Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-09-28

shaved him ana lent MIN SHIT, winch,
though old, was clean. So, what with
well.washed skin and combed hair, and
cup Of refreshing tea, he was prepared to
receive the curate's visit in something OF
decent and Christian; manner. One OF
the boys was in, or rather on, the bed
for there was no covering-from sheer
nakedness. He partly nestled in the straw,
and:was partly concealed BY the rags taken
from the window he was contented and
happy, for he had had the blessing Of
full meal: rarity in the hut of the dying
potter. - -. -
The curate took the chair borrowed for
him, placed it by the bedside, and leaned
toward the sick man.
swell James, how do you feel now"
{, !" Better, sir, thank you, but still weakly.
God will bless you for what You ha' done.
IT'S many along day sim [ could prove
my gratitude to- any body"
Never mind that. The Searcher of all
hearts knows your intentions, James,"
i" Yes-true! But dye think God needs
a poor critter like mel"
Undoubtedly. Our Father" -.
a"Ah !sGood-good. But l nevspfound
a true friend but Him and yourself, sir
they all forsook and ,nisbelied me. Ine-
yer was as bad as people made me; He
! knows that, and the children. Ones
hearthis fair assize."
"True, a fond husband and kind faith
err can not be very bad man. never
believed you ill-disposed, Fielding"
" "No, bless thee for it, and He will bless
thee. Ye ha' made me Christian ; the
ways O. the world made me an infdel long
ago. A man kindly treated, feels like a
Christian, sir"
"Bnt we must give up resentments now.
sec by your countenance you will soon
meet your God. Prepare, Fielding, for
that great judgment"
"Yes, l know it will come soon, an that
ha' changed me. But, indeed, sir, l am
aweary Of the world. If it war not for her
and the children, had gone years back"
"The Christian religion always supposes
poverty and suffering, James. Were all
the world sinless and happy, the. Atone
ment had been useless"
81 can well believe thisn O thee, sir
If yer wer dumb an blind, yer ham would
preach; tits the on y sarnint as goes home
to a hungry man. Fine words be o small
account But when rich parson, or a
bishop, or such, as never gives, an never
suffers, tells starvin poor fellows like me
| to bear their crosses, as the only road to
heaven, it looks like humbug, sir Ifhea-
ven is to be won by poverty-sartintly
nothing is so easy for EN- as to give all
they ha' more than enow, to feed the hun
cry, an comfort the afflicted
"Ah, James, this is bad grace in dy-
ing man. 1t is enough for every one to
look to himself; TO bear his own burden,
and to know that in the midst Of trial, and
sorrow, and suffering, he can have recourse
to One who knew them all on earth. This,
surely, is fair comfort"
1T be, sir. IT'S at the point l am at
now, man feels he must believe in some
religion, an there is none so nat'ral like
as our own. A dyin' man is not a doubt
er. l wish [ ha' been O. this way O. think
hf long ago-'twould ha' made me con-
tent-an' regular man is a toilsome man,
an a tolsome man is a thriving man; but
when one begins in grumblih' one ends
WI sorrow. Mary, dear, gi' me drink.
/ feel faintisb."
The curate took the teapot from the
yearning and attentive wife's hand, and
the fevered patient, from the broken spout
Held to his mouth, drained the vessel
greedily, till the few leaves at the strainer
whizzed with their dryness. As he drank
Godfrey had an opportunity Of observing
his conntenance. This man." said he to
himself, "was formed for lofty destiny
but with him ignorance has married nature
When will man vindicate the purposes o.
God to his follows? When will England
provide education for all her peoplea" A
these thoughts passed rapidly through the
pastors mind, the sick man spoke with q
faithful voice, but with renewed energy
"'The spirit war willing, but the flesh wal
weak We ell, sir, I know am dyin'
| war never a coward, but does feal
death. IT'S like goi4 eRer common
: one don't know, on a dark night there b,
none about you but sperits."
| Keep your eyes steadily on your guild
ing star, James. That light suficeth."
81 believe, sir. 0 Lord help my IN
;, belief"
4 .Thank Heaven for those words" sal,
the curate -" and now, Fielding, since 70,
4 are in this good frame of mind, must tel
Won one thing that will tighten your las
moments. Old Mrs. Williams is gettin,
too aged for the parish school, and as sh
Is to retire on a small pension, I have sc
cured the post for Mary. kn,w she vii
| fill it well: This will keep the wolf fror
the door, and I will look to the little ones
: So you see things are not SO bad as yo
expected You will leave those dear t
Fl YOU pretty middling of, and they will rt
main, under Providence, to be blessin
:: to themselves and to their country"
II "Thank God, thank God! My soul
3 at peace now. She is provided for, an
: they, too, Read to me, sir, please; 'twi
s rouse me up-I feel drowsYish."