The Litchfield County post., 1827-08-09
From the London Tract MagssiRs.
ASST HOURS OF THOMAS MANN.

ef Ihai0eS, plying al AEVh uaeC 0eabs' uc
enjoyed from an early age the advantages OF
a Gospel education. During his life ne was
known as THE Honest Waterman"
A gentleman who was 10 the habit of using
Mann's boat, gave the following account of
a conversation he once had with him, which
conveys an idea of his character and princi-
Piles
81 inquired his age, and found it nearly
approaching seventy years. and that he had
tugged at the Oar for upwards of fifty. His
earnings, about the ordinary income of wa
terman, seldom rose to an average of FIVE
shillings per day. | asked him if ne did not
make seven DAYS in a week but received a
| know better than to do that. That would
be taking what does nt belong to me. The
Lords day is not mine, and therefore never
work on that day. | observed, that this was
not exactly the reply which looked for from
one of his class in society, though was as
much pleased as surprised Can you read!'
Yes, Sir, thank God can read Where
were you taght to read = AT charity school
in the city, whence was apprenticed to a
waterman. Was taught there to read the
Bible land by that was taught to value
the Lords day. WELL replied your gains
have been so small. you could not lay much
up. Have you not been anxious as you have
proceeded in life, lest, from the very nature
of your employment, exposed as it is to dan
ger and to all weathers, you should be laid up
by illness, and nothing to support your mo,
Sir; | have always believed in Gods provi-
dence. think am Just fitted to the situa-
ton, which he has appointed to me, and that
what he has fixed is best. | am therefore sat
isfed and thankful. | endeayour to do the
duty which daily falls to me, and to be careful
of my earnings; have always had enough,
and / have no fears about years to come
yet, my friend, if, illness were to come, and
you had not provision made for the supply
of your need in helpless age, ought not this
to give you some uneasiness 2 NO, Sir: that
is not mig business. Future years are not nv
business. That belongs God land am sure
that doing my duty in his fear now, and be-
ing careful Of what he entrusts to me, he will
supply my need in future in the way he thinks
best then said we have heard, that teach
ing the poor to read has a tendency to make
them Disconnected with the station which prov
idence has placed them. Do you think so 2
NO, Sir quite the contrary. All that have
read in the Bible teaches US to be content
with the dispensatiOns of Providence, to he
industrious and careful. A Christian cannot
be an idle or an ungrateful man."
The fact was that during his youth and
manhood, he supported his mother and sisters
for several years, and after their death he con-
tinued the same course of industry and fru-
gality, by which he was enabled to be charit-
able to others to an extent almost Incredible
and to leave at his death, considerable sums
to his relatives and to several Religious Insti-
tutions.* At length age and lnfirmities COM
PEELED him to leave his labor, he appeared to
lay himself out entirely for the glory of God,
and the good of his fellow-creatures his acts
of benevolence were continual, but as private
as he could make them; and he manifested
peculiar dislike to fattery. Although adopt
ing a mode of life different from that which
he had been accustomed, time never appear
ed to hang heavily on his hands; he was not
gloomy or fretful; the Bible was his constant
companion, and when not engaged in reading
or meditating on its contents, he scorned to
eat the bread of idleness. Accordingly be-
sides the distribution of cloathing and money
to the poor, he found varions ways of employ
ing himself sometimes using edge-tools aud
making boxes, &c.
A brief account ofhis last hours will inter-
est our readers.
On Sunday, October 9. 1922, in returning
home from church in the afternoon he was
seized with so much debility, as to be obliged
to ask the assistance of an arm from more
than one person; and he fell down once on
his WY. During the following week, he SEEM
ed to recover. His nephew offered to read
to him, he replied, mo; now think on
what have read ;" and afterwards exclaim-
ed with much animation, 20, when think
of heaven Pierre his feelings seemed too
much for utterance.
Some days afterwards being in violent pain,
he requested his nephew to procure some one
to pray with him, and pious neighbor was
sent for. On his arrival, he asked what should
be the subject of his. petition "My dismiss
sal from the body" said the sufferer. His
friends expOstulated with HIM questioning the
propriety of such prayer, and adding in the
language of St. Paul, "Pelhaps your abid-
ing in the flesh is more needful for u.s. Mann
replied. that the Apostle was great and no.
ly man, aud could not be compared to him
self; " OF what use" he continued, lean
be to myself or others am now only bur-
den."s His friend reasoned with him on the
subject, and pointed out the duty of Gods
people in suffering, as well as doing his will.
No expression of impotence was afterwards
heard. When questioned by this visitor, as
to the state of his mind, he replied in the
words OF the apostle: II find a war in INV
members, warning against the law Of my mind.
Oh Wretched man that am who shall delv !,