The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19
Triumph of Principle.

| n yOuuS Hdll, olSutO0A years VI aSO, was
DESTROYS of situation as clerk in some bust
ness establishment in the city of B.
The circumstances of his parents being
limited, it became necessary to secure such
without delay. To him, the transition from
study to business was not pleasing one,
the former being his delight, the latter a
thing wholly of necessity. He had, how
ever, been educated to consult "duty first
and pleasure AFTER and was, therefore,
ready to 90 out from the parental roof to
act new part in the theatre of life. His
health not being firm, the country was men
toned as place more conductive to it than
the city; and farmers life, of all others,
the most desirable. A situation of this sort
he accordingly resolved to seek; and, in case
of failure, would then content himself with
city life. Being fond of pedestrian exercise,
he undertook a trip some miles into the
suburbs, on foot-pausiDg now and then to
rest upon rock or drink of spring-his
soul drinking in meanwhile the picturesque
beauty of the landscape on every side. He
inquired at every place, where the services
of such one as himself would be likely to
be needed, for employment; but all without
avail. Some said, "You are too DID," and
others, ''Too young" and others yet, "You
are too weak for our work" or, "The times
are dull" or, "You want too much pay"
With these chilling rebuffs sounding in his
ears, he still went on till evening brought
him to the residence of relative, where he
passed the night. Next morning, with
Responding heart, he turned his footsteps
homeward. "The country will not receive
me, and the city must, he said in thought,
as he strove to rally his sinking courage
aud right earnestly did he set to work, like
one who expected to win the day. Adver-
tisements were read and answered, streets
traversed, stores visited, inquiries made, till
it seemed verify as though, in all the uni
verse, there was no niche into which he
could slip.
Just at this juncture, he heard of a
grocer who desired young man as sales.
man and general assistant. He went to see
him, and, making a favorable impression,
was offered good compensation in return.
Upon further inquiry, however, he ascer-
tanned that he would be expected to sell both
wine and whisky-not upon draught, to be
sure, but by the bottle-in quiet way, to
genteel customers. This was trying mo
ment for youthful principlsiai1 y
ripper in years and experien5.l y
hesitated, but yielded to what seemed % Be
matter of necessity. Our young friend, how
ever, had learned from childhood to weigh
well such matters of conscience, and not to
act from the blind impulse of the moment.
He was also firm believer in total abstinence
from all intoxicating drinks, and ever looked
upon trafickers in such articles as wicked
and dangerous men. And though persuaded
quite to certainty what course he ought to
pursue, he consulted his fathers excellent
Judgment, which, on almost every subject,
was usually correct. His father, wishing
to test the strength of his principles, ambigu-
ously replied "The situation offered is for
yourself, and not for me; therefore you must
decide for yourself" This was not little
puzzling, at first, to one who knew that his
parents were needy, and that he ought not
to be burden to them another day, if it
could be avoided. Besides, his own numer-
Gus wants were staring him in the face, and
bidding him smother these honest scruples
into eternal silence.
But our young friend was a Christian,
and really wished to do the right thing,
after all; and it was not long before he came
to the firm conclusion to obey conscience at
every hazard, and leave the event with God.
This was happy moment for his mother,
who had been earnestly praying that her
dear son might decide Alright; and did not
angels, too, rejoice over the victory of faith
in young disciple, more than in many a
deed which among men is chronicled as great?
With David, he could say, 81 am poor and
needy, but the Lord thinketh upon me-"