Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-09-14
The London Christian Merchant.

holds of defence and salient points of attack
in subduing the world to God. Our Sayior
called bis early disciples ip the midst OF
their worldly ayQcations nor did he, ex-
cept in some special cases. require them to
leave or relax their pursuits, but to consec-
rate all e his service. This primitive and
divine method must be resumed and carried
fully out. The most intense worldliness the
very focus of business, must become the
most intense Christianity, the central home
of the Cross.
When last in London, witnessed a
striking illustration of this in the mercantile
house of Messrs. George Hitchcock g. Co.,
near st. Pault Cathedral. This is one Of
the largest mercantile houses in the great
British metropolis. Twas about IL o'clock
the busiest part Of the day, when friend of
mine and neighbor of Mr.. Hitchcock called
With me upon him at his store. ] designed
then only moments call, merely for an in
Notwithstanding tha value Of mer-
chants time in hours of business. But lie
insisted on our stopping. and with most
cordial welcome, begged us to be seated. In
few minutes he finished some business in
which he was engaged with gentlemant at
bis side, and then seated himself by us.
Seeing several persons waiting far an inter-
view with him, proposed to leave and call
again. He replied, Il may never see you
again, and have learned to seize present
opportunities. I have learned, too, that
'godliness is profitable unto all things and
that few moments spent in Christian fel-
lowship and communion with God, even in
the midst of business, is time neither lost or
misapplied.' He then read few verses
from the Bible, and proposed to unite in
two briefprayers.
By this time fifteen or twenty persons
were waiting for him in and around his Of
| flee, but the remarks and devotious were in
such good taste, so simple, earnest, devout,
that they all seemed to be most favorably
impressed. No time was really lost to
them, even in business view, for the ten
minutes tins spent c9mposed ihaughts and
prepared them to do business with fewer
words and more dicecrness and assurance.
was Informed by my friend that Mr.. Fl.
often had similar seasons of devotion in his
counting room, especially when strangers
were introduced to him. After few kind
words, he appoined time to see me more
at leisure. At the appointed time ! larned
from him the following interesting facts:
1t was about ten years since he first OBJ
tanned hope in the grace Of Christ. He had
/ previously pursued business on more world
I principles One Of his numerous clerks, a
I very devoted and earnest Christian. per-
| shaded few of his companions to join with
himself in seasons of daily prayer, making
the conversion of their employer their pro-
minent object. Mr.. III. heard oft and sent
for the clerk to come and see him. The
clerk confessed the whole to him, and made
10 him a respectful and earnest appeal in
bebalf of Christianity. Mr, II. was deeply
affected, and soon after became Christian.
He then united with these young men in
their prayers and labors, and soon a very
precious work of grace extended over his
whole establishment the appropriated and
furnished large room for his clerks, pro-
viding library and study in the evening.
In this room all of them were required TO
assemble every morning and evening and
for devotions. He had adopted the plan of
cl9sipg his stare of an earher hour then be-
fore, to afford his clerks more time for self
improvement. This plan has since been
adoptea by several others of the leading
merchants or London.
Some time subsequent to the conversion
Of UF. H., the clerk who had been the chirf
instrument Of il had married his only child,
and had become partner in his business.
A happier man ] never saw. He had no
desire no augment his capital. and gave all
his earnings TO benevolent societies. With
what tenderness and significance did he re-
peat those words of Paul-'What things
were gain to me. those counted loss for
the excellence of the knowledge of Christ
Jesns, my Lsrd! Never said he, may
never forget the debt owe to Christ
An that have and sH that am
whater my duty bids give
oheerfully resign.
ysthI nigh, make some rsss.,s
And duty did not call
love my God with neal gres.
That would give him ALL
He took down from his depository of
books in his Gap8iing-rooE,, THE Four
Witnesses, by De Costa and the prize
essays entitled Gold and the Gospel two
large apd elegant volumes, in which he
wrote my name, asking me to accept them.
One of these said he, has helped me TO
solye NY difficulties respecting the Gospels
the other has taught me the value and use
of money These precious volumes are
nov on my table, and they awaken many |
pleasing and grateful reccollections as I |
write, After inviting nae to Wits him at |
his residence at West End, he directed I
clerk TO serve mein any way might desire.
At my request the clerk conducted me over
the establishment. 1t was magnificent
model for all TO initiate. The order, sill
ness and dispetch with which business was
done ] have never seen equalled. Here in
various rooms were over two hundred clerks
filling out bills Of sale and dispatching goods
to all paris Of the world--fo the United
States, British America, South America. the
Sandwith Islands. Australia, India China,
and all those various countries were clerks
and agents trained in this establishment, and
doing business on the principles here taught
The influence of that mercantile house in
favor of Christianity and Of honest dealing
IS felt to day in parts Of the world. What /,
an amount OF good accomplished, under God
through that one clerk. and through him |
by that one mercantile. house Behold
how great a fire a little matter kjndTetb
Let no clerk, let no youth. however obscure
his position, ever say he can do nothing for =
Christ. And let no merchant, pursuing a /,
owful trade, say that he cannot serve God
n The business. lie can serve Gcd in the