Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-08-15

alton; Would yOu give yOur ring for The
purpose g
With pleasure answered my wife, pull
ing off her ring.
Inc good Old woman was either too sim
pie or too modest to notice what was going
on, and was preparing to retire, when nv
"lIe called to her to wait in the lobby. When
we were left alone, asked my wife, Are YOU
IN earnest about the ring 2
Certainly, how can you doubt it p she
sad, do you think that l would triie with
charity Remember what you said to me
but half an hour ago. Oh, my husband,
let US not make show of the gospel; you
are IN general so kind, so sympathizine. how
IS 1t that you find it SO difficult to assist this
poor woman why did you not, without hes
ltahon, give her what you had in your pock-
ct ! and did you not know that the quarter
will be paid to US in less than eight davs p
She then added with much feeling
Take no thought for your life, what We
shall eat, or what ye shall drink nor yet for
your body, what ye shall put on. Behold
the fowls of the air they SOW not, neither do
they reap nor gather into barns, vet our
heavenly Father feedeth them.'
| kissed my wife, while tears run down
my cheeks. Thanks, thousand thanks.
for this humiliation ? turned to the desk
took from it the six dollars, and opened the
door to call the poor widow-all darkened
around me at the thought that | had been
so forgetful of the omniscience of God as to
say to her, l cannot help YOU Oh, Lord.
thou false tongue thou false heart If thou
Lord, should mark iniquities, oh Lord who
shall standa Here is what youneed, | said
addressing the widow.
At first she seemed not to understand
what | meant, and thought I was Offering
small contribution, for which she thanked
me, and pressed my hand; but when she
perceived that had given her the whole
sum, she could scarcely find words to express
her feelings. She cried Dear sir, / cannot
repay all possess is this poor book, and it
is DID, =
Keep your book said /, and the money
TOO and thank God and not me, for verify /
deserve no thanks after having so long resis-
ted your entreaties go in peace and forgive
an efflng brother.
returned to my wife with downcast looks
but she smiled and said do not take Il 90
much to heart, husband, you yielded to nv
i1rst suggestion; but promise me so long as
| wear gold ring on my finger, and. You
know possess several besides, you will ney-
er allow yourself to say to any person, Il can
not help YOU She kissed me and | left the
apartment
When found myself alone, sat down
and wrote this account in my diarv, in order
to humble my deceitful heart-tllis heart
which no longer than yesterday, dictated the
words: OF all the characters in the world
there is none | would more avoid than hyp-
ocrlte yet to preach the whole moral law
and fulfil only the easy part Of it. is hypocri-
sy. Merciful Father, how long must / wait
and reflect, and struggle, ere shall be able
to rely on the perfect sincerity of my profes-
sion. F0'eo
read over once more the chapter had
read IN the morning with SO little benefit. and
feit more and more ashamed and convinced.
tnat there IS no peace except where principle
and practice are in perfect accordance. How
peacefully and happily might have ended
this day, had acted up eonscientiously to
the blessed doctrines ! profess Dear Sa-
viour, send,thy Holy Spirit into this benight-
ed heart cleanse it from secret sin and teach
me to employ that which thou hast commit
ted to my charge, to thy glory, a brothers
welfare, and my own salvation ?