The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1862-01-23

apt scholar and il took him long time to |
get his lessons so as to pass at school at
all, and If no was to do it with all his |
might, he thought he'd have no time
for anything else; but his teachers ad-
vice pressed hard on him, and as he
walked slowly homeward he repeated
the text aloud to confirm the resoiu-
tion he had made Whatsoever les
sons, geography, sums, and all my
hand fndeth to do, l ,oW do itwell"
Ten years had passed, and Abel was
a tall, lank, firmly knit youth Of eigh-
teen, hammering at blacksmith's forge.
See how black his face is, and how hard
and black his hands have got; but
there is cheerful, determined look on
his face that tells, even if you did not
see how his arms go, that he is hammer.
ing that piece of iron with all his might.
There is not an inch of laziness about
him, every sinew is occupied, and by
the deep, thoughtful look in his eyes,
We would judge that he is thinking
with all his might as we'll as working.
Abel has done a great many things
with all his might since we drst saw
him.
He has gone to Christ with all his
might, earnestly, prayerfully, and he
will tell you joyfully that Christ was, as
ever, true to his promise, "Him that
cometh unto me will in no wise cast
out" He studied well when he went
to school, struggled manfully against
the old distaste and If he did not get
the first prize at the examination, he
got honorable mention as being the
best behaved, steadiest boy in school
and he was more than repaid Wish
ling to be blacksmith, he was bound
to the master with whom he now works,
a God fearing, consistent man. With
him, as also very soon with willing Abel
for now inclination and duty went hand
in hand,
each morning saw somo task begun,
Each evening its close.
Something attempted, something done
Had earned nights reposc."
And now the fame of tho honest
blacksmith and his thorough appren
tice became known for the excellence o
their work. 1t has reached the dir @
tors of the missionary board, who have
resolved to build aud fit out a mission
ship. And they resolve that this
Christian blacksmith shall have as much
of the work to do as he can do. And
now with what a zeal does Abel work
he has double motive to work will
all his might, for it is Gods work a,
we'll as his masters. AS he Yields the
links Of the chain, he takes particula,
care that he does it we'll; for may no
the lives Of the missionaries who are tC
sail in it depend on their strength
And one Of them is his own much be-
loved Sabbath school teacher. And al
he hammers he does not forget to pray
that God may guard the lives Of those
missionaries and make them blessing
in the Southern isles for which they are
bound.
The ship groaned aud creaked, heavod
and tossed, now riding the waves, ant
now plunging into valley of water
only to remouut the next mountain
wave. The missionaries and theiI
wives looked anxiously at each other
Was this to be the end2 Their faith
was failing. The Captain looked grave
the sailors apprehensive. "Let go the
anchors" commanded the Captain, and
with chorasing "ahoal" the order wal
obeyed. A moment or two, and they
listened anxiously. Will it be able t.
withstand the pressure Of the water, thu
pull of the shipP No. A fierce wave
loud crack, the chain has snapped
the ship is again at the mercy of tht
waves! "Let go another. " Alas! there
il no better success. Another and an
other, and still they break. And nov
there is only one smaller than the 9th
ers, whose chain is less thau one-hal
tho circumference of the others. The,
all look doubtingly at it.
1t seems no use in trying that slen
der thing, when the strong machinerl
chains were unable to stand the storm
"Try it," said one of the missionaries
"Abel Baker made it," twas Abe L
teacher who went to the vessels side t
E watch the result. 1t seemed their onl
I hope. The wind was fast bearing them ol
to the breakers, and in short time the
a must all perish if this chain breaks
How anxiously they watch i'll 1t ha
touched the bottom, the sailors say
but it yields not
I The chain swings backward and for
ward, but the anchor is safe at the bot
: tom, and the chain will not break
They are saved, and the missionarie
= gather together to thank God for thei
i deliveranco, while one proudly says
+ at was Abel Baker, my scholar, mad
Q that chain" And hundreds to whor
s these missionaries carried the Gospel q
: peace lived to thank God for their safe
:, ty, and Abel BuSier for the instrumer
the strongly welded chain. Abe
o Baker is now wealthy, prosperon
: man, still serving God with all hi
o might, and attending to his business
too, with all his might. 1t has been ii
r lustrated we'll in his case, "Them.. tina
honor me will honor"
$ The Boston Traveller tells this ste