Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-08-12

10 your own sunny heart. poor child. that
robes the world for you in it's own love-
: lighted and rose-tiated atmosphere. You
are happier Ear than I; may God forgive
mel"
Minnie Hamilton, a beautiful girl oil
eighteen, was an only daughter, petfed and
idolized BY her parents. Indulgence had
injured, though it had not spoiled her, So
fully had each wish of her heart been graf
ified from her birth, that she regarded it as
kind of privilege peculiar to her condition
to murmur if the slightest shadow came be-
tween her and the fulfillment of her most
extrayagant desires. Poor Minnie.-poor
though abounding in riches. 'One thing
thou lackest'--one thing which wealth can
not purchase--the joy OF a sunny and con.
:ented heart.
YET Minnie had noble quaIities--gene-
rosity ana uctive berevoience, with s.rong
moral and religious principles. One shadow,
the lhadow of discomfort, clouCed them
all.
Nellie had put her little purse into the
pocket of her apron; and now she issued
|, 'SsS snS etSSh obo
her strawberry song, until she was summon
ed by. another customer, who purchased
largely. As she was about adding the pay
ment she received to her little store, she
discovered a small rent in her purse, and
sitting down, she emptied the money into
her apron to examine it. As she did SO,
she discovered among the 'fives' and tens a
gold dollar. which had evidently been given
her BY mistake by the first purchaser
81 will 60 right back with it," thought
Nellie.
She waited, however, to re-arrange her
baskets, and while doing so, the tempter
came with evil thoughts, to test her strength
of principle.
"Why 60 back with itl' said the wicked
voice; "perhaps the lady meant to give it,"
"But do not KNOW that" said the ten
der conscience of Nellie.
"Well. you can do good with it, said
the voice, appealing artfully to her flial
love; "you can purchase something for your
mother; she works hard enough for all she
has, and this will buy her neat dress to
wear to church,"
For a moment-only momeni-Nelie
listened to the sinful suggestion, and she
thought show pleasant it would be to carry
nice calico to dear mother, and how pretty
she would look in it. Perhaps, too, she
could earn enough to buy bonnet to match
and how happy that would make her!"
But suddenly the smile died away on Mel
lies lip. Her step grew less light. There
was a weight at her heart; the burden of |
guilty thought. She had parleyed with |
Evil, and its shadow was on her path; it |
had dimmed the happiness which in nocence |
-hud hitherto brsrowrd-------
And now, happily tor little Nellie, con-
science, shat voice of God in the soul,'
came powerfully to her aid. 1t recalled
vividly the previous Sabbath evening, when
her mother sat with her at the window, Just
as the sun was sinking, and after their
scanty supper had been disposed of.
"Nellie, my darling" she said, as she
laid her hea upon her knee, and smoothed
back her dark hair, "you could not go to
the Sunday School to-day because you had
no shoes to wear. Perhaps we can earn a
pair before Eext Sabbath; but will teach
yon the commandments. Then Nellie re-
peated them after her. All were vivid now
to her memory; but especially, and as i:
written in letters of fire, stood forth the
eighth
Thou shalt not steal,''
Nelie's heart sank within her. Had she
listened, and obeyed that evil voice, what
might she have become-'a breaker Of Gods
holy commandment The sin would have
laid heavy and dark upon her soul. dimming
its sunlight, and weighing down her buoy
ant, happy spirit. And then her home
would have been changed to her. She
would have destroyed its peace, and her
mothers cheerful voice would have been
hushed.. Nellie waited not a moment, but
terrified at her own thoughts. she rushed
back with the speed of light, lest that evil
voice should speak again, and rested not
until she reached the home of Minnie Hum
ilton.
"You made mistake, Miss. You gave
me tbis"-holding up The gold dollar-"for
a silver piece.''
"Did ]! Well, it pas a m stake. ain
scit coi-o'Suteu, out tou oie al hohCSt iit-
tie girl, and yon shall have it as reward"
"No, Miss. thank you; would rather
have the silver pisce."
"You would!"
ayes, Miss"
"You are a singular child. Pray, tell me
,chy you would rather"
"Because-because-it would remind me
of''--Nellie burst into tears, and covered
her face with her hands.
"Of what?-tel me child"
''How was tempted to break Gods com.
mand."
sand to keep the dollar. do you mean"
eyes, Miss"
"But you resisted the temptation as God
gave you strength. That was beautiful in
you. Now tell me your name-I must re-
member it.''
"Nellie Townsend"
There is no sin, Nellie, in being tempted.
The sin consists in yielding to temptation.
Now that you have resisted, you will find
yourself strengthened in might to overcome
evil; henceforth shall not fear for you.-
Only resist the. first pr promptines to do wrong;
resist them, and all will be well. Nellie,
you were not aware of it, but to-day you
taught me & lesson of contentmens. which
| shall not easily forget; and you shall have
the happiness of knowing that you, though
little child. have been a minister of good
to me. And you must let me reward you.
Won rNtraf Go hat LII L