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LESSON SIXTY-SEVENTH.

The unclouded Sun.

The unclouded sun! While I survey
The appointed ruler of the day,
My spirit ardent cries,

Enlighten, Lord, my darkened mind;
By Truth's bright beams I fain would find
Salvation's blessed prize.

The unclouded sun; an emblem bright
Of the approaching world of light,
Without a dark'ning veil!
Knowledge shall shine resplendent there,
Nor clouds nor tempests interfere,
But light and truth prevail.

Their sun shall never more decline,
But with unfading lustre shine
Throughout eternal days!

God is their "light and glory" too;
His presence evermore they view
And sing his worthy praise.

LESSON SIXTY-EIGHTH.

Power of Conscience.

Dr. Fordyce in his Dialogues on education relates the following striking incident, which he says occurred in a neighboring state. A jeweller, a man of good character and considerable wealth, having occasion to leave home on business at some distance, took with him a servant. He had with him some of his best jewels and a large sum of money. This was known to the servant, who, urged by cupidity murdered his master on the road, rifled him of his jewels and money,

and suspending a large stone round his neck, threw him into the nearest canal.

With the booty he had thus gained, the servant set off to a distant part of the country, where he had reason to believe that neither he nor his master were known. There he began to trade; at first in a very humble way, that his obscurity might screen him from observation; and in the course of many years, seemed, by the natural progress of business, to rise into wealth and consideration; so that his good fortune appeared at once the effect and reward of industry and virtue. Of these he counterfeited the appearance so well, that grew into great credit, married into a good family, and was admitted into a share of the government of the town. He rose from one post to another, till at length he was chosen chief magistrate.

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In this office he maintained a fair character, and continued to fill it with no small applause, both as governor and judge; until one day as he presided on the bench with some of his brethren, a criminal was brought before him, who was accused of murdering his master. The evidence came out fully; the jury brought, in their verdict that the prisoner was guilty, and the whole assembly waited the sentence of the president of the court with great suspense.

The president appeared to be in unusual disorder and agitation of mind; his color changed often; at length he arose from his seat, and descending from the bench, placed himself close to the unfortunate man at the bar, to the no small astonishment of all present. "You see before you," said he, addressing himself to those who sat on the bench with him, "a striking instance of the just awards of heaven, which, this day, after thirty years concealment, presents to you a greater criminal than the man just now found guilty.' He then made a full confession of his guilt, and of all its aggravations. "Nor can I feel," continued he, " any relief from the agonies of an awakened conscience,

but by requiring that justice be forthwith done against me in the most public and solemn manner.

We may easily suppose the amazement of all the assembly, and especially of his fellow judges. However, they proceeded upon his confession to pass sentence upon him, and he died with all the symptoms of a penitent mind.

LESSON SIXTY-NINTH.

Shepherd and Philosopher.

Remote from cities lived a swain,
Unvexed with all the cares of gain.
His head was silvered o'er with age,
And long experience made him sage;
In summer's heat and winter's cold,
He fed his flock and penned the fold;
His hours in cheerful labor flew,
Nor envy nor ambition knew;
His wisdom and his honest fame,
Through all the country raised his name.
A deep philosopher, (whose rules
Of moral life were drawn from schools)
The shepherd's homely cottage sought;
And thus explored his reach of thought.
Whence is thy learning? Hath thy toil
O'er books consumed the midnight oil?
Hast thou old Greece and Rome surveyed,
And the vast sense of Plato weighed?
Hath Socrates thy soul refined?
And hast thou fathomed Tully's mind?
Or, like the wise Ulysses thrown,
By various fates, on realms unknown:
Hast thou through many cities strayed,
Their customs, laws, and manners, weighed?
The shepherd modestly replied,

I ne'er the paths of learning tried: Nor have I roamed in foreign parts, To read mankind, their laws, and arts; For man is practised in disguise; He cheats the most discerning eyes; Who by that search shall wiser grow, When we ourselves can never know; The little knowledge I have gained, Was all from simple nature drained; Hence my life's maxims took their rise, Hence grew my settled hate to vice. The daily labors of the bee Awake my soul to industry. Who can observe the careful ant, And not provide for future want? My dog, (the truest of his kind) With gratitude inflames my mind; I mark his true, his faithful way, And in my service copy Tray. In constancy and nuptial love, I learn my duty from the dove. The hen, who from the chilly air, With pious wing protects her care, And every fowl that flies at large, Instructs me in a parent's charge. From nature, too, I take my rule To shun contempt and ridicule. I never with important air, In conversation overbear; Can grave and formal pass When men the solemn owl despise? My tongue within my lips I rein, For who talks much must talk in vain. We from the wordy torrent fly; Who listens to the chattering pie? Nor would I with felonious flight, By stealth invade my neighbor's right; Rapacious animals we hate;

for wise,

Kites, hawks, and wolves, deserve their fate.
Do not we just abhorrence find
Against the toad and serpent kind?
But envy, calumny, and spite,
Bear stronger venom in their bite;
Thus every object of creation
Can furnish hints for contemplation.
And from the most minute and mean,
A virtuous mind can morals glean.
Thy fame is just, the sage replies;
Thy virtue proves thee truly wise.
Pride often guides the author's pen;
Books as affected are as men;
But he who studies nature's laws,
From certain truth his maxims draws;
And those, without our schools, suffice
To make men moral, good, and wise.

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LESSON SEVENTIETH.

Pizarro and the Inca of Peru.

It happened that just at the time of the arrival of Pizarro and Almagro in Peru, the inhabitants of the country were at war with each other. Two brothers were contesting the right of succession to the government of the country; and one of the two, whose name was Atahualpa, solicited the Spaniards to assist him in gaining his end.

Pizarro saw what advantage this would give him. He pretended to be sent from a distance, on purpose to assist Atahualpa in overcoming his enemies, and marched directly to join him.

Every thing the Spaniards saw, contributed to give them a high idea of the riches of the country, and to inflame their avarice; and Pizarro, who recollected how much Cortes had gained by seizing Montezuma,

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