Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-07-26

ed wood enough to last the poor mans family for
more than week.
Was he not true Christian minister? and may
we not all follow his example'
once visited poor, miserable dwelling, where
| heard very bad man using wicked and cruel
language to his wife, who was confined TO her BED
by illness; it was fearful to see and hear him; ana
am sorry to say, had not the courage to speak
to bim-I actually trembled with horror ana dreao;
But little Girl about eleven years OF age an"
who was diving with consumption, went up 10 tne
angry man. and laid her small, emacIated, thIn
hand upon his arm, and looked right up IN his race
and said, "Father, don't speak So Uod nearS all
we say, pray don't speak so, latne[ one u..e.-
ed these few words with such tender earnestnesS'
and such loving gentleness that her feeble, trem-
bling voice touched the heart of the angry man,
and he was silent for moment, and then he Salu,
81 will do any thing that child tells me to DO, Tor
she's an angel" His fierce nature was subdued;
goodness aud love had made this little girl one OF
Gods ministcring angels to her wicked father.
Go with me now to that small, gloomy room,
aud see sitting in one corner of it, poor sick look
ing boy; there is pair Of crutches on the floor by
his side; his face is too thoughtful for one so
young; tears are running slowly down his cheeks
as he is looking into the fire. so sadly, so uncon-
sciously. His mother is so busy at her work she
does not see his tears. Presently bright healthy
looking boy comes singing and laughing INTO the
room; his cheeks are rosy, and his step is full OF
10y. "Why, James, said the lame boy, 81 tho't
you had gone with all the other boys skating this
noon-ig evening"" "No," said James, 81 have
come to play with you; come, where's the back
Igammon-board? shall beat you well tonight to
make up for the drubbing you gave me the last
time we payed.''
"Oh how glad ami" said the poor prisoner.
Now look at his pleasant face; his tears are dri-
ed up; he IS as merry as his friend The room
no longer seems small and gloomy, for the laugh
ter of innocent aud happy hearts can make any
place seem bright and joyful;
The mind that feels no smart,
Enliyens all it sees,
and before the light of love, narrow walls seem t
melt away, and boundless heaven to open upor
us. These are true stories | have told. Let u
thank God, for all the faithful ministers of biz
Itruh and love- that we have ever known, and who
have been the dispensers Of his goodness to us
and let US remember to go and do likewise, ant
that each one Of us may be, and ought to be, il
his or her humble sphere, minister of His love tt
whoever needs any help that we can give.
And who is there so weak that he cannot he'll
some one? Who is so Very poor that he can d.
no good to any one? Like the poor minister, h
can perhaps give his time and his labor to tn
poor; like the heavenly minded little girl he ca
give such an example of patient, gentle goodness
that his small hand and feeble voice may perhap
have the power to control the fierce passions &
the wicked, with whom lie may be forced to asso
ciate. Like the loving, happy hoy, he may cheer
fully resign some of his merry play hours to IN
poor lonely sufferer who seems to he forgotten b
all, and left to weep alone in this wide, happ
world; and by carrying 10 him the fresh, overflow
ing Joy of his own heart, may chase away h
gloom,
And make a wintry sky
Seem bright as early May.
Thus may we all be imitators of Him who can
into the world not to he minisered to, but to mil