Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-09-11
THE BOOT BLACK.

About hundred years ago, there lived
in the city of Oxford, England, boy whose
name was George. He was very poor, so
much so that he was compelled to clean the
boots of the students at the University to OBJ
tain money with which to buy the necessa-
ries of life. His countenance was one of
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 polite manners
his oblising 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 a mind
which only needed cultivation to make it
one of 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 of their
time to that purpose. They found him rea-
dy, willing and studious. lie lost not mo-
ment of his precious time; but applied him.
self diligently, perseveringly, to his studies,
and soon became an equal, if not q superior
to some Of his instructors.
His advancement was very rapid $50 great
was it that numbers were unable to recog-
nize in the gifted and talented young man,
the once poor and needy boot black. About
this time there was great change in the re-
ligion ofEngland. There arose a 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 Immediately connected himself; and
soon became one of its ablest and most con-
sistent members. The youths who once
sought his company, now treated him with
sneering contempt.
Those who once considered him young
man of extraordinary abilities, then consider
ed him reckless fanatic, and avoided his
society as they would have worthless drunk
ard. All this did not move him. He was
as firm as a rock. Nothing could change
him. Like Moses, he preferred little of
Christian consistency to the enjoyment Of
sin for a season. His unchanging conduct
won for him many warm and ardent admirers,
many who formerly branded him as fanatic
became his best friends. I have not time,
children, to say much more concerning the
character of this interesting young man. 1t
will be sufficient to add, that he soon be-
came one OF the most pious and talented
preachers in England, and such numbers
aocked to hear him that the largest house
in London could not contain them.
Hc preached in the open fields to thous-
ands 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 conse-
quences be what they may. Be industrious,
energetic. Don't mind difficulties. They
only make your arm stronger, and your heart
bravcr. If this poor boy could arise from
the lowly position of boot black to that Of
one of the most pious and eloquent preach
ers England ever produced, cannot you 90
and do likewise p You have no idea what
you can do till you try. Energy combined
with earnest prayer will accomplish the most
difficult task.
Boys would you like to know the name Of
the boy who blacked the boots of the stu
dents at Oxford University? tits
GEORGE WHITFIELD.