220 IN HISTORY OF A SERVANT. To the Editor of the Family Monitor. my last address to you, I offered to your use a sketch of the character of a faithful servant; and trusting that her example may be useful to the present generation, though she has long since "entered into the joy of her Lord," I shall make no apology for the attempt. Her fidelity still lives in the affection of the writer, whose desire to bear testimony to it will excuse any defects in the description. At the age of sixteen, she came into a large city, from a neighbouring village, in search of a situation. She heard of a place, but was told that it was 66 a very hard one-the mistress was very particular, and if she went into it she would not be able to stay a fortnight." She was gifted with a very good understanding; and though so young, she had proved before, that wherever she had tried to give satisfaction, she had never failed; and though knowing but little, she was eager to learn, and obliged to any one who would teach her; so that every day must have added to her knowledge and improvement. In the place in question, the mistress looked to every part of the work, and this she knew would fit her for another place, if she could not keep this; therefore she determined to go, against all the kind counsel of her advisers. She went; she found plenty of work; but she had health and strength, and she was not unwilling to use them: her obliging manner, and quickness at learning, pleased her mistress; and the good-humour of a mistress never fails to fall upon the servant in smiles of encouragement, in consideration not to work a willing temper too hard, and in a wish to please and attach one so likely to improve. So it will ever be found that good dispositions gain more favour than higher attainments. On better acquaintance, she was found to be trust-worthy, in word and deed. She never did any thing behind her mistress's back that she would not do in her presence; and spoke the truth, though it were to confess a fault. These qualities soon recommended her to every member of the family-the children, about eight or ten years old, grew fond of her, and found many ways of saving her work, and making her comfortable. They would not dirt her clean boards, nor make litters for her to remove; and she soon found herself very happy, and able to do her work, though, confessedly, she had more to do than two, less willing, would have been able to perform. In a few years she became so valuable, that another was taken to assist her-then her endeavour was to teach all her own good methods, and willing manners, to her assistant. Her pleasure was in having her master's house neater than his neighbours', and to hear the visitors remark the polished tables and grates, and to know that she spared no pains in endeavouring to give satisfaction. Instead of giving warning, with a view "to better herself," she thought she was much happier in the growing fondness of her young master and mistress, than she should be amongst strangers, where, perhaps, her ways would be all wrong, and she should neither please, nor be pleased; and though she had still a hard place, from the increase of company, and enlargement of the house→ the consequences of her master's increasing prosperity-she went on doing her duty; and every year added to her value. Oneand-twenty years had elapsed, when fortune took a turn. Her master, from long illness, and accumulated misfortune, failed in his business, and became a bankrupt. Then were the faithful qualities of this excellent woman peculiarly tried; for then, with increased assiduity, she attended upon her master, and endeavoured to lighten his affliction-never forsaking him in the day of adversity, though she knew that he could no longer afford her the comforts which she had hitherto enjoyed. Night and day she attended his sick bed, and supported herself to a miracle, till his life was terminated, when it appeared that she had done more than her frame was equal to. She sank into a nervous fever, and her own life was despaired of. Then in her turn she received the comforting attentions of the younger branches of the family. Her sick bed was attended with anxious affection; and the best advice and the tenderest care succeeded, under the Divine blessing, in restoring her to health. Her young master, after struggling three years through the distressful circumstances of his family, married, and was enabled to fulfil the promise given to his father on his death-bed. The request made, with his latest breath, was, that his old servant should never want, nor be forsaken. She was accordingly transferred into his own house, where she became the head manager of their newly-founded establishment. Her young mistress, knowing little of domestic concerns, was glad of her assistance; and duly appreciated a character so peculiarly stamped with integrity, fidelity, and exalted attachment. Though enervated by severe illness, to a degree that would have unfitted her for any other service, the constant attention and consideration shown to her by every member of the family, enabled her to fulfil her duties with satisfaction both to herself and her employers. For four years and a half she held the situation of cook and housekeeper. The latter office would have fallen upon her mistress, but for her known superiority in experience and carefulness; and one thing worthy of remark is, that she never, for a moment, failed in her respectful behaviour; though she had known her master from the age of ten years, and must have felt her importance in the family. Her attachment and good principles induced her mistress to forego her usefulness in household concerns, and transfer to her the charge of her children; and her anxious care of them in health, her watchfulness over them in sickness, and her unwearied patience under all circumstances, rendered her invaluable, and almost a rival to the mother. Were ambition an allowable feeling as a principle of action, this valuable person might have indulged it. Not a visitor, however elevated in station, but felt a degree of esteem for her, amounting to respect. ways noticed, and inquired for as one of the family. walked out with the little flock intrusted to her care, her respectable appearance (always neat and plain) attracted the attention and admiration of the good mothers, "who wished their children had such a nurse." The notice she received in this way was more gratifying to her than the vacant gaze of the multitude, which the vain and thoughtless seek to obtain by a gaudy dress-but she had a still higher source of happiness than human praise. She was not one of those persons of whom St. Paul speaks, who render their obedience to their employers," with eye-service, as men-pleasers;" but "with singleness of heart unto God;" for "while she was diligent in business, she was fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Two-and-forty years did she live in the same family, beloved and respected, when a rapid disease, in two short days, removed her from this world, to another She was al- and a better. To the doctor she said, "Tell me if I am in danger! I am not afraid to die!" for she knew in whom she had trusted; and the "rod and staff of her merciful Saviour were then her comfort in passing through the dark valley of the shadow of death." She had produced the fruits of faith by her obedience to the commands of her divine Master, without which she could have had no well-grounded hope of salvation; for "without holiness no man shall see the Lord;" but she was likewise gifted with the Christian grace of humility; and though her character, to human eye, was unblameable, she knew that she stood in need of mercy from that heart-searching God, in "whose sight the heavens are not clean;" and when she had done all, she confessed that she was an "unprofitable servant," and had only "done that she was commanded." Spotless as her life seemed to those around her, she trusted not to her own merits, but to the merits of her merciful Saviour, who has died to purchase eternal happiness for his faithful followers. 66 She left her honest earnings to her sister, to whom she said, My mistress has always been like a mother to me." This dying acknowledgment could not fail of being gratifying to that mistress who was now anxiously performing the offices of the nurse to her in her expiring moments. Her master watched by her to the last; and in his journal, recorded the sorrowing feelings of his heart on the occasion. She was followed to the grave by him, and six of the children whom she had nursed. Her coffin was borne by six real friends, and followed by a string of fellow-servants and others, who through a long course of years had profited by her example-forming a procession of thirty persons, in whose hearts she was remembered and lamented with sincerity of affection. I fear that I have been too minute in relating my little history; but if this imperfect sketch of character shall make any young heart glow with a desire to live as this estimable person lived, and die like her, "the death of the righteous," the writer of it will rejoice in this opportunity of making her old servant still useful to the rising generation. Happy they, who shall themselves become examples of similar good conduct! T. D. S, A PRAYER FOR A SICK CHILD. ALMIGHTY God, whose most dearly beloved Son didst listen to the prayers of afflicted parents, and graciously restore their offspring even in the extremity of sickness;-look upon my son, I do humbly beseech thee, and through the same Jesus Christ have mercy upon him. I know, O Lord, that all things are possible with Thee; and therefore do I throw myself before the throne of thy grace: help me then, most gracious Father, and stretch forth thine healing hand, ere my child die! Oh! may my prayers on his behalf prevail, and lead to a speedy amendment of his case; for which end prosper the means which are used for his recovery, and dispose all things for his advantage: and shouldest Thou think fit to listen to my request, may I acknowledge thine Almighty protection, by henceforth setting before my family an example of a godly life; and may gratitude for the restoration of the child, give rise to a faith in my Redeemer, to the saving of myself and all my house. Amen. A. ON THE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN. WE are not exactly acquainted with the source from whence the following extract is derived; but it contains some sound and practical advice to parents, and more particularly in regard to that uniformity of conduct and firmness so necessary in the management of children, that we beg leave to recommend it to the attention of our readers. "Should I not survive this illness, my dearest friends, I wish you to consider, that the best way of showing your attachment to my memory is, by paying that attention to the education of your children which you know I should have approved of if alive." "Alas!" interrupted my brother, "what can I do without you? You may be sure, I'll do my best-but do tell me how, for I see how hard it is, and I'm afraid I shall go wrong." "Only give your mind to it, my dear George," said I, “and I'm sure you will succeed. The great difficulty in the education of |