H́nh ảnh trang
PDF
ePub
[blocks in formation]

Then she asked him for the text. He repeated a text; and as she was not able to go that afternoon, she could not detect his deception. He also pretended to repeat parts of the sermon, in order to blind her eyes. She was satisfied, supposing he had been at Sabbath school and meeting, secure from temptation. Finding he had succeeded so well in deceiving his mother, he continued to seek his pleasure on God's holy day, and to repeat his deceptions to his mother, making her believe that he had been at Sabbath school and meeting. He went on so for some time, hardening himself in sin, and associating with bad boys, till he became ripe for mischief and crime. He was employed by the publisher of a paper as an errand boy. One part of his duty was to bring letters and papers from the post-office. While thus engaged, he learned that money frequently came to his employer in letters. After a while, he left this employment. The money in the letters now tempted him. Having hardened his heart by breaking the Sabbath, associating with bad boys, and deceiving his mother, he had not strength of principle to resist. He continued to receive the letters, robbing them of their contents. At length he was detected, and sent to prison for two years. The gentleman who related this to me said he went one day to the prison, and there he saw the boy's mother and sister, talking with him through an iron-grated window, and weeping as though they would break their hearts. All this came upon him by his seeking his pleasure on God's holy day. And if you knew the history of those who have been imprisoned for crime, you would find a great many such cases. If he had turned away his foot from the Sabbath from seeking his pleasure on this holy day, he might have been sitting with his mother and sister in their own quiet home,

[blocks in formation]

instead of being locked up in a filthy prison with a company of hardened criminals.

NOTHING LOST BY KEEPING THE SABBATH.

A PIOUS sailor, on board the steam-boat 'Helen M'Gregor,' in 1830, was ordered by the Captain to assist in handling freight on the Sabbath, which he objected to do, because he wished to keep the Sabbath. "We have no Sabbaths here at the West," the Captain replied. "Very well," said the sailor, "wherever I am, I am determined to keep the Sabbath." After a few more words, the Captain settled with him, and he left the boat. He was soon offered higher wages if he would come back; but he refused. In a few days he shipped at New Orleans for Europe. The first newspaper he took up on his arrival contained an account of the terrible disaster which happened to this boat soon after he left it. On the morning of the 24th of February, 1830, she burst her boiler at Memphis, Tennessee, and nearly one hundred lives were lost. This dreadful disaster he had escaped, by adhering, at all hazards, to his determination, wherever he was, to keep the Sabbath.

When George III. was repairing his palace, he found among the workmen a pious man, with whom he often held serious conversations. One Monday morning, when the king went to view the works, this man was missing. He inquired the reason. At first the other workmen were unwilling to tell. But the king insisted on knowing; when they confessed that they had returned on Sabbath morning to complete a piece of work which they could not finish on Saturday, and that this man had been turned out of his employment because he

[blocks in formation]

refused to come. "Call him back immediately," said the king. "The man who refused doing his ordinary work on the Lord's day is the man for me. Let him be sent for." He was restored to his place; and always afterwards the king showed him particular favour. Here was a strong temptation to break the Sabbath, for the man's employment depended on it. But he found it both safe and profitable to keep the Sabbath.

A WISE ANSWER.

A WICKED man said to his son, who attended the Sabbath school, "Carry this parcel to such a place." "It is the Sabbath," said the boy. "Put it in your pocket," said the father. "God can see into my pocket," the little boy answered.

DANGER OF BREAKING THE SABBATH.

It is believed that more sad accidents happen to young persons, while seeking their pleasure on God's Holy Day than by any other means. A great proportion of the cases of drowning among boys occur on the Sabbath. One fine summer's morning, two sprightly young lads started for the Sabbath School; but they were met on the way by some rude boys, who persuaded them to go and play with them by the side of the river. They hesitated for some time, instead of resolutely saying "No," to the first temptation. When they yielded, it was with troubled consciences, for they were well instructed at home. They played about the river for some time, when one of them, venturing too near, fell into the water, which

[blocks in formation]

was deep. His companions were too much frightened to give him any assistance, and he was carried away by the rapid current and drowned. Thus were these two boys punished for their disobedience to God and their parents.

BUT ONE SABBATH IN THE WEEK.

A PERSON being invited to go on an excursion for pleasure, on the Holy Sabbath, replied, "I should like an excursion very well; but I have but one Sabbath in the week, and I can't spare that." This expresses an important truth in an impressive manner. When we have but one day in the week exclusively devoted to the concerns of eternity, while six are devoted to the affairs of time, can we spare that one day for pleasure? It is the best of the seven. It is worth more than all the rest. If rightly employed, it will bring us a richer return. What we can earn in the six days is perishable; but the fruits of a well-spent Sabbath will endure for The Sabbath, when properly spent, is the day for the highest kind of enjoyment. If, therefore, you would seek pleasure, you can better afford to take any other day in the week for it, than to take the holy Sabbath.

ever.

2

G

CHAPTER XI.

HABITS.

ESIDES what I have noticed in several of the

B foregoing chapters, there are many things of a

general nature which I shall group together under the title of habits. A habit is what has become easy and natural by frequent repetition. People not unfrequently become much attached to practices, which at first were very unpleasant. You will sometimes see men chewing, smoking, or snuffing tobacco, a most filthy and poisonous plant, a little bit of which you could not be persuaded to take into your mouth, it is so nauseous; yet by long use people learn to love it. That is a habit. So, likewise, you see persons very fond of drinking intoxicating liquors, which to you would be a nauseous medicine, and which are poisonous and destructive to all. It is practice which has made these drinks so pleasant. This is a habit.

Habits are both bad and good; and a habit is a very good or a very bad thing, as it is good or bad. Habits are mostly formed in early life; and a habit once formed is difficult to be broken; once fixed, it may follow you as long as you live.

I shall specify a few of the bad habits which boys of your age are liable to contract, with their opposite good habits. It is very likely I shall fail to notice many others, equally important; but these may put

« TrướcTiếp tục »