A Patriot of '76.

AN old gentleman, once the governor of the state in which he lives, who had long been afflicted with a disease for which ardent spirits had been prescribed as a remedy, at a temperance meeting, said

"Friends and neighbors, I am now more than seventy years of age-you all know my state of health. I have been trying an experiment for two months past in abstaining from the use of ardent spirits, which affords me much relief from the great distress I at times experience. My suffering has been great, but less than I feared. In the war of the revolution, I commanded a company of militia in this state. At the approach of the enemy to Bennington, I had just recovered from a fever that had confined me to my bed for many days-I had not then left my room. The alarm was given, the militia called out; and I, in opposition to the entreaties and expostulations of my friends, marched at the head of my company for Bennington. In our march, we had to ford a river; a sturdy soldier shouldered and carried me over on his back. We met the enemy-fought-conquered-and returned in safety to our families. I thus put my life in jeopardy to aid in serving my country, and I am willing to do it again. An enemy more powerful and subtle than the British, is destroying firesides, and trampling with iron hoofs the fairest portions of our land. I present myself to join your ranks in this war of extermination, and enlist under your banner, bearing the motto Total Abstinence.' This step will no doubt shorten my days. Be it so I stand ready to sacrifice my life in the cause, and I freely subscribe your pledge, totally and for ever to abstain from the use of ardent spirits."

A Case of Conscience.

A FEW days since, a farmer from a neighboring town came to Portsmouth with a quantity of beautiful apples, and left them exposed on the parade. They soon attract ed the attention of a boy. He took up one after another of the most tempting of the fairest apples, and throwing

Now

them down again; gazed at them in the anxious and troubled manner, which showed that conscience and appetite were holding a severe and doubtful contest. one, and now the other would seem to gain a momentary ascendancy. This conflict, interesting from its character and doubtful termination, caught the notice of one of our citizens, who has taught many children how to gain the victory to conscience in matters of this sort. He waited at a distance the issue, and was delighted, at last, to see the little fellow, with a decided manner, throw down the last apple, and resolutely turn his back on the temptation. At this moment, he approached the boy, commended him for what he had done; and to reward his honesty, purchased and gave him as many apples as he wanted.

If you could hear him Pray.

ABOUT eight years since, in obtaining subscriptions for a benevolent purpose, I called upon a gentleman in one of our largest cities, who generously contributed to the object. Before leaving, I said to him, how much, think, will such an individual subscribe? "I don't know," said he; but could you hear that man pray, you would think he would give all he is worth." So I called upon him; but to my surprise, he would not contribute. As I was about to take my leave of him, I said to him, as I came to your house, I asked an individual, what you would probably give: "I don't know," said he; "but could you hear that man pray, you would think he would give you all he is worth." The man's head dropped, tears gushed from his eyes; he took out his pocket-book, and gave me seventy-five dollars. He could not withstand this argu His heart relented, and his purse opened.

ment.

The Duelist a Penitent.

B was a member of one of the New England colleges, from a southern section of the country. He left his class before the completion of the college course, with habits of dissipation, which gave melancholy presage of

grief and sorrow to his friends-an untimely grave, and an immortality of shame and everlasting contempt. As was anticipated, on his return to the south, he plunged into vice without restraint. I quote his own account:"As soon as I was again among the associates of my youth, I became entirely devoted to the pursuits of pleasure. With them I plunged deep into fashionable dissipation, and soon lost all thought of my former resolutions and former friends. My life was a continual round of dissipatious criminal in the extreme, and ruinous in their effects both to body and soul."

The rushing stream had now become an impetuous torrent, and dashed along with appalling swiftness toward the precipice! an affectionate and widowed mother wept. and warned in vain. A large circle of deeply-afflicted friends did all friends could do, but saw every effort useless. Here was talent of high order and attainments sufficient to constitute a shining ornament of society. But all were handed over to the service of sin, and contributed to strengthen the kingdom and increase the malignant joy of the prince of darkness.

But the lowest depth of depravity had not yet been reached. An extract of a letter dated Dec. 1832, will give his own account. "I continued this course of life, as above described, till a few days before the protracted meeting commenced. And, sir, what think you brought me to a pause? Doubtless you will say, to compose my mind and strive for a blessing. Oh! no, sir; it was to prepare myself for mortal combat with a fellow being! The time of our meeting was fixed; and it happened to be the day, on which the people of God were to assemble together. Within less than half a mile from that solemn assembly we met, and exchanged shots with pistols. To give you an idea of my utter recklessness and depravity of heart at that time-when I saw the weapon of my autagonist directed towards me, and by one who was esteemed sure and deadly in his aim, the last thought that I recollect was my curiosity, respecting the nature of a future state! His ball struck the earth very near my feet-my own passed within a few inches of his breast. I returned home to a mother and relations, who were half dead with grief and anxiety.

"Let us turn from this horrid scene to one of a different character. The next day found my antagonist and myself on the same bench, at an inquiry meeting, overwhelmed with grief and tears for our sins. The conflict was truly great. For six days I seldom ate or slept. I was at last so much reduced and enfeebled, I had scarcely strength to rise from my knees. A consciousness of pardon and acceptance with God was, at length, obtaineda new song has been put into my mouth."

The reader needs no guide to suitable reflections. Who can contemplate these facts without emotions of wonder in view of the goodness of God, and the power of his grace?

The Secret.

"MOTHER," said a fine looking girl of ten years of age, "I want to know the secret of your going away alone every night and morning." "Why, my child?" "Because,

I think it must be to see some one you love very much." "And what induces you to think so?" "Because, I have always noticed that when you come back, you appear to be more happy than usual." "Well, suppose I do go to see a friend I love much, and that after seeing him, I am more happy than before, why should you wish to know any thing about it?" "Because I wish to do as you do, that I may be happy also." "Well, my child, when I leave you on the morning and the evening, it is to see my blessed Savior; I go to pray to him-I ask him for his grace to make me happy and holy-I ask him to assist me in all the duties of the day, and especially to keep me from committing sin against him, and above all, I ask him to have mercy upon your soul, and to save you from the ruin of those who go down to hell." "O! is that the secret," said the child, "then I must go with you."

The Use of the Bible.

A LITTLE boy had often amused himself by looking over the pictures of a large Bible; and his mother one