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In the spring, the clergyman procured a situation for Joseph in a country store. He was found capable and faithful, advanced steadily to better and better preferment, and became a prosperous, respected man, until at length came the weddingcards, telling of a happy marriage. A volume might be filled with incidents of a similar character, that will make up the "book of record" of this comforter's life.

It is much easier to give money to the poor than time and sympathy; for, in the moral, as in the material world, what is most valuable costs most, and abounds least. Few who have any thought at all on the subject of moral duty, can fail to adopt some rule as to the amount of money it is proper for them to bestow in charities. I have been told of a farmer who, on beginning married life, decided, with his wife's concurrence, to adopt the old Jewish rule, and give the tithe of his in"to the service of the Lord." This they

come

have always done, and are still doing.

The blessing of the Lord has seemed to be upon them, and everything has prospered in their hands.

A young woman whom I know, lays aside a certain proportion of the allowance her father makes her for her personal expenses, to be used for the poor, and no pressure, no exigency, will ever induce her to appropriate any portion of it to herself. She seems to regard it as not her own, and

in using it for herself, would almost feel as if she had committed a theft.

This, I think, is an excellent practice; for, while it insures the performance of a high duty, it cultivates economy and self-denial All young persons should make some rule for themselves on this subject.

Human nature is so imperfect, that our very virtues may become temptations. In what other words could our Saviour have so impressively conveyed his sense of the danger of a self-righteous benevolence, or have guarded us more carefully against it, than by the injunction, "Let not your left hand know what your right hand doeth."

Since I wrote this chapter, an instance of most pitiful dealing with a poor, honest, hard-working laundress, on the part of a wealthy woman from one of our cities, has come to my knowledge, and reminded me that I have forgotten one topic which it should have included. This woman attempted, deliberately, to defraud her employée of half the sum due to her-the whole being only a few dollars and would have done so, but for the interference of " a friend in need," belonging to a family whose position gives them influence.

Instances of very hard dealing with the working poor, I fear, are not very uncommon. I have

often known them, and they are not unfrequently committed on the part of those whose wealth is their distinction, and who are proud of living in the Fifth Avenues of our cities. What rightminded person would accept the fullest, richest purse, accompanied with such meanness of heart, and leanness of soul? What impoverishment of all that makes existence worth having, does a disposition so niggardly imply? Listen, O ye who "grind the faces of the poor," to those words of everlasting utterance-"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." There is denunciation of this crime all through Holy Writ. I have sometimes thought that there is hardly any other I would not as soon dare commit. Judas betrayed his Master for a few paltry pieces of silver, and whoso, calling himself a Christian, defrauds the poor of their rightful earnings, repeats the crime of Judas. I beseech you, deal not only justly, but generously, with the class whose cause I am pleading. Their lot is often a very hard one, the contrast between their condition and yours so great, that the absence of envy and discontent on their part implies great merit; and yet, as a class, they are patient, gentle, and more kind and generous in giving their sympathy, and sharing their scanty means with those in greater need than themselves, than they who are "well to do" in the world.

Compare, as to nobleness of soul, the two women of whom I have spoken. The laundress can get employment only a few months in the pleasant part of the year; her husband is intemperate, and does little or nothing for the support of his family. During the past winter she asked a lady, who befriends her, to advance her money for the purchase of a barrel of flour. All the washing she could get amounted only to fifty cents a week. She had laid up no stores for the winter but a few bushels of potatoes; yet every time her earnings had amounted to a dollar, she regularly brought the dollar to pay for the flour. "But how can you spare it?" was often asked; "how do you live?" "Oh, I get along," was the reply, as her eyes filled with tears. This I call a noble woman, worthy to look down upon, and compassionate her who would have done her wrong, although occupying, according to the world's estimate, an elevated position.

CHAPTER IV.

RELATIONS WITH SERVANTS.

IN connection with our relations with the poor, it may not be out of place to speak of those which we should hold to servants. As young ladies, you may have some responsibilities in regard to them— as married women, you must have some of them in your care and keeping, on whom you, in your turn, will be dependent for very important services to yourself. Here, again, as in every other department of human life, a mode of proceeding based upon truly Christian principles is the only right, and, therefore, the only successful mode. Let those who serve you see that you take a real, friendly interest in them, as your fellow-creatures, as belonging to the great human family, whom Christ came into the world to redeem from sin and suffering; that you care for their comfort; that you are sorry for their trials and misfortunes, their pains and their sicknesses; that you are willing, in all emergencies, to aid them with your counsel; in short, that they are embraced within the circle of your sympathies, instead of being regarded

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