so 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Feu. 



happened. "With a new purpose, and with a 

 new life we might almost say, she turned to 

 her ordinary duties. Nothing was oppres- 

 sive or difficult, while the memory of the 

 love that was in her keeping filled her whole 

 being. Nothing could ruffle or disturb her, 

 and the family looked in wonder at the 

 quiet, peaceful spirit which seemed to shine 

 from her face. Why should she mind toil 

 or drudgery, or even rudeness and taunts? 

 Was not the thought of this strong, kind. 

 true friend, who was to go with her through 

 life, a sufficient reason why she could pass 

 over these trials as if they were unworthy of 

 notice? It was but a little while, at the 

 longest, and why should she not be proof 

 against all that her tormentors could possibly 

 bring forward? Back of her own feeble 

 strength was that promise; could not she 

 show her gratitude to him, by taking up 

 bravely those little trials, especially as it 

 was his wish? For his sake c.uld she not 

 bear joyfully all, and more than she had ev- 

 er borne vet? 



I have drawn a simple picture of an 

 earthly friendship. Can this be compared 

 at all to our Savior's love? to the love of 

 him whom even the winds and theseaobeyV 

 I lun e given you this picture to make plain 

 what it is to reform in the strength of your 

 heavenly Father, instead of in our own 

 strength. Do you suppose those boys would 

 be in danger of swearing, if they accepted 

 this friend, and would allow his great love a 

 place in their hearts? Do you say the girl 

 had nothing to do with it; that it was a piece 

 of great good-luck which was almost thrust 

 upon her? My friend, she accepted this 

 kind friend's offer, and she promised to give 

 her life into his keepiii"'. Suppose she had 

 said she didn't believe him, or had ridiculed 

 the whole matter, instead of giving it her 

 serious consideration? She knew of him by 

 report, through the whole country round; 

 she knew he was able, and that his word was 

 as good as gold. So those boys, and you too, 

 my friends, know the result of Bible teach- 

 ings throughout the whole world; you know, 

 too, that God's promises, taken in the spirit 

 they are given, are sure; and yet you do not 

 accept this great pilot and friend, who will 

 take you safely not only through this world, 

 but through the grave and eternity. Why 

 do you reject this love, this friendship, this 

 partnership? I like the last word the best 

 of all. and I want every one of you to choose 

 the Lord Jesus Christ for your partner 

 through life. I want you to do it this very 

 instant, and when you lay down this paper, 

 I wish you to start anew to show, by your 

 actions and countenance, that you have ac- 

 cepted the promise, and are going to strive 

 to so have his great love i ill your whole be- 

 ing, that the trials you have may be met 

 with cheerfulness, and you may even be able, 

 as the Apostle James says, to '"count it all 

 joy when ye fall into divers temptations." 



slid and Satan is forever after mo; but I am now in 

 hopes I may conquer at last. O friend Iloot, how I 

 would like to see you for one hour, for I believe the 

 Lord is with you. 



Hoping' your prayers may ever be answered when- 

 ever praying' aright, and wishing the "Home Pa- 

 pers" and Gleanings mueh success, I remain your 

 scholar, G. A. Beech. 



Quitman, Mo., Jan. 11, 1880. 



May the Lord bless and strengthen you, 

 friend B., and may you never go back again. 

 Among the multitude of letters received in 

 regard to the Jan. Homes, none has moved 

 me like yours. When Christianity puts on a 

 phase that leads men to repent of their sins, 

 and pay theirjust debts, there will then be 

 no more need of replying to Stephen Young, 

 Bob Ingersol, and other sceptics, for the 

 fruits of religion, the deeds themselves of 

 professors, would be more powerful argu- 

 ments than words could frame, and whole 

 libraries of theological books would fade in- 

 to insignificance before these little, simple 

 acts in daily life. Grant, our Father in 

 Heaven, that more may have their hearts 

 softened, and take up their crosses, even as 

 little children, like thy humble servant who 

 has pointed out to us the way, in the simple, 

 confiding letter given above. Help us. O 

 Lord, that we may indeed '"bring forth fruits 

 meet for repentance."' Now, friend B., be- 

 fore you are one day older, enroll yourself 

 with the nearest sect of Christian people, 

 and talk to and exhort them just as you 

 have us-to-day. Let your light shine, and 

 God will keep you where Satan's wiles will 

 be as easily shaken off, as straws ami chaff 

 driven by the breeze against a strong man. 



Friend Root:— You can not tell what good I re- 

 ceive 1 mm Our Homes in Glfaninos. I have owed 

 some few small debts for some time, and I have 

 neglected, tor one reason or another, to pay them ; 

 liur reading your Home Papers has struck the right 

 cord, and to-day I send three men their pay. How 

 much happier I fepl for so doingl I once belonged 

 to the church of Christ, but have long since back- 



From "Home Paper" in Jan. Gleanivos. 1 see you 

 have a nice opportunity to show your "faith by your 

 winks." Therefore, send friend W. <>.. who is in 

 trouble, some money to relieve his embarrassment. 

 What doth it profit him for you to say, l>e yc clothed, 

 fed, etc., if you give him not the things which -he so 

 much needs? Sec James If, 14—16. 



A. F. BONTTAM. 



Seven Miles Ford, Symth Co.. Va , Jan. 11, 188 ». 



Your words are right to the point, friend 

 1>.. and I thank you for your timely reproof. 

 Perhaps it may increase the faith of all of 

 us to hear from W". (). again. The follow- 

 ing is an abbreviated extract from a recent 

 letter: 



1 know you will rejoice with me that the evil day, 

 so to speak, has been put off to the future. I think 

 there is no man in our city whom I thought to be 

 more cold-hearted and indifferent. I went to see 

 him, praying every step I took. Said I. "Mr. J., 

 if you could add five or ten years to my life by do- 

 ing me a favor, would you dj it, provided it did not 

 injure you? 



He said he would. I then told him how much 

 trouble I was in. and how I had failed to raise the 

 money, and wished him to grant me until the loth 

 of April next. He replied th t it was in Mr. M's 

 name, and he had no control of the matter. I told 

 him I could not long- stand the strain upon my phys- 

 ical organism. He finally replied that 1 should not 

 give myself any uneasiness. If he found that it 

 was secure and would not be jeopardized he would 

 wait. I had promised to pay i en per cent interest 

 in advance to the 15th of April, but he said I need 

 not pay any money now, and he would let it remain 

 In statu quo. So the great burden was removed for 

 a time, and I hope for all time. I could but think 

 how wondrous it was, that the very man I most 

 feared, was the very man whom God told to help 

 me. Then I remembered what the Devil told me 

 when I had written the letter to Mr. M., and in a day 

 or two afterward learned that he w'as in Europe. I 

 can hut say, "Praise God from whom all blessings 

 now." • - W. 0. 



Jau. 3, 1880. 



