The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-05-17
TIIR TEmPrATION.

a. TIiE TEMPTATION
William Carter arose from GtG,l aad IN
paay puD,ber. The night had boon cold and
windy such night Aa December usually
brings among che hills Of New Hampshire
WilliAn's bed was hard, and the cold wind
found IL way urough nApy a crack aud
crevioo In his Tuinoup cottage bat be might
have slept " his mind Ind been AZ case. Ills
wife was a delicate woman toll aud eSposurc
had brought on n lingering Illness, and she
lay all night moaning with pain, aud shyer-
ing with The cold. Irt
william arose, 7 said, and having Kihdl6d
FIRE, went forth into the open air This
clouds were black and heavy, and the wind
swept in gusts through the naked trees, A.
way in the distance the tops of the mountains
were already white with snow lie had on.
gagged days work ON a noighboring farm,
but il was useless 10 go--hc farmer would
not work that day; 30 nc turned with heavy
step and entered his cherries dwelling, The
children were soon stirring, aud the pale suf-
fering mother rose iron, her couch TO prepare
the morning mcnl. A few potatoes were
boiled for the father and children and cup
Of Cruel prepared for hoNclc
William Carter and his wife aud seen bet
ter days but sickness and misfortune, the
fraud af aonic. and tho eraalty efethers,- huJi
driven them from their pleasant home which
hc had spent the strength of his early man
hood TO purchase, and forced them TO take
shelter in their present miserable abode
They were christians and had litbcyto l,,arc,e
,,,, s,s,sis,t vtu vrusninR wciRht oi 'h''T "h"'-
tons with a meek and quiet spirit Looking
forward 20. that bright hereafter, they had
,adIercd patiently knowing that these allie
tions are bnt for momentand the glory that
5Ifait be reusivrri, etaFasl-
IL had long been William Carriers practice
90 assemble his family in the morning TO hear
the blessed truths ofingpiraton, and 10 bow
before the mercy seat Of Heaven. That morn
ina tho Children seated themselyos as usual,
..aA Mira Carter brought forth the Bible and
laid Il before her husband. Moving II away
he said, ~ cannot read or pray ] have no
faith, and what is not fnith,is SIM" and rising
he seated himself at the table The children
looked up with astonishment
eWhat. is the matter, fhther2' said little
Alice pressing closely TO his chair. "Why
don't you ask God for your daily bread y
A tear stole silently down the mother
check, ms she took lTer place with her family
around the seanty board.
why can't we have some bread and but
ter 4" said little james, a child six years old
pushing away the potatoe which was Offered
him awe used to have bread and pies, ant
] don't want potatoes all the time" .
An expression of agony passed over th'
fathers facp. a tofreHGoF bitter Feelings wa
rushing through his hcart-murmnringa a
painst Providence-repinings at his iot--un
beliefin God.
why should my children want for bread
while others have enough and to spare T'~h
exclaimed Have not labored honestly
but where is the blessing which God h0
urohnised to them that trust in him? TIL
man who, by extortion and Violence has t.
ken away our right lives in plenty and eas
while ]. and mine must pine with hunger an
cold" ' r' -
'Dc not arraign the Justice and wisdom o
Cod said Mrs Cartor,wiping away her tea'
and looking tenderly on her husband Sor
heavenly Father VIII not sufFcr MS 20
tempted or afflicted beyond what we are ab
to bear n frsr.s an--.
Bearl would bear everything but thi
i can bear toll, humiliation and want mysel
but cannot see my children pine for brrH
aud you shiyering in this miserable hoyel !
Your suaeripgs will drive me mad
The wife arose from her place, and a
proaching her husband, she threw her arr
around bis neck, and pressed her lips to j
burning brow.
William she said, turn not away from Il
promises of God-scal not up the only fou
tain Of consolation which remains to u.s..
While we have a homie and q meal AS good
this, let us not be unthankful. Our mast
had not where to-day his head.
1T is the memory of my wrongs-ef 20
wrongs, rather--dor myself do not care
which Is caniyuring my heart and paaddeni
my brain. If there is God, why does
suITcr the rich 10 oppreAs the poor, and
strong 70 er,,sh the weak i sometimes Fl
bike taking justice into my own hands,
with my own arm ayehging my cause
Let me not scr YOU thus my huslfaAd'