Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1838-02-19
From the Sabbath School Visitor.
THE DAY OF TEMPTATION AND
VICTORY

THE DAY OF TEMPTATION AND
VICTORY.
"The rain drops come fast, and the wind
sounds mournfuIiy enough. | don't think
we shall ever see sunshine again." said
John Marley, as he sat shverng in the
corner.-"l am sure it would be blessed
thing TO have one single stick Of neighbor
Farwc's wood"
The room was dark and gloomy. An
old table was placed near The bed, and was
covered with the scanly remains of scan
~ dinner. Now and then a little girl
stole noiseIessly up to a broken plate, and
silently ATE the pariugs orsome cold pota-
toes, which had been given them the day
before and, then taking bone which she
had for the third time replaced upon the
table, because she had eaten from it all that
could be eaten, she sat down close to her
brother, and laying her cheek upon his
knee, put it again 10 her mouth, while the
tears filled her eyes.
These Are hard times. my poor little
sissy. Now, which would YOU ra her ha We,
a good dinner or a warm fire 7"
II should rather have a warm fire, f)r
feel very cold"
A low moan was heard from the bed, and
over it, Said "Mo,her, do vou feel het
ter ?"-"No, jain. NOT mnch'.-2oor Mrs.
Marley had been long suffering from Sc
we're rheumatism, which had been greatly
increased during the last lew damp & chilly
days. "Where is Grorge?" she asked, as
she raised her head, and looked around
the room.
He went ont" replied John, 60 ask
neighbor FnrwelI for few sticks of wood"
Mrs. Maney shook her head, for she
well knew how unavallnr would be such a
request. "Oh mother" said JOHN. "here
are two as Stout hands rs ever boy had
AID am eleven years old Tomorrow. II
any body would employ ne, p
He was here interrupted by noise on
the stairs, an presently The duor opened,
and George Manev, with lis arms fiIl of
wood, hastily entered. His checks were
flushed, and there was an anvions express
sion upon his cnunlenance. He threw The
wood upon the hearth, ami then, standing
erect and looking round upon he a,tnnah-
cd group, lie exclaimed, "What do YOU
think orthat;"
Why" said John, 81 for one, am glad
TO see it,"
And I, too" said little Mary, "lor
am almost frozen"
George, did neighbor Farwell give
You that wond?" asked Mrs. NTanev.
"No, Mother, | went 10 him, and lie snid
he couldn't aft rd 10 give 10 folks that laid
ahed and didn't work. I told him YOU was
sick, and he said il was very convenient
10 be sick in cold weather, for The BID was
generally the warmeS! place"
Mrs. Manley sighed heavily, and asked
where then, did you Get that wood -
"Why, mather, as passed his wood-houre
] saw The gale open, and a great pile OF
wood close by. knew The cross old rrI-
low was out of he way, for he was shaw
ing, and said 10 myself "Mv pnor moth
er is sick, and we shall all freeze To death :"
and so picked up lew chips that were
outside of The gate. and those great sticks
took from off The pile. But, mother, IN
tell you what il is: IFS dreadful h1h To
steal, and | had rather work my fingers to
the bone than 20 do il again"
Mrs. Manlev raised herselron her elbow,
and with look OF intense and hitter sor-
row, gaZed on her son, then laying her
head again on her pillow, she hurst into
tears. The children surrounded her bed {;
but they spoke not. AT last, wiping the
large tears from her cheek with the sleeve
of her coarse and well patched night-1nwn,
she turned her eyes again on George.
There was deep feeling in her tone as She
said, ."My son, il is he will Of God that we
should suffer but he has said, "Thon shalt
not steal That wood must be returned.
] had rather see nv children stsrve and
freeze, than TO see Them break any Of God s
co0nandmenls.-Now take it all, every
stick, and carry il back
"Oh, mother" said George, 81 cont
dare TO-"
arm 20 with YOU" said little Mary, "I'n
sure | ant afraid"
But what if neighbour Farwell sees
me'"
"Tell him, nv son, that you took his
wood and have come to return it, and ask
| his forgiveness"
''l's cold afternoon, mother. AMI nv
feet nrhr-and my fingers feel like icceS ,
"Nrver mind, Georgr, GNd will nrovide
for those tina, do right. He will never
io'Sakr those that pm, their trust in him"
John, should you dare - goH' asked
George, as he begun tn o'lrct the chinS.
81 shouldn't dare 10 90 TO sleen il | didn't
and am sure, George, you will never he
hapDv till vo do"
81 will help Won carry them" said Mary
Sand if ncighhor Farwcl asks YOU wha
you sole lnr will tell him this verse: 4
We lnrgive moi men their trespassrs, neither
will your heavenly Father fnrgive YOU"
VALUABLE SENTIMENT.
eff there ~ any sentiment of most value
f,r The comfort The character. the yirluou,