Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-02-24

'"You must shun evil as SIM" the min
lister remarked, in n serious tone.
81 know that, aud it il for that rea son
that / am troubled I have uDkind
thoughts, and they are evil, and yet ]
cannot put these unkind thoughts away"
For a moment the minister sat silent,
and then looking up with q smile, said
"Come, Aunt Mary, be open and
frank. Tell me all the particulars of
your troubles, and then | am sure | can
help you"
Aunt Mary, in turn, sat silent and
thoughtful for short period, and then
raising her head, she proceeded to relate
her troubles. She told him how much
she had been tried, year after year, dur.
ing the preserving season, by the ne gh.
bors who had borrowed the preserving
kettle. II was the best in the village,
and she took pride in It, but she could
have no satisfaction in its posse ession. II
WAS always going, and never returned in
good order. She then frankly related
how she had been tried by Mrs. Tom
kins, and how nearly all Of her preserves
were spoiled, because she could not get
home her kettle. How the unklnd leei-
ings that had suddenly sprung up be-
tween 'hem in consequence had troubled
her, and even caused her to abstain, un-
der conscientious scruples, from the com
munion.
The minister's heart felt lighter in his
bosom, as she concluded her simple mar
rative, and smiling encouragingly, he
said
"Don't let il trouble you, Aunt Mary;
it will all come right again. You have
certainly been treated very badly, and !
don't wonder, at al, that your feelings
were tried"
"But what shall do :" asked Aunt
Mary eagerly. 81 feel very much troub-
led; and am very anxious to have all un-
kindness done away"
"Do you think you can forgive Mrs.
Tomkins 7"
80, yes. She has not acted kindly,
but | can forgive her from my heart"
"Tben you mi eht call over and see
her, ard explain the whole matter to her.
ain sure that all difficulties will end
there"
81 will 60 this day." Aunt Mary said,
resolutely, under the impulse which her
minister's advice had given her.
"Then all will be well again." he said,
encouragingly.
The minister sat a short time longer,
and then went away. lie had no soon-
er gone, than Aunt Mary put on her
things, and went directly over TO Mrs
Tomkins.
Good morning, Mrs. Pierce ~ that
lady said, cooIly, as she entered. She
had always before called her by the ia
milar name by which she was known in
the village.
"Good morning, Mrs. Tomkins. ]
have come over to say that | am very
sorry if | offended you on Saturday. ]
am sure that did not me an to do so. !
only sent for my kettle, aud would not
have done that, had not some seven or
eight jars Of preserves been working"
80, it was no offence to send for your
kettle, Mrs Tomkins replied, smiling. -
"Thal was all right and proper. was
only little vexed at your Hamah's
impudence. But, Aunt Mary, 'let has
beens be has beens' am sorry that
there has been the least bit of GOODNESS
betwiXt u"
Aunt Mary's heart bounded as lightly
as if a hundred pound weight had been
taken from it. She was made happy on
the instant
"You don't know how glad I am to
hear you say so, Mrs Tomkins," she
said earnestly. at has removed a load
from my heart. Hereafter, hope moth
ing will occur again to disturb our friend
ly feelings You may have the kettle
III a day or two in welcome, and keep i,
as long as you please"
The breach was thus easily healed,
and had Aunt Mary gone over On Salur-
day, TO see Mrs. Tomkins, she would
have saved herself world OF trouble.
Still nothing of this was known to the
other members Of the church, who were
as full of conjecture as ever as to the sin
guIar conduct, as they called it, of Aunt
Mary. The minister said nothing, and
Mrs. Tomkins, of course said nothing ::
and no one yentured to question Aunt,
Mary.
On the next Sabbath, Aunt Mary
came to church as usual, and all eyes
were instantly upon her Some thought
she still looked troubled, and was paler
than before, while others perceived that
she was really more cheerful. In due
time, the minister arose and announced
his text:
"Gve to him that askeh, and of him
that would borrow Of thee, turn thou not
away"
"My dear Giends," he said, on draw
ing near Ia the close Of his subject, "the
text teaches us, besides that Of simple
alms-giving, the duly Of lending. But
you will observe, that il says not word
about borrowing. Under the law laid
down here, we may lend as much as we
please, but 1t gives no license for bor-
rowing. Now, as far as i have been
able to learn, number Of my congrega-
tIon have not been very particular upon
this point. They seem TO think, that it
is helping their neighbors to keep this
injunction 10 lend, by compelling an obe-
dience 10 the precept whether they are
inclined to obey or not. Now this is