unto that which is good." The highest discourse to which he listened from any who shared with me the business of informing his mind, though blending amusement with instruction, would have raised no blush on the cheek of innocence; while to many of these companions was I indebted for enforcing my most important precepts, and explaining to his yet immature understanding what might, to him, appear obscure and "hard to be understood" in my language or design. Holy and honourable help-meets were these to me in the great object of my earthly existence- -to "make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus," "whose," I may truly say, "I am, and whom I serve."

CHAPTER II.

THE YOUTH.

THE time came, at length, when my young owner must put away childish things, and enter on the business of life. No longer a boy, he was looking forward to manhood. But before I accompany him onward, let me record a few traits in his character, which, while yet a boy, gave evidence of the influence over him which, gradually and almost insensibly, but not less surely, I had acquired.

Need I say that among the most explicit of the rules which I am directed to lay down for the daily

calm enough to listen to my advice. I told him, then, to "cast his burden upon the Lord;" and engaged that, if he did so, the Lord would sustain him, and not suffer him to be moved. And when he had taken this advice, and felt still more calm and composed, I reminded him of the holy and merciful High Priest, who having been in all points tempted as a man, as God is able, ay, and willing also, "to succour them that are tempted." I spoke of Him who was without sin and guile, as bearing reproach, and injury, and infamy, without a word; for "as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth :"* and said that "when he was reviled, he reviled not again, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously;"† thus setting an example to all his disciples, that they should follow in his steps. I reminded him, too, of the words of that heavenly Teacher-"I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."+

And it was a happy sight to witness how these words brought back peace and love to my young owner's soul; and how resentment was banished thence, and with what an unaccusing conscience he could thereafter whisper in prayer to that “Father which is in heaven," the words which he himself, by +1 Pet. ii. 23. Matt. v. 44.

• Isa. liii. 7.

my instrumentality, has taught—"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." As pleasant was it also to know that, again and again, my owner examined the cause of the injury he had sustained, to see if in word, thought, or deed he had given ground for reproach; and when he found and was sure that there was no just reason for self-accusation, but that he was the victim of treachery and false report, then it was good to see how-because he had hearkened to the commandment of his God-peace, sweet peace, returned to him again “as a river," and righteousness "as the waves of the sea."

Shall I tell of his sympathy and love; how willingly and unmurmuringly and cheerfully he endured privations, when his earthly parents experienced losses, and disappointments, and reverses which made true my words that "riches make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven;"* how he was then their joy, and comfort, and crown? how he was satisfied with coarser fare and raiment, and entreated that money might not be spent for him? how he looked forward, as I well knew, with loving anticipation, to the time when he should have it in his power to show his gratitude and honour by tangible proofs; forgetting how, day by day, every word, look, thought, and deed of his, was balm to their hearts? And shall I not tell how, when the parents whom he thus honoured were

*Prov. xxiii. 5.

pressed down with the weight of a trial more heavy than the loss of silver or gold, he came and consulted me, and, with my assistance, indited the following loving epistle: "Dearest mother, 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.'

"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.'* Think of this, dear mother."

So the time came when my young owner was to leave the house of his childhood and boyhood. I remember the cheerful acquiescence and the pleasant smile with which he received the intelligence that a home and an occupation were provided for him elsewhere. I know, too, that his prayers for Divine guidance and blessing were very earnest that night.

Then came the preparations for leaving home, the putting safely away the toys of childhood, as pleasant mementoes of the past; the careful revision of books and papers, the contents of his desk and his

* Psa. xlvi. 1—5.

library; the careful reservation of these, and the packing of those. Be sure I was not forgotten, nor laid aside as done with then.

Then came the last day at home; the cording of boxes; the bidding farewell to friends; the mother's last embrace; the last sight of home. You may be sure of all this, though I did not witness it.

And there was the first day among strangers, and the first solitary night in a strange habitation.

Solitary? no, not solitary. That time or place should not be reckoned solitary where the holy and merciful One is, to guard and to guide. My young owner felt this assuredly; and it was in my heart to address him in the words of my great Master himself: "Be thou strong and very courageous: -turn not to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Be strong, and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.'

I shall not linger over this part of my story. My young owner's cheerful countenance was not less familiar to me than it had been in times past. Indeed, we seemed to be brought more closely than

*Josh. i. 7-9.