Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-09-13
Sf(istllaneous.
The Boot Black.-A Story for BOYS.
BY PHILIP BARRETT.
Let us then be up and doing,
With heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor aud to wait.

lLct US tHen DC up ana DONG,
with heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait
LonGJsiiotr.
About hundreds years ago, there lived
nulHS ""y o, Oxford. England, boy whose
much SO thar'aCge. He was very poor. so
poots OF the students wpelled to clean the
ootali money with which to buy the necessa-
Iies VI ii'e. His countenance was one of no
ordinary Appearance His eve was Keen and
piercing; his forhead noble uuu iur,, ..nI
every feature of his face was perfectly deve-
loped. BY his easy and polite manners, his
obIising disposition and his warm and gene
rous nature he soon won the confidence and
esteem OF many of those upon whom he wait
ed. The poverty Of his clothing served bet
ter to show the richness of O mind which only
needed cultivation to make it one of the
brightest in the whole country. The students
OF the University seeing such hoble qualities
in their lowly and humble boot-black, deter.
mined to educate him, and many of them de-
voted no little share of their time to that
purpose. They found him ready. willing and
studIous. lie lost not a moment of his pre-
cious time but applied himself diligently,
psrseveringly, to his studies, and soon became
an equal if not q superior to some Of his in-
structors.
His advancement was very rapid 20 great
was it that numbers were unable to recognize
in the gifted and talented young man the
once poor and needy boot-black. About this
time there was great change in the religion
OF England. There arose sect, which from
the peculiar habits Of its members, their strict
observance Of the Sabbath, their faithful
reading of Gods word, and their frequent and
stated engagements in prayer, was called
Methodists. With this party George imme-
diatey connected HIMSELF and soon became
one OF its ablest and most consistent mem
bers. The youths who once sought his CON-
pany, now treated him with sneeriug con-
tempt.
Those who once considered him young Of
extraordinary abilities, then considered him
reckless fanatic, and avoided his society as
they would have a worthless drunkard All
this did not move him lie WAS as firm as
rock. Nothing could change him. Like
Moses, he preferred life of Christian con-
sstency to the enjoyment Of sin for season.
His unchangiug conduct won for him many
warm and ardent admirers, aud numbers who
formerly branded him us fanatic became his
best friends. ] have not the time. children to
say mnch more concerning the character of
this interesting young man. 1t will be suh.
cient TO add, that ho soon became Of the most
piouS and talented preachers in England, and
such numbers Rocked to hear him that the
largest house in London could not contain
them.
lie preached in the open fields to thou
sands upon thousands; and the great amount
of good which he did, eternity shall tell. Dear
boys, do not mind the sneers Of your compa-
Mons. DO your duty. let the consequences
be what they may. BE Industrious, energetic
Don't mind difficulties. They only make
your arm stronget, ard your heart Drawer. If
this poor boy could rise from the lowly posi-
tson Of boot black to that of one of tho
most pious and eloquent preachers England
ever produced cannot you go and do like
wise" You have no idea what you can DO
till you try. Energy, combined with earnest
prayer, will accomplish the. difficult task
Boys. would you like to know the name of
the boy who hlacked the boots of the students
at Oxford University! ltis .....
GEORGE WHITFIELD.