"Oh! that's not the question," interposed the woman; "keep to the point, sir. What has your way of thinking done for you?" The infidel endeavoured to shirk the matter again; the feeling of the meeting gave vent to uproarious applause, and he had to go away discomfited by an old woman. 539. Stubbornness of Unbelief.It is related that Galileo, who invented the telescope with which he observed the satellites of Jupiter, invited a man who was opposed to him to look through it that he might observe Jupiter's moons. The man positively refused, saying, "If I should see them, how could I maintain my opinions, which I have advanced against your philosophy?" a The clergyman and parishioners of the place where his lordship's seat in Northamptonshire stood, usually passed in sight of it on their way to church. At the time of going and returning, he generally ordered his servants and children into the hall, for the purpose of ridiculing them. He pursued this course for some time, but at length drew near the close of life. Upon his dying bed his views were altered: he found that, however his former sentiments would suit him in health, they could not support him in the hour of death. When near dissolution, "the terrors of the Almighty were heavy upon him." Painful remembrance brought to view ten thousand insults offered to that God at whose bar he was about to stand; and conscience strongly impressed him with the solemnity of that scene. He justly feared the God he had insulted would then send in the room, and desired him to go him to darkness. With his mind thus agitated, he called to a person find it. The nobleman then cried with vehemence, that he must go again, and look till he had found it, for he could not die till it was destroyed. 540. Superficial Infidelity. When the celebrated Dr. Edmund Halley was talking infidelity before Sir Isaac Newton, the latter addressed him in these or like glad to hear you when you speak words: Dr. Halley, I am always about astronomy or other parts of the mathematics, because that is into the library, and fetch that subject you have studied and well cursed book, meaning that which had made him a deist. He went, understand; but you should not talk of Christianity, for you have and returned, saying he could not not studied it. I have, and am certain that you know nothing of the matter." This was a just reproof, and one that would be very suitable to be given to half the infidels of the present day, for they often speak of what they have never studied, and what, in fact, they are entirely ignorant of. Dr. Johnson, therefore, well observed, that no honest man could be a deist, for no man could be so after a fair examination of the proofs of Christianity. On the name of Hume being mentioned to him, "No, sir," said he; "Hume owned to a clergyman in the bishopric of Durham that he had never read the New Testament with attention." The book was then found and put into his hands, when he tore it to pieces with mingled horror and revenge, and committed it to the flames. Having thus taken vengeance on the instrument of his own ruin, he soon breathed his last. 542. Vain Philosophy.-David Hume, the historian, received a religious education from his mother, and early in life was the subject of strong and hopeful religious impressions; but, as he approached manhood, they were effaced, and 541. Terrors of the Almighty.-confirmed infidelity succeeded. MaLord R, after he became a ternal partiality, however, alarmed deist, took every opportunity to at first, came at length to look show his contempt of religion. with less and less pain upon his declension, for Hume applied him self with unwearied, and, unhappily, with successful efforts to sap the foundation of his mother's faith. Having succeeded in this dreadful work, he went abroad, and as he was returning, an express met him in London, with a letter from his mother, informing him that she was in a deep decline, and could not long survive; she said she found herself without any support in her distress; that he had taken away that only source of comfort upon which, in 66 all cases of affliction, she used to rely, and that she now found her mind sinking into despair; she did not doubt that her son would afford her some substitute for her religion; and she conjured him to hasten to her, or at least to send her a letter, containing such consolations as philosophy could afford to a dying mortal. Hume was overwhelmed with anguish on receiving this letter, and hastened to Scotland, travelling day and night, but before he arrived his mother expired. INTEGRITY. Exod. xviii. 21; Psalm xvii. 3; Isa. xxxiii. 15; 2 Cor. iv. 2. 543. Bribed Patriot. - During ness, and every quality which, if the American Revolution, while called into exercise, would render General Reed was President of Con- service to the state. Every one gress, the British Commissioners considered the application of this offered him a bribe of ten thousand man hopeless; no glittering testiguineas to desert the cause of his monial of merit had he to present country. His reply was, Gentle to the eye of Washington; he was men, I am poor, very poor; but your known to be his political enemy; King is not rich enough to buy me." he was opposed by a favourite of the General's; and yet, with such fearful odds, he dared to stand candidate. What was the result? The enemy of Washington was appointed to the office, and his table companion was left destitute and dejected. A mutual friend ventured to remonstrate with the President on the injustice of his ap 544. Duty and Friendship.During Washington's administration as President of the United States, a gentleman, the friend and the companion of the General throughout the whole course of the revolutionary war, applied for a lucrative and responsible office. The gentleman was at all times welcome to Washington's table.pointment. "My friend," said he, At all times, and in all places, Washington regarded him with an eye of evident partiality and kindIn applying for this office, it was accordingly in the full confidence of success; and his friends already cheered him on the prospect of his arrival at competency and ease. The opponent of this gentleman was known to be decidedly hostile to the politics of Washington. He had, however, the temerity to stand as candidate for the office to ness. which the friend and the favourite of Washington aspired. He had nothing to urge in favour of his pretensions but strong integrity, romptitude, and fidelity in busi he is welcome to my house, and "I receive with a cordial welcome; welcome to my heart; but, with all his good qualities, he is not a man of business. His opponent is, with all his political hostility to me, a man of business; my private feelings have nothing to do in this case. I am not George Washington, but President of the United States; this man any kindness in my power; as George Washington, I would do but as President of the United States, I can do nothing." 545. Faithful Minister. Mahommed, King of Khouristan, was, like many other Eastern Princes, sunk in sloth and effeminacy. Good fortune, which often does more than prudence, had given him a good Minister, who was a sincere lover of justice, of his master, and of the country confided to his government. He made no enemies but such as he offended by a thorough disdain of all parasites; an integrity which neither blandishments nor money could shake. A conspiracy hatched against him drove him at length from the counsels of his Prince. He neither offered to justify himself, nor to solicit his restoration; he simply wrote to the Prince, "That as it was always his desire to be useful, he requested of his Highness to grant him some barren lands, which he promised to cultivate, and which would be sufficient for his subsistence.' Mahommed, who could not but esteem a man that had served him with fidelity, gave orders to search for some uncultivated estates in his dominions. None such, however, were to be found. All the lands Khouristan there was neither an chief administration of the affairs of the kingdom, to which he had been so great a benefactor. 546. Honourable Decision. A Corsican Governor relates the demned to die, his nephew came following:-" A criminal being conto me with a lady of distinction, that she might solicit his pardon. The nephew's anxiety made him with sufficient force and earnestness. think that the lady did not speak dressed himself to me, 'Sir, is it He therefore advanced, and adfelt that it was unlawful to make proper for me to speak?' as if he such an application. I bade him go on. will say were fertile; commerce and agri- I knew the nephew to be a man culture, equally encouraged, furnished the inhabitants with plenty;You are acquainted with the of worth, and I answered him, and throughout the whole land of circumstances of the case: such is indigent person nor a barren terri- my confidence in you, that if you tory to be found. The monarch, that giving your uncle a to whom this report was made by pardon would be just, useful, or honourable for Corsica, I promise persons who were ignorant of the inferences to be necessarily drawn you it shall be granted.' He turned from it, sent a message to the dis- about, burst into tears, and left me, carded Vizier, stating that he had saying in his native language, no barren lands to give him, but I would not have the honour of that he might make choice of any zechins. His uncle afterwards sufour country sold for a thousand portion of cultivated territory which fered." he pleased. "I desire nothing more," replied this great Minister, 547. Incorruptible Senator."as a recompense for all my ser- The Roman Emperor Vespasian vices, than the happiness which was very anxious to get a law passthis answer gives me. I was will-ed which he knew, from the stern ing my master should know the condition in which I have left his kingdom. Nothing remains for me but to wish that my successors may follow my example.". The King was awakened by this answer to a just sense of the value of the man whom he had inconsiderately discarded from his service, and immediately reinstated him in the integrity of Helvidius, he would be sure to oppose. He therefore sent a message to him, desiring that he would not attend the Senate that day. Helvidius sent for answer, "It is certainly in the power of the Emperor to deprive me of my senatorship; but so long as I continue a member of that body, I cannot reconcile myself to neglect 66 66 my duty by absenting myself from "My lord, I request another it." Well," says Vespasian, "I moment." They went up again am content that you shall be there, to the garret, and Jack, the provided you will be sure not to servant boy, was called. Jack, speak in the debates that shall what had I for dinner yesterday ?" arise to-day." Helvidius engaged "Don't you remember, sir, you had that he would remain silent, pro- the little shoulder of mutton that vided his opinion was not asked. you asked me to bring from a "Nay," said Vespasian, "but if woman in the market?" "Very you are there you must be con- right. What have I for dinner tosulted.' "And if I be," replied day ?" "Don't you know, sir, that Helvidius, "I must give my advice you made me lay up the bladebone freely, according to what I conceive to broil ?” "Tis so; very right. to be just and reasonable." "Do Go away. My lord, do you that at your peril," said Vespasian, hear that? Andrew Marvell's "for be assured that if you are dinner is provided; there's your against what I propose, your head piece of paper, I want it not. I shall answer for it." "Sire," re- knew the sort of kindness you inplied Helvidius, mildly, "did I tended. I live here to serve my ever tell you that I was immortal? constituents. The Ministry may If I consider it my duty, consistent seek men for their purpose; I am with what I owe to the gods and to not one." my country, to oppose your measure, no threat of personal resentment shall influence me; and if you wreak your vengeance on my head, posterity will judge between us." 549. Proof against Bribes.-The borough of Hull, in the reign of Charles II., chose as member of Parliament Andrew Marvell, a gentleman of little or no fortune, and maintained him in London for the service of the public. With a view to bribe him, his old schoolfellow, the Lord Treasurer Danby, went to him in his garret. At parting, the Lord Treasurer slipped into his hands an order upon the Treasury for £1,000, and then went into his chariot. Marvell looked at the paper,and called after the Treasurer, 550. Unselfishness.- Ptolemy Philodelphus, King of Egypt, having sent to desire the friendship of the Roman people, an embassy was despatched from Rome in the following year to return the civility. The ambassadors were Q. Fabius Numerius, his brother, and Q. Gurges, Cn. Fabius Pictor, with Ogulnius. The disinterested air with which they appeared sufficiently indicated the greatness of their souls. Ptolemy gave them a splendid entertainment, and took that opportunity to present each of them with a crown of gold, which they received because they were unwilling to disoblige him by declining the honour he intended them; but they went the next morning and placed them on the heads of the king's statues erected in the public parts of the city. The King likewise having tendered them very considerable presents at their audience of leave, they received them as they before accepted of the crowns; but before they went to the Senate to give an account of their embassy after their arrival at Rome, they deposited all those presents in the public treasury, and made it evident, by so noble a conduct, that persons of honour ought, when they serve the public, to propose no other advantage to themselves than the honour of acquitting themselves well of their duty. The republic, however, would not suffer itself to be exceeded in generosity of sentiment. The senate and people came to a resolution that the ambassadors, in consideration of the services they had rendered the state, should receive a sum of money equivalent to what they had deposited in the public treasury. 551. Upright Conduct.-Ryland, the artist, who was executed in 1789 for forgery, so conciliated the friendship of the governor of Tothill Fields Bridewell, where he was confined, that he not only had the liberty of the whole house and garden, but when the other prisoners were locked up of an evening, the governor used to take him out with him, and range the fields to a considerable distance. His friends, anticipating the consequences of a trial at this time, concerted a plan by which Ryland was to effect his escape in one of these excursions, and which was to have been executed in such a manner, that the exoneration of his guardian must have followed of course. But probable as it appeared, when mentioned to the unfortunate man, he was so far from acceding, that he protested that if he was at that moment to meet his punishment, he would embrace it with all its terrors, rather than betray a confidence so humanely given. He was deaf to remonstrance and entreaty, and ultimately preferred the risk of death to a breach of friendship. 552. Uprightness and Humanity. -The cashier to a country bank in the North of England, at the close of the last century, was a man of the strictest integrity, and of a remarkably humane disposition. It was customary with the country bankers at that time to exchange every fortnight such of each other's notes as they might have taken in the interval, and the cashier or a confidential clerk generally made the transfer. In the winter of 1799 several robberies were committed in this part of England, and the cashier to whom we have alluded was requested by the proprietors to carry a brace of pistols for his protection. He consented, but stated, at the same time, that he would rather suffer himself to be robbed than discharge one of his pistols, as he did not consider any circumstance but the actual danger of his own life would justify him in taking that of another person. In the course of one of his him, and demanded his money; journeys a highwayman stopped the conscientious cashier first gave all his own money that he possessed; his watch was next demanded, and he gave it. The these the cashier refused to give robber then demanded the bags; up, and struggled hard to preserve them off, and a brace of loaded them, but the highwayman carried pistols in the holsters. When he got home he did not relate his loss until he had procured the money, which was upwards of a thousand pounds, to replace it; he then the up stated the circumstance to the bankers, concluding, "But, gentlemen, you shall not suffer by my humanity, or timidity, as you perhaps may term it, as I have here money to make for all I have of pistols, for the proper use of lost, with the exception of the pair which you know I never promised to be answerable." The bankers were so delighted with this noble instance of integrity, that they refused to take the money, but afterwards employed a less scrupulous, though not more conscientious, messenger. |