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EAR Editor, The "Gatherings from Memory, No. 5," at page 342 of: the Christian Messenger for 1870, have so interested and refreshed my spirit that I cannot forbear sending you a few lines corroborative of some statements therein contained. I happened, many years ago, to know most of the persons therein named, and have, at present, the plans of the period by me, bearing many of their names. You speak of the "Sharp" family. They were great favourites of mine. The manly satisfaction with which Joseph, the father of the Rev. J. Sharp, in Australia, witnessed the opening services of the new chapel at Sunny Brow, in the erection of which he had had no little share, is still fresh upon my memory. And, indeed, many other incidents in connection with those remarkable days start up vividly before me, and inspire me with a hallowed hope of one day meeting with many worthies long since removed from that part of the country to their eternal home. "Old Andrew," the father of the "Sharps," known in those days as "Auld Andrew," was indeed, as you say, "a celebrity; "and a few facts may

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help to show how eminent a man he was in our Israel, and may perhaps stir up and encourage some humble Christian to strive earnestly to fill up the niche assigned him to the glory of God.

"Auld Andrew's " piety was deep-toned, mellow, and uniform. His reading was limited; for he said to me, on one occasion, "I'll give onny-body leave to come and catch me, if they can, a-reading onny beeaks but t'Bible and our hymn-beeak." But what he did read he could bring to bear upon others with remarkable force. He was ever ready with a word of encouragement to the feeble, of warning to the impenitent, and of hope and comfort to the seeking soul. No public Primitive Methodist meeting held in the neighbourhood of "Auld Andrew's" residence was considered complete without his presence, and no gathering of his own class-mates would ever have dreamed of finding him absent at the appointed time. To the preacher, in the public service, his pious countenance, his tears of joy, his warm Amen and general bearing were a help not easily dispensed with; and none but those who were in the habit of worshipping with him can form any idea of the void which was occasioned by his decease. He was, at that time, the oldest member in that society of ours. He had seen some others come and go, rise and fall; but divine grace had enabled him to plant his feet upon the rock with such firmness that nothing could shake.

Scarcely two months previous to his decease a dreadful explosion took place in a coal-pit contiguous to the one in which he was accustomed to work. I was in the village at the time of its occurrence. Forty men and boys were in an instant destroyed, many of whom were blown to atoms. The consternation of the neighbourhood was intense; the agonies of the bereaved knew no bounds; and, for many days, could find no relief.

Many of the men destroyed were known to be very wicked characters, and "Auld Andrew," with an anguish indescribable, yet with a satisfaction which none could appreciate like himself, was seen to raise his hand heavenward with holy confidence, while tears chased each other down his cheeks in quick suc cession as he exclaimed, "There's not yan o' them can go t' t' bar o' God and say, 'Auld Andrew never warn'd us to flee fra t' wrath te cum.' A've warn'd em au,' day and neet, monny a time." And repeatedly he would burst into tears, and, sobbing as though his heart would break, he would again exclaim, "A've warn'd em' au' wiv tears e my e'en monny a time." This alone was s noble evidence of his consistent life.

You speak, dear Editor, of his influence at camp-meetings and love-feasts. Truly it was remarkable. I heard him once say at a love-feast, "Talk about love-feasts, ma friends, why a've a love-feast wiv ma blessed Jesus fav or six times every day i' t' bowels at yarth." (In the bowels of the earth.)

On another occasion, whilst every eye in the assembly was attracted to him, said he, "There's a monny people as can talk a great deal about the theery o' religion, while they nau nothin' about the sperience of it. Tell me o' the sperience of it, friends. I like the sperimental part o' religion. Give me the sperimental part, and onny-body may tak' the theery."

Very shortly before his death he thrilled us at a love-feast, in which he spoke his experience with astonishing clearness and power, winding up with these remarkable words, "I am the Lord's, and mind if onny o' you who are here should hear tell that Auld Andrew has deed suddenly, or as got killed i't' coal-pit, you may set it

down in your pocket-beeaks that he's gone shoutin' yam te glary" (home to glory.) Big tears coursed down his sainted and up-lifted cheeks, which shone at the time as though they had been varnished as he spoke, and he sat down, his speech having produced an effect which I can never forget while memory retains its power. A few months after, at his class-meeting, his fervour, his longings for heaven, and the whole tone of his demeanour were so remarkable that his most intimate friends, long accustomed to his extraordinary piety, were constrained to say to each other, "Surely Auld Andrew is nearly home, for he never seemed so ripe for heaven in all his life as now." And, I believe, the following evening of Tuesday, December 11th, 1838, as he was ascending the shaft of the coal-pit on his way home a stone fell upon his head, and he spoke no more.”

His sorrowing widow, shortly after, received his lifeless body. The news dew with amazing rapidity. Hundreds smote their breasts and wept, and from many a lip fell the words, "He is safely gone to heaven." A large number of persons, including all ranks in the neighbourhood, followed his remains to the grave, where the officiating clergyman paid a marked tribute of respect to the memory of " Auld Andrew,” and exhorted his hearers to follow his steps. Fakenham, Norfolk. HENRY ALDERSLADE.

GATHERINGS FROM MEMORY.-NO. IX.

HABITS AND RECREATIONS.

Ir is a favourite sentiment of our free-thinking fellow-creatures that our characters are formed for us mainly by the operation of circumstances. But there is much of the false and dangerous in this statement, and you will do well, especially in your young days, to shut your ears to all talk which would lead you to act in opposition to the plain precepts of God's Word. I am far from denying the power of circumstances; my own experience teaches me the contrary. But this also I know, that I was never assisted by temptation to evil, but I could have pushed it aside and acted in a way opposite thereto. Let me notice one or two facts which will cast light upon this subject. Nothing is so important as an equitable temper, and over this circumstances have great power; but over them again we have a power that can rise and rule. Bad temper is not a habit; at first it is a weakness or infirmity of the constitution. Now, circumstances act upon this infirmity as wind upon fire; but any one who has looked into his own inner life knows that he has a power of restraint which, when called into action, at once allays or keeps back the storm of passion which is ready to break out. The shame and condemnation which he feels who has not used this power, but has suffered his temper to break out in a fury of bad language, say, in terms which cannot be mistaken, "You have been guilty of a wrong you could have avoided." We were once amazed in our printing-office by the utterance of a Doctor of Divinity. He was awaiting proof-sheet of a paper for him, in which were many Greek and Hebrew words. A man who was hurrying on with the job let a whole line of Hebrew fall into "pie," on which he uttered passionately some foul expression. On apologizing to the Divine, judge of our astonishment when he coolly replied, "O, never mind, it is no use having tempers if we do not use them!" Instinct is oftener a safer guide than theory. It was so in this case; for most of us who heard this dangerous sentiment felt that he whose it was was in the wrong.

It is said that the wrath of a good-tempered man is awful when once aroused. Perhaps it is so. I once felt awful anger in my heart; and it almost makes me quail when I think of it. A fellow-apprentice had grossly abused me. He had done a very wrong thing, and, to shield himself, laid the wrong upon me. Taken by surprise, I had not power at the time to speak in my own justification; so I was blamed. So wounded, tortured, and inflamed was my unrenewed heart that I inwardly cursed him. My condemnation and horror at my awful and bitter anger outweighed in my feelings the bad conduct of my fellow-apprentice. But I rejoice to say that amidst the turmoil and excitement of my after-life I cannot recollect giving way to any such temper. Nor do I remember ever turning my tongue on my parents. And, after a stay in one situation of above twenty years, most of which time I had the care of a large establishment, with its numerous vexations and invitations, I had the satisfaction one day of hearing one of the men under me say that during the sixteen years he had been in that position he had never heard a foul expression from my lips. While I write this my heart swells with gratitude to God who has thus kept and preserved me.

You will also often be tempted to conceal or deny the truth. Now, I admit that we are led to this foul act by circumstances; and he who does not look below the surface of things will conclude that we are made untruthful thereby. But, as with respect to temper, so with this-we can overcome the temptation if we please. Lying takes its rise from a wish to appear better than we are. I have heard it said, "If Methodists don't swear, they can tell lies like the devil." I do not see any reason why Methodists should be more guilty of this scandalous sin than other folks; nor are they. It is incident to human nature, especially in those who are especially desirous of having the esteem of their fellow-creatures. I agree with those who place this sin on the top of all other sins; a sin which at this moment exists amongst all ranks of men and in all lanes of life. The child and the old man; the merchant and the beggar; the harlot and the minister, all are led away by the power of this huge evil. The minister of the gospel who habitually preaches another man's sermons, taking credit to himself for all the learning or polish his utterances may possess, is as truly a liar as is the school-boy who presents his slate covered with answers to questions which he has purloined from the book of his fellow-student. It is boldly stated by the tradesman that he cannot keep his shop open in these days on honest principles. I do not believe it. Such men are not patient, nor have they faith in God; otherwise they would soon find out that "honesty is still the best policy." Let a man begin any calling on honest and truthful principles, and steadily adhere thereto, and, when God hath tried him, he will bring him off more than conqueror. But men are making such haste to be rich that they do not take time to do right.

In seeking to establish a truth-loving disposition in their children, many parents take a foolish course. Sometimes a mother will extort the truth from her boy by a threat of punishment if he conceal it, and then when the poor child has mustered up courage enough to admit his fault he gets a blow, with the promise of a heavier one the next time he does wrong. This makes the child resolve not to confess again; thus encouraging lying. No, no, this will not do. We cannot improve God's plan, who gives forgiveness as the reward of confession, nor upbraids when he pardons.

Now, no sin will so degrade you in your own eyes as that of lying, nor is there any habit which will so effectually damage you in public estimation. The boy who for fun acted as if he was drowning was at last left to perish, for he was not believed.

As you are on the threshold of life, with all its opportunities and responsibilities before you, none of you born with a silver spoon in your mouths, but all likely to have to hew out a path for yourselves, it will be needful that you devote attention to the gaining of sound and useful knowledge. I refer not to the business or profession which you shall choose, but to studies which will have to engage your spare hours, with the view of improving your minds. You must have some pursuit or other for these spare hours, and, unless you select those of an elevating order, you will certainly be drawn into what will damage both your nature and your reputation. What particular branch of study you should select, it is not for me to define; your own tastes or preferences and the circumstances in which you are placed will do much in the way of determining that question. But, whichever it may be, stick to it when once you have adopted it. Some fancy drawing and painting; others music and singing, and others again language or history. Geography is a favourite with many, and not a few have been enamoured with the study of mathematics.

I have lately had the honour of speaking to an old gentleman who, until his 60th year, was immersed in the cares of business. At that age he began to study botany, conchology (the science of shells), and kindred subjects, and so zealous was he in his new pursuits that at the end of ten years he had overcome most of the difficulties which lie in the way of success, such as learning the Greek and Latin names of order, class and family, and could distinguish between the species of flowers and shells. Last year, at the advanced age of 72 years, he composed and laid before the Historic Society of this town a paper on "The Land and Water Shells of Great Britain," in which it is said he displayed a great amount of knowledge and skill. Having a competency, he was enabled to go from place to place in quest of specimens, and it is indeed surprising to see a man of his age going on a journey of many miles to obtain acquaintance with and secure some particular shell. I do not think any of you will have the opportunity of moving in the way of dredging canals, ditches, and pits, still you might become acquainted, to some extent, with the science of entomology (the science of insects), for example, and get to know the habits and instincts of our Lepidotera (the order which comprises butterflies, moths, and sphinxes), the butterflies which flit about our fields and woods. Also, of the microscopic insects, which, unseen by the human eye, swarm in countless myriads in all waters and in all climes.

We do not say this to deter you from the study of the higher sciences, as mathematics and astronomy, nor are we afraid of such-like pursuits. Some few, you know, hint, nay declare, that science and the Bible do not agree; that the facts of the one contradict the statements of the other; but, I believe the things now only seen in part will one day form a portion of the evidences which support our holy religion. Poor short-sighted men, who only see things as they appear, who know nothing of the great links which join the earthly to the heavenly, may assert that "Science is the Providence of Life," and regard those who teach that God works and rules amongst the children of men as mistaken fanatics, yet we hold fast the belief that all the discoveries of science are the

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