Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-05-23
From the Morning Star.
The Template

The Temptation.
William Carter arose from fiful and easy
slumber. The night had beer cold and windy,
such night as December usually brings among
the hills of New Hampshire. Williams bed
was hard, and the cold wind found its way
through many crack and crevice in his ruin
Gus cottage, but he ght have slept, if his mind
had been at ease. His wife was a delicate wo-
man, toll and exposure had brought on Iinger-
ing illness, and she lay all night moaning with
pain, and shlvering with the cold.
William arose, said, and, having kinded
fire, went forth into the open air. The clouds
were black and heavy, aud the wind swept in
gusts through the naked trees. Away in the
distance. the tops of the mountains were already
white with snow. lie had engaged days
work on neighboring farm, but it was useless
to ro--the farmer would not work that day ; so
he turned with heavy step, and entered his
cheerless dwelling. The children were soon
stirring and the pale suffering mother rose from
her restless couch to prepare the morning meal.
A few potatoes were boiled for the father and
children, and cup Of cruel prepared for her
self.
William Carter and his wife had seen better
days but sickness and misfortune, the fraud OF
some, and the cruelty OF others, had rven them
forth from their pleasant home, which he had
spent the strength OF his early manhood TO pur-
chase, and forced them to take shelter in their
present miserable abode. They were Chris
tians, and had hitherto borne up under the crush
inr weight of their affi ctlons with meek and
quiet spirit Looking forward to tha. bright
hereafter. they had suffered patiently, knowing
that these Affections are but for moment, and
the glory which shall be revealed eternal.
1t had long been William Carter's practice 10
assemble his family in the morning, TO hear the
Blessed truths of inspiration, and to bow before
the mercy seat of Heaven. Tha. morning, the
children seated themselves as usual, and Mrs
Carter brought forth the Bible and laid 1t before
her husband. Moving it away, he SAID,
Il cannot read or pray. have no faith, and
what is not faith is sin and, rising, he seated
hmselfat the table. The children looked up
with establishment.
What is the matter, father (? said little Alice
pressing closely 10 his chair. why don't 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.
sWhv can't we have some bread and butter,
said little James. a child six years old, pushing
away the potato which was offered him. We
used te have bread and pies, and don't want
potatoes all the time
An expression of agony passed over the faith
er's face. A torrent of bitter feelings was rush.
ing through his heart-murmurlngs agans,
Providence-repining at his lot-unbelef in
God.
why should my children want for bread
while others have enough and to spare 2 he ex-
claimed. Have not labored honestly 4! 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
i 'Do not tarraign the justice and the wisdom o
God said Mrs. Carter, wipng away her tears
and looking tenderly on her husband 'Ou1
Heavenly Father will not suffer us to be tempt
ed or afflicted beyond what we are able TO bear.
Bear! would bear any thing but this.
can bear toll, humiliation and want myself bu
cannot see my children pine ipf bread, ant
you shivering in this miserable hoyel you
sutferings VIII drive me mad,
The wife arose from her place, and, approach
ing her husband, she threw her arm around hi
neck, and pressed her lips to his burning brow
William she said, turn not away from tn
promises of God-sedl not up the only founta
OF CODSOlGllOH w HlCH W US w Hllc W
have home and meal as good as this, u
not be unthankful. Our master had not wher
to lay his head
1T is the memory of my wrongs-of you
wrongs. rather-for myself do not care.-whic
is cankering my heart and maddening my brair
II there is God, why does he suffer the ric
to oppress the poor, and the strong to crush tn
weak? | sometimes feel Ike taking iustic
into my own hands and with my own arm aver
gng my cause
Let me not see you thus, my husband
Throw not away faith, with lis memory of pas
blessings, and is hopes for the future. W
have received good at the hand of the Lord
many times has ne made our cup to overflow
aud shall we murmur and blindly accuse Hi
Justice, if lie suffer The tempest to beat upo
p our heads On! beware that evil though,
spring not mp in your heart Sin will brn
sorrows less beardble than those of poverty
Think not so bitterly OF our wrongs. Venge
ance is the Lords, and he will repay. Let u
like our Divine Teacher who suffered wrong
infinitely greater than ours, forgive and pit
cur enemies.
Il have tried hard to learn that lesson befur,
and thought, when no trials were upon IN,
that had succeeded know it must be wron
this angry and reytngeiul spirt-and hav
tried at times to STIFF it in my heart, but it wi
no, die. 1t fingers hcre, poisoning and polr
ting all within me- ] have tried 10 prar, but
has risen up like back cloud, hiding the fac
of my Heavenly Father, and have felt as
a Cd -. 4 = 4 9,