THE CHRISTIAN AND THE SMUG-
GLERS.*

AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF THE LATE
REV. T. BURCHELL.

The

The first piece of cloth Mr. Burchell could call his own, he disposed of to a house in Bristol. About a week afterwards he was in the company of a friend, who, in ignorance of the transaction, happened to say that a certain party (mentioning the selfsame house) was reported as likely to fail. On hearing this, he sought and obtained permission to be absent on the following day. It was the summer season. splendours of noon had long since passed, and were softening down into the chastened radiance of evening. It occurred to him, that if he could start that night, he should gain considerable time, and arrive in Bristol (nearly thirty miles distant) some hours before the coach, which did not leave until the morning. His determination was at once taken. Between eight and nine o'clock he commenced his journey, and continued to walk on briskly till it was quite dark, when he turned into an inn on the roadside. Here he rested until day-break. The worthy host advised him, on departure, to strike across the country, and make for the Severn, where he would be sure to find a boat, which would take him down in good time. He did so; and, on nearing the river, which lay stretched out in noble amplitude before him, saw a boat push off from land. He hailed the men in her, but they seemed in haste to begone; he then called more loudly to them, but they pressed on the more vigorously, and were soon out of hearing.

On looking about he saw another boat, and feeling that if he did not succeed in this instance, he would fail in the object for which he had come so much out of a direct course, he resolved to make every effort to induce her little crew to return to shore, and take him in. He accordingly took off his coat, and waved it in the air, and soon had the satisfaction of observing that they had brought the boat up, and seemed to be debating whether or not they should comply with his wishes. In about ten minutes

they put back; but as they approached, it struck him that he had never before seen five such desperate looking fellows. After some objection on their part, they told him to get in. He had not done so long, however, before he found that he was in most undesirable company. Several of the men whispered to each other a good deal; and now and then he caught a word, the import of which made him feel uneasy and anxious. At length he perceived they were steering in an opposite direction. On his referring to this fact, one of them, a brawny Irishman, exclaimed, "Och, my jewel! and do you think you are going to lave us soon, now that we have nabbed you at last? Do you see, jewel? (pointing his finger to the water on which they were floating) you shall go and see the bottom of Davy Jones's locker, before you go to land again." They all now set up a shout, in confirmation of their murderous design, and as though to urge each other on to the deed.

Somewhat alarmed, their threatened and helpless victim asked, who they thought he was ? At this they laughed, and said, "Do you take us for fools ?" From their horrid oaths and avowed intentions, he perceived that they took him for a spy in the preventive service; and he could now see, by some kegs of spirit which had been covered up in the bottom of the boat, that they were a party of smugglers. Again and again he assured them that he was not the person they suspected him to be, but to no purpose; they only renewed their threats of immediate and signal vengeance. Finding he could not gain on them by merely asserting that he had no connexion with government agents, he began to address them in a very serious strain; reminded them that, if they did him any injury, God would judge them for it. After some little while, he saw the countenance of one of them relax, and observed a tremor pass over the frame of another. Still, they did not alter the wrong course they had been steering for some time.

He then addressed each one, separately and solemnly, saying, that each would have to stand, in his own person, at the bar of

God, and receive according to his deeds, whether good or bad. At length, the man who seemed to sustain the office of captain, cried out, "I say, Dick, I can't stand this; we must let him go. I don't believe he is the man we thought he was. Where do

you want to be put out, sir ?" The traveller replied, that he wished to be taken up the Avon to Bristol. The man said, "We cannot go up so far as that, as we dare not pass Pill; but we will take you as far as possible, and put you in a way to go on." He thanked them, and begged them to make the utmost speed, as his business was urgent. Finding them so far subdued, he took the opportunity of speaking of their nefarious mode of life. They all appeared struck with his statements and conduct; and, on his landing, refused to receive what he had stipulated to pay as fare; at the same time offering to forward one of the kegs of spirits to any place he would mention. One of the men also accompanied him to a farm-house, and so far interested the occupant in his favour, as to induce him to drive him to Bristol in his family taxcart. He thus reached the end of his journey at an early hour in the morning, and, as a result, succeeded in recovering the greater part of his cloth.

Some years after, on his return from Jamaica to this country, Mr. Burchell met the smuggler who had accompanied him to the farm-house, in a small village, near the Cheddar cliff's in Somersetshire. The man proffered his hand, at the same time reminding him of their previous interview. He was much struck at his altered appearance, and enquired what was the cause. "Ah, sir," said he, "after your talk we none of us could ever follow that calling again. I have since learnt to be a carpenter, and am doing very well in this village; and attend a chapel three or four miles off. And our poor master never forgot to pray for you, to his dying day. He was quite an altered man; took his widowed mother to his house; and became a good husband and a good father, as well as a good neighbour. Before, every one was afraid of him, he was such a desperate fellow; afterwards, he was as tame as a lamb. He opened a little shop for the maintenance of his family, and, what was better still, he held prayer-meetings in his house. The other three men -now form part of a crew in a merchant vessel, and are very steady and well behaved."

Such was the delightful change that had passed on the character, conduct, and destiny, of a gang of smugglers, and which had been brought about by a course of events as unexpected as it was singular. The providence of God is conspicuous in all. And while it tends to illustrate the wisdom and benignity of his purposes and plans, it shews also with what facility he can secure their accomplishment; rendering the ordinary occurrences in business, and the pecuniary interests of a stripling tradesman, subservient to that end. Such are the minute and obscure points on which the permanent welfare of responsible agents and immortal beings are made to turn.

THE INFIDEL CONVINCED BY A

CHILD.

A TRUE NARRATIVE.

Early in the year 1818, I left Geneva for Paris. From Macon to Chalons I travelled by the passage boat, on the river Saone: it was a wet day, and the passengers were obliged to stay in the cabin. After some time it was proposed that one of the company should read aloud, to pass away the time.

A person of respectable appearance, who sat near me, produced two volumes from his travelling bag, saying, "Here is something that will amuse us: I will read, if you will listen."

"What book is it ?" said I, to this obliging gentleman.

He read the title: it was one of those infidel works with which worthless men inundated France, during the reign of irreligion that so long desolated that country. "I do not think you will read that book," said I.

Why not?" answered he sharply. "Because, sir, I am going to read this." "And pray what book have you?"

"It is the bible, sir; before which your book must remain closed, or at least be read in silence."

Our companions all approved of my words. The infidel replied, angrily, "Well, sir, if my book must not be read, yours also must be silent."

"It has spoken already," said 1, "and it will speak long after we are in the silent grave. But if you choose, read that book, which leads you astray; and I will read this, which points out the way to happiness."

I then seated myself in a corner, and

read, with renewed pleasure, the promises and instructions of the word of God; I did so without interruption, except by occasional sneers from the unhappy infidel and two others, who, like him, delighted in vanity and lies. They glanced at me, and appeared to say, "Who cares for you or your bible!"

Towards evening we left the boat, and on seating myself in the diligence, I found that my fellow passengers were, the infidel whose book I had condemned, two merchants from Picardy, and a colonel in the army; they were all proceeding to Paris as well as myself. After the usual salutations and a few common-place observations, somebody asked, "Where shall we be this time to-morrow ?" "At such a place," answered one of the merchants. I added, "If God pleases."

"Ah, as for that," exclaimed the infidel, "we shall be there just the same, whether he pleases or not."

"Then you consider the will of God as nothing," said I, fixing my eyes upon his, till he turned them away; "and you dare to utter such a sentiment in his presence."

"Why, as for that," said he, with a bitter smile of contempt, "you must prove that there is a God before you talk about his will."

This horrible blasphemy caused the whole party to shudder, as if a viper, or some other poisonous reptile, had been thrown into the coach.

The merchant, who sat next the infidel, shrank from him as if by instinct, while the colonel looked at me, saying, "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." I then addressed the infidel, and said to him, "If I had been aware that you would have uttered such sentiments, I would not have entered the coach. But the Almighty God has heard your blasphemy, and is able to convince you of his power." "That is my concern," said he; “ every one is free to believe as he pleases: you keep your belief, and I will hold mine."

"Do you suppose, sir," said the colonel, "that because you have swallowed poison we can let you perish, without caring for you? No; we have more regard for your best interests; and, although we have shuddered at your blasphemy, we think it our duty to endeavour to save you from its awful consequences."

The Infidel. Well, fools if they like, may suppose

The Colonel. Stop, sir, you had better be

silent. You are beside yourself; and, for my part, I assure you that I do not consider myself a fool, because I firmly, and with reverence, believe that the Almighty God, who has created and redeemed me, will uphold and protect me every hour, through all the changing scenes of this mortal life. And (added he with fervour) a soldier in particular ought to feel that there is a God. It is a truth indelibly impressed upon every object around us; nay, even upon the countenance of the madman who denies it.

The Infidel (angrily). The madman ! sir, that is too much

The Colonel. Stop, do not distress yourself, sir; nor suppose that I mean to back my opinions with my sword. No, I only repeated what the bible declares, upon the opinion you just now asserted. For myself, I should be worse than a madman, if I did not believe that it was my Almighty and Heavenly Father who has for many a year guarded me in the day of battleOnly a few months ago a rocket struck the body of my horse, and instantly exploded; it tore him to pieces, and I was thrown to some distance without receiving the smallest injury. Sir, tell me not of chance, but say, who was it that preserved me in that hour of danger and death?

The infidel stammered out a few words. The colonel added some brief observations, and we then wished each other good night.

In the morning the colonel gave me a hint to resume the subject of the preceding day. I sat opposite the infidel, who was still asleep, but exhibited no traces of inward peace upon his countenance. I took out my bible and read aloud some of the Psalms, and the sleeper was awakened, although he pretended to sleep on; for as I read in the 10th Psalm, "The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts;" a sudden frown passed across his brow, which the colonel and the two merchants noticed as well as myself.

Just then the coach stopped at the bottom of a steep ascent. It was a frosty morning, and a few flakes of snow had fallen. While we waited to rest the horses, the door of a cottage by the road side opened, and three children came out. The eldest was a girl about twelve years old, another girl between six and seven, and a smiling chubby-faced boy, about four, followed her.

The eldest held a long hazel wand, at the end of which was fixed a nosegay of winter,

flowers neatly tied, up to the window of the coach.

I was pleased with this little mark of industry, and putting sixpence into a cleft at the end of the wand, I took the nosegay.

"A happy New Year to the gentleman," cried the children. "Well," said I, "I suppose I must give you something for your good wishes," and I threw them another sixpence.

The children again exclaimed, "A happy New Year, sir; may you live many happy years."

"How many?" said I. "Oh, a great many, sir, as many as you can."

"Thank you, my dear; but how many years do you suppose I shall live in the world ?"

"Ah, sir, how can I tell?" said the girl. "Who can tell ?" asked I.

This question appeared to puzzle her; our conversation attracted the attention of my fellow travellers, even of the infidel; while the driver and the guard also seemed to listen; but no one replied.

I repeated, "Who can tell how many years longer I shall live ?"

The two sisters said nothing, but the little boy clasped his hands together, looked up at me, and said, " 'Sir, nobody but God knows that."

We looked at the infidel, who turned away his face in confusion.

The coach went on; and, after a short silence, the colonel repeated the verse, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger (Psalm viii. 2). "Yes," said I, "a little child who has only just entered into life, already knows in his heart, and testifies with his lips, that there is a God who knows all things; while a man who has lived thirty or forty years, experiencing many striking proofs of the power, and wisdom, and kind providence of God, opposes these truths, and would command the child to be silent; nay, perhaps, is ready to make a jest of his words."

The infidel sat without speaking, and with downcast looks, he appeared to feel our last words. I said no more, not wishing to excite his anger, but desirous that he should reflect upon what had passed.

We continued silent for some time. At length, he who the day before had laughed at the bible, and had dared to deny that

there was a God, said in a humbled tone of voice," Sir, last night you told the colonel that you would read to him some passages from the bible; these gentlemen and I would be glad to hear you."

The colonel looked at me with pleasure; the tears stood in his eyes; I could not restrain my emotion, but said, "Is it possible that God should have caused you to listen to his voice, from the mouth of that little child ?" "What the child said certainly made a singular impression upon me," replied he. "I will confess, that during the last hour, I have felt differently upon this subject from what I have ever done before; but, sir, I do not wish to recall what passed yesterday evening; 1 entreat that you also will try to forget it."

The colonel turned towards him, and took his hand, saying, "We deeply rejoice to hear what you have just said. It is of God; and it is, I trust, the beginning of the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart."

"Read to us, sir," added he, addressing himself to me, "read to us the word of life; and may God bless it to all our hearts."

The morning was spent in this pleasant employment, and we were much gratified by the earnest enquiries of our companion. Several times he appeared struck to the heart, by that word which the Holy Spirit has compared to a "two-edged sword" (Heb. iv. 12). At other times he brought forward objections, which were easily removed by the word of truth. I need not attempt to express how much we rejoiced at having reason to hope that God had touched that heart, which but a few hours before was in open rebellion against him.

Our conversation continued till we stopped to dine at a late hour. We were cold and hungry, and rejoiced as much at the sight of fire, as to see the provisions upon the table. Our conversation was gratifying; the colonel spoke of his childhood, and the religious education he had received. "My mother," said he, "was to me what Monica was to St. Augustine; scarcely a day passed without her hearing me read the bible, and instructing me in the truths of the gospel. When twelve years old, I was brought to a knowledge of the Saviour, and since that time I have known peace and joy in believing. If I have been enabled to behave with courage in the field, it has been because, having trusted in the Lord, I feared not death nor danger. When marching to battle, I felt that the eyes of

the Lord were upon me; I was enabled to commit my soul into his hands, who redeemed me with his precious blood; and I entreated him to keep me in the path of duty. Each succeeding day I have had new cause to bless my God and Saviour."

This pious soldier related to us some further particulars of his life, Our companion listened with attention, and more than once referred to what had passed in the boat and in the coach, and especially to the children at the cottage. This gave the colonel and myself an opportunity to observe, that "God hath chosen the weak things of this world, to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Cor. iv. 27).

"It is true," said our companion. "Yes, I feel that it is true; for I must confess, that when you asked the girl that question, I guessed the answer which you wished her to give, and resolved to ridicule it; but when she did not reply, and, after a long pause, the little boy so simply declared the great name, God, it struck me to the heart, and I had not a word to say; I could almost suppose that His eyes were upon me: I shall never forget that moment;-I was struck dumb."

He then rose from the table, and left the room, but soon returned with the two volumes which he had offered to read while we were in the boat.

"Here, sir," said he, "are the vile books, which for several years past have strengthened me in unbelief and blasphemy. May God, who now beholds me, and in whose presence I now stand, consume the evils that they have nourished within my heart, as this fire consumes their wretched pages, and the blasphemies they contain."

He cast the volumes into the fire, and looked on in silence till they were burnt to ashes. "Now," said he," I am relieved of part of my burden; those volumes can do no more harm; and may my right hand be cut off, rather than I be permitted again to open others like them. May God," added he, pointing to my bible, "teach me, and write upon my heart the truths contained in that precious book, which has this day shed a ray of light into my soul."

We all added a fervent "Amen." We were but the fellow-travellers of a day. What the event might be has not come to my knowledge; but surely we may hope that He who sowed the good seed, would cause it to grow, and in his infinite mercy complete the work he thus began.

ANSWERING OUR OWN PRAYERS.

In the vicinity of B-lived a poor but industrious man, depending for support upon his daily labour. His wife fell sick, and not being able to hire a nurse, he was obliged to confine himself to the sick-bed and his family. His means of support being thus cut off he soon found himself in need. Having a wealthy neighbour near, he determined to go and ask him for two bushels of wheat, with a promise to pay as soon as his wife became so much better that he could leave her and return to his work. Accordingly he took his bag, went to his neighbour's, and arrived while the family were at morning prayers. As he sat on the door stone, he heard the man pray very earnestly that God would clothe the naked, feed the hungry, relieve the distressed, and comfort all that mourn. The prayer concluded, the poor man stepped in and made known his business, promising to pay with the avails of his first labour. The farmer was very sorry he could not accommodate him, but he had promised to loan a large sum of money, and had depended upon his wheat to make it out; but he presumed neighbour would let him have it.

With a fearful eye and a sad heart the poor man turned away. As soon as he left the house, the farmer's little son stepped up and said, "Father, did you not pray that God would clothe the naked, feed the hungry, relieve the distressed, and comfort mourners ?" "Yes; why?" Because, father, if I had your wheat, I would answer that prayer." It is needless to add, that the christian father called back his suffering neighbour and gave him as much as he needed.

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Now, christian readers, do you thus answer your own prayers?

My brother, when you fear your church will be left destitute of a pastor for lack of competent support, do you pray God that the church may not be left as a flock without a shepherd; and then rising from your knees, use every means, both through your purse and through your influence, to answer that prayer?

My sister, when you hear of or see the wretchedness to which sin, in one form or another, has reduced multitudes of your own sex, and from the fulness of your own heart beseech a merciful God to pity and relieve, do you see to it that your prayers go not wholly unanswered?