Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-08-15
MY WIFEs GOLD RING.
OR, JOHN GAsPARD LAvATER AND THE
POOR WIDOW.

HOOk WIDOW.
1t was a practice with Lavater ian emi-
nent clergyman, born liz Zurich, Switzerland
1914, to read every morning one or more
chapters in the Bible, and to select from
them one particular passage for frequent and
special meditation during the day. One
morning after reading the fifth and sixth
chapter of the Gospel of Mathew, he exclaim-
led, What treasure Of morality how diff
cult to make choice Of any portion of itp-
After few moments consideration, he threw
himself upon his knees, and prayed for Di-
vine guidance
Ia When he joined his wife for dinner, she
asked him what passage of the scripture he
had chosen for the day.
I Give to him that asketh thee: and from
/ him that would borrow of thee, turn not A.
way was the reply. And how is this to be
understood, said his wife. Give to him that
asketh thee; and from him that would bor-
row ofthee turn not awav,'-sThese.' reioin-
ed Lavater, are the words Of him to whom
all and everything belong that | possess. I
am the steward not the proprietor. The pro
prietor desires me to give TO him who asks
OF me and not to refuse him who would bor-
row of me /; or in other words, ii / have two
coats, must give one to him who has none.
and if have food, l must share with him
who is an hungered and in want this |
must do without being asked how much
more, then, when asked
This, continues LaEater in his dart. tap-
pears to me so evidently and uncontroverti-
bly, to be the meaning of the verses in oues-
ton, that | spoke with more. than usual
warmth; my wife made no further reply
than that she would well consider these
things.
i had scarcely left the dining room a few
minutes, when an aged widow desired to
speak to me, and she was shown into nv
study. Forgive me, dear SIR she said. ex-
cuse the liberty am about to take; / am
truly ashamed, but my rent is due to-rnor-
row, and am short six dollars l have been
confined to my bed with sickness, and nv
poor girl is nearly starving every penny that
could save | have laid aside to meet this de-
mand but six dollars aresyet wanting. and
tomorrow is term day. Here. she opened a
parcel which she held in her hand, and said !:
This Is book with silver clasp which nv
late husband gave me the day we were mar
red. 1t is all can spare of the few articles
possess, and sore it is to part with it. am
aware that it is not enough. nor do. | see
how could ever repay you-but, dear sir,
| If you can, assist me-
1 am very sorry, my good woman, that |
cannot help, you, l said: and putting nv
hand into my pocket, l accidently felt nv
purse, which contained about two dollars
these, said TO myself cannot extricate her
from her difficulty, she requires six; besides
if even they could, have need of this mon.
ey for some other purpose Turning to the
widow, said Have you no friend, no re.
lation, who could give you this tiife 2
No, there is no one I am ashamed te
go from house to house. l would rather
work day and night Ny excuse for being
here is, that people should speak so much o
your goodness. IT. however, you cannot as
sist me, you will at least forgive my intrusion
and God, who has never yet forsaken me
will not surely turn away from me in my six
tieth year
AT this moment the door of my apart
ment opened and my wife entered. wa.
ashamed and vexed. Gladly would l hav,
sent her away for conscience whispered
Give to him that asketh, and from him tha
would borrow of thee, turn not away Sh,
came up to me and said, with much sweet
ness,-eIhis is a good old woman she ha
certainly been i'll Of late, assist her if you can
Shame and compassion struggled in m
e darkened soul. 4 have but two dollars
), said in whisper, and she requires six; Z
n give her triae in the hand and let her 90
d Laying her head on my arm and smiling
II my wife said aloud what conscience ha
whispered before Give to him that asket
y thee and from him that would borrow
i thee, turn not thou away
vi | blushed and replied, with some little We