66 66 322. Love of Unity. -The himself under the portico of a large attachment of the Rev. John Elliot, house. Soon after, the master of usually called "The Apostle to the the house, arriving, followed by Indians," to peace and union among several servants, alighted from his Christians was exceedingly great. horse, entered, and seeing the When he heard ministers complain stranger, asked him who he was. that some in their congregations "I am an unfortunate man," were too difficult for them, the answered Ibrahim, "and request substance of his advice would from thee an asylum.' "God be, Brother, compass them; protect thee!" replied the host, Brother, learn the meaning of "enter, and remain in peace.' those three little words-bear, for- Ibrahim lived several months in bear, forgive." His love of peace, this house without being questioned indeed, almost led him to sacrifice by his host. But, astonished to see right itself. him every day go out on horseback, and return at a certain hour, he ventured one day to inquire the reason. "I have been informed," said his host, "that a person named Ibrahim, the son of Soliman, is concealed in this town; he slew my father, and I am searching for him in order to be avenged." "Then I know," said Ibrahim," that God has purposely conducted me to this place: I adore His decree, and resign myself to death. God has determined to avenge the offended man: thy victim is at thy feet." The host, astonished, replied, "Oh, stranger, I see thy misfortunes have made thee weary of life: thou seekest to lose it, but my hand cannot commit such crimes." "I don't deceive thee," said Ibrahim; and he proceeded to explain the occasion on which the affair happened, and all the circumstances attending it. A violent trembling then seized the worthy host; his teeth chattered as if from intense cold; his eyes alternately sparkled with fury, and overflowed with tears. At length, turning to Ibrahim, "To-morrow," said he, "destiny may join thee to my father, and God will have retaliated. But as for me, how can I violate the asylum of my house? Wretched stranger! fly from my presence. There, take these hundred sequins; begone quickly, and let me never behold thee more!" 323. Passion Restrained.Socrates, finding himself in great emotion against a slave, said, "I would beat you if I were not angry." Having received a box on the ear, he contented himself by only saying, with a smile, "It is a pity we do not know when to put on a helmet." Socrates, meeting a gentleman of rank in the streets, saluted him, but the gentleman took no notice of it. His friends in company, observing what passed, told the philosopher they were so exasperated at the man's incivility, that they had a good mind to resent it. But he very calmly made answer, " If you meet any person in the road in a worse habit of body than yourself, would you think you had reason to be enraged at him on that account ? Pray, then, what greater reason can you have for being incensed at a man for a worse habit of mind than any of yourselves?" 324. Vengeance Restrained. We read in the Arabian chronicles that when Abdallah, the shedder of blood, had murdered every descendant of Ommich within his reach, one of that family, named Ibrahim, the son of Soliman, had the good fortune to escape and reach Koufa, which he entered in disguise. Knowing no person in whom he could confide, he seated FORGIVENESS. Psalm xxxii. 1; Dan. ix. 9; Matt. vi. 14; Luke vi. 37, xvii. 3; Rom. xii. 14. answer 325. Consequences of Returning tian friend. "No, I dare not." Evil for Evil." When I was a "Does your father know where little girl," says a lady, "I learned a you are? "No, I have never good lesson. One frosty morning written to him since I left home." "Then I will write to him at once." I was looking out of a window into "It is of no use, sir, no use.' my father's farm-yard, where stood many cows, oxen, and horses, "Well, we shall see about that; waiting for drink. The morning we can but try." The letter was was very cold; the animals stood accordingly written, and well meek and quiet, till one of the cows prayed over. By return of post, wanted to move, and tried to turn such an came back as round. In trying to do this she hit made the good man rejoice, and against her neighbour, whereupon the wanderer weep abundantly. that one kicked and hit the one "Immediate was written large next to her. In five minutes on the outside; and the substance the late peaceful congregation of of the epistle was, "Ready to foranimals was "This," said the father, in great turmoil, give." furiously kicking and butting each "is what I have been earnestly other. My mother laughed and praying for: I have longed to know said, 'See what comes of kicking where my wanderer was, and when you are hit: just so have I yearned to hear that she was willLet her come back seen one cross word set a whole ing to return. family by the ears.' Afterwards, if my brothers or myself were cross or irritable, she would say, 'Take care, my children; remember how the fight in the straw-yard began never give back a kick for a hit, and you will save yourself and others a great deal of trouble.' at once: I will forgive all, and love her still." was an intimate 327. Forgiving Spirit. The friend of King Charles Albert, Marquis of Mfather of the present monarch of Italy, but he was so ill-tempered, and of so hasty a spirit, that one day, forgetting with whom he was conversing, he grossly insulted his sovereign. The honour of the Crown required an apology from the Marquis of M; but he, being as proud as he was passionate, refused to humble himself He was 326. Father's Forgiveness.-A Christian man found in one of his visits of mercy a young female, about twenty years of age, living in sin, and wretched beyond all description. He soon learned her history. She had left her home some months before, had fallen to his offended King. into sin, and ever since had been therefore banished from the Court, sinking lower and lower in guilt. and confined in one of the Pied"Oh!" she exclaimed, with bitter montese fortresses, to teach him grief, "that I were at home once that "he who is hasty of spirit more! But my father will not exalteth folly." But all the rigour receive me: I am sure that he will of the law, with its severest inflicnot. He cannot love me now: he tions, is powerless over the human will never forgive me; I am con- heart. The Marquis would rather fident he must always hate and have died in the fortress than have despise me; I have lost his affec- humbled himself to seek pardon tion for ever." "Have you ever from his outraged monarch. King tried him?" inquired this Chris-Charles Albert, who was greatly attached to this strange being, monastery. There he had prayed hoped that affection would overcome pride in the heart of the Marquis, and that in time a suitable apology would be made. But weeks and months rolled on, and neither the solitude of a prison, the remonstrances of his friends, nor the entreaties of his wife, had power to subdue that proud spirit. The King, however, whose heart was as tender as it was noble, could no longer endure the absence of his friend; and one day, putting aside his royal apparel, and dressing himself as a private citizen, he drove in a plain carriage to the fortress to see the offender. With a heart full of love and generous feeling, he appeared as a vision of the night to the astonished Marquis; when, without one word of reproach, or one single allusion to the offence, with a loving smile, and with extended arms, he ran towards him, saying, "My dear friend, return to your King as a faithful subject; all is forgotten." Thus, by one act of real greatness, did the generous King subdue the pride of the Marquis, regain the heart of his friend, and obtain the apology due to his offended majesty. 328. Generosity of the Emperor Adrian. It is commonly said that "revenge is sweet," but it can only be so to those weak minds that are incapable of bearing an injury. An elevated mind is superior to injuries, and pardons them. The Emperor Adrian, meeting a man who had insulted him and fasted, and, like many other votaries of the Romish faith, had inflicted painful penances upon himself, but all in vain: a wound had been made which nothing but the grace of God could cure. His concern about his state had added strength to the fever that was wasting his frame, and brought his life to the verge of the grave. A venerable inmate of the monastery entered his cell. The old monk manifested the deepest sympathy for the poor sufferer, and attempted his best to comfort him. He slowly and gravely repeated the words of the "Apostles' Creed," "I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” And, like cold water to a thirsty soul, or the first streak of the dawn to the lost and benighted wayfarer, the words of the old man brought light to the eyes and sent a thrill of joy to the heart of the seeker after peace and righteousness. The forgiveness of sins! The words stuck to him. And although he could not yet see how pardon was to be obtained, or on what ground it could be offered, yet the mere thought of its possibility filled him with hope and comfort and encouragement. "There is forgiveness with God then," he said to himself. "There is a way of salvation then. There is a door of hope. No matter how easy or how difficult to enter this gate. No matter how long or how short a time I take to find it. No matter how many or how few are seeking admission besides myself. It is enough for me to know that there ing salvation, and that my sins, is a chance, a possibility of obtainwhich are many, may be forgiven." before he came to the government, said to him, "Approach; you have nothing to fear: I am an emperor." 329. Luther's Belief.-Between three and four hundred years ago, a poor young German monk, none 330. Noble-mindedness in a Boy. other than Martin Luther, stricken-When the late Rev. Dr. Bedell, down by bodily sickness and by of Philadelphia, was a child, one mental anguish, lay in his cell at of his companions, whom he had Erfurt. A terrific thunder-storm, offended by some trifle, ran into a in which he narrowly escaped with blacksmith's shop, and, seizing a his life, had first of all awakened shovel of hot coals, threw them him to a deep sense of his guilt down his back. As he had to run and danger, and driven him to aa considerable distance to his home he was much burned, and many months passed before he was quite healed. Yet, when his father and friends prepared to have the boy punished who had so cruelly injured him, he earnestly entreated that he might be forgiven, and his friends could only satisfy him by consenting to do so. 331. Overcome Evil with Good. -A Chinese Emperor being told that his enemies had raised an honourable to human nature, thus address them:-"I wish to convince you, O Athenians, how ungenerously you have treated me; for it was not to an enemy that your assistance was refused, but to a prince who loved you, who still loves you, and who wishes to avenge himself only by granting your pardon, and being still your friend. Return to your own homes: have been here, my while you insurrection in one of the distant soldiers have been filling your houses with provisions." provinces, "Come, then, my friends," said he, "follow me, and 333. Philip of Macedon and I promise you that we shall quickly Arcadius.-Arcadius the Argive destroy them." He marched for- was incessantly railing at Philip of ward, and the rebels submitted at his approach. All now thought that he would take the most signal revenge, but were surprised to see the captives treated with mildness and humanity. "How!" cried the First Minister; "is this the manner in which you fulfil your promise? Your royal word was given that your enemies should be destroyed, and behold you have pardoned them all, and even caressed some of them!" "I promised," replied the Emperor, with a generous air, "to destroy my enemies; I have fulfilled my word; for, see, they are enemies no longer: I have made friends of them." Macedon. Venturing once into the dominions of Philip, the courtiers reminded their prince that he had now "an opportunity to punish Arcadius for his past insults, and to put it out of his power to repeat them." The King took their advice, but in a very different way. Instead of seizing the hostile stranger, and putting him to death, he dismissed him, loaded with courtesies and kindnesses. Some time after Arcadius's departure from Macedon, word was brought that the King's old enemy was become one of his warmest friends, and did nothing but diffuse his praises wheresoever he went. On hearing which, Philip turned to his courtiers, and asked, with a smile, "Am not I a better physician than you?" 332. Pagan's Example. The famous Demetrius (surnamed the Conqueror of Cities), having received a marked and undoubted 334. Power of Forgiveness.provocation, laid siege to the city Near the end of the seventeenth of Athens. The inhabitants made a century, a Turkish grandee in Hundesperate resistance, but were at gary made a Christian nobleman last obliged to surrender, in con- his prisoner, and treated him with sequence of great scarcity of pro- the utmost barbarity. The slavevisions. Demetrius then ordered for such he was-was yoked with them, with the exception of the an ox, and compelled to drag the women and children, to be assem- plough. But the fortune of war bled together in one place, and to changing, the Turk fell into the he surrounded with armed soldiers. hands of the Hungarians, who Every one was in the greatest fear, said to their enslaved fellow-counconscious how much they had in- tryman, "Now take your revenge jured him, and expecting every upon your enemy." This was in moment to be put to death. But accordance with the custom of the they were soon overwhelmed with age; and the Turk, supposing, as a joy and admiration, when they matter of course, that he would be heard him, with a magnanimity tortured to death, had already swallowed poison, when a messenger came from his Christian slave, telling him to go in peace; he had nothing to fear. The Moslem was so impressed with this heavenly spirit, that he proclaimed, with his dying breath, "I will not die a Moslem, but I die a Christian; for there is no religion but that of Christ which teaches forgiveness of injuries." The man who could not find a friend was acquitted. "May God bless you, sir; I cannot- "I want no thanks," replied the stranger. "I believe you are unknown to me." "Man! I will refresh your memory. Twenty years ago you struck a broken-hearted boy away from his mother's coffin. I was that boy." The man turned livid. "Have you rescued me then, as you said, to take my life?" "No; I have a sweeter revenge. I have saved the life of a man whose brutal deed has rankled in my breast for twenty years. Go! and remember the tears of a friendless child." 336. Robber's Reward.-William Shenstone, the poet, was one day walking through his grounds in company with a lady, when a man rushed out of a thicket, and, presenting a pistol to his breast, demanded his money. Shenstone was surprised, and his companion fainted. 66 335. Returning Good for Evil.The following anecdote has been related in the "Christian's Penny Magazine:"-The coffin was a plain one-a poor miserable pine coffin. No flowers on its top; no lining of white satin for the pale brow; no smooth ribbons about the coarse shroud. The brown hair was laid decently back, but that was all. "I want to see my mother," sobbed a little child, as the undertaker was screwing down the lid. "You can't! Get out of the way, boy; why don't somebody take the brat?" "Only Money," said the robber, "is not let me see her one minute!" cried worth struggling for; you cannot be the helpless orphan, clenching the poorer than I am. "Unhappy side of the coffin; and as he gazed man!" exclaimed Shenstone, throwinto the rough face the tears ing his purse to him, "take it, and streamed down a cheek on which fly as quickly as possible." The man no childish bloom had ever lin- did so, threw his pistol in the water, gered. Only once let me see and instantly disappeared. Shenmy mother; only once!" Quickly stone ordered his footboy to follow and brutally the hard-hearted the robber and observe where he man struck the boy away, so went. In two hours the boy rethat he reeled with the blow. For turned, and informed his master a moment the boy stood panting with grief and rage-his blue eyes distended, his lips apart, a fire glittering through his tears, as he raised his arm, and with an unchildish accent screamed-" When I am a man I'll kill you for that!" The court-house was crowded to suffocation. "Does any one appear as this man's counsel ?" asked the judge. There was silence when he had finished, until, with lips tightly pressed together, a look of strange intelligence blended with haughty reserve upon his features, a young man stopped forward to plead for the erring and friendless. He was a stranger; but after his first sentence there was silence in the court. that he had followed him to Halesowen, where he lived; that he went to the door of his house, and, peeping through the keyhole, saw the man throw the purse on the ground and say to his wife, "Take the dearbought price of my honesty;" then taking two of his children, one on each knee, he said to them," I have ruined my soul to keep you from starving;" and immediately burst into a flood of tears. Shenstone, on hearing this, lost no time in inquiring into the man's character, and found that he was a labourer oppressed by want and a numerous family, but had the reputation of being honest and industrious. Shenstone went to his house; the poor man fell at |