and a careful superintendence of their employments and amusements are worse than wasted in ornamenting the little suits which will serve to add the evil of vanity to the faults already acquired. A mother who prizes the approval of God and who is controlled by heavenly influences will not dare to waste her precious time, strength, and money, in arranging her own and her children's dress to meet the claims of custom. Fashion-loving mothers are daily giving their children lessons in devotion to dress, which they will never unlearn in after life. They are sowing seeds in those tender minds which will ere long bear fruit. “Sad will the harvest be!” “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” It is the mother's duty constantly to educate her mind and heart for the grave duties devolving upon her, that she may successfully meet her increasing family cares. She should study the peculiarities in the temperaments of her children, and vary her discipline to suit their different dispositions; thus she will be able to mould their minds in the right shape. The usual management of children at the present time tends to weaken their moral power. They are allowed to be idle, and their active young minds, seeking employment, stumble into evil ways. They are not taught self-denial and prompt obedience, therefore they grow up selfish and incapable of taking up the earnest work of life. The example of most parents is demoralizing to the children, who naturally look to them for a pattern. If the parents are swept into the strong current of the world and follow its practices regardless of right or wrong, time or expense, certainly no better can be expected of their children. The lessons of precept and example given by parents to their children should tend to fit their characters for the higher, immortal life. They are thus qualified also for the greatest usefulness in this world. God has placed us here not to live for our own amusement, but to do good, to bless humanity, to prepare for heaven. Every violation of moral obligation, with its burden of result, must be met and accounted for hereafter. Especially are the mother's moments priceless; her work will be tested in the solemn day of accounts. Then it will be found that many of the failures and crimes of men and women have resulted from the ignorance and gross neglect of those whose duty it was to guide their childish feet in the right way. Then it will be found that many who have blessed the world with the light of genius and truth and holiness, owe the staunch principles and integrity that were the mainspring of their usefulness and success to the careful religious training of a praying Christian mother.—Mrs. E. G. White, in Health Reformer. “I THINK I am sure of one premium at least,” said Edward, as he placed himself upon the form among his school-fellows. It was examination day, and many a young heart was beating quick with the hope of approbation and reward, or with the fear of disgrace. Some had looked forward to this day, and applied to their tasks, knowing how carefully they should be examined, and commended or punished according to their deserts. Others had chosen to forget that such a day must come, and idled away the time which they would now have given a great deal to have at their disposal again. In the centre of the school-room was placed a long table, covered with books of various sizes and of different value. There were Bibles and Testaments, both large and small, the histories of Rome, of Greece and of England. There were volumes elegantly bound and pamphlets just stitched together. The school was extensive, and it was wished that every one who had exerted himself to the best of his ability, however little that might be, should carry home with him some mark of encouragement, to remind him that diligence and perseverance were not overlooked. Like the servants to whom the Lord intrusted the talents, some had five, and some had but one, yet these last could not be excused for hiding and neglecting it because it was small; even the youngest and simplest child at school may make something of the reason and opportunities which the Lord has given him to improve. With anxious hearts and busy faces the boys arranged themselves around the table; and were examined with great care and patience by their teachers, as to the progress they had made in their studies. Now, Edward had set his heart on one particular premium, the Roman History, neatly bound, and making two very pretty volumes, which he thought would handsomely fill up a vacant space on his little book-shelves. He allowed himself to think of this until no other prize was of any value in his sight, a great fault, often committed by children, and grown people too; who instead of thankfully receiving whatever the bounty of Providence assigns them, would choose for themselves; and become discontented and unhappy in the midst of blessings, because the wisdom of God sees fit to withhold some one thing that their folly deems necessary to their happiness. Edward passed his examination with much credit, and one of the first premiums was adjudged to him; but instead of the Roman History, a very neat Bible, in excellent large type, was placed in his hands. Many of his school-mates had wished for that Bible, but Edward regarded it not; and the eyes of the foolish boy filled with tears, as he saw the elegant History of Rome presented to another, who, perhaps, would gladly have exchanged with him. The next day Edward returned home and related his disappointment to his parents, who thought his desire for the Roman History a mark of great learning and taste; but since he had distinguished himself so well they did not much care what prize he received. Edward’s father lived in the country, not far from the sea-side, in a most delightful and healthy situation; and at this time his mother’s brother, who was in a very sickly state, had just arrived there to enjoy the benefit of the sea breezes, and rest a little from the toil and bustle of his employments in London. Mr. Lewis was a young man of the most pleasing manners and appearance. He was gentle and serious, but not at all gloomy or severe. His bad health only served to show forth his patience in enduring it without a murmuring word or discontented look; and Edward, who was really a kind-hearted and affectionate boy, soon became very much attached to his uncle, who had not seen him since he was an infant, and who was much pleased at the attentions his nephew delighted to pay him. Young hearts are soon won; and it was only three days after Edward’s return from school, that he went bounding over the grounds in search of his uncle, whose society he already preferred to his hoop and ball. Mr. Lewis was seated under a fine old oak, the high and knotted roots of which served as a seat; while the soft moss, interspersed with many delicate little flowers, was like a carpet beneath his feet. A rich and extensive tract of country lay spread before his eyes; and, at a distance, the mighty ocean bounded the prospect, whose deep green waters were seen in beautiful contrast with the pale yellow cliff, that with a graceful, yet abrupt curve, interrupted the view to the right. Thin clouds were floating past the sun every now and then, and threw all the varieties of light and shade upon the lovely scene below. Mr. Lewis had a book in his hand, into which he frequently looked, and then raised his eyes again to gaze upon the varieties that surrounded him; and so intent he seemed, that Edward doubted whether he ought to disturb him, until his uncle, seeing him at some little distance, kindly beckoned him to come near. “Is not this a pretty place, uncle?” said Edward, as he seated himself beside him; “and do you not find the breeze from the water very refreshing?” “It is beautiful indeed, my dear boy; and I am deriving both refreshment and instruction while I look around me.” “Is that a Bible, uncle?” “Yes. It is God’s word, which I always find the best commentary upon his works;—they explain each other.” “I love the Bible too, uncle,” said Edward, “and got much credit for my answering on Scripture questions last half-year.” “And which, Edward, afforded you the greater satisfaction, the Scriptures, or the credit you got for studying them?” Edward looked a little embarrassed and did not immediately reply. “It is quite right to take pleasure in the well-earned approbation of your teachers,” continued Mr. Lewis, “and I was glad to hear that you obtained a premium at the last examination also.” “Yes, uncle, but not the prize I wished for. There was a Roman History that I should have liked better, and it was just of equal value with the Bible that I got.” “How of equal value, Edward?” “I mean that it was not reckoned a higher prize, and it would have been a nicer book for me.” “Then you had a Bible already?” “Why, no, uncle, not of my own, but it is easy to borrow one on the Sabbath; and I had gone through all my Scripture proofs, and do not want it on other days.” “Read these four verses for me,” said Mr. Lewis, pointing to the sixth chapter of Deuteronomy, “commencing with the sixth verse.” Edward read: “And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up; and thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes, and thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house, and on thy gates.” “To whom was this command given, Edward?” “Yes; and the word of God, which cannot pass away, is as much binding on us as on them, in everything excepting the sacrifices and ceremonies, which foreshadowed the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and which was done away with, by his death fulfilling all those types and shadows.” “Then,” said Edward, “we are commanded to write the Bible on our hands and on our door posts.” “No, my dear boy, not literally, but in a figure of speech; as the Lord, when declaring he never will forget Zion, says, ‘I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.’ The meaning of the passage you first read is, that we must have the word of God as continually present to our minds as anything written on our hands, and on every object around us, would be to our bodily sight. And how are we to get our thoughts so occupied by it, Edward?” “By continually reading it I suppose,” replied Edward, rather sullenly. “By reading it often, and meditating on it much,” said his uncle; “and that we can do without interfering with our other business. Without prayer you cannot obtain any spiritual blessing, nor maintain any communion with God; and without reading the Scriptures you will have but little desire to pray. We are like people wandering in the dark, while the Bible is as a bright lamp held out to direct us in the only safe path. You cannot be a child of God if you do not his will; you cannot do it unless you know it, and it is by the Bible he is pleased to communicate that knowledge. Do you begin to see, Edward, that the Bible is more suitable to be an every-day book than your profane history?” “Why, yes, uncle; but the Bible is a grave book, and if I read it so constantly I never should be merry.” “There is no merriment among the lost, Edward; and that dreadful lot will be your portion if you neglect the great salvation which the Scriptures set forth. Besides, there is no foundation for what you suppose to be the effect of reading the Bible. I have known people naturally melancholy and discontented, become cheerful and happy by studying it; but I never in my life saw an instance of a person becoming unhappy because they had a good hope of going to heaven.” Edward paused a moment, and then said, “Uncle, I remember it is written concerning wisdom, that ‘her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.’” “Most true, my dear boy, ‘quietness and assurance forever’ is the portion of God’s people. ‘Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, rejoice.’ ‘The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ Are such expressions as these likely to make us gloomy, Edward?” “O no, uncle; and I often wonder that you, who suffer so much pain, and read the Bible constantly, are not melancholy!” “How can I be melancholy, Edward, when the Bible tells me that all these things are working together for my spiritual good? that He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, will with him also freely give us all things? When I think of what my sins deserve, and see the Lamb of God bearing the chastisement that should fall on me, how can I be melancholy? When I feel that the Spirit of God is bringing these things to my remembrance, and enabling me to love the Lord Jesus, who has done so much for me, must I not rejoice? I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing; and since God has promised forgiveness to all who seek that blessing through his Son; and since I feel assured that I have sought that blessing, and feel peace and joy in believing, surely the271 song of praise, not the moan of lamentation, becomes me. Yet I do lament, Edward, daily lament my many offenses against God; but I am assured that Christ’s blood cleanseth from all sin, and that in him I have a powerful and all-prevailing Advocate with the Father. I know in whom I have believed, and that he will never cast off nor forsake me. I am sinking into the grave, but I do not shrink from that prospect, because the bitterness of death is taken away by my Saviour, who died for my sins, and rose again for my justification; and though this body returns to dust, I shall live again, and enter into the presence of my Redeemer, and rejoice there evermore.” Edward looked at the animated countenance of his uncle, and then cast down his eyes; they were full of tears. At last he said, “Uncle, indeed I am a very sinful boy, neglecting the Bible, because I know it would show me my sin, and the consequences of it. But I will trifle no more with God’s displeasure. I will get that precious Bible, worth a thousand Roman histories, and I will read it daily, with prayer, that I may be wise unto salvation.” Mr. Lewis did not live long after this. He died, rejoicing in hope of eternal life; and as often as Edward was permitted to return home from his school, he was to be seen under the old oak, with the Bible in his hand, from which he learned more and more the will of his God and Saviour—the utter sinfulness of his own nature—his inability to help himself; and from this holy word he learned to place all his dependence on the righteousness of his Saviour—to follow the example of his Saviour, in prayer, in resignation, and in doing good to the poor around him. He often thought of his dear uncle, and counted that day happy when he sat to listen to his kind advice, which, as a means, brought him to a knowledge of himself and of his heavenly Father. The past is lost to us—the book is sealed,
By mortal ne'er to be unclosed again;
The past is gone—beyond all human power
To change the record of but one short hour,
Though since repented of in tears and pain. The future lies before us—a fair page,
Whereon 'tis ours to write whate'er we will!
Then let us pause in case our careless hand
Shall make a stain which will forever stand,
Through endless time a silent witness still. 'Tis not enough to keep the pages pure,
And let them ever but a blank remain;
Each leaf in turn should on its surface bear
Some writing that shall stand out clean and fair,
To prove our lives have not been spent in vain. Boys are apt to think they are kept too strict, having to get such perfect lessons and to work, and to go to Sabbath-school, and having to be so punctual, and so particular, and not allowed a great many amusements and indulgences which they would like so much. “What’s the use?” they often discontentedly ask. Well, boys, there is a great deal of use in being brought up right; and the discipline which sometimes seems to you so hard, is precisely what your parents see that you need in order to make you worth anything; and I will tell you an incident, which has just come to my knowledge, to illustrate it. William was the oldest child of a widowed mother, and she looked upon him, under God, as her future staff and support. He was trained to industrious habits, and in the fear of God. The day-school and Sabbath-school seldom saw his seat vacant. Idleness, that rust which eats into character, had no opportunity to fasten upon him. By and by he got through being a school-boy, and succeeded in getting a situation in a store in this city. William soon found himself in quite altered circumstances; the stir and bustle of the streets was very unlike the quiet of his village home; then the tall stores, loft upon loft, piled with goods—boxes and bales now, instead of books and hay; then the strange faces of the clerks, and the easy manners and handsome appearance of the rich boy, Ashton, just above him in the store. William looked at Ashton almost with admiration, and thought how new and awkward everything was to himself, and how tired he got standing so many hours on duty, and crowding his way through the busy thoroughfares. But his good habits soon made him good friends. The older clerks liked his obliging and active spirit, and all had a good word for his punctuality. But William had his trials. One morning he was sent to the bank for money; and returning, laid the pile on the counting-room desk. His master was gone, and there was no one in the room but Ashton. Mr. Thomas soon came back. “Two dollars are missing,” said he, counting the money. The blood mounted to poor William’s face, but he answered firmly, “I laid it all on your desk, sir.” Mr. Thomas looked steadily into the boy’s face, and seeing nothing but an honest purpose there, said, “Another time put the money into my hands, my boy.” When the busy season came on, one of the head clerks was taken sick, and William rendered himself useful to the book-keeper by helping him add up some of his tall columns. Oh, how glad he was now for his drilling in arithmetic, as the book-keeper thanked him for his valuable help. Ashton often asked William to go and ride, or to visit the oyster-saloons, or the bowling-alley, or the theater. To all invitations of this kind William had but one answer, and that answer was, No. William always said he had no time, or money, to spare for such things. After the day’s work was done, he loved to get back to his chamber to read. He did not crave perpetual excitement, or any more eating and drinking than was supplied at his usual meals. Not so with Ashton. Ashton had indulgent parents, and a plenty of money, or it seemed so to William; and yet he ate it, or drank it, or spent it in other things, so fast and so soon that he was often borrowing from the other clerks. Ashton joked William upon his stiff notions, but the truth was that William was far the happier of the two. At last a half bale of goods was missing; searching inquiries were made, and the theft was traced to Ashton. Oh! the shame and disgrace of the discovery; yet, alas, it was not his first theft. Ashton had been in the habit of petty pilfering, in order to get the means of gratifying his taste for pleasure; and now that his guilt had come to light, he ran off, and before his parents were aware of it, fled to a far country, an outcast from his beautiful home, from his afflicted friends, from all the comforts and blessings of virtuous life. William is rapidly rising in the confidence and respect of his employers, fearing God, and faithful in duty. There is nothing new in all this; such things are happening every day; and what I want to do, boys, is to mark the lesson which they teach, that vicious indulgences will certainly lead to shame and ruin, while true religion and solid worth have an exceeding great reward.