Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-02-20
s ECT TALE.
From the Morning Star.
The Temptation.


frequently brings among the hills of New
Hampshire. Williams bed was hard, and the
cold wind found its way through many a crack
and crevice in his ruinous cottage, but he
might have slept, it his mind had been at ease
His wife was delicate woman, toll and ex-
rosure had brought on lingering illness, and
she lay all night, moaning with pain, and
shiveriug with the cold.
William arose, | said, and having kindled a
tire, went forth into the open air. The clouds
were black and heavy, and the winds swept in
gusts through the naked trees. Away in the
distance, the tops of the mountains were al
seady Write with snow. He had engaged a
days work on neghboring farm, but it was
useless to go-the farmer would not work that
day; so he turned with heavy step. and en-
tered his cherries dwelling The children
were soon stirring, and the pale suffering
mother rose from her restless couch, to pre-
pare the morning meal. A few potatoes were
boiled for the father and children, and cup of
cruel prepared for herself.
William Carter and his wife had seen better
days; but sickness and misfortune, the fraud
of some, and the cruelty of others, had driven
them forth from their pleasant home, which
he had spent the strength of his early manhood
to purchase, and forced them to take shelter
in their present miserable abode They were
Christians, and they had hitherto borne up,
under the crushing weight of their affections.
with meek and quiet spirit. Looking for
ward to that bright hereafter, they had suf-
fered patiently, knowing that those affections
are but for moment, and the glory which
shall be revealed eternal
1t had long been William Carriers practice
fe assemble his family in the morning, to hear
the blessed truths of inspiration and to bow be-
fore the Mercy seat of Heaven. That morn
ing, the children seated themselves as usual.
and Mrs. Carter brought forth the Bible, and
laid it before her husband. Moving it away
he said, 4 cannot read or pray | have no
faith, and what is not of faith is SIM and rs-
ing. he seated himself at the table The
children looked up with astonishment.
What is the matter, father,' said little
Alice, pressing close to his chair Why don I
you ask God for our daily bread,'
A tear stole silently down the mothers
cheek, as she took her place with her family
around the scanty board.
why can't we have some bread and but
ter said little James, child six years old,
pushing away the potato which was offered
him. We,used to have bread and pies, and |
don't want potatoes all the time
An expression of agony passed over the
fathers face. A torrent of bitter feelings
were rushing through his heart-murmurngs
against rovidence-repinings at his lot-un-
belief in God.
Why should my children want for bread,
while others have enough and to spare . he
exclaimed Have | not labored honestly, but
where is the blessing which God has promised
TO them that trust in him, The man, who.
by extortion and violence, has taken away our
rights, lives in plenty and ease, while and
mine must pine with hunger and cold'
DO not arraign the justice and the wisdom
of God,' said Mrs. Carter, wiping away her
tears, and looking tenderly on her husband
Our Heavenly Father will not suffer Us to be
tempted nor afflicted beyond what we are able
TO bear
Bear II would bear every thing but this.
/ can bear toll, humiliation and want myself ;
but cannot see my children pine for bread
and you shivering in this miserable hovel =
your sufferings will drive me mad
The wife arose from her place, and ap-
preaching her husband, she threw her arm
around his neck, and pressed her lips to his
burning brow. William she said, turn not
away from the promises of God-seal not up
the only fountain of consolation which remains
to us. While we have home and meal as
good as this, let us not be unthankful. Our
master had not where to lay his head.
. 1t is the memory of my wrongs-of your
wrongs, rather,-for myself l do not care
which is cankering nv heart, and maddening
nv brain. If there is God. why does he
suffer the rich TO Cypress the poor, and the
strong to crush the weak, | sometimes feel
like taking justice into my own hands, and
with my own arm avenging my cause
Let me not see you thus, my husband
Throw not away faith, with its memory of
past blessings, and its hopes for the future
We have received good at the hand of the
Lord many times has he made our cup of
blessings to overflow; and shall we murmur,
and blindly accuse His justice, if He suffer
the tempest to beat upon our heads. Oh! be-
ware, that evil thoughts spring not up in your
hart. Sin will bring sorrows less bearable
tha, those of poverty. Think not so bitterly
of our wrongs. Vengeance is the Lords, and
he viii repay Let us, like our Divine
Teacher, who suffeied wrongs infinitely great
er than ours, forgive and pity our enemies.
Il have tried hard tolearn that lesson be-
fore, and thought, whenpo trials were upon
me. that had succeeded. u know it must be
wrong-this angry ard reveAgeful spirit-and
I have tried at times to stiie i in my heart,
but it will not die. 1t fingers there. poisoning
and polluting all within me. ] hve tried to
nrav. but it has risen up, like black cloud,
hiding the face of my Heavenly Father, and ]
have felt as if deserted by God and ma.
{ God sometimes hides His face and suffers us
- walk in our own strength, that we may
r..,v bov weak we are, and feel the oorup-