The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-09-11
THE EOOT BLACK.
By PHILLIP BARRETT

-AoouI " huhuIco yeHIS ago, LHere nVcu
in the city Of Oxford, England, a boy whose
namo was George. lie was very poor, SO
much so that lie was compelled to clean the
boots of tho students at the University 10
obtain money with which to buy tho nee
! essaries Of life. His countcnance was one
of no ordinary appearance. His eye was
keen and piercing; his forehead noble and
lofty; and every feature of his face was
perfectly developed. by his easy and po-
lite manners, his obligipg disposition, and
his warm and generous nature, he soon won
the confidence and esteem of many of those
upon whom he waited. Tho poverty of
his clothing served him better to show tho
richness Of mind which only needed
cultivation to make it one of the bright
est i'll the whole country. The students
of tho University seeing such noble
qualities in their lowly and humble boot
black, determined to educate him, and
many Of them devoted no little share of
their time to that purpose. They found
him ready, willing and studious. lie lost
not moment of his precious time, but ap.
piled himself diligently, pcrsevcringly to
his studies, and soon became an equal if
| not superior to somc of his instructors.
Ills advancement was very rapid; SO
great was it that numbers were unable to
recognize in tho gifted and talented young
man, tho 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 engage
ments in prayer, was called Methodists.-
With this party George Immediately con-
nccted himself, and soon became one of
its ablest and most consistent members.
The youths who once sought his com.
pany, now treated him with snccring con-
tempt.
Those who once considered him Young
man of extraordinary abilities, then consid-
| cred him reckless fanatic, and avoided his
| society rs they would have n worthless
drunkard. All this did not move him.
lie was as firm as rock. Nothing could
/ change him. Like Moses, he preferred Il
little OF Christian consistency to tho enjoy.
ment of sin for a season. Ills unchangins
conduct won for him many warm and ar
| dent admirers, and numbers who formerly
branded him as fanatic, became lis best
friends. l have not time, children, to say
much moro concerning the character of
this interesting young man. 1t will be suf-
ficient to add, that lie soon became one Of
the most pious and talented preachers in
England, and such numbers tlocked to hear
him that tho largest house in London could
not contain them.
lie preached in the open fields to thou
sands upon thousand, and the great amount
Of good which he did, eternity shall tell.
Dear boys, do not mind the sncers Of your
companions. Do your duty, let tho consc-
quencos be what they may. Be industri-
ous, energetic. Don't mind difficulties
They only make your arm stronger, and
your heart braver. If this poor boy could
arise from tho lowly position of boot
black to that Of one Of tho most pio,,s and
eloquent preachers England ever produced,
canpot you 60 and do likewise 2 You
have no idea what you can do till you try.
Energy combined with earnest prayer will
accomplish tho most difficult task.
Boys would you like to know the name
| of the hoy who blackcd the boots of tho
students at Oxford Universityl 1t is
! GEORGE WHITFIELD.
The real scorhing girts Of the country