The national Republican., 1861-01-11
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.
JOHN GASPARD LAVATER AND THE
POOR WIDOW. r...

morning, several chapters OF the biDle, ana Sc
lect from them one particular passage for fire.
One morning, after reading the fifth and sixth
chapters of the Gospel Of St. Matthew, he ex.
claimed, What treasure Of morality How
difficult to make choice Of any particular por.
tion Of III" After few moments considera.
ton, he threw himself upon his knees, and
prayed for Divine guidance. When he Joined
his wife at dinner, she asked him what passage
of Scripture he had chosen for the day.
"Give TO him that asketh of thee and from
him that would borrow of thee turn not thou
away" was the reply.
"And how is this to be understood2" said
his wife.
"'Give to him that asketh of thee, and from
him that would borrow of thee turn not thou
away,' are the words of him to whom all and
everything belongs that possess" rejoined
Lavater. al am the steward, not the proprie-
tor. The proprietor desires me to give to him
who asks Of me, and not to refuse him that
would borrow of me or, in other words, if /
had two coats, must give one to him that has
none and if have food, l must share with
him who is an hungered and in want. This l
must do without being asked. How much
more, then, when asked2"
This, continued Lavater in his diary, ap-
peared to be SO evidently and incontrovertibly
tn0 meaning Vi tnt NeESeS III QueStlOu, tuAt L
spoke with more than usual warmth. Ny wife
made no further reply, than that she would
take these things to heart. had scarcely left
the dining.room a few minutes, when an aged
widow desired to speak with me, and she was
shown into my study.
"Forgive me, dear SIR she said; "excuse
the liberty / am about to take. l am really
ashamed but my rent is due tomorrow, and
am short six dollars. have been confined
to my bed with sickness, and my poor child is
nearly starving. Every penny that l could
save have laid aside to meet this demand,
but six dollars are yet wanting, and tomorrow
is term.day." Here she opened parcel, which
she held in her hand, aud said: This is a
book, with o silver clasp, which my late hus-
band gave me the day we were married. 1t is
all can spare of the few articles / possess,
and sore it is to part with it. am aware it is
not enough, nor do see how could ever re.
pay. But, dear sir, if you can, do assist me-"
~ am very sorry, my good woman, that
cannot help you," said, and putting my hand
into my pocket, l accidentally felt my purse,
which contained about two dollars. These said
/ to myself cannot extrcate her from her diff
culty-she requires six-besides, even if they
could, have need Of this money for some other
purpose. Turning to the widow, said, 4" Have
you no friend, no relative, who could give you
this triAe 2"
."No; not soul l am ashamed to 90
from house to house / would rather work day
and night. My excuse for being here is, that
people speak so much Of your goodness; if,
however, you cannot assist me, you at least will
forgive my intrusion, and God, who has never
yet forsaken me, will not surely turn away from
me in my sixty.sixth year"
At this moment the door of my apartment
opened, and my wife entered. was ashamed
and vexed. Gladly would / have sent her away,
for conscience whispered, "Give to him that
asketh of thee, and from him that would Dor.
row of thee turn not thou away" She came
up to me and said, with much sweetness
:" This is q good old woman. She has Ger.
tainly been i'll Of late. Assist her if you can."
Shame and compassion struggled in my dark
ened soul. have but two dollars" I said,
in q whisper, "and she requires six. I'll give
her trife in the hand, and let her CO."
Laying her hand on my arm, and smiling in
my face my wife said aloud, what conscience
had whispered before, Give to him that ask.
eth of thee, and from him that would borrow Of
thee turn not thou away"
blushed, and replied, with some little vex.
alton, q Would you give your ring for the pur
pose?"
Awith pleasure" answered my wife, pulling
. off her ring.
The poor widow was either too simple or too
modest to notice what was going on, and was
preparing to retire, when my wife called her to
wait in the lobby. When we were left alone
asked my wife
"Are you in earnest about the ring?"
"Certainly. How can you doubt it }" she
said. "Do you think l would triAe with char
ity? Remember what you said half an hour
ago. Oh 4! my dear friend, let us not make q
show Of the Gospel. You are in general so kind
so sympathizing, how is it that you find it SC
difficult to assist this poor woman? Why did
you not, without hesitation, give her what you
had in your pocket? And did you not know
that the quarter will be paid to us in less than
eight days?" She then added, with much feel,
ing, Fake no thought for your life, what ye
shall eat or what ye shall drink, nor yet for
your body what ye shall put on. Behold the
fowls Of the air they SOW not, neither do they
reap, nor gather into barns yet your heavenly
Father feedeth them"
kissed my wife, while tears ran down my
cheeks. "Thanks, a thousand thanks, for this
humiliation"
turned to my desk, took from it six dol
lars, and opened the door to call in the poor
widow. All darkened around me at the thought
that had been so forgetful of the omniscience
Of God as to say to her, 81 cannot help you.'
oh thou false tongue, thou false heart If the
Lord should mark iniquities, Lord 4! who
shall stand2
Here is what you need" sad addressing
the widow. At first she seemed not to under
stand what meant, and thought was offering
her small contribution, for which she thank
ed me, and pressed my hand; but, when sh'
perceived had given her the whole sum, sh
could not find words to express her feelings
She cried
Dear sir, l cannot repay it. All posses
is this little book, and it is old"
keep your book" said, "and the none
too and thank God and not me- for verify