Winter, late, with dreary reign, Sorrow cast her sadness round, Now cast around thy raptured eyes, Hark, hark, the joy inspiring grove Such the scenes our life displays, Sullen death, with mournful gloom, But the soul, in gayest bloom, Youth, and peace, and beauty there Light, and joy, and grace divine LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH. The Faithful Minister. Bishop Latimer having one day preached, before King Henry the Eighth, a sermon which displeased his majesty, he was ordered to preach again on the next Sunday, and to make an apology for the offence he had given. After naming his text, the good bishop thus began his sermon. Hugh Latimer, dost thou know to whom thou art this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life, if thou offendest: therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease. But, then, consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest, upon whose message thou art sent? Even by the great and mighty God, who is always all-present, and who beholdeth all thy ways, and who is able to cast both body and soul into hell together: therefore, take care and deliver thy message faithfully!" The bishop then proceeded with the same sermon, and confirmed it with more energy. The sermon being finished, the court was full of expectation to know what would be the fate of this honest and plain dealing bishop. After dinner, the king called for Latimer, and, with a stern countenance, asked him, how he durst be so bold as to preach in this manner. He, falling on his knees, replied, that his duty to his God and to his prince had enforced him thereunto, and that he had merely discharged his duty and his conscience in what he had spoken, and that his life was in his majesty's hands. Upon this, the king rose from his seat, and, taking the good man off his knees, embraced him in his arms, saying, "Blessed be God, I have so honest a servant." LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH. The Miseries of War. I hate that drum's discordant sound, LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND NINTH. De Salo and the Poor Shoemaker. As this counsellor of the parliament of Paris was returning from the courts of justice, one summer evening, in the year 1662, (a year rendered memorable in the annals of France by a severe famine, by which it was distinguished,) followed only by his servant, a man came up, and, putting a pistol to his breast, whilst his hand trembled exceedingly, demanded his money. "My friend," said he, "you have stopped an improper person; I have not much money about me, but it is all at your service;" and gave him two louisd'or. The man took them, and made off as fast as he could, without saying any thing more. "Follow that man, said the counsellor to his servant, "without his observing you; see where he stops, and return and let me know." The servant did as he was ordered, followed the robber through three or four narrow streets, and saw him go into a baker's shop, where he bought a large loaf of bread, and changed one of his louisd'or. He then went into an alley, at the distance of a few paces, ran up a pair of stairs that led to a garret, and, on entering it, (where there was no light but that of the moon,) he threw his loaf into the middle of the room, and exclaimed, with sobs, to his wife and children, "Eat, eat! this loaf has cost very dear; satisfy your hunger, and do not torment me, as you have done, to procure you another. I shall be hanged, one of these days, and you will be the cause of it." The wife, who was in tears, appeased him as well as she could; picked up the loaf, and divided it amongst her four children, who were nearly starved to death. The servant, who had taken exact notice of all that passed, returned to his master, who went the next morning, according to his directions, to visit the poor man's habitation. In his way up stairs, he inquired of the lodgers, what character he bore; and was told, that he was a shoemaker, an honest and a worthy man, ever ready to assist his neighbors, but burdened with a large family, and so poor that they wondered how he was able to live. The counsellor knocked at his door, and was immediately let in by the poor man in rags, who, instantly recollecting him as the person that he had robbed the preceding day, fell down at his feet, requesting him not to ruin him. Do not make yourself uneasy, my good friend," said the counsellor, "I am not come to do you any harm, I promise you. You follow a very wretched profession, I assure you; and one that will, in a short time, bring you to the gallows, if you do not leave it off. Take these ten guineas; they will buy you some leather; so work as hard as you can, and support your children by your honest industry." LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH. Reason like the Evening Star. The evening star of reason's thine; And be to them a ruling star! LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH. Anecdotes of honorable Conduct. The Spanish historians relate a memorable instance of honor and regard to truth. A Spanish cavalier, in a sudden quarrel, slew a Moorish gentleman, and fled. His pursuers soon lost sight of him, for he had, unperceived, thrown himself over a garden wall. The owner, a Moor, happening to be in his garden, was addressed by the Spaniard on his knees, who acquainted him with his case, and implored concealment. "Eat this," said the Moor, giving him half a |