The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-05-20
fur the firesitle CJtair,
THE TEMPTATION.

William Carter arose from a bed of ftful
and uneasy slumber The night had been
cold and windy, such night as ecember
frequently brings among the hills of New
Hampshire. Williams bed was hard, and
the cold wind found its way through many a
crack and crevice in his ruinous cottage, but
he might have slept if his mind had been at
ease. His wife was delicate woman, toll
and exposure had brought on lingering i'll
ness, and she lay all night, moaning with ain,
and shivering with the cold.
William arose, I said, and having kindled
a fire, he went forth into the open air. The
clouds were black and heavy, and the winds
swept i'll gusts through the naked trees
Away in the distance, the tops of the noun
tains were already white with snow. He had
engaged days work on a neighboring farm,
but it was. useless to go-the farmer would
not work that day; so he turned with heavy
step, and entered his cherries dwelling. The
children We're soon stirring, and the pale, suf-
fering mother rose from her restless couch, to
prepare the morning meal. A few potatoes
were boiled for the father and children, and a
cup of Cruel prepared for herself
William Carter and his wife had seen bet
ter days; but sickness and misfortune, the
fraud of some, and the cruelty of others, had
driven them forth from their pleasant home,
which he had spent the strength of his early
manhood to purcEase.and forced them to take
shelter in their present miserable abode
They were Christians, and they had hitherto
borne up under the crushing weight of their
affections with meek and quiet spirit
Looking forward to that bright hereafter, they
had suffered patiently, knowing that those
Affections are but for moment, and the glo-
ry which shall be revealed eternal.
1t had long been William Carter's practice
to assemble his family in the morning, to
hear the blessed truths of inspiration, and to
bow before the Mercy seat of Heaven. That
morning, the children seated themselves as
usual, and Mrs. Garter brought forth the Bi-
BILE, and laid it before her husband. Moving
ii away, he said, II cannot read or pray. ]
have no faith, and what is not of faith is SIM
and rising, he seated himself at the table
The children looked up with astonishment.
What is the matter, father Pr said little
Alice, pressing close to his chair. Why
don't you ask God for our daily bread?''
A tear stole silently down the mothers
cheek, as she took her place with the family
around the scanty board.
Why can't we have some bread and but
ter?'' said little James, a child six years old
pushing away the potato which was offered
him. We used to have bread and pies, and
l don'5 want potatoes all the time.''
An expression of agony passed over the
! fathers face. A torrent of bitter feelings
was rushing through his heart-murmuring:
against Providence-repinings at his lot--un.
belief in God
Why should my children want for bread
while others have enough and to spare?'' he
exclaimed. Have l not labored honestly
but where is the blessing which God ha
promised to them that trust in Him? The
man, who, by extortion and violence, has ia
ken away our rights, lives in plenty and ease
while and mine must pine away with hun
ger and cold.''
stDo not arraign the Justice and the wisdom
of God, % said Mrs. Carter, wping away he
tears, and looking tenderly on her husband
"Our Heavenly Father will not suffer us t.
be tempted nor afflicted beyond what we ar
able to bear.''
"Bear II would bear every hing but this
II can bear toll, humiliation and want, myself
but cannot see my children pine for bread
and you shivering in this miserable hoveI
Your sufferings will drive me mad.''
The wife arose from her place, and az
preaching her husband she threw her arr
around his neck, and pressed her lips to hi
OIo". w Su0 Iul
not away from the promises of God-seal nc
up the only fountain of consolation whic
remains to us. While we have home an
meal as good as this, let us not be unthank
ful. Our Master had not where to lay III
head" Is d
1t is the memory of my wrongs-of yor
wrongs, rather-for myself do not care
: which is cankering my heart and maddenin
It my brain. If there is a God, why does Il
: suffer the rich to oppress the poor, and tt
: strong to crush the weak? I sometimes fe
: like taking justice into my own hands, an
with my own arm avenging my cause"
IS IS "Let me not see you thus, my husband
IS Throw not away faith, with its memory
: past blessings, and its hopes for the future
yss We have received good at the hand of tt
Lord, many times has He made our cup
- blessings to overflow; and shall we murmu
to and blindly accuse His justice, if He suff
t the tempest to beat upon our heads? Oh b
ware, that evil thoughts spring not up in yo
heart. Sin will bring sorrows less bearab
than those of poverty. Think not so bite
! ly of our wrongs. Vengeance is the Lord
2 andaHe will repay. Let us, like our Divi
/! Teacher, who suffered wrongs infinitely grea
er than ours, forgive and pity our enemies
J! sH I have tried to learn that lesson befoi
and thought, when no trials were upon n
5, that [ had succeeded. / know it must
wrong-this angry and revengeful spirit-al
have tried at times to stife it in my hea
but it will not die. 1t fingers there, poiso