ENCOURAGEMENT FOR POOR ORPHAN BOYS.

A TRUE NARRATIVE.

W. Was a poor orphan boy; he lived in the country, and was only seven years of age when he lost his tender mother. His father was kind, and was in ill health, and entirely dependent upon his own exertions for the support of himself and his three motherless children, of whom W. was the eldest; but, by care and economy, they never wanted food. At the death of his

mother, W. was sent to the Free School, which was somewhat similar to the most respectable looking of our Ragged Schools, where he steadily attended for several years. He also regularly attended the Sabbath School, where he was almost always in good time. When, in the week day, W. had learned his lessons, he employed his leisure time in earning a few pence by fetching coals for the neighbours in his wheelbarrow, running of errands, gathering water-cresses from the streams, and selling them from door to door. Sometimes he would carry about a basket with eggs or fruit; at other times distributing handbills. In fact, he was

not ashamed to do anything by which he could earn an honest penny. In the harvest time, he, with his brother, went gleaning in the fields. The wheat was ground and made into bread, the barley given to the hens, the oats to the rabbits, and the beans were sold; and the earnings thereby were not spent in things of no use, but were given into the care of his indulgent parent, who, to encourage his boy in his praiseworthy endeavours, gave him interest yearly at the rate of a shilling in the pound for all he saved. Some teetotal lectures were delivered in the little town where he lived, by Mr. Jabez Inwards, at which he attended, and listened with intense interest; and the result, was that W. became a pledged teetotaler, and kept staunch till one day, when visiting an aunt who kept a public-house, she offered him some beer, and succeeded in inducing him to break the pledge. This was a sad blow. He very much regretted having yielded to the temptation, and soon after, Mr. W. Gawthorpe coming to deliver a lecture, he again resolved to sign the pledge, with a strong determination to keep it. His father was pleased with him, knowing that teetotalism, if carried out, would preserve his boy from ever becoming a drunkard, and also from many other snares; and to encourage him, poor as he was, he kindly pro

mised, that at the expiration of a year, he would present him with a silver medal. W. faithfully adhered to his pledge, but alas! on the very day he was to have received the medal, he followed his excellent father to the cold and silent grave. Poor boy! he, with his younger brother and sister, were now without father or mother, or any provision for his maintenance: but two or three gentlemen, knowing his good character, took a deep interest in his welfare, and after a time obtained a good situation for him, and also one for his brother in Manchester. The little money he had earned and saved while at home was now found to be most useful, as it was some weeks before he received any wages, or knew what he was to have. Always punctual to his time at the office, and attentive to the fulfilment of his duties to his employers, he gave such satisfaction, that, to his surprise and delight, his masters gave him 15s. a week, which was very much more than he expected, and, at the first Christmas, he was presented with a sovereign by one gentleman, and ten shillings by another, for his good conduct and diligence in business. Oftentimes he met with great discouragements and difficulties, but, by perseverance, patience, obedience, and industry, soon overcame them all. Many times was he tempted to break his pledge, to go to theatres, singing saloons, &c., but all were unavailing; he had formed the determination not to be led away by any means. His Sundays were spent in the house of God and Sabbath School, in which he was always greatly interested. In the week evenings after work he employed much of his time in reading useful books, and attending teetotal and other meetings, where something good was to be learned. To save a little money in case of sickness, &c., W. always lived within his means; when his wages were 15s. a-week, he only used to spend in board, lodging, washing, &c. 13s. a-week, with which he kept himself respectable; and when, in a short time, he received 20s., he laid aside in the Savings' Bank four or five shillings a week. He now grew to be a young man, and continued to make way, every week becoming more and more useful to his employers, till his salary was raised to £70 ayear, and this before he was 20 years of age. A few months after this, in the providence of God he was removed to London, where he was engaged for the same firm he was with in Manchester. Before a year was gone, his salary was raised from £70 to £80 per annum, more than thirty shillings a week; and, in another year, it was further advanced to £90. In the great Metropolis, almost alone, amidst all its great tempta

tions, W. was still a staunch teetotaler, and also never smoked. The pledge was a stay to him, and kept him out of many bad habits, bad company, and bad places. Soon after his coming to London, a Christian friend invited him to a Ragged School, which he visited, and decided on becoming a Sunday teacher. In the work of teaching he was persevering, and, in a short time, the first class in the school was put under his care; and when a few months ago the superintendent was called to labour in another sphere, the teachers elected W. to fill his post. He also visits the children's parents, and other poor and afflicted people, to whom he delights to speak kind words of good advice, and to administer, as far as he is able, to their temporal necessities, and especially does he endeavour to tell them of the love of Jesus Christ to poor sinners. When W. first engaged in these works of faith and labours of love, he was early and late engaged in business from six in the morning to seven in the evening, which left him but little time to devote to his benevolent exertions. He, therefore, knowing that God is the answerer of prayer, prayed earnestly to Him so to alter and arrange his position in his daily business, that he might be better enabled to devote himself to good works for His glory. A little while after his employers changed his duties to others, which did not require him to attend office until nine in the morning. This was a direct answer to prayer, for which W. was most thankful to his heavenly Father. But soon his time was as fully occupied as before, for he increased in usefulness, became a distributor of tracts, and was one of the originators of a Christian Benevolent Institution, to which he was the honorary secretary, and in which he took deep interest, especially in the spiritual condition of the unfortunate inmates. Two evenings per week would he conduct their evening devotions; and often has he gone direct from his office, without his tea, to the Institution, to speak separately and collectively to them on the importance of their not only leading a moral and virtuous life, but to seek pardon for their sins through Jesus Christ, and peace with God, that they might lead a religious life, be prepared for death, for judgment, and for heaven. Encouraged by the recollection of the past, W. again prayed the Giver of all good for increased opportunity to serve his Saviour as an instrument for the promotion of His glory in the salvation of his fellow sinners. And this prayer, too, was also answered; for a few months ago, God in his good providence opened a way for him in quite a different calling to what he had been accustomed; giving him more time at his disposal, and

with it also a greater income. These special blessings called forth gratitude and praise from the once poor orphan boy, and he determined to live more than ever to the service of God; and he has the satisfaction to know that his labours have not been in vain in the Lord. Having early adopted teetotalism, and feeling convinced of its great importance, he endeavours to diffuse its principles; and having tasted that the Lord is gracious, he is anxious that his fellow sinners around him may share the same peace, and possess the same blessedness.

Much more might be said, and many incidents narrated, but it is thought the above is sufficient to brighten the hopes of poor orphans, to whom one word of advice will conclude. Well, then, dear boys, you may be poor, but do not despair. Be perfectly sober by being strict teetotalers, and abstaining from tobaccco and cigars. Be determined never to touch or taste the unclean things. Keep from theatres, dances, and singing saloons, and out of all bad company; "if sinners entice you, consent not." Be industrious, and take care not to spend a penny foolishly. Regularly and punctually attend your schools, and there learn all you possibly can. Read your Bible morning and evening seriously, remembering it is God's book; that he has given it as a light to your feet, and a lamp to your path, and that by it He speaks to you. Cultivate the spirit of prayer. Ask the Almighty, against whom you have sinned, to give you his Holy Spirit, that you may feel your guilt and unworthiness, and need of a Mediator and Saviour, even Jesus Christ. And if you do this sincerely, and strive against wickedness, God, who is full of love and kindness, will forgive you all your sins, give you peace and happiness here, guard and guide you through life, and when you come to die, you will not meet your Judge with fear and trembling, but with joy and gladness, and have an abundant entrance administered unto you into that rest which he has prepared for them that love him. Good bye, and may God bless you.

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HO! YE IMPERTURBABLE

SMOKERS,

Read the testimony of the venerable and experienced Dr. John C. Warren, of Glasgow, than whom few are more competent to give you sound advice. Young men listen to the voice of a distinguished physician, and indulge no longer in that which is an insidious destroyer of health, neatness, and beauty. "Of the three modes of using tobacco," says he, 66 smoking is that which seems to have insinuated itself most extensively among the youth of our community. Tobacco, employed in this way, being drawn in with the vital breath, conveys its poisonous influences into every part of the lungs. There the noxious fluid is entangled in the minute spongy aircells, and has time to exert its pernicious influence on the blood, not in vivifying, but in vitiating it. The blood imbibes the stimulant narcotic principle, and circulates it through the whole system. It produces, in consequence, a febrile action in those of a delicate habit. Where there is any tendency to phthisis and tubercular deposit in the lungs, debility of these organs, consequent on the use of tobacco in this way, must favour the deposits of tuberculous matter, and thus sow the seeds of consumption. This practice impairs the natural taste and relish for food, lessens the appetite, and weakens the powers of the stomach. As to the pleasure produced by it, it is, I believe, a well-known fact, that a person smoking in the dark is often unable to determine whether his cigar is lighted or not." Out with your cigars, smokers, and in with the pure air of heaven!

HEAR WHAT ANOTHER PHYSICIAN SAYS.

"The first effect of tobacco on those who use it, and have learnt to enjoy it, who either chew or smoke, is a waste or