Year: 1867

| lNe hII1N RAcnItSu 4ssuAhSAs


The following incident is so beautiful and
touching that it should be read in every
house hold in the country. 1t devclopes
the true, active principle kindness. How
many an erring mortal, making his first
step in crime, might be redeemed by the
exercise of this sublime trait in the cliarac-
ter of the kind-hearted Quaker.


William Savery, an eminent minister
among the Quakers, was tanner by trade.
Ono night quantity Of hides were stolen
from his Tannery, and he had reason to be-
licvc that the thief was quarrelsome,
drunken neigl,bor called John Smith. Next
week the following advertisement appeared
in the newspaper


Whoever stole quantity Of hides on the
fifth of this month, is hereby informed that
the owner has sincere wish to be his friend.
II poverty tempted him to this false step,
the owner will keep the whoe transaction u
secret and will gladly put him in the way Of
obtaining money by means more likely to
bring him more peace Of mind.


This singular advertisement attracted con-
siderable attention, but the culprit alone
knew who made the kink Offer When he
read it his heart melted within him, and he
was filed with sorrow for what he had done.
A few nights afterwards, as the Tanners
family were retiring to rest. they heard a
| tinid knock and when the door was open
cd there stood John Smith, with load Of
hides on his shoulders. Without looking
mp, he said 81 have brought these back,
Mr. Savery, where shall | put thcm?'


Wait till I get lantern, and ] will go
to the barn with thee, he replied, then per-
haps thou wilt come in and tell inc how this
happened. We will see what can hc done
for thee


As soon as they were gone out, his wife
prepared soma hot coffee, and placed pies
and meat on the table When they return
from the barn che said: "Mr. Smith, ]
thought some hot supper might be good
for thee.


lie turned his back towards her did not
speak. After leaning against the fraplace
in silence few moments, he said in
choking voice, 'It is the first time ! ever
stole anything, and ] have felt very bad
about it. am sure ] didn't once think
that should come to what ] am. But |
took to drinking, and then to quarreliug. -
Since ] began to 60 down everybody gives
nc kick. You are the first man that has
offered ne a helping hand. My wife is
sickly and my children starving. You have
sent them many a meal, God bless you! but
ye, stole the hides. But | tell YOU the
truth when say, it was the first time was
ever a thief"


"jeti. be the last, my friend, replied
William Saycry. The secret lies between
ourselves. Thou art still young, and it is
in thy power to make up for lost time
Promise me that thou wilt not drink any in
toxicating liquor for year, and ] will en-
ploy the tomorrow on good wages. Tile
little boy can pick up stones. But eat a bit
now, and drink some hot coffee = perhaps
it will keep thee from craving anything
stronger 10 night. Doubtless thou wilt fad
it hard to abstain at first; but keep up a
brave heart for the sake Of thy wife and
children, and it will soon become easy
When thou hast need Of coffee, tell Mary
and she will give it to thee


The poor fellow tried to eat and drink but
the food seemed to choke him. After vain
ly trying to compose his feelings, he bowed
his head on the table aud wcpt like child.
After while he atc and drank, and the
host parted with him for the night with the
friendly words "rry to do well John and
thou wilt always find friend in me-


John ctc:cl into his emi 10y the next
DAY, and remained with him many years a
sober honest, and steady man. The secret
of the theft was kept between them but
after Johns death William Savery some
times told the story to prove that evil might
| n, ovorcome with rood