look upon a spirit of murmuring and discontent as unworthy of a man, and as altogether unlike the mind which should belong to a Christian. V. WE MUST DO AS OUR COMPANIONS DO. It is very common for young people, particularly young men in trade, if you ask them why they go into publichouses, to say, "that they must do as their companions do." They don't wish to go there, but yet they cannot help it, for they must not be unlike their companions, if they are not to be laughed at for not doing as the rest do. And thus it is, that many steady young men, of respectable families, when they are apprenticed, and after they have served their time also, are led into evil company and the bad society of public-houses, by their fellow-workmen ; and soon, alas! do they become as bad as those who led them into such ruinous practices. Such is the force of an evil example, that many a steady young man, who has left home with good principles and proper feelings, has, in a short time, ceased to do well, and has become unsteady, and a frequenter of public-houses, to the grief of his parents and family, and perhaps to his own utter ruin. How many a fond and anxious mother, who has brought up her children well, and given them all the good advice she could, has afterwards seen them, instead of prospering in the trade for which she has worked hard to be enabled to bring them up to, spending their time and their money with their wicked companions in a public-house, to her great grief, and to the disgrace of the whole family! But if such a young man, instead of being a cause of sorrow to his family, would seek to comfort them by his industry and steady conduct, how much better would it be for himself as well as for them! The Bible points out the present blessings which belong to those who act rightly, who fear and serve the Lord; and shows that misery and grief are the portion of the wicked. St. Paul says, "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (1 Tim. iv. 8.) And surely this is the case. How is a young man more likely to prosper in his occu 1834.] WE MUST DO AS OUR COMPANIONS DO. 233 pation, than by being steady and industrious, and serving the Lord, unto whom he owes the means and abilities he has, to be enabled to labour with his hands, and who will most assuredly bless him if he serves Him faithfully? And where is there a more happy sight, than to see a young man attending to his trade, keeping holy the sabbath day, and every day seeking to discharge his duty faithfully, serving the Lord his God, and being a pattern of good works unto all who know him? Such a young man must be respected and beloved, far more than those who, though they may be clever workmen, yet are fond of spending their money and time in drinking, gambling, or in some other wicked way. If young people would but reflect upon the difference, in every point of view, between the steady, serious, and industrious, and the dissipated, drunken, and idle, I think they would strive hard to fight against the temptations of this evil world, and the persuasions and example of their companions in trade; they would find it so much better for them in every way, even in this world; how much better in that which is to come! Where do you ever meet with a young man, or young woman either, who is steady, pious, and industrious, who is not highly respected by all who employ them, and the comfort and delight of relations and friends? I am happy to say, I know one or two of both sexes, who are very highly respected and beloved by all who know them or employ them; and I feel sure they are also beloved of God. It is no matter whether they are servants or in trade; it will be no excuse for them in the day of judgment, indeed it is none now, to say they must "do as their companions do." Besides, what good does any one get by doing as his companions do?" If a young man enters a publichouse, even supposing he does not drink himself, does he not witness most disgusting scenes of drunkenness and profligacy? does he not hear cursing and swearing, and indecent wicked conversation? and do such things profit a young man, or add to his respectability? Does a quiet steady young man become a more dutiful son, a more affectionate brother, or, if married, a more tender, careful husband, or a better workman, or more respectable in his 66 station, by entering into a public-house, or mixing any where in the society of wicked people? Let a young man put these questions to himself, and if he can answer yes, why then there may be some excuse for his doing as his wicked companions do; but this, I am sure, no one can do. No, if a young man wishes to act upon right principles, and to prosper in his trade or station in life, and to be respectable and respected, I feel sure he will never enter a public-house, except he is absolutely obliged to do so; and he will choose to have no companions, rather than have those who will lead him there; he will have for his companions, though they may be very few, those only who are industrious, serious, and steady; he will be seen attentive in the house of God on the sabbath-day, never neglecting public worship, and keeping holy the whole of the sabbath-day; he will likewise serve the Lord every day, and he will be a pattern of good to all; then he will be beloved and respected by all who know him, and the Lord will prosper him. J. E. H. ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ENGLISH HISTORY. (In the last number, p. 199.). Answer 1. King Henry the Sixth came to the throne, in the year 1422. A. 2. He was only a year old. A. 3. The Duke of Bedford was appointed Protector, till the young King should be old enough to govern. A. 4. The Duke of Bedford carried on the war with France, and was, for a time, successful. A. 5. A complete turn was given to the affairs of the English, by the appearance of Joan of Arc. A. 6. Joan of Arc was a country girl, born in a village in France. She had been a servant at an Inn, and was impressed with a notion that she was born to save her country from its enemies-the English. A. 7. After leading the French armies to victory on several different occasions, she was at length taken prisoner by the English, and put to death as a witch, proving the great ignorance of her conquerors, as well as their shameful cruelty. A. 8. The dispute was between the family of the Duke 1834.] QUESTIONS FOR THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 235 of Lancaster, and that of the Duke of York, which should be King. Henry the Sixth belonged to the family of Lancaster. A. 9. The crown, in justice, belonged to the Duke of York's family. A. 10. Jack Cade was a fellow who pretended that he was the rightful heir to the throne: he had many followers, but was at length taken, and put to death. A. 11. King Henry's wife was Margaret of Anjou, a very brave woman. A. 12. She exerted herself nobly, and raised an army to support the cause of her husband, and fought many battles against his opposers. A. 13. After several battles with different success, the Duke of York's party prevailed, and though he himself was killed, yet his son was proclaimed King, by the title of Edward the Fourth. A. 14. King Henry the Sixth was killed-it is supposed by the Duke of Gloucester. A. 15. The Duke of Gloucester was brother to King Edward the Fourth: he is the person who is sometimes called Crooked-back Richard, and who was afterwards Richard the Third. He was a very cruel monster, if the accounts we have of him be true. A. 16. The wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, were called the wars of the roses, because the parties were distinguished by roses, which they wore in their helmets. A. 17. The York party wore the white rose. The Lancaster party wore the red rose. QUESTIONS FOR THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. (To be answered in our next number.) V. Question 1. In what year did King Edward the Fourth come to the throne? Q. 2. What was his appearance? Q. 3. What was his character ? Q. 4. Can you relate the story of King Edward and the Duke of Clarence, and Sir Thomas Burdett. Q. 5. What relation was the Duke of Clarence to the King? Q. 6. Against what nation was the King about to make war? Q. 7. What prevented this? Q. 8. How old was the King when he died? TEA DRINKERS. V. SOME persons object to tea-drinking, and have even written against the practice, considering tea as an unwholesome beverage, and as having no nourishment, and recommending poor people to leave it off, and take something more substantial in its stead. We differ entirely from those who give this advice. We do not pretend to say that there is any thing substantial and nourishing in tea; but it is a refreshing beverage, and to some stomachs is of great use in assisting digestion. When a poor man drinks tea, it is for refreshment, not for nourishment; and the bread which he eats with it is his nourishing food. A tea-drinker is generally a homestayer; and staying at home, instead of going to the alehouse or gin-shop is "a little estate." The following quotation is to our purpose. "Lovers of tea or coffee," it is truly remarked, are rarely drinkers:" and Raynal ascribes the sobriety of the Chinese to the use of these grateful beverages, which produce all the good, without the evil consequences, of more powerful stimulants.-History of the Middle and Working Classes. FIELD FLOWERS. √. HAVING met with the following beautiful lines extracted from a work entitled the "Moral of flowers," I thought they would be not only pleasing but instructive to the readers of the Visitor, and therefore transcribed them. Flowers of the field, how meet ye seem, Blooming so fair in morning's beam, Passing at eve away; Teach this, and oh! though brief your reign, Sweet flowers, ye shall not live in vain. D. I. E. |