Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-10-30
MISCELL A n Y.
MY wIFE's GOLD RING,
m eA.pARp IAyArER AND TINE POOR WIDOW.

nw,,a practice with Lava,er (an eminent Clergyman,
horn in Zurich Swtzerand,) to read every morning
ons q, more chapters in the Bible and 10 select from them
one particular passage for frequent aud special meditation
during the day One morning after reading the 9th and o
eh,pers of the Gospel of Matthew, he exclaimed -" hat
treasure of morality how difficult to make choice OF any
norton of it'' After few momens conslderaiIon he
,hr. himself upon his knees, aud prayed for Divine gad-
ance
When he oined his wife FOR dinner she asked him what
MASSAGE Of the scripture he had chosen tor the day.
iye to him that askeh thee and from him that would
harrow Of thee turn not away" his reply "And how
ia this IN he understood" ;" said his wife. "Glve 10 MN
that askeh thee aud from him that would borrow OF thee
,r,D no, away These" reoned Lavater fare the words
f him 10 whom all and everything belong that possess
am the steward not the proprietor, The proprietor de-
;,e. me 10 give to him who asks Of me- and not to refuse
him who would borrow Of me or in other WORDS 1t have
,,vo coas must give one to him who has none, and
have 6od must share with him who is hungered and
In want: this must do without being asked"
orbsn continues Lavaer in his diary, appears to me
40 evidently and incontroyeraay be the meaning of the
verses in question, that spoke with more than usual
warmth my wife made no further reply than she would
well consider these things.
al had scarcely left the dining few minutes,
when an aged widow desired to speak to me- and she was
shown into my study Forgive me, dear sir she said
excuse the liberty am about to take am truly ashamed,
bu, my rent is due morrow and am short SIX dollars
have been confined to my bed with sickness and my poor
girl is nearly starving; every penny that could save
have laid aside to meet this demand but SIX dollars are yet
wanting. and tomorrow is term day Here she opened
marcel which she held in her hand, and said This is
book with silver clasp which my late husband gave me
the day we were married 1t is all spare of the few
articles possess, and it is part with H. am aware
that it is not enough, do see how could ever repay
vou-but, dear sir, il you can, do assist me-"
al am very sorry, my good woman, that I cannot help
Won said aud putting my hand into my pockets, ac
cideualy el, my purse which contained about two dollars;
these said to myse cannot extricaie her from her diff
ntv she reouires six besides feven they could have
need OF this money for some other purpose Turning to the
,-;d,u I said "Have YOU no friend, no relation, who
could give you this tn1e %
..No there is no one! am ashamed to 20 from house
% house. would rather work day and night My ex-
cp, fr being here s that people should speak 50 much OF
Won, kindness If however, you cannot assist me- you
will =, least foye nv intrusion and God, who mas never
ye, iOrsaken me. will not surely away from me IN my
eI1uch leHli
kt ms momen, the door Of my apartment opened anu my
,.G. catered. was ashamed and yexed. Gladly wo"'u
bs. sent he. away Tor conscience whispered, uiVe 10
h ,1,, sketh thee and from him that would borrow OF
,hee tsta ROT thou away She cae up to me and Sao'
,v,b much sweetness. This is good Old woman; she
has certainly 5eeu in of late assist her you can"
Shame and compassion struggled in my darkened soul.
~, ,v. dollars said in whisper, "and she re-
ou,es ,, lI give her le in the hand and let her GO"
Laying her head my arm and smiling my w''' said said
aloud wha, conscience had whispered before "0ive 10 m
that aske,h thee and from him that would Oorr0" Oh "ee'
turn not thou away"
blushed and rrned with some little vexatiOn: "H'"d
yOn g'rs your ring for the purpose"
..lyi,h pleasure answered my wife, pulling oil Her
ring. oa
Tn. good old either too simple or two MOD
a., u ooee what was gnug and preparing to re-
,ire when my wife called to her to wait in the oO0y
when we were ef alone, asked my wife, care you IN