Litchfield enquirer., 1859-04-07

-S S~S "Aoa VI yOut friend, TIMorHY T1rcoMB.
 THE MINISTER AND THE HAMs-A correspond ent of the Presbyterian Ezpositor relates the following anecdote. He says he had the mar rative from most reliable source, and, as near as may be, gives it in the language of the nar- rator
 knew man who, until past the meridian of life, manifested in all his transa ctions a mean, miserly spirit. Money was his god He was and fifty he became a subject of Sovereign Grace" His eyes were opened to see with great distnctness the truth of that word, A mans life consistent not in the abundance of the things which he rossesseth." In word he was truly converted. At the period of which l speak, he was wealthy farmer, on one of our rich prairies. He united with the people of God, he confessed, and most deeply deplored the sin of fcovetousness. He promsied, with di- vine help, to "Iive no longer unto himself" He was sincere in his promise and purpose Little did the poor man know himself, the pow CT of habit, of temptaticn or of the conflict be- fore him between the "Old and New Man.
 Aswas then the custom in the Methodist church in the country, and is to some extent at this day, the minister in charge was in the hab- it of receiving his dues in provisions, &c. Soou after "Old Covetous" united with the class, the preacher got out of meat so he harnessed up, and rode over to Brother C.'s house.
 Good morning, Bro. C."
 Good morning glad to see you; won't you light 2"
 'No, thank you. Wife says we are out of meat, and I thought-"
 (Old man.) "Out of meat are ye? (New man) We'll, I'm glad to hear it it will do me good to supply you. Go to my smoke house wonder, and take the best ham you can fnd- mind and take the biggest"
 On went the preacher, and soon returned, bearing ham weighing twenty pounds. He passed on to his wagon.
 Now came the conflict.
 (Old man in his heart, solus). "You old fool i; that ham weighs twenty pounds. Hams ane scarce-worth one shilling per pound." New man, solns) God loveth the cheerful giyer" What shall it profit man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ?" o God forgive me- Get thee behind me Satan. Here Mr. come back Now, said he, Ego again to my smokehouse, and this time get two hams. Get the very best--mind you get rousers."
 Sooi uo ietuihCo pCuihS, ioi y pouuuo uiol . of the precious meat. Then came over the poor man again the spirit of covetousness. (Old man). "Wel, you are fool You will die in the poorhouse yet Forty, sixty lbs. worth eight dollars Eight dollars gone slick P New man). "Honor the Lord with thy substance. Give, and it shall be given un- to you. Rejoice not against me, o mine enc my though l fall, shall rise again. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death will fear no evil. o, am-I am in the valley"
 Poor man, he was, and like Bunyan's Chris tain, he sheathed his sword, and cried to Him who was "able and willing"-"Lord save me"
 (New man.) "Here Mir. come back come back Now his manly form trembled The water stood it his eyes, and then, like child, he wept and sobbed as he told the minister of the warfare within "And now, Mr. Devil" said he, eff you don't quit this business, I'll give away every ham Pve got in the smoke house."
 Then "Apollyon spread his wings and left him for season."