The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1850-08-28
MISCELLA N ECU S.
My SViGe'S Gold Ring:
Or, John Gdspard Lauatcr and the Poo
WidoW. .u....,

II was the practice with Lavater IAN eml,
nent clergyman, born in Zuuch, Switzerland,
l74l,) to read every morning one or more
chapters uf the Bible, and 10 select from them
one particular passage Tor frequent and
special meditation during the dSy. One
morning after reading he fifth and sixth
chapters Of the Gospel Of Matthew, he ex'
claimed "What treasure Of morality! how
difficult 10 make choice of any particular
portion ofit!m After few moments con,
siGeration he thew himself upon his knees,
,ond prayed for Divine guidance,
When he joiued his wife at dinner, she
asked him what passage of scripture he had
chosen for the Say.
"'Give mo him that askeh thee and from
him that would borrow Of thee, :lrn no
jaway,2n was the reply. HAndho3 slllisAt
! be unGerstood?" s,iI his wife. "'Give 'e
| him that asketh thee; aud from him tha
would borrow Of thee, lufn not away. =
thpse,n reioined Lavaler, "are the words o
| Him to whom all and everything belong tina
possess, am the steward, not The propfie
tor. The proprietor desires me 10 give t
hrm who asks of me; and not to refuse hin
who would borrow Of me or, in other words
lif have two coats, must give one to hin
WHO, has none, and if | have TODD, mus
share with him who is an hungered and ii
wants this must do without being asked
how mach more, then, when asked. "
"'rhis," continues Layator in his diary
|'appeared TO me SO evidently and Incontro
verribly to be the meaning of the. verses j
/ question, thatI spoke wit h more than usua
warmth; my wife made no further reply tha
that she would we'll consider these things"
ii had scarcely left the dining room fey
minutes, when an aged widow desired
speak to me, and she was shown into m
Isjudy. Forgive me, dear sir she said, 'eA
cuse the liberty am about 10 take; al
Ilruy ashamed, but my rent is due 10 morrow
and am short six dollars; have been COZ
fined 10 my bed with sickness, and my POT
= glt is nearly starving; every penny that
(. could save have laid aside 10 meet this d.
mand, but six dollars are YET wanting, and t
morrow is term day. Here she opened
!, parcel, which she held in her hand, and SAL
+ 'Ths is book With silver clasp, which n
j. Iate husband gave me the day we were ma
p ficd. Ii is all can spare OF the few artcl
: possess, and sore It is 10 part with It.
y am aware thai is not enough, nor do S
- how could ever repay--bui, dear sir, if y,
2 can, do assist me-
''G am very sorry, my good woman, tina
cannot help you,' said; and putting I
hsnd into my pocket, | accldently felt {
purse, which contained about two doIla
y these, said TO myself, cannot extricate !
from her difficulty, she requires six; besd
if even they could, have need of this nc
n. ey for some other purpose. Turning to
il widow, | said Have you no friend, no re
n ZION, who could give you this trifie?'' z
~ "No,lhere is no one! | am ashamed
% 90 from house to house. would ratl
Is. wor; day and night My excuse for bo
lly here is, that people speak so much Of y,
goodness. II, however, you cannot assist |
- YOU will at least forgive my Intrusion; !
Il God, WHO has nover yet forsaken me, will
L surely turn away fiom me in my six'l
year" .,r
"At this moment the door Of MY apr
lment opened aud my Wlle eH'eien.
ih1SS ashamed and vexed. Gladly would b
nb- sent her away; for conscience whisper
rie- Give 10 him that asketh thee; and from
TO that would borrow of thee, turn not /
"" away She catne up 10 me and said, '
much sweetness, This is a good old won
- size has certainly been i'll Of lnte; assist
if you can =
Z aShnme and compassion struggled in
Du- darkeued soul 4 have but two dollars
by said in whisper, 'and she requires six
ores give her title in the hand and leI her
"Layng her head on my arm and sml
T. my wife said aloud, what conscience
d whispered before: Give 10 him that us
.. thee; and from him iha, would borro'
4ats, thee, turn not thou away. 'r a97 -
~ blnshed, and replied, with some
q. vexatiou Would you giue your ring .tc
,pwposer
lived "With pleasures" answered my wife,
ca LOG off her ring! Catf2 e9 q
- YThe good old widow was either loo
sythe pie or loo modest 70 notice what was
% snIs on, and was preparing 10 retire, ,Nhe!
'Se wife called 10 her 10 walt 10 the lobby.