in the work, and would have trusted 1129. Servants Reproved. In a hamlet at the bottom of some lofty mountains, a minister, while preaching one evening, took notice of the necessity of sanctifying the Sabbath, and showed in a variety of ways how that holy day is violated. A farmer's boy was there, who seemed to listen with great attention. When the next Saturday arrived, his fellow-servants wondered at his cleaning his shoes then, and not as usual on the Sabbath morning, and on inquiring the reason, " Oh," exclaimed the boy, "have you forgotten what was said by Mr. when he preached last time? You know he said we ought not to do any work on the Sabbath which could as well be done on Saturday; and cannot I clean my shoes as well now as to-morrow?" The other servants were at once silenced, and said they believed it was right to keep the Sabbath holy. 1130. Tradesman and Prince.tradesman was sent for on the Sabbath-day, to the Prince of Wales, afterwards George IV., as his Royal Highness was preparing to leave town early the next morning. That tradesman was one who feared God more than man, and at the risk of offending the Prince and losing his valuable patronage, he declined to attend on God's day, but took care to be at the Palace at a very early hour on Monday morning. "I sent for you yesterday," said the Prince; "why did you not come?" "Your Royal Highness, the King wanted me." "The King! I thought my father never sent for tradesmen on Sundays." "Please your Royal Highness, I do not mean the King your father, but the King of kings." SACRIFICE. Gen. xxii. 12; Matthew v. 30; Mark x. 29, 30; John xv. 13; Acts xx. 24; soner to the menagerie at Nymphenburg. 1131. Brave Girl.-A servantmaid at Munich, being in a garden with a child nine months old, set it 1132. Brotherly Devotion.-In down on the ground, when sud- the commencement of the dynasty denly an eagle darted from the air, of Tang, in China, Loutao-tsong, to seize upon it as its prey. The who was disaffected to the Governservant, who was fortunately close ment, being accused of a crime by, with the greatest courage and which affected his life, obtained presence of mind, threw a shawl at leave from those who had him in the bird, which covering his eyes, custody to perform the duties of not only prevented him from seiz- the Tao to one of his deceased ing the infant, but even from friends. He escaped from his escaping. She boldly caught hold of keepers, and fled to the house of the robber, and in spite of his Lou Nan-kin, with whom he was struggles, held him fast till some on terms of friendship, and there persons came to her assistance. concealed himself. Lou Nan-kin, The King of Bavaria rewarded the notwithstanding the strict search heroine, who received some wounds that was made, and the severity of in the contest, and sent the pri- the court against those who con 66 "Call ceal prisoners that have escaped, defend the practice by the usual would not betray his friend. The arguments, but Dr. Hopkins havcircumstance was at length dis- ing successfully refuted them, called covered, and Lou Nan-kin was upon Dr. Bellamy immediately to imprisoned. The court was just free his slave. In answer to this on the point of proceeding against demand it was urged that the him, when his younger brother, slave was a most faithful and judipresenting himself before the judge, cious servant, that in the managesaid, "It is I, sir, who have con- ment of the Doctor's farm he could cealed the prisoner; it is I who be trusted with everything, and ought to suffer, and not my elder that he was so happy in his servi brother." The elder, on the con- tude that he would, in the opinion trary, maintained that his younger of his master, refuse his freedom brother accused himself wrongfully, if it were offered him. "Will you and was not in the least culpable. consent to his liberation, and will The judge, who was a person of you sacrifice your right in him," great discernment, examined both asked Dr. Hopkins, "if he really parties so minutely, that he not desires it?" "Yes," replied Dr. only discovered that the younger Bellamy, "I will." The slave was brother was innocent, but even then at work in the field. made him confess so himself. "It him," said Dr. Hopkins, “and let is true, sir," said the younger, suf- us try." The slave came, as he fused in tears-"it is true I have supposed, to receive the commands accused myself falsely, but I have of his master. Have you a good strong reasons for so doing. My master?" asked Dr. Hopkins, admother has been dead for some dressing the slave. Oh yes, time, and she is yet unburied; I massa, he very good." have a sister also who is marriage- happy in your present condition?" able, but is not yet disposed of."Oh yes, massa, me very happy." These are affairs which my brother" Would you be more happy if is capable of managing, but I am not, and therefore desire to die in his stead. Vouchsafe, therefore, to receive my testimony, and to admit that I am the culprit." The judge would not decide, but laid the case before the Emperor, who, after minutely examining into all the circumstances attending it, had the magnanimity to pardon the cri minal. 66 "Are you you were free?" "Oh yes, massa, me would be much more happy." "You have your desire," exclaimed Dr. Bellamy; "from this moment you are free." 1134. Faithful Servant.-Some years ago a Russian nobleman was travelling on special business in the interior of Russia. It was the beginning of winter, but the frost had set in early. His carriage 1133. Conscientious Sacrifice.-rolled up to an inn, and he deAfter Dr. Hopkins, of America, had become deeply impressed with the sinfulness of slavery, he did much in his intercourse with his brethren to awaken their attention to the subject, and to convince them of their obligations to discountenance that enormity. Visiting at the house of the celebrated Dr. Bellamy, of Connecticut, who was at that time the owner of a slave, he, with his usual candour, pressed the subject upon the attention of his friend. Dr. Bellamy attempted to manded a relay of horses to carry him on to the next station, where he intended to spend the night. The innkeeper entreated him not to proceed, for there was danger in travelling so late; the wolves were out. But the nobleman thought the man merely wished to keep him as a guest. He said it was too early for wolves, and ordered the horses to be put to. He then drove off with his wife and his only daughter inside the carriage with him. On the box of the carriage was a serf, who had 1135. Heathen Sacrifice." A been born on the nobleman's es- Hindoo," says a recent writer, tate, to whom he was much at-" will sometimes devote himself to tached, and who loved his master the deified river Ganges. He puts as much as he loved his own life. on a red robe, and places a crown They rolled over the hardened upon his head. Next he sits down snow, and there seemed no sign by the side of the river, and repeats of danger. The father soon heard, its name, perhaps many thousand however, through the clear, cold, times. He then goes with a Brahfrosty air, a noise which he too min in a boat, which is rowed into well knew the meaning of. He the middle of the stream, with a quickly put down the window, and supply of cord and water-pans. He spoke to the servant, "The wolves, steps into the river, and the pans I fear, are after us! Make haste!" are now tied to his neck and It was quite clear that a pack of shoulders. While they remain wolves had scented them out. The empty they keep him afloat. Soon nobleman tried to calm the anxious his friends in the boat begin to fears of his wife and child, and pour a little water into the pans, said to his servant, "When they or he may do it himself. As he come up with us, do you single floats with the stream the pans are out one and fire, and I will single gradually filling, and in a moment out another; and while the rest they suddenly overturn, and drag are devouring them we shall get their victim to the bottom, amid on." As soon as he put down the the joyous shouts of his misguided window, he saw the pack in full friends." cry behind, the large dog-wolf at their head. Two shots were fired, and two of the wolves fell. The others instantly set upon them and devoured them, and meanwhile the carriage gained ground. But they were soon up with the carriage again. Again two shots were fired, and two more fell and were devoured. But the post-house was yet far distant. The nobleman then ordered the postillion to loose one of his leaders, that they might gain a little time. This was done, and the poor horse was soon torn to pieces. At length the servant said to his master, "I have served you ever since I was a child. I love you as my own self. Nothing now can save you but one thing. Let me save you. I ask you only to look after my wife and my little ones." The nobleman remonstrated, but in vain. When the wolves next came up, the faithful servant threw himself amongst them. The panting horses galloped on with the carriage, and the gates of the post-house just closed in upon it as the fearful pack were on the point of making the last and fatal attack. 1136. Heroic Boy.-Some years ago, some gentlemen who had been out shooting, on their return to Stirling shot a bird near the bridge, which fell upon a sheet of ice in the river, a short distance from the bank. Two boys, one sixteen and the other fourteen years of age, saw the bird fall, and the elder attempted to get it, but the ice broke under him, and he went to the bottom before he had time to implore the assistance of his companion. The younger boy no sooner saw his comrade's danger, than, without waiting to strip off his clothes, he plunged into the water, dived to the bottom, and got hold of him, but, encumbered by his clothes, was unable to bring him up. Determined, however, to save his companion if possible, he immediately came out, stripped off his clothes, and went in a second time, but in this attempt he was equally unsuccessful, as the other boy was by this time so fixed in the mud that all his strength was insufficient to disengage him, and benumbed with cold it was with difficulty that he saved himself. When he got out he had part of his companion's hair in his mouth, having, among other efforts, thus endeavoured to save him. What a noble instance of heroic perseverance ! several of the enemy dead at his feet, and wounded many more. Meanwhile his countrymen were actively employed in cutting down the wooden bridge behind him; and keeping up the fight till he saw this accomplished, he then leaped into the Tiber, armed as he was, and swam in safety to the opposite bank, having received only one wound in his thigh from an Etrurian javelin. The name of this patriot and hero was Horatius Cocles. The Consul Publicola, in gratitude for the service he had performed, proposed to the Roman people that each of them should give him as much as would maintain him for a day, and that he should besides have as much of the public lands as he could compass 1137. Heroic Mother.-In the summer of 1822, a poor woman in the environs of Oncille, in the Duchy of Genoa, of the name of Marie Pittaluga, was in a field with three young children. Suddenly a ferocious wolf, of an enormous size, sprang upon her and attempted to tear one infant from her arms. The mother at first repelled the furious animal, and immediately placing the infant in the cradle, and the two other children behind her, she sustained a contest with her terrible assailant, and after having been bitten several times she had at length succeeded in grasping the wolf firmly by the throat, and preventing him from doing the least injury to the children. The husband of this intrepid 1139. Humane Bishop.-Hisfemale, drawn by her cries and tory relates that when the Romans those of the children, hastened to had ravaged the province of Azaher assistance, but on his appear-zene, and seven thousand Persians ance the wolf made an effort, disengaged himself from the woman's grasp, and took to flight. 1138. Horatius Cocles.- -The Romans, beaten by Porsenna, King of the Etrurians, fled in disorder to Rome, with the enemy close at their heels. When they reached a bridge over the Tiber which gave them an open entrance into Rome, the Etrurians pressed so hard on them that there was the most imminent danger of both friend and foe entering the Sacred City together. One man alone of all the Romans conceived the possibility of stemming the tide of pursuit, and discarding all considerations of personal hazard, he nobly resolyed to devote himself to the glorious achievement. He turned round on the pursuing host as they were entering on the bridge, and with his single arm maintained the pass against them; he fought with incomparable skill and valour, laid in one day with a plough. Not only were these rewards cordially granted him, but a statue was or dered to be erected to his honour in the Temple of Vulcan. The were brought prisoners to Amida, SO mon, Pythias replied in broken accents, "Fatal haste, cruel impatience! What envious powers have wrought impossibilities against your friend? but I will not be wholly disappointed. Since I cannot die to save you, I will die to accompany you." Dionysius heard and beheld with astonishment. His eyes were opened, his heart was touched, and he could no longer resist the power of pity. He descended from his throne, and ascended the scaffold. "Live, live, ye incomparable pair. Ye have demonstrated the existence of virtue, and consequently of a God who rewards it. Live happy, live revered; and as you have invited me by your example, form me by your precepts to participate worthily of a friendship so divine.' 1140. Loving Friends.-Damon, | are safe !" he cried, "you are safe, being condemned to death by Di- my friend! The gods be praised, onysius, tyrant of Syracuse, ob- you are safe!" Pale and half tained liberty to visit his wife and speechless in the arms of Dachildren, leaving his friend Pythias as a pledge for his return, on condition that if he failed Pythias should suffer in his stead. At the appointed time Damon failed in appearing, and the tyrant had the curiosity to visit Pythias in prison. "What a fool you were," said he, "to rely on Damon's promise! How could you imagine that he would sacrifice his life for you or for any man ?" "My lord," said Pythias, with a firm voice and noble aspect, "I would suffer a thousand deaths rather than my friend should fail in any article of honour. He cannot fail. I am as confident of his virtue as I am of my own existence. But I beseech the gods to preserve his life. Op. pose him, ye winds! Disappoint his eagerness, and suffer him not to arrive till my death has saved a life of much greater consequence than mine, necessary to his lovely wife, to his little innocents, to his friends, to his country. Oh! let me not die the cruelest of deaths in that of Damon." Dionysius was confounded and awed with the magnanimity of these sentiments. He wished to speak: he hesitated, he looked down, and retired in silence. The fatal day arrived. Pythias was brought forth, and with an air of satisfaction walked to the place of execution. He ascended the scaffold, and addressed the people. "My prayers are heard; the gods are propitious; the winds have been contrary. Damon could not conquer impossibilities; he will be here to-morrow, and my blood shall ransom that of my friend." As he pronounced these words, a buzz arose; a distant voice was heard; the crowd caught the words, and "Stop, stop, executioner!" was repeated by every person. A man came at full speed. In the same instant he was off his horse, on the scaffold, and in the arms of Pythias. "You 1141. Negro's Devotion. An English gentleman and his lady, who were on their passage to the East Indies in one of the vessels of an English fleet, paid a visit to the Admiral's ship, leaving two Negro servant who young children in the care of a was about eighteen years of age. A violent storm arising during their absence, the ship containing the two children was fast sinking, when a boat arrived from the Admiral's ship for their relief. The crew eagerly crowded to the boat, but the Negro lad, finding there was only room for him alone, or the two children, generously put them on board and remained himself on the wreck, which, with the generous boy, was immediately engulfed in the ocean. 1142. Noblemindedness in a Son. -A gentleman of Sweden was condemned to suffer death as a punishment for certain offences committed by him in the discharge of an important public office, which he had filled for a number of years with an integrity that had never before undergone either suspicion or im |