Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-01-03

L. Thus one after another spoke, and eact
one regarded Heaven as a state of happi
ness into which he was to come after death
bu! the old man still sat silent, and his eye.
were bent thougtfully upon the floor
Presently one said: Ga.
"Our uged friend says nothing. Has he
no hope of Heaven?' ..-z- e..
The old man, thus addressed, looked a.
round upon his companions. His face re.
mained serene, and his eye had a heavenly
expression. 81 never think of going to
Heaven" the old man said, in mild, qui-
ct tone. - SRI.
Never think Of going 10 Heaven!':' ex-
claimed one of the most ardent of the conn
pany, his voice warming with indignation
"Are you heathen?" -
Il am one who is patiently striving to
ill my allotted place in life," replied the
old man, as calmly as before. - g'-
''And have you no hopes beyond the
grave asked the last speaker.
eff | live right here, all will be right
lhere.'' The old man pointed upward -
81 have no anxieties about the future-no
impatience-no ardent longings to pass a.
way and be at rest, as some of you have
said. already enjoy as much of heaven
as am prepared to enjoy, and this is all
that | can expect throughout eternity. You
all, my friends, seem to think that men
come into heaven when they die. You
look ahead 10 death with pleasure, because.
then you think you will enter the happy
state you anticipate-or rather place.; for
it is clear you regard heaven as a place
full of delights, prepared for those who may
be fitted to become inhabitants thereof
but in this you are mistaken. If you do
not enter heaven before you die, you will
never do so afierward. If heaven be not
formed within you, you will never find it
out of you-you will never come into it."
These remarks offended the company,
and they spoke harshly to the old man, who
made no reply, but arose and retired, with
a sorrowful expression on his face. He
went forth and resumed his daily occupa-
tions; and pursued them diligently. Those
who bad been assembled with him, also
went forth one 10 his merchandise, each
one forgetting all he had thought about
Heaven and its felicitles, ana only anxious
to serve natural life and get gain. Heav-
en- was above the world to them, and d,there-
fore, while in the world they could only
act upon the principle that governed the
world; and prepare for Heaven by pious
acts on the Sabbath.
The old man, to whom allusion has been
made, kep, store fer the sale Of various
useful articles; those Of the pious company
who needed these articles as commodities
of trade, or for their own use, bought oil
him, because they believed that he would
sell them only what was Of good quality.
One of the most ardent Of these. came into
the old mans store, one day, holding a
small package in his hand; his eye was
restless, his lip compressed, and he seemed
struggling to keep down feeling of excite
ment.
"Look at that he said, speaking with
some sternnes, us he threw the package on
the OLD mans counter.
The package was taken up, opened and
examined
"Well!" said the old man, after he had
made the examination, looking up with n
steady eye and calm expression Of coun'
tenance.
SWELL! Don't you see what is the mat
ter?"
81 see tha. this article is damaged one, >
was replied
"And yet you sold it to me for good
The tone in which this was said, implied
belief that there had been an intention o.
wrong.
a flush warmed the pale cheek of the
old man at this remark. He examined the
sample before him more carefully, and
then opened barrel of the same commod
ity and compared its contents with the sam
pie. They agreed. The sample from
which he had bought and by which he hae
sold, was next examined-this was in gooc
condition, and of the best quality.
.sAre you satisied?' asked the visiter,
with an air of triumph.
"Of what?" the old man asked.
''Tha, You sold me bad article for c
good one.''
sIntentionally?"
"You are the best Judge. That lies with