,transcriber's ,note3 ,illustrations did not have captions2 those provided here are for the benefit of the text-file reader4 ,illustration3 ,open boat surrounded by fishermen in rain storm ,,the ,,cornish ,,fishermen',s ,,watch-,,night1 ,,and ,,other ,,stories4 ,,the ,,religious ,,tract ,,society3 #ef1 ,paternoster ,row2 #fe1 ,st4 ,paul's ,churchyard2 and #afd1 ,piccadilly4 ,,table ,,of ,,contents ,i4 ,,the ,,cornish ,,fishermen',s ,,watch-,,night4 ,,ii4 ,,the ,,book ,,that ,,brought ,,bags ,,of ,,gold4 ,,iii4 ,,the ,,man ,,that ,,everything ,,went ,,against4 ,,iv4 ,,about ,,scolding4 ,v4 ,,the ,,fool ,,and ,,the ,,baron4 ,,vi4 ,,the ,,tailor',s ,,speech4 ,,vii4 ,,not ,a ,,bit ,,afraid4 ,,viii4 ,,told ,,at ,a ,,tunnel',s ,,mouth4 ,,ix4 ,,harvest ,,home4 ,i4 ,,the ,,cornish ,,fishermen',s ,,watch-,,night4 ,the old year was drawing to a close1 indeed1 it had not many hours to run1 for the thirty-first of ,december had dawned upon the lonely ,cornish village of ,penwhinnock4 ,it was a pouring wet day1 and the wind was blowing so fiercely that the billows rolled and tossed as if some evil spirit1 which could not rest1 had taken possession of them4 ,penwhinnock overlooked the sea1 being built upon a rocky promontory which commanded a splendid view of the ,channel1 and of any craft which might be nearing that part of the coast4 ,the fishermen of the village were hardy1 brave1 stout1 and strong2 but whispers went abroad that they loved wrecking4 ,it was said that battered and shipwrecked vessels had small chance if caught in the fearful gales which sometimes rose off that coast1 and tempted the mariners to run for shelter to the bay1 which proved after all a deceitful haven2 and ugly tales were told of dead sailors1 and of drowning men hurled back into the waters1 on the principle that dead men tell no tales1 forgetting that1 in the judgment to come1 these would rise in swift witness against their murderers4 ,ostensibly the villagers of ,penwhinnock gained their livelihood by fishing2 but many a home contained valuables and wealth which had been obtained by this same practice of wrecking4 ,tourists and visitors looked askance at the ,penwhinnock folk1 and avoided their houses as if they had contained the plague1 so that few strangers ever came among them or conversed with them4 ,there was one1 however1 who did not avoid them--would not1 in fact4 ,this person was the young minister1 lately come into the neighbourhood1 and as full of zeal and courage and self-sacrifice in his great ,master's work as he was of health1 hardy energy1 and fearless pluck4 ,mr4 ,ernest ,boyce was the very man to deal with those rough1 semi-civilized1 ,cornish fishermen4 ,were they valiant1 powerful1 frank1 and fearless8 ,so was he2 only in the service of a better ,master4 ,he was tall1 well-built1 and had eyes and ears as keen as they2 but he was gentle1 loving1 forbearing1 and considerate4 ,a true gentleman and a true ,christian1 ,mr4 ,boyce presented to those rough ,cornish fishermen a pattern of true manliness4 ,their manliness consisted1 for the most part1 in being bold to commit sin2 his1 on the other hand1 in being brave to serve ,god4 ,they had talked once or twice of frightening him off2 but his brave1 loving1 outspoken1 disinterested ,christian honesty of purpose had disarmed them1 and caused their hostility to slumber1 though it had not yet died away4 ,penwhinnock was situated some eight miles or so from his residence1 but very regularly every week ,mr4 ,boyce rode over there to hold the appointed service4 ,this service was always held in the evening1 and ,mr4 ,boyce noticed with a sharp1 quick intelligence1 that while he had a fair audience on fine1 warm1 mild1 or quiet evenings1 he had scarcely anybody to hear him if the evening turned out stormy1 rough1 or dark2 and being a gentleman of quick perceptions1 he lost no time in solving this problem4 ,as to the solution at which he arrived he said but little1 but ever after that he ordered his dealings with the fisher-folk accordingly1--that is to say1 if the afternoon betokened big guns1 he would ride over to ,penwhinnock early1 and visit freely at the fishermen's cottages1 inviting1 persuading1 entreating1 and almost compelling them to come in to the meeting4 ,and now that the last day of the old year had dawned1 amid storm1 wind1 rain1 and roaring of billows1 there seemed but little doubt that he would be over as usual1 visiting among the villagers1 and charging them to attend the ,watch-night service4 ,for there was a watch-night service to be held in the accustomed meeting-place1 which was a large empty cottage adjoining a farmhouse1 and ,mr4 ,boyce was to preside4 ,this was what the ,penwhinnock men were discussing as they stood around some of the largest fishing-boats1 dragged up on the beach for safety1 and watched the gathering storm4 ,the wind was blowing big guns then1 and the rain was pelting fiercely down upon the bare1 rugged rocks1 and the mean1 small cottages which formed the dwellings of the fishermen1 and lined each side of the long straggling village street4 ,it would have appeared to most landsmen as if the weather could not be much worse2 but to the experienced eyes of the fishermen the night promised worse things--worse things to many an ill-fated mariner--but in the judgment of those hardy1 cruel men it might bring to them a good catch4 ,this meant a brave ship being wrecked1 flung hopelessly and helplessly upon the dreadful rocks1 decoyed there by false lights1 and lured into the jaws of death2 it meant1 too1 robbery1 pillage1 cruelty1 and1 not seldom1 murder6 ,what do you think of the night8 inquired ,bob ,trevannion of ,will ,lowry4 ,think6 ,why1 many a good ship will go down before another year dawns4 ,that's what ,i think4 ,and parson thinks so1 too1 ,i guess1 for see1 here he is6 ,turning their faces towards the place indicated by the speaker1 the group saw ,mr4 ,boyce coming through the rain quietly1 on his stout1 sure-footed pony4 ,eh6 said ,hugh ,hoskyns1 a brawny six-footer4 ,i guess we'll have to attend the cottage to-night4 ,so we shall1 man1 replied ,will ,lowry2 but we shall leave in time to do a good night's work1 if all be well4 ,the ,fleur-de-lis is due up about this part toward morning1 and our mates will be ready about on the hills in good time4 ,but we must needs go to parson's ',watch-night1' or he'll be poking his nose into our fun1 and spoiling it4 ,seems to me you've laid your plans well but ,i shouldn't wonder if parson isn't as deep1 slily retorted ,bob ,trevannion4 ,he's up to all of it most as much as the wreckers themselves4 ,never mind if he is4 ,he'll not know anything this time1 for we've put up the women and children to it2 and though he may ride about this afternoon1 visiting one and another1 he'll not get anything4 ,we shall go to his meeting right enough1 then we'll wish him 'good-bye1' and while he's trotting off home and out of the storm1 we'll look after our own business4 ,never fear6 ,and the men chuckled again at thinking of their sagacity in outwitting ,mr4 ,boyce4 ,it showed the hold which one determined servant of the ,lord could obtain over those wicked1 resolute men1 by his calm1 fearless faith and outspoken fidelity4 ,they could not plan their wrecking expedition as of old1 but must consider first how to blind and deceive him4 ,but he was more 'cute than they dreamed4 ,mr4 ,boyce had not lived thirty years in the world without opening both eyes and ears1 and he read1 by the embarrassed silence of the children and the prevaricating1 evasive replies of the women1 that some business was on hand1 either wrecking or smuggling--for the ,penwhinnock folk were smugglers1 too--of which he was to be kept ignorant4 ,but the fisher folk had reckoned without their host4 ,mr4 ,boyce took a cup of tea here1 and a broiled fish there1 on his peregrinations through the village that evening1 so strengthening himself for his night's vigil4 ,there were sick folk to be seen1 inquirers to be instructed1 families to be catechized1 and sundry other duties appertaining to his office to be performed2 and1 to do the people justice1 they were never stingy or rude to him4 ,open-handed hospitality was generally the rule towards ,mr4 ,boyce2 but1 as generally happens1 the thing was so overdone1 and he was so condoled with in reference to his midnight journey on this particular afternoon1 that he felt sure that some mischief was intended4 ,and the women and children unconsciously confirmed all his suspicions4 ,so ,mr4 ,boyce laid his plans4 ,the service was to begin at ten o'clock that evening4 ,as ,i said1 it was to be held in a large unoccupied cottage adjoining a farmhouse4 ,the thin partition between the two downstair rooms had been removed1 so that a pretty fair number could assemble in the place where prayer was wont to be made4 ,the people came trooping in in great numbers1 considering the weather1 until nearly all the able-bodied men and lads1 together with many women and girls1 were present4 ,as usual1 the service was opened with singing1 in which ,will ,lowry and ,hugh ,hoskyns joined with apparent good will4 ,then ,mr4 ,boyce read and prayed1 after which another hymn was given out4 ,then he preached a sermon on the flight of time1 and1 not sparing the vices which reigned in ,penwhinnock1 besought his hearers tenderly and affectionately to remember that another year of their mortal probation was slipping away from them1 that each left one less to live1 and1 though so near its end1 they could not know certainly that they would ever see the commencement of the year just about to dawn4 ,he reminded them of their mercies1 as numerous as the sands of the sea1 and of their sins1 if possible1 more numerous still4 ,he besought them to examine themselves in the fading hour of that last day of another year1 and to humble themselves before ,god for their manifold offences committed during that year4 ,as he depicted the great meeting around the judgment-seat1 there to give account1 each one for himself1 of the deeds committed during this and every preceding year1 his hearers looked grave4 ,there are solemn hours in the life of the most wicked man and woman upon earth1 and this hour was a solemn one in the lives of those fishermen4 ,they sat and listened most attentively1 while some1 ,i doubt not1 half wished that they had never engaged either in wrecking or smuggling4 ,the sermon was ended1 and it being about a quarter to twelve1 ,mr4 ,boyce gave out a hymn1 thus commencing the short prayer-meeting which he had announced as following the sermon4 ,during the singing of that hymn ,mr4 ,boyce very coolly stepped to the door1 locked it1 and put the key in his pocket4 ,as the strains of the singing died away1 the voices of ,hugh ,hoskyns and ,bob ,trevannion were heard in no gentle tones threatening the preacher with violence if he did not give up the key1 so as to afford them free egress and ingress4 ,they were not going to stay there all night1 to suit his fancies1 they said1 and endeavoured to assert their independence of all laws1 human and ,divine4 ,two or three minutes passed in this way1 and then ,mr4 ,boyce spoke plainly4 ,i shall not keep you here all night1 friends2 but you will not leave this watch-night service yet awhile4 ,i believe that a blessing is coming2 ,i feel sure of it1 and the greatest sinners could not find in their hearts to refuse a blessing from heaven4 ,could you8 ,and you know that you need a blessing6 ,most of all1 you need the blessing of forgiveness6 ,yes1 that may sound all very well for you to preach1 as a parson1 spoke up ,bob ,trevannion2 but ,i don't know as we want so much preaching just now4 ,here we've been for nearly two mortal hours listening to your service1 and ,i say it's precious hard if you won't let us out now4 ,you will not leave yet1 ,bob ,trevannion1 coolly replied ,mr4 ,boyce4 ,and1 beside that1 we are just entering upon the last five minutes of the dying year4 ,you remember1 too1 that my announcement for the watch-night service informed you that we should watch in the new year4 ,so1 according to that announcement1 your time is not up yet4 ,we will spend the last five minutes in prayer1 silent prayer1 each one for himself and herself4 ,and may the ,lord pour you down such a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it4 ,at this the assembly again grew quiet2 they could not for very shame refuse to fulfil the conditions of the service4 ,the men sat still1 moody1 silent1 and jealously afraid of ,mr4 ,boyce2 but whether they prayed ,i cannot say4 ,some of the women appeared to be in fervent supplication1 with one or two of the older men4 ,perhaps they were beginning to see1 although but dimly1 that the wild1 lawless life of their sons1 husbands1 and brothers was ill befitting those who had to give an account of the deeds done in the body1 and to whom the knell of every passing year told of added sins1 with lessened opportunities for repentance4 ,mr4 ,boyce bent his head low in earnest pleading with ,god on behalf of this rough1 sinful assembly2 pleading with tears for a present blessing1 even the descent of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,and through it all the storm howled and roared1 and the sea tossed its restless foaming billows1 as though hungry for the lives of those who were out that night upon her broad bosom4 ,the rain beat with terrific force against the windows1 while even the old trees creaked and bent beneath the power of the wind4 ,so passed the last five minutes of that memorable year4 ,twelve o'clock6 ,there were no church bells to ring out the hour1 and to welcome with their musical peal the dawning of the new year4 ,but ,mr4 ,boyce arose1 and said1-- ,friends1 it is twelve o'clock6444 ,now it is five minutes past4 ,i wish you all a very happy1 a very blessed1 new year6 ,the old year is gone into eternity1 with all its faults1 its sins written down in ,god's book of remembrance4 ,this new year comes to you full of mercy4 ,its record is now spread open before you like a fair white page1 upon which you may inscribe anything you like4 ,but you will not make any good entries there unless ,god's grace1 helps you4 ,and in order to pray for that grace1 let us bend before ,god's throne a little longer4 ,i vote that we've had enough of your praying for one night1 ,mr4 ,boyce1 spoke up ,hoskyns4 ,we've sat out your watch-night service now1 and we want to be going4 ,so ,i shall go1 and my mates too1 or we'll know the reason why4 ,he made a move towards the door as he spoke4 ,you can't go out of that door1 said ,mr4 ,boyce4 ,it is locked1 and ,i have the key in my pocket4 ,then hand it over1 if you please1 said ,hugh1 roughly2 or ,i shall be at the pains to make you4 ,and it's not worth while1 mister4 ,you say rightly1 it is not worth while1 said ,mr4 ,boyce4 ,god is in this place4 ,he knows the very secret thoughts of your hearts2 ,he is at this moment noting your secret intentions of doing evil4 ,will you dare to brave ,god's anger1 ,hugh8 ,i don't want to be trifled with1 rejoined ,hugh4 ,i am not a child1 to be frightened4 ,when ,i say ,i'll do a thing1 ,i mean it2 and ,i've said ,i'll leave this meeting4 ,listen1 ,hugh ,hoskyns1 said ,mr4 ,boyce1 solemnly4 ,god will not be trifled with4 ,he says1 ',he1 that being often reproved1 hardeneth his neck1 shall suddenly be destroyed1 and that without remedy4' ,he says1 too1 ',behold1 now is the accepted time1 now is the day of salvation4' ,will you spurn all these warnings8 ,will you say that you do not need a blessing8 ,will you rush away to sin--right from the mercy-seat8 ,think again1 ,i entreat you4 ,i want to do you good1 not to harm you4 ,i will not believe that you intend evil towards me1 knowing1 as you do1 that ,i wish nothing but good to you4 ,as ,i said before1 ,i simply want to do you good4 ,else why should ,i ride over to this place every week1 and work among you1 were it not for that8 ,does any one else care enough about you to do that8 ,no1 no6 that they don't1 were the murmured responses4 ,we're much obliged to you1 ,mr4 ,boyce1 for your interest in us4 ,but it seems very hard laws to be shut up here against our wills4 ,i won't keep you very long1 only long enough for the blessing to come1 the blessing which ,i feel sure is coming4 ,and consider what a dreadful thing it is for you to slight that blessing4 ,why1 how do you know what will happen8 ,god's voice is abroad1 on the face of the waters1 and in nature4 ,suppose you were going home through this hurricane of wind and rain1 and one of those large old trees were to fall before you got clear of the fields1 where would your soul be1 if the tree fell upon you8 ,answer me that question--or1 no1 answer it to ,god4 ,and do it honestly to ,him4 ,at this they sat still1 cowed into silence4 ,the wind roared and howled still1 as ,mr4 ,boyce was speaking2 and just at that moment a loud crash was heard4 ,the farmer to whom the cottage belonged went out to see what was the matter2 and to his astonishment--for the rest were too frightened to move--he found that one of the large old trees standing near had been blown down1 and had only by a short distance cleared the pathway leading to the cottage4 ,singular to say1 ,god had permitted the winds to do ,his will just at that moment1 and confirmed in a most remarkable manner the words of ,his servant4 ,as the old farmer returned to the cottage and reported what had happened1 awe fell upon the people4 ,even ,hugh ,hoskyns and ,bob ,trevannion1 as they realized how near they had been to death1 sat still and shuddered4 ,had not ,mr4 ,boyce been firm1 they would at that very time have been in the path of the fallen tree2 and once under its dreadful trunk1 where would their souls have been8 ,they felt that their portion would have been in hell4 ,it was no use to shirk the matter2 for1 look at it which way they would1 they felt that they were not fit for heaven1 and1 not being fit for heaven1 their place would have been found in the lost world4 ,as ,i said1 awe fell upon the little assembly1 and many knees bent in prayer that night which had not so bent for years4 ,no more was said about the watch-night service1 or their desire to leave it1 but one after another1 those rude1 rough fishermen prayed1 in broken1 uncouth petitions1 for pardon4 ,the ,spirit descended1 and strove mightily with the people1 until five or six of the roughest1 including ,bob ,trevannion and ,hugh ,hoskyns1 were found crying for mercy2 and over many more of them ,mr4 ,boyce could rejoice ere the meeting broke up1 because1 like ,saul of ,tarsus1 it could be said of each of them1 ,behold1 he prayeth4 ,that watch-night service was the commencement of a great revival in the village4 ,a church was built1 and the little believing community gathered together in one body4 ,wrecking almost entirely disappeared2 and smuggling1 although it took longer time to make it die1 vanished gradually before the clearer light of ,gospel truth4 ,the ,fleur-de-lis escaped her threatened fate1 through the fact of being detained on her voyage somewhat longer than was anticipated by the wreckers of ,penwhinnock4 ,hugh ,hoskyns1 ,will ,lowry1 ,bob ,trevannion1 and all the rest1 grew to delight more in things honest1 pure1 just1 true1 lovely1 and of good report2 so that those things in which they once delighted became a shame to them4 ,no better friends had ,mr4 ,boyce from that time than those who had threatened him with violence during that ever-memorable watch-night service4 ,illustration3 ,fleur-de-lis1 escaping from a gruesome fate at the hands of the wreckers ,,ii4 ,,the ,,book ,,that ,,brought ,,bags ,,of ,,gold4 ,during the war between ,france and ,england a frigate sailed from a ,south ,american port1 on board of which were a ,brazilian widow named ,maria da ,silva and her child ,francisca4 ,her husband had been in the service of the ,british ,government2 she herself had become a ,protestant1 and was now driven by persecution from her home4 ,she was coming to ,europe in the hope of finding a brother1 her only surviving relative1 who had preceded her some years before4 ,the poor woman's health was failing when she came on board4 ,anxiety and sorrow soon completed the work which disease had begun1 and her death drew near4 ,the sailors were very kind to her in their rough way1 especially ,wat ,connor1 who was an old messmate of her husband's1 and had gone through many hardships and dangers with him4 ,feeling that her end was near1 ,maria da ,silva expressed to ,wat her solicitude respecting her little ,francisca1 so soon to be left an orphan amongst strangers4 ,wat at once promised that little ,sisker ,silver1 as he called her1 should never want a friend as long as he lived4 ,the dying woman raised her eyes in grateful acknowledgment of his kindness1 and said-- ,i have nothing to leave her but this little money4 ,i have a ,bible3 if you will promise me that she shall learn to read it1 ,i shall die in peace4 ,she sha'n't want for nothing while ,i can get it2 and as to the book--all right--when she's old enough1 ,i'll see to her tackling it4 ,and will you read it1 too8 said she1 earnestly4 ,i would if ,i could1 said ,wat1 bluntly2 if it would do you any good1 or her either4 ,not for her nor me1 but for yourself1 she said4 ,depend on it1 kind1 dear friend1 it will be better to you than bags of gold4 ,this ,book helped my husband to bear sickness1 meet death1 and submit to leave me alone in the world2 it has supported me under his loss1 and enabled me to see nothing but love in all the troubles ,i have had2 and now1 trusting in its promises1 ,i am not afraid to die--not afraid to leave my child4 ,do believe what ,i say1 learn to read1 and make this precious ,book your friend--oh1 do6 ,well1 ,i will--thank'ee1 said ,wat1 taking the book with respect4 ,i can't say no fairer4 ,very soon after this the widow was lowered among the waves4 ,wat immediately took possession of her purse and clothes1 which he made into a little bundle for the child2 and having stowed that and the ,bible safely away1 he went to work with his charge1 with whom he had become very familiar4 ,with a gravity1 importance1 and fatherly tenderness1 ,wat regularly attended to what he called rigging little ,sisky4 ,perfectly indifferent to the jokes of his companions1 he went as methodically through all the ceremonies of the nursery as if he had been groom of the chamber or mistress of the robes4 ,where's ,wat8 was asked1 one morning1 when he was busy with ,sisky's toilette4 ,oh1 he's with the child1 said a messmate4 ,what1 topping and tailing his gooseberry8 was the reply4 ,from that time ,sisky was better known as ,wat's gooseberry than by any other name2 and ,wat himself1 being highly diverted with the joke1 took to calling her ,gooseberry1 declaring it was a deal more ,english-like than ,sisky4 ,when the voyage ended1 ,wat1 who had no relations but an old grandmother1 was rather at a loss what to do with his charge1 who was now about six years old2 but after a little consideration1 he mounted a stage-coach which ran from the port where he had landed to the place where his grandmother lived4 ,nothing could exceed the delight of the child at all she saw4 ,after the tedious life on board ship1 the green hedges and trees1 the fields1 the cottages1 the pretty sights all along the road1 made her clap her hands with joy4 ,wat was happy1 too2 and if anything could have made him more light-hearted than he was1 it was the high spirits and rejoicing of his little ,gooseberry4 ,some years had passed since he had been to see his grandmother4 ,was she alive8 ,he looked out rather anxiously at the places he passed1 till the coach came to the top of a green lane1 with an alder hedge on each side4 ,into port1 captain1 he cried1 checking the coachman2 here's our landing-place4 ,and dismounting1 he took ,gooseberry on his shoulder and the bundles under his arm1 and went down the lane4 ,one cottage--two--three--he passed1 but at last he stopped at a pretty1 though very humble dwelling1 with flowers trained round the door4 ,that was the house4 ,there was the old boat summer-house that his father had made1 and there was his granny knitting in the garden4 ,the old lass was well pleased to see him1 and he was heartily glad to find her all right and tight1 as he said1 and hugged her as if she had been his mother4 ,after a few words of pleasure and surprise1 granny turned towards ,gooseberry1 who was staring with her great black eyes on all before her4 ,what1 married1 my lad8 and brought me thy little one8 she said4 ,wat told the story1 and taking up her bundle1 he added1 ,when she's able to be put forward in life1 ,i shall lay out the money on her1 and give her them clothes2 but till then ,i shall look to her like my own4 ,granny remonstrated4 ,the workhouse was the proper place4 ,he might marry1 and then what could he do with this child8 ,this was right and reasonable1 as ,wat allowed1 but he affirmed that it was righter and more reasonabler that he should keep his promise4 ,granny1 finding him positive1 consented to let ,gooseberry live with her2 and though he had a misgiving that she wouldn't have a lively time of it1 yet he felt she would be safe for the present4 ,so he emptied his pockets most liberally of pay and prize-money1 and gave the child into her care4 ,ye see1 mother1 he said1 the night before he left1 ,i am bound to have her learned to read1 and to read this ,book2 and ,i'm bound1 likewise1 to learn to read the ,book myself1 seeing as ,i promised ,i'd do both them things4 ,now nobody can be at sea and on shore at the same time2 and by that rule1 how can ,i leave the ,book for her1 and take it for myself8 ,illustration3 ,wat1 talking to ,granny1 and ,gooseberry near sea ,wat's puzzle was set at rest by ,granny's telling him that she would teach ,gooseberry out of her ,bible1 which would be the same thing1 as all ,bibles were exactly alike4 ,i reckon so1 he said1 with a perplexed look1 comparing ,sisky's with the old baize-covered one on the settle4 ,but there's a lot of signs and marks in this 'un1 pointing to red ink notes on the margin1 and underlinings of several passages4 ,granny inspected it1 and shook her head4 ,i don't know nought of the writing1 lad1 but the printing is the same as mine1 she said2 and reading the opening of ,genesis from both the ,books1 she succeeded in persuading him that they were one and the same1 except the red ink4 ,heave to1 then6 he cried4 ,i'll have ,sisky's2 it's trimmer to haul about than yonder woolly-backed one1 and ,i'll try to spell it out when ,i get aboard again4 ,to say truth1 ,wat had found his engagement to take care of the child less troublesome than his promise to learn to read4 ,he had got on till now extremely well without any knowledge of that art1 and he felt a hearty repugnance to a job he knew so little about4 ,it was not long before ,wat got a ship1 and sailed again4 ,the parting between him and ,sisky was a sorer trial than he had looked for4 ,granny was not so sensitive1 and couldn't understand how he should care to leave a little one like that1 who had no call on him1 more than his own old grandmother whom he had not seen for so long4 ,sisky openly rebelled at the idea of being left behind4 ,when he had really gone the child was for a time inconsolable4 ,her only consolation seemed to be to sit in the old boat summer-house1 where she could see the sea1 and watch every vessel that glided by1 hoping1 till the hope faded away1 that her dear ,daddy ,wat would come back again4 ,granny left her very much to her own devices4 ,she fed her and clothed her2 and1 that done1 there was but one thing more she had engaged for--to teach her the ,bible4 ,this she tried very earnestly to do2 but ,sisky didn't like her1 and wouldn't learn1 and gave her so much trouble1 that1 finding the funds sufficient1 she put her in charge of ,mary ,keythorn1 an excellent young woman1 who supported her aged mother by teaching the village children4 ,she's as wigglesome and unsettled as ever a sailor on land1 or a fish out of the sea1 said ,granny1 as she delivered her over to ,mary2 but ,wat made me promise she should learn to read this ,bible1 and ,i'm bound to keep my word4 ,gooseberry pricked up her ears at this4 ,she had never been told it was ,daddy ,wat's desire she should read2 but now she knew it1 she went to work with her whole heart1 and what with fair abilities1 a thorough good will1 and a gentle and patient teacher1 she soon became a pretty good scholar4 ,wat was not quite so prosperous in his studies4 ,once fairly on board again1 he seldom thought of ,sisky's ,book1 and when he did1 it made him uneasy4 ,he wished in his heart he had never made the promise4 ,the ship had been running before a gale for some hours1 and everything portended a storm4 ,the ship was nearing a coast where many a wreck had happened4 ,all that seamanship could do had been done1 and they were now waiting the result4 ,one of the passengers1 with a ,book in his hand1 said calmly1 as ,wat passed him1-- ,do you think there is danger8 ,lots1 said ,wat4 ,the man1 after a moment's pause1 reopened his ,book and read on4 ,you take it very comfortable1 said ,wat4 ,i am not afraid4 ,i can depend on this promise1 said the man1 pointing to his ,book4 ,wat shook his head4 ,i can't take in that1 worse luck1 master4 ,may be yourn's the same as this1 said ,wat1 taking ,sisky's ,bible from his pocket1 where he always kept it when his conscience was troubled1 as if to pacify it with a sort of showing his good intentions4 ,the man looked attentively at the ,bible1 while ,wat1 in a few words1 told him its history1 and confessed his neglect1 which he had never more truly lamented4 ,a sudden call from the mate made him leave the book in the man's hands1 and it was not till after two or three hours of hard work that he returned with the joyful news that the danger was past4 ,the ,lord be praised6 said the man4 ,poor ,sisky's mother used to talk about the ,lord1 said ,wat4 ,she told me reading that ,book would be better than bags of gold to me4 ,so it will4 ,let me teach you1 said the man4 ,with right good will1 my hearty1 said ,wat2 and ,i'll pay you with part of my 'bacca or rum now1 or money when ,i get my pay4 ,my good fellow1 said the man1 ,i want no pay4 ,i am greatly in your debt already4 ,this ,book belonged to my sister2 it was all she had of my father's goods4 ,he had nothing to leave1 but he told her she would find it better than bags of gold4 ,she did4 ,you have only to read it1 and you will find the same4 ,well1 that's curious enough1 said ,wat4 ,and how came it you never looked after her and little ,sisky8 ,i was in ,europe2 ,i have been long away from home4 ,until ,i heard your story1 and saw from this ,book who the mother and the child you spoke of were1 ,i did not know her history4 ,the stranger told him further that he was desirous to provide for his sister's child1 and after he had been home and arranged all his family affairs1 he would return to ,england1 and take his niece under his protection1 and1 as far as he could1 repay him for his goodness to her4 ,wat declared that he could not part with his little ,gooseberry1 but he gratefully set to work to learn to read4 ,as he learned1 ,da ,silva1 whose heart was penetrated with the truth1 kept earnestly endeavouring to present it acceptably to his pupil2 and as the letter of the ,word entered his mind1 the grace of ,god blessed it to his true conversion4 ,the voyage ended1 he lost no time in going to his ,granny's4 ,there he found her1 as usual1 knitting in the garden4 ,after greetings were passed1 he asked for ,sisky1 and hearing she was at school1 went to fetch her4 ,he made his best sailor's bow to ,miss ,mary in somewhat a shy style1 for he had once tried to induce her to look with favour on him1 but1 for some undeclared reason1 she had not consented4 ,the meeting between him and the child was very joyous4 ,she held his jacket tight1 as if to prevent his again giving her the slip4 ,hear me read1 ,daddy ,wat6 ,mistress has taught me6 ,i can read quite fast6 she cried4 ,all right4 ,the next thing is to understand it1 and then you'll be all right for sea1 said ,wat4 ,sisky opened the ,bible and began to read4 ,it happened to be a place that ,wat knew pretty well1 so he was well pleased to prompt her now and then1 and1 moreover1 to give her a concise commentary1 more to ,mary's pleasure and edification than little ,sisky's1 who was impatient at the interruption4 ,before they left1 ,wat felt that ,mary looked more kindly on him than she had done in old days4 ,she was still free4 ,he was not long in coming to a point when he was clear upon its propriety4 ,so he1 quite suddenly1 a few days after his return1 asked her without much roundabouts1 as he said1 whether she'd the same objections to sail along with him as she had once manifested4 ,mary honestly answered no4 ,she told him her objections before had not arisen from any want of liking for him2 but she said1 ,i knew that ,i was but a weak and ignorant ,christian1 and ,i was afraid1 from the way you talked1 you were not one at all2 and ,i dared not venture on such a marriage4 ,i'm a poor hand at it now1 he said1 with great humility4 ,poor enough ,i am1 she answered2 but so long as we are of one mind we shall help one another on4 ,i feel safe about that4 ,poor ,wat6 ,every year of his married life brought him1 as he said1 fuller bags of gold2 for a sweeter1 kinder1 better wife1 man never had than ,mary made him4 ,the peace came4 ,wat left the service1 but his character was so good that he had no difficulty in getting a place in the coast-guard2 and in his cottage by the sea he maintained wife and children1 old granny1 and little ,gooseberry1 who1 however1 was little no longer4 ,in his spare time he cultivated a bit of ground1 and this with his pay kept all comfortable4 ,still his family was increasing1 and food was dear3 money went faster and faster4 ,never mind1 said ,wat1 godliness with contentment is great gain4 ,one day when he came home from duty1 he found all out1 the door locked1 and the key in the thatch1 as usual4 ,he went in1 and on the table was a canvas bag4 ,he opened it1 expecting to find beans for sowing1 but out tumbled ,spanish dollars4 ,while he was wondering1 ,sisky1 who had been to look for him1 ran in4 ,the tale was soon told4 ,her uncle had come for her1 and had put that bag on the table for her ,daddy ,wat4 ,philip da ,silva1 having settled all his affairs1 had resolved to live in ,england1 all his near relations having moved away from his native place or died4 ,he purchased a small property in the neighbourhood1 taking care that ,wat and his wife should share in his prosperity4 ,little ,sisky1 whom he looked on as his child1 helped him heartily as years went on to forward the happiness and interests of her foster-father and his family4 ,mary dear1 said ,wat1 many and many a time1 what blessings have come to me through getting this ,book6 ,bags of gold6 why1 what are they to having you for a wife8 and1 above all1 to the hope ,i've got of being pardoned for all my sins1 and received into heaven when ,i die8 ,,iii4 ,,the ,,man ,,that ,,everything ,,went ,,against4 ,i tell you1 said poor ,ned1 angrily1 everything has gone against me all my life long4 ,if ,i had had other people's chances ,i should have been a different sort of a man1 and you wouldn't have had to come looking me up here4 ,but ,i never had a chance1 and so what's the use of talking8 ,ned ,bean was one of my neighbours2 but at this time he was lodged in the jail of the next town--and dear lodgings they were likely to prove to him4 ,he was an old man3 his scanty white hair1 his rough1 unshorn chin1 his haggard1 thin face1 now flushed with momentary excitement1 his rough countryman's garb1 dirty and neglected--all this and more made him an object for pity4 ,a volcano of wrath was pent up in that old man's bosom1 striving for vent4 ,he had been committed only a few days before for brutally misusing his poor old wife--half killing her1 in fact1 in a fit of ungoverned fury4 ,the case was too serious to be disposed of by the magistrate before whom he had been at first taken1 and who had sent it to the higher county sessions4 ,i had the day before visited the injured woman1 who lay groaning from the effects of her husband's savage assault2 and it was at her request1 or rather her earnest prayer1 that ,i went the next day to see the unhappy prisoner4 ,no1 said he once more1 when ,i was considering what further to say1 seeing that his old wife's kind and forgiving messages1 which ,i had delivered1 had wrought no softening effect on his mind--,no2 ,i never had a chance2 and there's the end on't4 ,how is it that you never had a chance1 neighbour8 ,i asked1 as kindly as ,i could1 for it occurred to me that if poor old ,bean were encouraged to tell his grievances1 ,i might be better able to put in a word or two afterwards4 ,how is it8 said he4 ,why1 haven't ,i been a poor man all my life8 and when a man is poor everything goes against him1 doesn't it8 ,i am not sure that it does1 neighbour ,bean4 ,some have not found it so1 said ,i2 not adding1 however1 as ,i might have done1 that there were other poor men in the world1 who were not in the habit of battering their wives1 as he had done4 ,he had always been a lone thing in the world--so he said2 he had never known father or mother1 brother or sister4 ,he had been brought up in the parish workhouse1 to which he had been taken when a helpless baby2 and when old enough to do a bit of work he was set to that4 ,according to his statement he was badly used by everybody in the house1 and was glad enough to get sent out to service as a waggoner's boy at a farm4 ,but there he wasn't treated much better1 for he was knocked about by the waggoner till he couldn't stand it any longer1 so he ran away4 ,there were bills stuck about the country1 describing him1 and offering a reward to any one for taking him up and bringing him back again4 ,but they forgot that ,i could read the bills as well as they could1 said poor old ,bean1 with a chuckle4 ,but why did they take the trouble to post bills about you8 ,they said ,i had taken something that wasn't mine--the waggoner's money1 old ,ned explained1 with a little reluctance4 ,i suppose you were not caught and taken back to your place8 ,no2 ,i took care to get far enough away1 and went into the country with a set of tramps4 ,i got work in a hop garden1 and when hopping was over1 master1 seeing ,i was a likely sort of a young chap1 offered to take me on1 and give me regular work4 ,well1 that was kind1 at all events1 ,i remarked4 ,don't you think so1 neighbour8 ,oh1 ,i don't know as to that1 said the old man2 if he hadn't thought ,i was worth my money1 he wouldn't have took to me4 ,every man for himself1 you know4 ,well1 anyhow1 in being for himself1 your new master was for you as well1 ,i think4 ,bean went on to say he slaved and slaved1 and got his pay1 but not much thanks4 ,but he couldn't do better2 and so he stopped1 and went on slaving lots of years1 till he was a man upgrown4 ,then he got married4 ,to the same poor old creature whom you so badly misused the other day1 and who has sent you her forgiving messages by me8 ,ah1 yes1 well2 just as you like1 sir2 only she wasn't old then4 ,that was forty years gone by4 ,you have lived together forty years1 then8 and have always been poor1 as ,i suppose1 neighbour8 ,you are safe to say that1 master1 he replied1 sharply4 ,how is a man to get rich on twelve or fourteen shillings a week1 and sometimes out of work1 and a family to bring up8 ,not very likely to get rich--especially when he spends much of his spare time and a large part of his earnings at the beershop1 ,i ventured to say4 ,what's that to--to anybody8 asked ,bean1 fiercely4 ,it seemed as though he meant1 ,what's that to you8 but he stopped short at the word4 ,it was my own money ,i spent1 he added4 ,illustration3 ,ned1 in jail complaining to clergyman ,and what became of your sons and daughters--poor things8 ,i asked him4 ,they went to the bad1 mostly4 ,there was ,ned1 the oldest--he took to poaching1 and was sent across the water for knocking a gamekeeper about4 ,then there was ,tom2 he went for a soldier1 and ,i never heard of him afterwards4 ,the girls got married1 and didn't make much of that4 ,the only one that did any good was ,joe1 and he got a place in ,london1 or somewhere2 but he went against me1 like everybody else4 ,the last time ,i saw him he had a good coat on his back1 and good shoes on his feet1 and money in his pocket2 but he wouldn't give his old father a penny4 ,he told me if he did ,i should only get drunk with it4 ,a pretty sort of a son that1 sir6 ,but about your wife1 neighbour4 ,you cannot deny that you are in the habit of treating her roughly2 and that last affair1 you know1 which has brought you here---- ,she shouldn't have given me so much tongue1 said the old man4 ,she is always giving me tongue1 she is6 ,well1 neighbour1 said ,i1 when poor ,bean had come to an end of his story and his complaints1 ,i really am very sorry for you4 ,i can plainly see1 from everything you have told me1 that you have been badly used all your life1 up to the present time4 ,ah1 ,i thought you would say so when you came to know the rights of it1 said my poor neighbour1 suddenly brightening up a little4 ,you have had one enemy in particular who has always set himself against you4 ,i think ,i happen to know who it is1 ,i said4 ,more than one2 lots of them1 poor old ,ned protested4 ,let us stick to that one1 ,i went on4 ,i'll tell you about him4 ,to begin at the beginning1 it was he who would not permit you to get any good out of the teaching you had when you were a poor little orphan boy4 ,it was he1 only you did not know it1 who sent you wandering over the country as a tramp and vagabond1 when you might have gone on comfortably and respectably with your first master4 ,it was he who took away your character and branded you as a thief4 ,it was this same enemy of yours who1 when you grew older1 sent you to the beershop1 when you would otherwise have been industriously at work1 or sitting at home quietly and happily with your wife and children4 ,it is he who set your children against you1 and drove them1 as you say1 'to the bad1' my poor neighbour4 ,you don't know it1 but this same person has destroyed your peace and pleasure in your own house1 and has robbed you of pounds and pounds1 which would have helped to make you comfortable in your old age4 ,i wish ,i knew who he is6 exclaimed the old man1 rousing himself excitedly4 ,i will tell you1 neighbour2 but ,i have one thing more to say about this enemy--,i have great reason to believe that he is doing a good deal to shorten your life4 ,you don't say that1 sir6 cried the poor man1 with some signs of alarm4 ,but now you speak of it1 he continued1 ,i have felt sometimes as if ,i was being poisoned4 ,ah1 no doubt4 ,well1 that was your enemy's doing4 ,and not to make a longer story of it1 the man ,i am speaking of has destroyed every chance you ever had of getting on--and you have had chances--he has upset your poor old wife's temper1 and urged her on to give you so much tongue1 as you say4 ,i can't think who you can mean1 or what you are talking about1 sir1 said my old neighbour1 ponderingly4 ,the name of the man who has done you all this mischief is ,edward ,bean1 commonly called ,tipsy ,ned4 ,do you know him8 ,for a moment or two poor ,ned did not speak1 but sat looking at me savagely4 ,then the muscles of his face worked convulsively1 and his eyes were slowly withdrawn from my face1 and looked down on the prison floor4 ,then he muttered1 ,i reckon you are right1 sir4 ,i knelt down and prayed with and for my poor old neighbour before ,i left the jail2 and that was the last ,i saw of him4 ,he was soon afterwards tried1 and condemned to six months' imprisonment for the assault on his wife1 but he did not live out the term4 ,his constitution was shattered by previous habits4 ,he was taken ill1 and died in the infirmary of the county prison4 ,the circumstances ,i have related have nearly passed from the memory of those in the village where he once lived2 but ,i have revived the story1 to point a moral1 though it may not adorn a tale4 ,,iv4 ,,about ,,scolding4 ,i'd go and break stones on the road rather than be sitting indoors doing nothing1 ,will1 ,i heard ,mrs4 ,howland say as ,i was walking up to the cottage door4 ,the words were spoken sharply1 and the tone was in a high pitch4 ,ho1 ho1 thought ,i1 if the wind is in that quarter1 perhaps ,i had better make my call at another time2 and ,i hesitated for a moment4 ,but as ,i really had some business with ,william ,howland1 and as ,i had got so far1 ,i made up my mind not to turn back4 ,william ,howland is a good man1 ,i verily believe2 but ,i am bound 7if ,i must speak out7 to say that he is not--well1 not to write too strongly--not over fond of hard work4 ,he has a wife and family dependent on his exertions1 and he had recently1 two or three weeks previous to this call of mine1 lost a place of regular employment1 fifteen shillings a week wages1 because he could not or would not get up soon enough in the morning4 ,the case was this4 ,he had1 three months before 7after a good deal of knocking about1 sometimes in work1 and rather oftener out of it71 applied to a neighbouring farmer for a situation then vacant on the farm4 ,i am afraid you won't suit me1 ,howland1 said the farmer2 but1 as you say you want work1 ,i'll try you4 ,but you'll understand1 ,i shall expect you at your post by a quarter before six in the morning4 ,that's early1 sir1 said ,will4 ,yes1 a quarter of an hour before the regular time1 ,i know4 ,but you will have to be timekeeper to the other men1 who begin work at six2 and it will be proper for you to be on the farm before they come4 ,however1 that's the condition on which ,i shall employ you4 ,take the place or leave it4 ,howland decided that1 upon the whole1 it was best to take it1 which he did2 and for a few weeks he managed to be at his post at the appointed time4 ,then he began to slacken1 sometimes being five minutes behind1 sometimes ten1 until at last he seemed to settle in his mind that six o'clock was the proper time to commence his day's work2 and he did not always stick to that4 ,the consequence was he lost his place2 and after that1 up to the time of my approach to his cottage1 he had been out of work4 ,on entering1 ,i found ,mrs4 ,howland in a pretty considerable fume4 ,apparently she had worked herself into a heat of temper1 which1 perhaps1 was not altogether unaccountable1 even if inexcusable1 by reason of her husband being seated near the window1 with a book open before him4 ,i am glad you are come in1 sir1 said the wife4 ,look at ,howland1 sitting there1 reading half the time1 and nothing in the house to eat but what ,i get in debt for4 ,and ,i wonder the baker trusts us1 that ,i do4 ,my dear1 said the husband1 who had before accosted me1 and was now standing with his hand on the book he had been reading1 the ,lord will provide4 ,i am not a bit afraid of help not coming4 ,he said this very mildly1 and ,i must give him the credit of having borne his wife's scolding with meekness4 ,yes1 sir1 and that's how he goes on1 said ,mrs4 ,howland1 almost crying4 ,when ,i tell him that there isn't a bit of victuals in the cupboard1 all ,i can get from him is1 ',the ,lord will provide2' and 'tis so with other things1--there's rent not paid1 and children's clothes and shoes wearing out2 and 'tis all the same cry1 ',the ,lord will provide1' or ',cast your burden upon the ,lord1' or something of that sort out of the ,bible4 ,i declare it is enough to provoke a saint4 ,gently1 gently1 my good friend1 said ,i1 as persuasively as ,i could4 ,i am sure you do not mean to disparage the ,bible4 ,you have found it before now a great relief in time of trouble1 have you not8 ,i had reason for saying this1 knowing as ,i do that my poor friend1 ,martha ,howland1 notwithstanding a little infirmity of temper1 was a truly ,christian woman4 ,yes1 said she1 ,i have found it to be so2 but----2 and coming to the but1 she stopped short4 ,only it does not seem to me right1 anyhow1 for a man to be sitting in doors half the day1 reading the ,bible even1 when he ought to be looking out for work to keep his family4 ,my ,martha is something like another ,martha we read of in this book1 said ,william ,howland1 patting his ,bible fondly1 and speaking kindly1 though with a kind of provoking coolness1 as ,i thought2 she is troubled about many things1 not that she does not attend to the one thing needful2 ,i don't say that1 he added4 ,and ,i reckon if ,martha's sister ,mary had had a family of little children to look after1 and no money coming in1 she would have been troubled about many things too1 retorted ,mrs4 ,howland4 ,well1 to leave these matters now1 said ,i1 as ,i thought that if peacemakers are to be blessed1 they have sometimes a delicate and dangerous task to perform1 ,i have a little job for you1 ,howland1 which will bring you in a shilling4 ,will you take this letter for me to ---- 7,i produced the letter and mentioned the place1 about three miles off71 and wait for an answer8 ,to be sure he would1 and be glad to oblige me1 he said4 ,i thought1 but did not say1 that possibly ,i was obliging him by offering him a shilling for what the postman or the post-office would have done for a penny4 ,the truth is1 ,i knew how badly off my neighbours were1 and was glad of an opportunity of putting a shilling in their way without making a show of charity4 ,i could have given the shilling without exacting a return2 but it was my whim at that time to make the man fairly earn it1 so ,i only said1 ,bring the answer to my house1 ,william1 and then ,i will pay you for the journey4 ,shall ,i go at once1 sir8 he wanted to know4 ,i told him yes2 and so he shut up the book1 and took his departure1 leaving me in his cottage4 ,did you ever see the like of ,will8 said ,martha1 whose wrath was not yet subsided4 ,there are many worse husbands than ,will1 ,i replied4 ,i don't complain of him as a husband altogether1 continued she2 but it isn't much of a husband's part either1 when he won't look out for work as he ought1 and won't try to keep it when he has got it4 ,you have told him so1 ,i have no doubt4 ,haven't ,i1 sir8 ,i just have4 ,i have been giving him such a dressing6 ,i thought so4 ,now do you think that was quite wise1 ,mrs4 ,howland8 ,i asked4 ,i don't know what to say about that1 sir2 but one can't be always wise1 you know1 when things go so uncommonly crooked4 ,but1 my good friend1 you know where it is written1 ',the ,lord layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous2' and you being one of that class---- ,no1 no1 sir2 ,i never set up for being righteous1 said my neighbour1 hastily4 ,i am sure of that1 said ,i4 ,if you had done so1 it would only have been self-righteousness4 ,what ,i understand by the righteous1 in the highest sense1 is those who are made so by the righteousness of ,christ2 and if any one might be expected to have sound wisdom laid up for them1 ,i am sure they have a right to it4 ,now1 you trust in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 then you are made righteous in ,him4 ,don't you know where it is written1 ',not having mine own righteousness1 which is of the law1 but that which is through the faith of ,christ1 the righteousness which is of ,god by faith'8 ,yes1 my neighbour knew this2 it was a great comfort to her to know something of the meaning of it1 she said4 ,well1 then1 to come to the point from which we have started1 being a ,christian woman1 your husband1 your children1 ,i1 everybody1 have a sort of right to expect from you the fruits of that wisdom which cometh from above2 and1 as you know1 is 'first pure1 then peaceable1 gentle1 and easy to be intreated4' ,to be sure1 sir1 there's no doubt of that4 ,but1 you see1 when a poor woman1 whether ,christian or not1 is hard pushed1 and the husband won't do what he ought1 why1 then maybe she forgets what she ought to remember1 and wisdom1 as you call it1 sir1 is just nowhere4 ',if any of you lack wisdom1' said the apostle ,james1 'let him 7or her7 ask of ,god1 who giveth to all liberally1 and upbraideth not4' ,there are two lessons for us there1 ,i think1 said ,i4 ,very likely1 said ,martha2 and ,i want teaching badly enough4 ,the first lesson is the plain one1 that when we are in a sort of trouble we should go to ,god1 through the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 for guidance4 ,the next is1 that if ,god does not upbraid us for our folly1 we should take care how we set about upbraiding others4 ,and that's true1 said ,martha2 ,i never thought of that before4 ,and then1 ,i continued1 the ,bible1 especially the new ,testament part of it1 clearly sets before us our ,christian duty1 whatever may be our station and position in life4 ,you know what it says about wives2 but ,i don't think that it is anywhere said1 ',wives1 scold your husbands4' ,mrs4 ,howland smiled at this4 ,a funny thing that would be if it did1 said she4 ,but something is said about the husband being the head of the wife4 ,martha remembered this1 and thought that no good was likely to come by her scolding her husband1 as she acknowledged she had done4 ,certainly no good can come of it1 because it is contrary to the law and the gospel4 ,but what is a poor wife to do8 asked ,martha1 in much perplexity2 you don't think it is right for ,will to be hanging about indoors all day1 or pretty near it1 when he ought to be at work1 or looking after it--though it is the ,bible he is reading8 ,no2 ,i do not4 ,there is a time for all things1 and--but ,i am not going to talk to you about your husband1 that wouldn't be fair4 ,leave him to me2 ,i'll talk to him4 ,i'd be thankful to you1 sir1 if you would1 said ,martha4 ,only you must promise me not to scold him again1 nor yet to upbraid him 7that's the word1 you know7 about anything past and gone4 ,because1 in the first place1 it does no good1 as you acknowledge2 and in the second place it is neither wise nor right4 ,the ,christian rule is1 ',be ye kind one to another1 tender-hearted1 forgiving one another1 even as ,god1 for ,christ's sake1 hath forgiven you4' ,now1 as it seems that scolding does not move your husband1 why not try another plan8 ,let me tell you a fable4 ,once upon a time there was a dispute between the sun and the wind which had the most power4 ,they agreed to test the question upon a traveller on the road1 who was wrapped in a cloak4 ',i'll blow the cloak off his back1' said the wind4 ',no1 you won't2 but ,i'll make him throw it off1' said the sun4 ,now1 we will call the wind by the name of ,anger1 and the sun shall be ,kindness2 the man's cloak being ,idleness or ,self-indulgence4 ,well1 the wind began to blow with all its might1 and gave the traveller a terrible scolding1 so to speak2 but it only made him draw the cloak all the closer about him4 ,then1 when the wind had done its best1 or its worst1 and had not succeeded1 came out the sun1 and presently it sent down such warm rays 7of kindness1 you understand7 that the traveller could not stand it any longer1 but threw off his cloak4 ,so the sun beat4 ,well1 ,i never6 ,you try it1 said ,i4 ,illustration3 ,man falling in wind1 top hat flying1 pack on back8 ,v4 ,,the ,,fool ,,and ,,the ,,baron4 ,in one of the baronial halls of ,england lived ,harold1 a celebrated jester4 ,he was a faithful servant1 and a great favourite in the family4 ,his master was so pleased with his drollery that on one occasion he gave him a white wand1 saying1 ,there1 ,harold1 keep that as your staff of office1 till you find a greater fool than yourself1 and then you may give it to him4 ,the wand was henceforth ,harold's companion2 and as years passed by he still made fun1 and was still high in favour4 ,at length his master was ill1 and there was gloom on every countenance4 ,people passed hither and thither1 and spoke in a whisper1 and the whisper was1 ,he is going to die4 ,at last the servants were sent for to take their leave2 and ,harold1 who1 averse to sorrow1 had hid himself away1 was sought out and conducted to the turret chamber to say a final good-bye to his lord4 ,ill1 my noble master8 ,yes1 ,harold6 ,i'm going on a long journey4 ,where1 cousin8 ,i do not know4 ,when1 most noble8 ,i cannot say4 ,when will it please you to return1 my lord8 ,never4 ,will you take poor ,harold with you8 ,i must go alone4 ,have you prepared for this sudden journey8 ,no2 ,i knew of it long ago1 but ,i put it off4 ,illustration3 ,harold returns the white wand to his master ,why1 now1 said the jester1 here is a wise thing6 ,you go a journey--so long1 so soon2 you know not when nor where2 you go alone2 you will never return3 and you have not made ready1 though you were told6 ,there1 poor noble cousin6 take with thee ,harold's wand2 for in truth this day thou hast found for him a greater fool than himself4 ,what the fool said to his master was perfectly true1 although told in a quaint1 blunt style4 ,it suggests some thoughts and reminds us of certain facts which we shall do well to think about4 ,we shall all have to go on a journey soon4 ,you and ,i1 my friend1 must be such travellers as the jester and his master talked of4 ,the journey of death we must each take4 ,what a mysterious journey it is6 ,there are certain roads that we know quite well4 ,so frequently have we travelled them1 that we are perfectly familiar with them4 ,the houses we have to pass have an old look4 ,we recognise each field through which we pass4 ,even many of the trees under whose shade we walk are distinctly remembered by us from time to time4 ,but how different is it with the last road along which we shall travel6 ,none of us know it4 ,it is enshrouded in darkness4 ,we shall travel it for the first as well as for the last time2 and those who have trodden it have sent no message to tell us about it4 ,and this journey is unavoidable4 ,many journeys are a matter of choice4 ,we can either take them or remain at home4 ,but it is not so with the pilgrimage of death4 ,it is appointed unto men once to die4 ,reader1 remember this4 ,do not1 like many1 try to banish the thought of death from your mind4 ,the last day must come to you4 ,putting death out of your thoughts will not put it out of existence4 ,forgetfulness of it cannot destroy it4 ,since1 then1 death must come1 let us1 like wise men1 look it full in the face4 ,let us think solemnly about it4 ,but to return to the story with which we set out4 ,the jester asked the nobleman if he were prepared for the journey which he was about to take4 ,all journeys require preparation4 ,no one thinks of taking a journey without making ready beforehand2 we think the matter well over1 find out what we shall need1 and provide accordingly4 ,before the ,asiatic traveller mounts the camel which is to bear him across the hot1 sandy1 dreary wilderness1 he takes care to fill his wallet with food and his leathern bottles with water4 ,when the adventurer resolves to make his way through ,indian jungles where the tiger lurks1 he shoulders his gun1 and takes with him a native guide4 ,the wary explorer1 ere he steps into his reindeer sledge to cross the ice-bound rivers and snow-clad plains of ,arctic regions1 arms himself well against the intense cold4 ,but how shall you prepare for this journey8 ,you are by nature a lost and ruined sinner4 ,you have broken ,god's commands in your heart and in your daily life2 your transgressions are numberless4 ,you cannot change your own heart1 and you cannot blot out your own sins4 ,you can of yourself make no preparation for the journey you are about to take2 you can do nothing to make yourself meet for ,god's presence4 ,so far as you are concerned1 the words must stand3 ,your iniquities have separated between you and your ,god1 and your sins have hid ,his face from you 7,isa4 lix4 #b74 ,to provide for your helpless condition1 ,god1 in tender love and compassion1 gave ,his only begotten ,son1 that ,he should die for your sins1 and rise again for your justification4 ,is it1 then1 the language of your broken and contrite heart1 ,what must ,i do to be saved8 ,how shall ,i prepare to meet ,god8 ,god's gracious reply is plain and simple3 ,believe on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and thou shalt be saved4 ,yes1 the blood of ,christ shall cleanse you from all unrighteousness1 shall justify you freely and fully before ,god4 ,but perhaps you say1 ,i have not that broken heart1 and ,i lack that saving faith4 ,then may ,god by ,his ,spirit apply these words powerfully to your heart3 ,him hath ,god exalted with his right hand to be a ,prince and a ,saviour1 for to give repentance to ,israel1 and forgiveness of sins 7,acts v4 #ca74 ,all you need is the ,saviour's precious gift1 and ,he waits to be gracious4 ,ask1 and it shall be given you4 ,thus faith in ,christ will make you ready for the last and solemn journey4 ,it will give you pardon and peace2 it will sanctify your heart and life2 it will enable you to say with happy assurance1 ,yea1 though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil2 for ,thou art with me2 ,thy rod and ,thy staff they comfort me4 ,,vi4 ,,the ,,tailor',s ,,speech4 ,it was in the kitchen of the ,fighting ,cocks1 a house noted for strong ale1 that young ,hatfield1 a poor ailing journeyman tailor1 was haranguing his drinking companions4 ,his face was a little heated by what he had drunk1 his hat was dented in as though it had been used for a football1 and the elbow of his right arm1 as he lifted up his pipe1 was seen through his ragged sleeve4 ,it happened that old ,cawthorn1 a staid and respectable servant1 who lived in the neighbourhood1 had a note to deliver at the bar1 and the landlord of the ,fighting ,cocks being out of the way1 old ,cawthorn stood waiting for him1 while young ,hatfield laid down the law to his companions4 ,as he proceeded1 old ,cawthorn1 who well knew the bad habits of the speaker1 kept talking to himself in reply to the observations made4 ,i have seen a great deal of life1 my friends1 said the tailor4 ,and sad low life1 too1 ,i am afraid4 ,if people would only be ruled by me---- ,ay1 but bad as things are1 we are not come to such a pass as that yet4 ,if people would only be ruled by me1 old ,england would lift up her head again4 ,in the first place ,i would reform the constitution4 ,beginning with your own1 ,i hope1 for that seems not to be over excellent4 ,what next1 ,i wonder6 ,there should be no places and pensions2 no bribery and corruption2 no taxes and oppression2 but every man should have his rights1 and a poor man should lift up his head as well as a rich man4 ,if you could only rule yourself as well as you think you could rule the nation1 it would at any rate be a good beginning4 ,i would inclose all the waste lands in ,england1 every one of them should be cultivated4 ,better by half weed your own little garden first1 for it is sadly out of order4 ,every man's house1 ay1 the poorest among them1 should have in it a flitch of good bacon4 ,that is more than is ever likely to be found in yours1 ,master ,hatfield1 unless you live a very different life to what you now do4 ,i have a notion that we might all of us live much happier than we now do1 and with half the labour4 ,a notion1 indeed1 and nothing but a notion4 ,but if you paid a little less attention to the country at large1 and a little more to your own habits1 you and your poor wife and little ones might live happier than you do1 there is little doubt4 ,we seem to be all wrong in religious matters4 ,instead of being brought up to particular opinions1 every one1 young and old1 ought to be left at liberty to think as he pleases4 ,and to do as he pleases1 too1 ,i suppose8 ,oh6 ,harry ,hatfield4 ,some day or other1 if you keep a little closer to your shopboard1 you may shine as a tailor1 but you are not likely to become a star in any other calling4 ,then with regard to property2 it stands to reason that if the hundred thousand pounds possessed by the rich man were to be divided into a hundred parts1 it would make a hundred men comfortable and happy instead of one4 ,all housebreakers and highwaymen1 ,i should think1 reason in the same way4 ,it costs the country millions a year to keep up the gaols and the policemen3 every penny of this might be saved4 ,ay1 and the land might be overrun with rogues1 and the country become a bear-garden4 ,the national debt ought to be wiped away at once--it is a disgrace to the nation4 ,and there is a debt scored up on the door there that is a disgrace to one ,harry ,hatfield--,i suppose you would wipe that away too4 ,in a word1 my friends1 things are very different to what they ought to be4 ,in this land of liberty1 where every man's house is his castle1 and where everything should be properly conducted1 there ought to be no policemen--no oppressive laws--no taxes--no---- ,here the landlord made his appearance1 and old ,cawthorn1 having delivered his note1 left the house1 saying1 ,how true is that proverb of ,solomon1 ',seest thou a man wise in his own conceit8 there is more hope of a fool than of him4' ,illustration3 ,harry ,hatfield holding forth ,,vii4 ,,not ,a ,,bit ,,afraid4 ,yes1 ,i know it's a serious case2 the doctor said so4 ,but ,i don't trouble myself about that2 ,i'm not a bit afraid4 ,but you told me just now that you had not attended to religion a great deal4 ,you know this is the first time ,i ever saw you2 so ,i know nothing about you but what you tell me4 ,i suppose1 in fact1 you have lived like many more1 without much thought about your soul8 ,yes1 sir1 that's it4 ,and yet you are not afraid8 ,no1 sir1 ,i don't feel afraid at all4 ,i'm not troubled in my mind4 ,i have been no wise wicked4 ,the minister looked grave4 ,you mean you have not been a thief1 or a great drinker1 or a swearer1 or a liar1 or anything of that sort8 ,no1 no2 ,i have not been anything of the kind4 ,i know plenty who have2 but ,i've always tried to live respectable4 ,well1 but do you mean to say you are not a sinner8 ,oh1 we are all sinners1 of course4 ,but does not that mean anything8 ,does it not signify being a sinner8 ,i've never done anything bad in particular1 as ,i know of4 ,at all events1 ,i don't feel afraid4 ,i wish you did1 said the minister earnestly2 ,i wish you did with all my heart4 ,i know ,i should if ,i were you4 ,the sick man looked surprised2 but he made no answer1 so the minister went on4 ,as for me1 ,i could not speak as you do4 ,i know that ,i am a poor sinner2 and that1 but for my ,saviour1 ,i must be lost for ever4 ,but ,i have gone to ,him1 and sought ,his blood to wash away my sins1 and ,i do humbly believe in ,him2 and ,he1 and ,he alone1 takes my fear away4 ,you have told me what you feel1 and now ,i have told you what ,i feel4 ,well1 that's all right1 sir1 no doubt1 was all the sick man said4 ,the minister went on again3 ,oh1 my friend1 it will never do to say you are not afraid while you have not gone to ,christ2 you ought to be afraid1 you have good reason to be afraid4 ,i must be plain with you4 ,i dare not build you up with false hopes4 ,don't you know that you must stand before ,god1 and give account for all your life8 ,don't you know about the great judgment day1 when the books will be opened8 ,these books will have in them all you have ever done in your life4 ,can you face that8 ,are you not afraid when you think of that8 ,there will be another book opened then1 the book of life4 ,that will contain the names of all who are saved by ,jesus ,christ4 ,and everybody else 7do you remember that87 will be cast into the lake of fire4 ,you know you have not lived to ,god1 you know you have not sought ,christ1 your religion has been nothing but a name2 and1 say what you will1 you know quite well that you have often and often done wrong4 ,now1 how can you say you are not afraid8 ,the man shifted uneasily on his bed4 ,perhaps1 said he1 ,i ought to be more afraid than ,i am4 ,yes1 indeed you ought4 ,i don't want to give you pain1 ,i want to comfort you2 but ,i dare not give you false comfort4 ,i want you to see the truth4 ,you are a poor sinner in need of a ,saviour4 ,you may think lightly of your sins now1 and hardly call them sins at all2 but if you saw them as they really are1 oh how black they would look to you6 ,i pray ,god to teach you to see yourself1 and to see your sins1 now1 before the books are opened4 ,and now let me speak to you about ,jesus ,christ4 ,he pitied us poor sinners1 and came and died on the cross to save us4 ,thousands have been saved by ,him4 ,he has never turned one away who went to ,him for salvation4 ,i hope ,i have gone4 ,i know ,i have4 ,i could not rest in my bed if ,i had not4 ,i want you to go to ,him too4 ,he calls you to ,him4 ,just as you are1 ,he bids you look to ,him and be saved4 ,he is willing to be your ,saviour4 ,now1 remember1 now1 ,he is willing to be your ,saviour4 ,do not put this off4 ,sometimes people put away such thoughts because they trouble them4 ,oh1 do not you do so4 ,here you are alone on your bed away from everybody4 ,now pray1 pray for the ,holy ,spirit to teach your heart1 pray that ,jesus may be your ,saviour4 ,let me pray with you before ,i go4 ,and the minister knelt down and prayed4 ,and when he rose from his knees1 the sick man held out his hand1 and his eyes were wet with tears1 and he did not say again that he was not afraid2 but he said in a low voice1 ,i hope ,god will forgive me4 ,you'll come and see me again1 sir8 ,illustration3 ,man carrying tools walking with dog ,,viii4 ,,told ,,at ,a ,,tunnel',s ,,mouth4 ,a group of navvies waited for the relief party at the mouth of a tunnel4 ,sing us a song1 ,sam6 said one4 ,got a cold1 ,bill2 try the new hand4 ,a loud laugh followed this remark1 and that for two reasons2 one was ,sam's cold1 which was not strange1 seeing that for fourteen hours they had worked 7as only ,english navvies can7 in that long tunnel1 at times half choked with smoke and steam1 and then half-frozen with the bitter winter wind2 the other reason was his suggestion for the fresh hand to sing1 whose strange silent manner had not made him a favourite in the rough but hearty gang of navvies4 ,once ,sam had watched and saw him reach over a part of his dinner to a mate who was not up to the mark1 when the said mate could not swallow the hard fare he had provided himself with2 and ,sam wished to know more1 being1 as he would have said1 kinder curus on sich p'ints1 so he asked4 ,p'rhaps you'll oblige8 ,how long have we got1 mates8 ,matter of half-hour before the relief comes4 ,i'll sing you a song at last1 if you'll hear a story first4 ,hear6 hear6 said ,sam2 and the rest agreed4 ,so the new hand placed himself a little nearer the middle of the group1 and leaning on his pick1 began3 ,illustration3 ,new man1 leaning on pick surreounded by others ,a bargain is a bargain1 mates1 and ,i shall keep you to your word2 if you don't hear me out--no song4 ,i'm going to talk about my little ,meg2 and if you don't know why ,i am quiet-like now1 you will before ,i have done4 ,once ,i had as nice a home as any man need wish for1 and the girl ,i brought to it was the right sort1 ,i can tell you2 none of your flashy1 dressy1 empty-headed ones1 but a right down decent hard-working maid she was4 ,but she was religious1 always wanted to go to church or chapel1 or what not1 on the ,sunday1 and ,i didn't care for that2 so ,i told her1 ',alice1' says ,i1 'you have married me1 and you'll have to stick to me1 or else there'll be a row4' ,well1 she begged to go1 but ,i would not hear a word of it2 so she gave in4 ,so we went on for more than a year2 ,i was middlin' steady1 and she kept the home up well1 only ,i noticed she seemed less happy-like2 and if ,i stopped her going to church or chapel on ,sunday1 ,i couldn't get her to go out for pleasure with me2 for she said1 ',fair's fair2 ,i keep away from one place to please you1 ,i keep away from others to please myself4' ,and ,i thought there was something in that2 don't you8 ,the men made a murmur1 half yes1 half no1 and seemed to grow more attentive2 it was level with their understanding4 ,he went on4 ,soon after that ,meg was born1 and how glad ,alice was1 to be sure6 why1 that child1 ,i believe she would have worked her fingers to the bone for it4 ,some folks talk as if our little ones were a curse to us2 why1 mates1 them as says so are worse than a jackdaw1 and as empty as a bag of wind2 they ain't got no heart themselves4 ,no2 they're all jaw1 said ,sam4 ,well1 anyway1 we didn't call ,meg a curse by a long stretch2 she crowed and grew1 and every year bound us more together2 for whatever little differences we had in other things we were one on the babe--she was the best in the world4 ,but while ,meg grew strong the mother grew weak1 until she was as thin as a shadow2 then ,i asked the doctor1 who said she wanted change of air4 ,i asked her if she would like to go and see her mother1 and take ,meg2 lor'1 how pleased she was6 ,so she went1 and ,i saw her off4 ,how ,i got on without her ,i don't know2 badly enough it was4 ,when she came back little ,meg was four years old4 ,mates1 ,i didn't know the wife1 so white and ill she was2 but the child was brighter than ever1 the sunshine of our lives4 ,to make the story short1 while ,i hoped and hoped ,alice would mend1 she didn't2 and the sight of her face1 so ghost-like1 kind of haunted me--she was queer and lonely-like and--well1 lads1 ,i took to drink6 ,the fresh hand's voice quivered a little1 but he grasped the pick firmer1 and continued3 ,most every night ,i kept away from home1 not because ,i hated it1 boys1 for my heart was there1 but ,i just could not bear to see ,alice2 somehow death appeared written in her face1 and ,i wanted to give him plenty of room--,i was not ready for him4 ,the neighbours kept the place and ,meg tidy1 and ,i took home what was left after paying score at the ',lion4' ,bill gave ,sam a good nudge to look at the speaker1 for the tears had gathered in his eyes and were rolling in little channels down his cheeks4 ,one night there was a noise in the bar at the ',lion4' ,somebody sung out1 ',mind the little 'un2' then there was a fall and a cry--,meg's cry--and ,i ran out1 to see the landlady catch her up1 and the blood flowing from a great gash in the forehead4 ',pure accident1' some one said2 but ,i caught hold of ,meg1 the landlady bound her up somehow1 and ,i rushed home with her--home to her mother1 and the sight of the child seemed to put life into ,alice2 she fondled and sang to the little one in a way that almost broke my heart4 ,the doctor came and bound the head up1 but the little eyes were fast closed and he gave no hope4 ,once she opened the little eyes1 gave one stare wild enough to shudder at1 and then closed them2 so we sat1 ,alice with her on her breast in bed1 and ,i on a chair by the side4 ',john1' said ,alice1 ',i don't think ,i shall be here long1 and ,i want to talk to you a bit2 will you listen8' ,i nodded1 for ,i could not speak4 ',before ,i knew you1 ,john1 ,i used to read my ,bible and pray to ,god2 since then ,i have given it up2 you did not like it1 ,john2 but ,i have got to die2 and it's all dark now1 husband4 ,what am ,i to do8' ,i kept quite still2 what could ,i say8 ',john1 ,i'm too weak to read now2 won't you read a bit to me1 and give me a little comfort before ,i die--if there is any for me8' ,not for years had ,i touched the book she spoke of1 and where to find it now ,i did not know2 but ,i hunted round1 for ,i thought1 if this will give her ease1 ,i'm bound to try2 and at last ,i found it behind the tea-tray4 ,i asked her where to read2 she said anywhere4 ,so ,i opened and read where ,jesus went into a house in which a little child lay dead2 how the people mocked and jeered ,him when ,he said she slept 7and ,i looked at our poor ,meg1 so white and pained1 wondering if ,he would have come to her72 how ,jesus took that little girl's hand1 her cold1 dead hand1 and said1 ',arise4' ',oh1 ,john1 if ,he were only here to speak to ,meg and make her well6' said ,alice4 ',perhaps it's only a tale1' ,i said--and stopped4 ',no1 ,john1' said ,alice4 ',when ,i was well ,i could live and not think much of ,him2 but since ,i've been ill ,he seems very real to me sometimes2 even now1 ,john1 ,i believe ,he is here6' ,mates1 that was a cold1 dark night1 and the wind howled outside1 the fire was all but out1 and the candle flickered about with the draught4 ,i tell you ,i felt bad1 for her words did seem so full of meaning1 her eyes almost looked me through4 ',john1 if ,he's here1 ,he can save our ,meg4 ,john dear1 won't you ask ,him8 ,won't you pray8' ',alice1 ,i can't2 ,i don't know how4' ',husband1 look at the darling2 think of her--of her6 ,john1 try4 ,oh1 ,john1 try6' ,the whole group of navvies gathered round him here with open eyes and strained ears1 watching eagerly for what was coming4 ,i don't know what voice whispered back her words like an echo2 but ,i heard1 and fell upon my knees crying to the ,lord--if ,he was there--to have mercy on my sinful soul1 and to heal our little lamb4 ,oh1 mates1 how ,i did cry1 to be sure6 and how ,i did hope it might be true that ,he was there6 for ,i felt sure1 if ,he was1 ,he would help us--the old story ,i had learned years before and forgotten so long--the story of ,his cruel death1 seemed to rise like a strange bright picture in the awful stillness of that room3 how ,he died for sinners1 that such might be brought back to ,god--this broke down my hardened heart4 ,just then1 whilst ,i was on my knees1 and the tears of penitence were on my cheeks1 ,meg1 dear little ,meg1 opened her eyes once more4 ',oh1 father1 ,i have had such a beautiful dream1' she said2 'the ,lord whom mammy loves has come1 and called to such a lovely house your poor tired ,meg4 ,father1 take care of dear mammy6' ,the little eyes grew more weary1 closed at last1 and with one long sigh ,meg was gone to the lovely home4 ,the rough men were touched indeed as he stopped to gasp down his emotion4 ,lads1 the mother went before long1 clinging to the ,lord whom ,meg saw1 resting on ,his word as she passed through the ,valley of the ,shadow into the ,light beyond4 ,the old place was too full of sorrow for me2 so ,i wandered on till ,i got to this place2 and if ,i'm quiet1 it is because ,i think of them4 ,ever as ,i work the sense of ,his presence is with me2 their dying words are in my ears4 ,oh6 mates1 take my story home to your hearts--home to your wives and little ones1 and with them seek the ,saviour1 whose love so strangely made me turn from evil unto ,god4 ,not a word had interrupted him all through2 but now ,sam's voice was heard but little above a whisper1 ,mate1 we want the song4 ,john cleared his voice a little1 and1 as the men hushed down again1 sang3-- ,i stay a little while below2 ,the changing seasons come and go1 ,but ,christ my joy heals every woe1 ,in ,him ,i live and fear no foe4 ,the night is dark and sad to me1 ,but even in the gloom ,i see ,my ,saviour bright who died to free ,my soul from misery4 ,though ,he has taken those above ,who once have cheered me with their love1 ,clad in the robe ,his hands have wove1 ,they safely rest1 where'er ,i rove4 ,so still to ,him my steps do tend2 ,his power is present to defend2 ,on ,his sweet mercy ,i depend2 ,his love to me will never end4 ,friends1 come to ,him1 just as you are2 ,his arms of mercy reach as far ,as ever son of man can need2 ,his blood can pardon1 and ,his love can feed4 ,illustration3 ,hay-makers piling hay on wagons ,,ix4 ,,harvest ,,home4 ,go and stand on the hill yonder1 and look round4 ,what do you see8 ,gold here--gold there--gold everywhere6 ,all so busy--so earnest4 ,how is ,mr4 ,sharp's barley8 says one4 ,how will ,mr4 ,bell's wheat turn out1 think you8 says another4 ,oh1 cries a third1 if the fine weather does but hold we shall do well4 ,it was a very good change of the moon1 and ,i hope to get in my bit in safety4 ,the trouble is to get labourers4 ,when there is no work about there is plenty of grumbling among labourers2 and no wonder1 for if they don't work1 how can they eat8 and when there is abundance of work there is plenty of grumbling among employers2 and no wonder1 for if hands are so scarce1 and wages run so high1 that it is almost impossible to house the grain and seed in time1 where is the rent to come from8 ,well1 this is a world where grumbling is to be looked for1 but there is a harvest coming at the close of it when all murmurs1 all cares1 will be done away2 when the reapers1 who will be the holy angels1 will be enough for their work1 and when no fear that a single grain of good seed will perish1 but all will be safely gathered into the heavenly garner4 ,now1 here is a true story1 though the names of the people are not given1 because they are yet alive2 very likely they may see this1 and if they do1 they will exclaim1 ,oh1 yes2 this is true indeed6 ,there was a great revival of religion in a certain parish2 many persons who had lived in utter deadness as to ,god and a world to come were awakened out of their sleep1 and wept and prayed earnestly for faith to the saving of their souls4 ,the picture of the great ,harvest ,home was brought before them with such power that they felt nothing was of consequence compared with the question of their being among the tares or the wheat4 ,a lady1 who was staying there on a visit1 was much touched by what she saw around her1 and especially interested in one woman1 who gave proof that her repentance was sincere1 and her faith a living faith4 ,she often thought of this poor woman--for she was very poor--after her return home2 and having met with a book which she thought would give comfort and encouragement1 she put it by1 determining to send it some time4 ,but some time did not satisfy her1 she had so strong a desire to do it at once1 that she folded it up to post it4 ,still1 she was not satisfied--what more had she to do8 ,it came into her mind1 ,put in half-a-crown2 she is very poor1 and it will be a help to her4 ,so she put in the half-crown1 directed the parcel plainly and fully1 and put it in the post4 ,the postman next day duly delivered the packet to the woman4 ,oh1 she said1 not opening it1 this must be a mistake1 ,i don't know anybody that would send a book to me4 ,you had best inquire who expected one 7perhaps there were others of her name in the place1 but this ,i do not know74 ,the postman recommended her to open it and see if she could make out that it was hers1 he would inquire on his return if she still said it was not4 ,with the parcel in her hand she met a neighbour who1 like herself1 now feared the ,lord and lived in prayer4 ,what have you there8 she said4 ,oh1 it's a parcel that must have come by mistake1 she replied4 ,i know nobody away from home--and look6 she exclaimed as she untied the paper and the half-crown dropped out4 ,they consulted together1 and wondered much who it could be that had sent it2 but guessed wrong altogether1 and made sure they had done so4 ,at length the neighbour said1 ,have you been asking the ,lord for anything lately8 ,no1 nothing particular1 except it was for the money to pay my club that is due to-day1 and if ,i don't pay in ,i am forfeit1 you know6 ,good1 now1 said the neighbour2 don't you see who has sent it8 ,why1 the ,lord1 to be sure4 ,he heard your prayer1 and knew it was just what you wanted2 so ,he put it into some ,christian heart to send it4 ,go and pay it in 7it was just the money71 and give ,him the thanks4 ,now1 see what it is to be one of the grains of wheat that are to be gathered into ,his garner6 ,when the harvest comes the angels will look after the very smallest1 and not only so1 but till then the very smallest and meanest will be kept and cared for and ministering spirits1 either of their fellow ,christians 7like this lady7 or those blessed creatures who1 we are told1 are sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation1 will be employed by their ,saviour to help them in every need4 ,ah6 but ,i have seen ,christians left a long time in great trouble1 says one4 ,so have ,i1 says another4 ,have you8 ,well1 be sure of this1 while ,god's word stands true it must have been that they neglected fervent prayer to be helped out of it2 or else their remaining in trouble was for their good in the end2 for it is written1 ,all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer1 believing1 ye shall receive1 and it is written also1 ,no good thing will ,he withhold from them that walk uprightly4 ,a gentleman who farmed his own land and was known to treat his labourers well had a company of ,irishmen every year--year after year1 who came to work all through the harvest4 ,they were very sober1 clean1 hard-working1 and well conducted2 so that they were allowed to sleep in a barn1 and had the use of a fire in the back kitchen to boil their milk 7which was given them7 and their potatoes4 ,they felt quite at home when they got to this estate1 and had as much confidence in the kindness of their employers as they had in them4 ,one day one of them1 ,paddy ,brady1 asked to see the lady of the house4 ,she was a most benevolent woman1 and took a lively interest in these ,irish reapers4 ,paddy1 making his most genteel bow 7she used to say they were quite gentlemen in their manners71 asked her if she would be so obliging as to direct a letter for him4 ,surely1 ,paddy1 ,i will1 she answered1 but if you can write a whole letter yourself1 why can't you direct it8 ,sure1 it's another thing quite1 said ,paddy4 ,biddy ,brady1 my wife1 knows me so well she can read the inside as plain as if ,i was speaking2 but there's never a one of the men as'll carry it across the water as has got the least bit of notion of me1 and how can they read my writing1 so strong of the brogue8 ,the lady couldn't see the wisdom of this reason1 but she didn't like to interfere with ,paddy's view1 and he was satisfied with it4 ,so1 though she laughed to herself1 the letter was directed according to his desire4 ,and now1 my lady1 if you'd just do me the favour to give me one of them things to put in the corner1 ,i'll pay you for it and thank you all the same as if you gave it out of your free generosity1 said ,paddy1 who looked with admiration at the direction1 which1 however1 would have given him more trouble to read than his own writing--so strong of the brogue within4 ,the lady took a ,queen's head and put it on the letter1 refusing the penny4 ,put by the penny1 she said1 you will have that much more to carry home to your wife4 ,god bless you1 my lady6 ,i hope ,i'll have to work for you many years yet2 and beyant all and everything ,i hope we'll both get good luck in the grand harvest that's to come at the end6 ,his eyes were full of grateful feeling as he spoke1 and she was1 as you will believe1 much touched with his simple earnestness4 ,there was everything in ,paddy's wish4 ,whether he knew anything of the ,lord of the harvest1 and1 in spite of ignorance and the false teaching of his priest1 looked for ,his coming with hope and love1 ,i cannot say2 but certain it is1 to be under the care of the angel reapers there1 instead of being left to the winds of destruction1 should be every one's chief concern4 ,illustration3 ,harvest ,j4 ,,and ,w4 ,,rider1 ,,printers1 ,,london4 ,,books ,,for ,,working ,,people4 ,published by ,the ,religious ,tract ,society4 ,talks about ,home ,life4 ,by the ,rev4 ,george ,everard1 ,m4,a41 ,vicar of ,st4 ,mark's1 ,wolverhampton4 ,fcap4 #hvo4 #as4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,a ,help to ,family ,worship2 or1 ,short ,forms of ,morning and ,evening ,prayer for ,four ,weeks4 ,by the ,rev4 ,f4 ,bourdillon1 ,m4,a4 ,crown #hvo4 #as4 cloth4 ,large ,type ,edition1 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,daily ,life3 a ,book of ,scraps and ,fragments for ,labouring ,people in ,town and ,country4 ,by the ,rev4 ,f4 ,bourdillon1 ,m4,a4 ,in large type1 crown #hvo41 #as4 #d;d4 cloth boards4 ,bible ,readings from the ,gospels4 ,for ,mothers' ,meetings1 c4 ,by ,mrs4 ,frederick ,locker4 ,crown #hvo4 ,in clear type1 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,the ,christian ,home4 ,by the ,rev4 ,canon ,garbett4 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,christian ,home ,life4 ,a ,book of ,examples and ,principles4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 cloth boards4 ,christian ,manliness4 ,a ,book of ,examples and ,principles for ,young ,men4 #cs4 cloth boards4 ,a ,secret ,worth ,knowing1 and other ,stories3 ,gleanings for ,mothers' ,meetings1 ,cottage ,readings1 and ,district ,visitors4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,half-hour ,readings for ,sunday ,afternoons4 ,in ,prose and ,verse4 ,by the ,rev4 ,thomas ,milner1 ,m4,a41 author of ,the ,heavens and the ,earth1 etc4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 cloth boards4 ,home in ,humble ,life4 ,with frontispiece4 ,fcap4 #hvo4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,the ,home ,circle4 ,a ,record of ,births1 ,marriages1 and ,deaths4 ,with a daily register for names4 ,handsomely printed in colours4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,homes1 ,homely and ,happy4 ,new ,series of ,large ,type ,books4 ,crown #hvo4 #as4 #d;d4 cloth boards4 ,homes ,made and ,marred4 ,a book for working men and their wives4 ,engravings4 ,imp4 #afmo4 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,hours with ,working ,women4 ,a book for mothers' meetings1 etc4 #ahmo4 #as4 cloth boards4 ,the ,mother's ,mission4 ,sketches from real life1 illustrating the importance of home training4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,new edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,readings for ,winter ,gatherings1 ,temperance and ,mothers' ,meetings1 etc4 ,first1 second1 and third series4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,canon ,fleming1 ,b4,d4 ,crown #hvo4 ,each #as4 neat cover2 #as4 #f;d4 cloth4 ,the ,cottager's ,family ,prayers for a ,week4 #afmo4 #b;d4 paper2 #d;d4 cloth4 ,prayer and ,praise for ,domestic ,servants4 ,crown #hvo4 #aj;d4 cloth limp4 ,scenes and ,incidents from ,old ,testament ,history4 ,considered practically in a series of short sermons4 ,by the ,rev4 ,f4 ,bourdillon1 ,m4,a4 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,chapters on ,every-day ,things3 or1 ,histories and ,marvels in ,common ,life4 ,profusely ,illustrated4 ,imperial #afmo4 #ds4 cloth boards1 gilt edges4 ,sunbeams for ,dark ,days4 ,arranged for a ,month4 ,neatly printed on toned and rolled paper4 ,super-royal #cbmo4 #f;d4 cloth boards1 gilt4 ,true ,tales about ,india1 its ,native ,princes and ,british ,rulers4 ,by ,s4 ,j4 ,ballard1 of ,mangalore4 ,map and numerous ,illustrations4 ,fcap4 #hvo4 #cs4 cloth boards4 ,learn of ,me2 or1 ,words of ,truth and ,love from the ,best ,teacher4 #as4 #d;d4 cloth boards4 ,david ,saunders1 the ,shepherd of ,salisbury ,plain1 and other ,true ,stories of ,cottage ,piety4 #as4 #d;d4 cloth boards4 ,acceptable ,words3 ,choice ,quotations and ,texts for ,every ,day in the ,year4 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,the ,poor ,clerk and his ,crooked ,sixpence4 ,by ,g4 ,e4 ,sargent4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,an ,old ,sailor's ,story4 ,by ,g4 ,e4 ,sargent4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,a ,peep behind the ,scenes4 ,by ,mrs4 ,walton1 author of ,christie's ,old ,organ1 ,little ,dot1 etc4 #cs4 #f;d4 cloth1 gilt edges4 ,janet ,darney's ,story4 ,a ,tale of ,fisher ,life in ,chale ,bay4 ,by ,sarah ,doudney4 ,illustrated by ,l4 ,mahoney4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 cloth1 gilt edges4 ,the ,kingdom and the ,people2 or1 the ,parables of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ ,explained and ,applied4 ,by ,mary ,seeley4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 bevelled boards1 red edges4 ,karl ,krapp's ,little ,maidens and their ,good ,gift4 ,by the ,author of ,harry's ,perplexity1 and ,what came of it1 etc4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 cloth1 gilt edges4 ,once upon a ,time2 or1 the ,boy's ,book of ,adventures4 ,with ,illustrations4 #cs4 cloth boards4 ,ten ,steps in the ,narrow ,way2 or1 the ,commandments ,illustrated4 ,a ,book for ,girls4 ,crown #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,father's ,motto2 or1 the ,cloud with a ,silver ,lining1 and other ,stories4 ,a ,book for ,boys and their ,sisters4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,alfred ,arnold's ,choice1 and what came of ,it4 ,a ,tale of ,factory ,life4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,the ,day after ,to-morrow4 ,by ,mrs4 ,prosser4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,city ,sparrows1 and ,who ,cared for them4 ,by ,ruth ,lynn4 ,fcap4 #hvo4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,by the ,author of ,jessica's ,first ,prayer4 ,each with ,engravings4 ,the ,fishers of ,derby ,haven4 ,new ,edition in crown #hvo4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,pilgrim ,street3 a ,story of ,manchester ,life4 ,new ,edition in crown #hvo4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,max ,kromer3 a ,story of the ,siege of ,strasbourg4 #as4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,little ,meg's ,children4 ,royal #afmo4 #as4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,alone in ,london4 ,royal #afmo4 #as4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,the ,children of ,cloverley4 ,new ,edition in crown #hvo4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,fern's ,hollow4 ,new ,edition in crown #hvo4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,kardoo1 the ,hindoo ,orphan4 ,by a ,zenana ,missionary4 #as4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,quality ,fogg's ,old ,ledger4 ,by ,mrs4 ,prosser1 author of ,original ,fables1 etc4 #as4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,the ,cottage on the ,shore4 ,by the ,author of ,deepdale ,end1 etc4 #as4 #f;d4 cloth boards4 ,,the ,,leisure ,,hour ,,library4 ,each with ,engravings1 #bs4 cloth boards4 #a4 ,remarkable ,adventures from ,real ,life4 #b4 ,sea ,sketches about ,ships and ,sailors4 #c4 ,sunday in ,many ,lands4 #d4 ,a ,race for ,life1 and other ,tales4 #e4 ,cedar ,creek4 ,a ,canadian ,emigration ,tale4 #f4 ,birds and ,bird ,life4 #g4 ,barthel ,winkler1 and other ,german ,tales4 #h4 ,commercial ,tales and ,sketches4 #i4 ,shades and ,echoes of ,old ,london4 #aj4 ,original ,fables and ,sketches4 #aa4 ,the ,ferrol ,family1 and other ,tales4 #ab4 ,frank ,layton3 a ,story of ,australian ,life4 ,by ,g4 ,e4 ,sargent4 #ac4 ,fairley-cum-,forelands3 and other ,village ,tales4 #ad4 ,adventures ,ashore and ,afloat4 #ae4 ,the ,exile's ,trust4 ,by ,frances ,browne4 ,,cottage ,,series4 ,containing #afj pages in good-sized type1 bound in limp cloth4 #f;d4 each4 #a4 ,bible ,reader's ,help2 for the ,use of ,plain ,persons and the ,young4 ,also in cloth boards1 #i;d4 #b4 ,gems from ,christian ,writers4 #c4 ,lessons from ,life4 #d4 ',tis ,all for the ,best1 and other ,narratives1 by ,mrs4 ,hannah ,more4 #e4 ,goodly ,pearls2 or1 ,choice ,extracts from the ,best ,authors4 #f4 ,cottage ,readings in ,biography4 #g4 ,gleanings from the ,poets for ,cottage ,homes4 #h4 ,cottage ,readings in ,poetry4 #i4 ,the ,two ,journeys1 and other ,tales4 #aj4 ,our ,lads2 their ,ups and ,downs4 #aa4 ,our ,lasses2 their ,helps and ,hindrances4 #ab4 ,till the ,doctor comes1 and ,how to ,help him4 ,also in cloth boards1 #i;d4 ,,decorations ,,for ,,cottages1 ,,mission-,,rooms1 ,,institutes1 ,,club-,,rooms1 ,,nurseries1 ,,hospitals1 ,etc4 ,a ,detailed ,list will be found in the ,society's ,general ,catalogue1 which may be obtained1 post-free1 from the ,depots4 ,,twopence ,,each4 ,natural ,history ,pictures4 ,a ,series of #cf ,pictures beautifully printed in ,oil ,colours1 after ,drawings by ,harrison ,weir4 ,with descriptive letterpress1 in large type4 ,each on a sheet #ab by #ah inches4 ,may be had also1 mounted on cardboard and varnished1 with eyelets and tape for hanging1 #h;d4 each4 ,or1 in ,two ,sets of ,twelve ,pictures each in ,wrapper1 mounted on ,roller1 with cord1 #bs4 #f;d4 ,texts on ,broadsheets4 ,a ,series of #be ,texts4 ,size #cj by #bj inches4 ,each printed in two colours with border4 ,may be had varnished1 mounted on stout linen1 with eyelets for fastening on walls1 #aj;d4 each4 ,,threepence ,,each4 ,cottage ,pictures4 ,a ,series of #db ,pictures beautifully printed in ,oil ,colours1 by ,kronheim4 ,size #ae by #ah inches4 ,may be had also mounted on stout ,cardboard1 with imitation ,maple or ,rosewood ,frame1 ,varnished1 with tape for hanging on wall1 #as4 each4 ,coloured ,picture ,hymn ,sheets4 ,twelve ,simple ,hymns in ,clear ,type1 with attractive ,pictures and ,borders1 well printed in ,oil ,colours4 ,size #bb by #af inches4 ,may be had also mounted on ,canvas and ,varnished1 with eyelets for fastening to the wall1 #aj;d4 each4 ,or the set in ,wrapper1 mounted on ,roller1 with cord1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,hymns on ,broadsheets4 ,twelve ,hymns4 ,size #ce by #bb inches4 ,each printed in two colours4 ,clear type4 ,also supplied with beading top and bottom1 #f;d4 each4 ,the set complete1 with wrapper and mounted on ,roller1 with string for hanging on wall1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,sixpence ,,each4 ,english ,history ,pictures4 ,a ,series of ,six highly finished ,coloured ,pictures of ,historical ,subjects4 ,size #bb by #ag inches4 ,may be had strained on ,canvas and ,varnished1 #bs4 each4 ,happy as a ,king ,series4 ,six ,pictures from well-known ,paintings4 ,handsomely printed in ,oil ,colours4 ,size #ba by #ag inches4 ,may be had also mounted on ,frame and ,canvas1 ,varnished1 #bs4 each4 ,,penny ,,books ,,for ,,the ,,people4 ,,full ,,of ,,large ,,illustrations4 ,the ,stories are written in a pithy1 interesting style1 and printed in a clear1 readable type4 ,no4 #a1 entitled ,a ,,chip ,,of ,,the ,,old ,,block1 ,contains3 ,a ,chip of the ,old ,block--,the ,light in the ,window--,the ,gospel ,message--,the ,man who dug his own ,grave--,nelly the ,orange ,girl--,the ,woodman--,our ,jane going to ,service--,come to ,jesus4 ,no4 #b1 entitled ,,mrs4 ,,burton',s ,,best ,,bedroom1 ,contains3 ,mrs4 ,burton's ,best ,bedroom1 by the ,author of ,jessica's ,first ,prayer--,well done1 ,cabby6--,mad6 quite ,mad6--,the ,best ,robe--,song of the ,train--,is there a ,holy ,spirit8--,two ,kinds of ,seed--,the ,pipe1 and ,what it leads to--,the ,new ,year's ,gift4 ,no4 #c1 entitled ,,the ,,harwoods' ,,two ,,christmas ,,days1 ,contains3 ,the ,harwoods' ,two ,christmas ,days--,the ,shortest ,way ,home--,it will soon be over6--,what's behind the ,hedge8--,a ,hero in ,humble ,life--,the ,way of ,death--,the ,saviour of ,sinners4 ,no4 #d1 entitled ,,how ,,john ,,walters ,,got ,,rich1 ,contains3 ,how ,john ,walters got ,rich--,trust the ,pilot--,the ,factory ,girl--,thoughts to think about--,seeking ,work at ,harvest ,time--,our ,wedding ,day--,i am afraid he'll never forgive me--,working ,men1 come to ,jesus4 ,no4 #e1 entitled ,,the ,,best ,,jug ,,to ,,fetch ,,beer ,,in1 ,consists of ,temperance ,tales and ,sketches3 ,the ,best ,jug to ,fetch ,beer in--,farmer ,jackson's ,christmas ,eve--,the ,drunkard's ,pet--,the ,ballad ,singer--,try that--,the ,biggest ,drop--,a ,palace for the ,poor4 ,no4 #f1 entitled ,,the ,,man ,,that ,,killed ,,his ,,neighbours1 ,contains3 ,the ,man that ,killed his ,neighbours--,the ,palm ,pickers--,the ,village ,shop--,little ,mary's ,answer--,what do you want8--,come1 what'll you have8--,come ,home6 ,no4 #g1 entitled ,,the ,,fools' ,,pence1 ,contains3 ,the ,fools' ,pence--,my ,clever ,cousin--,going to the ,golden ,city--,by the ,sea--,sober ,truths about ,drunkenness--,the ,two ,pilots--,come to ,jesus for ,peace4 ,no4 #h1 entitled ,,john ,,hammond',s ,,two ,,wedding ,,days1 ,contains3 ,john ,hammond's ,two ,wedding ,days1 and ,come to ,jesus4 ,no4 #i1 entitled ,a ,,short ,,life ,,and ,a ,,merry ,,one1 ,contains3 ,a ,short ,life and a ,merry ,one--,lucy ,forbes' ,letter--,the ,widow's ,mite--,swallowing the ,bible--,ned's ,decision--,tom ,take-a-,text1 the ,tinker of ,fellside--,i have drunk my ,last ,glass--,the ,best ,shop to go to--,he's so obliging--,the ,flaw in the ,tire--,surface ,smiles--,the ,wise ,shilling--,the ,sunny ,side4 ,no4 #aj1 entitled ,,the ,,gunner',s ,,yeoman1 ,contains3 ,the ,gunner's ,yeoman2 or1 the ,narrow ,squeak--,keep ,looking up--,home ,again--,the ,emigrant's ,wife--,the ,return of the ,castaway--,a ,cheer for the ,lifeboat--,the ,bitten ,strap--,safe in the ,lifeboat4 ,no4 #aa1 entitled ,,dick ,,wilson',s ,,home ,,and ,,what ,,changed ,,it1 ,contains3 ,dick ,wilson's ,home1 and ,what changed it--,england's ,brave ,firemen--,sandy ,beith1 the ,highland ,drover--,how to choose a ,wife--,be ,diligent--,at ,grandmother's ,grave--,sowing and ,reaping--,the ,lost ,one's ,return--,aunt ,jenny's ,trust4 ,no4 #ab1 entitled ,,show ,,your ,,colours1 ,contains3 ,show your ,colours--,an ,old ,lancer's ,true ,tale--,don't be ,afraid1 ,little ,one--,the ,dying ,soldier and his ,bible--,soldiers of ,christ--,every ,inch a ,soldier1 ,every ,inch a ,christian--,the ,return of the ,wounded--,be ,true to your ,colours--,love your ,enemies--,an ,incident of the ,franco-,german ,war4 ,the above #ab ,books are bound in a volume1 entitled-- ,,mrs4 ,,burton',s ,,best ,,bedroom1 ,by the ,author of ,jessica's ,first ,prayer1 and other ,readings for ,working ,men's ,homes4 ,with coloured ,frontispiece of ,the ,snow ,sweepers1 by ,sir ,john ,gilbert1 and upwards of ,one ,hundred large ,engravings by ,barnes1 ,french1 ,gilbert1 ,staniland1 ,fildes1 and other eminent artists4 #bs4 cloth boards4 ,for the ,working ,classes in ,town and ,country4 ,,one ,,penny ,,monthly4 ,,the ,,cottager ,,and ,,artisan consists of ,eight ,large ,pages ,monthly1 ,beautifully ,illustrated with ,engravings by the best ,artists4 ,and is full of interesting and instructive reading printed in clear type4 ,,the ,,volumes ,are profusely illustrated with pictures of ,natural ,history1 ,town and ,country ,life1 etc41 by eminent ,english and foreign artists4 ,they form suitable presents to the ,club1 ,institute1 or ,district ,library1 and are interesting and instructive books for the home reading of working people in the city1 town1 or village4 #as4 #f;d4 in cover1 printed in oil colours2 #bs4 #f;d4 cloth boards1 gilt edges4 ,its bright sunny pictures are excellent specimens of art1 and its brief and striking articles are sure to become favourites with old and young4--,christian4 ,noted for its superior wood engravings and suitable letterpress4--,literary ,world4 ,full of good pictures4--,scotsman4 ,a very presentable volume1 with its bold1 striking cuts1 its short tales1 and its articles in large type for aged or weak eyes4--,sunday ,school ,chronicle4 ,london3 #ef1 ,paternoster ,row2 #fe1 ,st4 ,paul's ,churchyard2 and #afd1 ,piccadilly4 ,may be had of any ,bookseller4