Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-10-29
The Boot Black.
BY PHILIP BARRRTr.

About q hundred years ago. there lived in the
city of Oxford, England, a boy whose name was
George. He was very poor, so much So that
he was compelled to clean the boots of the stu
dents at the University to obtain money with
which to buy the necessaries of life. His coun-
teuance was of no ordinary appearance. His
eye was keen and piercing; his forehead noble
and lofty and every feature was perfectly de-
veloped. BY his easy and polite manners, his
obliging disposition, and his warm and generous
nature he soon won the confidence and esteem
of many of those upon whom he waited The
poverty of his clothing served him better to
show the richness of mind which only needed
cultivation to make it one the brightest in the
whole country.
The students of the University seeing such
noble qualities in their lowly and humble boot
black, determined to educate him, and many OF
them devoted no little share their time to
that purpose. They found hia ready, willing
and studious. He lost not a moment of his pre-
cous time but applied himself diligently, perse-
veringly, to his studies, and soon became an e.
quail, if not a superior, to sor!e Of his instruct
ors.
His advancement was very rapid, so great
was it that numbers were unable to recognise
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 Eng
land. There arose sect, which from the pecu-
liar habits of its members, the strict observance
of the Sabbath, their faithful reading of Gods
work, and the frequent and stated engagements
in prayer, was called Methodists With this
party George Immediately connected himself f,and
soon became one of the ablest and most consist
ent members. The youths who once sought his
company, now treated him with contempt.
Those who once considered him young man
of extraordinary abilities, now considered him q
reckless fanatic and avoided his society as
they would have worthless drunkard. all
this did not move him. He was as firm as o
rock. Nothing could change him. Like Moses,
he preferred little of christian consistency to
the enjoyment of sin for season. His unchang-
ing conduct won for him many warm and ar
dent admirers, and numbers who formerly BRAND
ed him as a fanatic became his best friends. /
have not time, children, to say much more con-
cerning the character of this interesting young
man. 1t will be sufficient to add, that he
soon become one of the most pious and talented
preachers in England, and such numbers fiocked
to hear him, that the largest house in London
could not contain them.
He preached in the open fields to thousands
upon thousands, and the great amount of good
which he did, eternity shall tell. Dear boys, do
not mind the sneers of your companions. Do
your duty, let the consequences be what they
may. Be Industrious, energetic. Don't mind
difficulties. They only make your arm stronger,
and your heart braver. If this poor boy could
arise from the lowly position o60l boot black, to
that of one of the most pidA9an eloquent
preachers England ever produced, cannot you go
and do ikewise9 You have no idea what you
can do till you try. Energy combined with
prayer will accomplish the most difficult task.
Boys, would you like to know the name of
the boy who blacked the boots Of the students
at Oxford University9 1t is GEORGE WHIT
FIELD.