but if they were, they and their descendants could not have manifested a more fierce and wolfish spirit. The history of the early Romans is the history of Italian bandittis or robbers, who, in the array of armies, led on by some daring man, robbed and plundered their neighbours, putting to death all who resisted them. They went on in this way for hundreds of years, until they had subdued all the nations around the shores of the Mediteranean, or, as it is called in the bible, the Great Sea. They came to these islands, and subdued our rude forefathers. The Jews were subject to them at the birth of our Saviour, as you read in the gospel by Luke. At this time they had arrived at the height of their power-all the world, they said, was subject to them; and certainly there was no nation to be found that could or would encounter them all were still, none peeped or muttered; and it was at this time of universal peace that the Son of God-the Prince of Peace, appeared in our world. But with all their power, and riches, and honours, they were a depraved and wicked people. Paul the apostle draws their picture in his epistle to the Romans. Read the first chapters of that epistle, and you will there find a full description of the Roman character. Hateful and hating one another, they were tyrants among men, and rebels against their Creator. Never was language more misapplied than when calling such men noble Romans." 66 Like all other men who pursue the same course, they soon became indolent, and exposed themselves to the attacks of the rough and hardy barbarians of the north of Europe, who came down upon them in swarms, and with a strong hand deprived them of their power, robbed them of their riches, and destroyed the monuments of their greatness. Kome is now only a shadow of what she once was, JACK AND HIS MOTHER. and her people have long been the down-trodden slaves of superstition and intolerance. Some think there are signs of improvement amongst them. But never will they rise to the enjoyment of real liberty until the word of God is set free amongst them. Righteousness exalteth a nation. Sin is a disgrace to any people. JACK AND HIS MOTHER. SOME years ago, a minister, who had been preaching at a small village, was accosted after the sermon by a poor woman, who enquired whether he remembered her Jack; on his replying in the negative, and wishing to know the difference between her Jack and any other Jack, she replied, with much emphasis, My Jack, why he is the best Jack in the world; you must remember Jack, he came to your Sunday school." This led to further conversation, and the following facts were elicited. Jack was the only son of this poor widow, and was quite young when his father died. After the death of his parent, he exerted himself to the utmost to support his mother, but he could not accomplish his affectionate purpose. At last he proposed that he should go to sea. His mother at first rejected the proposal, but upon mature consideration she made up her mind to let him go. Accordingly, with many tears on both sides, he departed for the nearest seaport. When he got there he wandered up and down the quay till a captain who was waiting for his ship, said to him, "Well, my lad, what do you want?" "I want to go to sea, sir," said Jack, "and shall be very glad if you will take me on board your ship." "But you must bring some friend with you who can speak about your character," said the captain. Poor Jack's heart sank within him when he heard this; he knew no friend to give him a character, but he thought of his bible, and drawing it from his pocket he held it up to the captain, "here, sir, on this title-page, is all the character I can give." "I will take you on that recommendation," said the captain, who saw that it was a reward from a Sunday school. So Jack started on his voyage. The vessel was bound for St. Petersburg. When about midway they were overtaken by a terrible storm. The captain and the crew thought certainly that the ship would go to the bottom; all hope of saving her was given up, and despair and consternation seized every one with the exception of Jack, who was calmly praying in a corner of the deck. Seeing there was no chance of escape, the captain and his crew gathered around Jack, and on their knees begged him to pray for them. Jack did so, and, notwithstanding the confusion that prevailed, read a psalm to them. Contrary to all expectation the storm abated, and they reached St. Petersburg in safety. When they landed, the captain came to Jack and said, "Whatever other people say, I shall always maintain that your prayers saved the ship, and our lives." While at St. Petersburg Jack went to see the nobility of Russia go to Court. Carriage after carriage rolled past, till at length one drove up containing a very elegantly dressed lady, who, in putting out her hand to make a signal to the coachman, dropped her diamond bracelet, which Jack immediately picked up. He called loudly to the driver to stop, but in the bustle he could not be heard, so he returned to his ship not knowing what to do with the bracelet; return it he must, and return it he would if he possibly could. When he got to the ship he took the lost trinket immediately to the captain, and requested his advice respecting it. "Why keep it to be sure," said the captain, "and think yourself lucky in finding it." "But it is not mine," said Jack, "I have no right to keep what does not belong to me." JACK AND HIS MOTHER. 'Nonsense," said the captain, "its yours." Jack still persisted in affirming that he had no right to keep the bracelet, but his upright reasoning was thrown away upon his master. At last Jack said, "suppose we were to have another storm while we are going to England, how could I pray to God if I had this thing which does not belong to me." "Ah, I never thought of that," said the captain, "you had better take it back, and I will assist you to discover the owner." After some trouble they did so, and Jack received thirty pounds as a reward. This sum, by the captain's advice, he laid out in merchandize, which he took back to England, and disposed of for about forty pounds, so that, including his sailor's wages, he had nearly eighty pounds, with which he intended to make his mother comfortable. As soon as he landed and had been payed, he set off to his little cottage, hoping to find it as he had left it; but ah! how different, no one lived there now, the windows were closed, the moss had grown over the thatch, and the garden gate was broken down. Poor Jack! what cared he for his money or anything else if his mother was not alive to share it. Jack was thinking in this manner when a girl who Jack had known before he went to sea came out, and exclaimed, “ Why, Jack, is that you?" "Yes," said Jack, "how are you? how long is it since my mother died?" "Oh, I am very well," said she, "but who told you that your mother was dead; she is not dead, she has left this house and gone to the workhouse." "That's all, is it," said Jack joyfully, "she shant be in there long, then, any how." So saying, Jack ran off to the workhouse, enquired for his mother, brought her away, and returned to their house, where they lived till the Tuesday on which Jack's mother told this story to the minister. B. I. L. WHO, when thine infant life was young, With earnest diligence restrain The word, the look, that gives her pain; If weary toil her path invade, Come, fond and fearless to her aid; Nerve thy young arm her steps to guide; If fades her cheek, be near her side; And by a life of goodness pay Her care and love, by night and day. |