Year: 1865




prisonment, Being poor, he chose the
latter for his wife and children's sake,
and proceeding to the Jail gave himself
up on the Saturday evening proceeding
the Sunday appointed by the magistrate
for his incarceration.


He was placed in room with ten or
twelve others who were there for the
same cause. They were frivolous,
jovial set Some were laughing aud
joking, others were playing cards, and
all were trying to be as merry as possible,
though their merriment was of that kind
which is as the cracking of thorns under
pot


The painter was uneasy. His pious
heart was chilled by the ungodly atmos-
phere Of the place. He shrunk from
spending a Sabbath in such an evil com
pany. He wished he had paid his five
shillings, or could pay it now and 90 home.
But such wishes were vain. He was a
prisoner, and prisoner he must remain
until the close of the next day.


While brooding over these and kin
dred thoughts, the words 'be not over
come of evil, but overcome evil with
good" flashed into his mind. "Pm alone
and they are twelve" said he; and then
turning his thoughts into prayer, he ad-
ded, lord, "remember that am alone,
but they are many remember, also that
they are blind and lost, and perhaps thou
wilt pluck some of them out Of the mouth
of the lion. Help me, O Lord, TO wit
ness for thee"


Thus fortified by purpose and prayer,
he drew bis rude bench to the window,
took out his pocket Bible and began
reading.


"Hallo what have you there p ask
ed one of the men slappng him on the
shoulder.


"You see it is book" replied the
painter if you have no objection ! will
read few pages to you.


"Are there nice stories in it?' reioin-
ed the man.


Plenty of stories, and very nice too, "
replied the painter.


"Well, let US hear,' cried the prisoner,
"Hush, you men Listen, this fellow
will read story"


The painter read the parable of the
prodigal son. To his surprise he was
not disturbed until he finished, when
one of the men said


81 know that story very well. i is
from the Bible"


Other remarks followed, and a it was
now too dark to read any more, the pain
ter proposed to read more on the NOR
row.


Very WELL" replied several of the
men, 'it will help to shorten the day !"
and then they all retired to an inner
room TO sleep.


The next morning when break fast was
ready, the painter said


"Permit me, friends, to say word.
We have all slept soundly. God has
graciously protected US through the night.
Meat and drink are prepared for US. 1t
is his gift Ought We not to thank Him
for these mercies? If you have no obs
lection, let US thank God and seek his
blessing"


Hearing no objection, he proceeded to
offer a simple, cordial thanksgiving TO
God, and an earnest prayer for bis bles-
sing.


After breakfast one of the prisoners
smiled and said:


"You might be our minister to-day
You pray just like parson."


Yes, be our minister y cried several
voices. "Let us have bit of church
this morning"


To this several assented. Five laughed
and going across the room, began play
ing cards. The painter read passage
of Scripture and then offered solemn
prayer, in which he did not fail to remem.
ber the cardplayersin tde corner. After
prayer he proposed singing; and at once
began q favorite Dutch psalm, which be
sung to a we'll known tune. The effect
was powerful. One by one they joined
in, until even the csrd-players dropped
their cards, doffed their caps, stood up,
and sung with the rest. The jailor, hear
inc the unwonted sound, came to the door,
and seeing them so devout and orderly,
paused TO listen, and then helped to swell
the sacred chorus.


After the singing the jaiIor stepped in
side, locked the door, and sitting beside
the painter, remained while that faith
ful follower of his Lord proceede TO Of
fer remarks on the Scripture ne had pre-
yiously read, and to enhort them to come
to Christ.


The painters words made deep i'm
preston. No more cards appeared that
day. After dinner he held another ser
vice, which was interrupted by the Jail
or's coming in to inform the painter that
he had spoken TO the magistrate about
him, and had received orders to release
him.


With a good conscience and joyful
spirit the painter FASTENED home. The
entire results of that days labor tue
painter will not know until the day Of
reward but be did learn shortly after
that one of his fellow prisoners, at least,
was led to embrace the Savionr by his
faithful and timely.spoken words.


give this fact to my Christian read
ers as an illustration Of the manner ip
which they who are wise TO win souls
will turn even the most unpromising cir
cumstances of life into opportunities to
work for Christ.


If that good painter could stand up
amid twelve of his Matters enemies in a