Page images
PDF
EPUB

* naked and cloathed thee?-or when saw

66

we thee in prison and came unto thee?"

[ocr errors]

"And the king shall answer and say "unto them,-"Verily, I say unto you, "insomuch as ye have done it to the "least of these my brethren, ye have done "it unto me."

Let us then in this world do all the good we can. Old age, infancy, sickness, and peculiar distress, have undoubtedly the first claims, for on the youthful and strong, God hath in a great measure bestowed a power to supply their own wants; though in some instances the demand upon them may be greater than they can fulfil, in which case they become objects worthy our attention, and the smallest assistance may sometimes enable them to extend their endeavours to support life, and in their turn

to

to repay to their suffering fellows, that bounty they have before received.

If the gracious and benevolent eye of our great and immortal Creator, marks even the fall of a sparrow, shall the mortal worms he hath created overlook the sufferings of their fellow sinners, against his ' express commands? surely not, though he is merciful, he is just, and as our thoughts and deeds are open before him, no action will lose its reward-for wisdom and justice will settle the account of each individual according to its true desert.

VOL. I.

C

ON

ON GAMING.

THE stars of night disappear, the watchman, half asleep, cries "Past five o'clock!" the labouring mechanics are hastening to their daily avocations; fashion, weary with pleasure, has just retired to rest, while the wise man walks to the neighbouring fields, to see the sun rise, and to admire the wisdom and bounty of his Creator.

The busy hum of men begins to pervade the city; the tavern door uncloses, and the sound of discordant mirth, min

gled

gled with execrations, strike upon the wounded ear.

Mark!-some one rushes out-his face is haggard, his hair dishevelled, his lips livid, his eyes sunken, but wildly glaring in their sockets. His hands are clenched, the cold drops of perspiration stream down his forehead, which in spite of the damp without seems to contain a raging volcano within.

He walks quick-he stops short.Hark! how he grinds his teeth-'tis thegnash of despair. How fearfully his eyes are cast towards Heaven-he stamps upon "the earth, he strikes his breast, and forces from it the deadly groan of anguish.What can he mean? Who can he be, thus desolate, wretched, and abandoned?Alas! 'tis a Gamester.

[blocks in formation]

"Wretch! monster! villain!" he exclaims, "where canst thou fly from the sight of a virtuous and ruined wife and smiling children, whom thy infernal vices have deprived of bread?-How often have I seen her drop the tear of silent anguish over her babes, as she contemplated my infatuated folly!-Her grief now bursts out-tears no longer relieve her swelling heart. She wrings her hands, she tears her hair, a burning fever rages in her veins; the fire of distraction is in her eyes, she calls the hour accursed in which she pledged to me her maiden vows.-Nature can no more!-her reason returns, her children cling around her, she weeps over them she bequeaths them to her Heavenly Father-prays for her murderer-and expires."

After a dreadful pause, during which his labouring bosom appeared scarcely able

to

1

« PreviousContinue »