hristian. And
to the poor man, him whom the wise Disposer of all events has seen fit to
place in a situation similar to that in which I have been placed,
ordaining him to earn daily bread by the labour of his hands and the
sweat of his brow, if my adventures shall afford an hour or two's
pleasant amusement, when, after working hours, he sits by his bleezing
ingle with a bairn on each knee, whilst his oldest daughter is sewing her
seam, and his goodwife with her right foot birls round the
spinning-wheel, then my purpose is gained, and more than gained; for it
is my firm belief that no man, who has by head or hand, in any way
lightened an ounce weight of the load of human misery, can be truly said
to have been unprofitable in his day, or disappointed the purpose of his
creation. For what more can we do here below? The God who formed us,
breathing into our nostrils the breath of life, is, in his Almighty power
and wisdom, far removed beyond the sphere of our poor and paltry offices.
We are of the clay; and return to the elements from which we are formed.
He is a Spirit, without beginning of days or end of years. The extent of
our limited exertions reaches no further than our belief in, and our duty
towards Him; which, in my humble opinion, can be best shown by us in our
love and charity towards our fellow-creatures--the master-work of his
hands.

I would not willingly close this record of my life, without expressing a
few words of heartfelt gratitude towards the multitude from whom, in the
intercourse of the world, I have experienced good offices; and towards
the few who, in the hour of my trials and adversities, remained with
faces towards me steadfast and unalterable, scorning the fickle who
scoffed, and the Levite who passed by on the other side. Of old hath it
been said, that a true friend is the medicine of life; and in the day of
darkness, when my heart was breaking, and the world with all its concerns
seemed shaded in a gloom never to pass away, how deeply have I
acknowledged the truth of the maxim! How shall I repay such kindness?
Alas! it is out of my power. But all I can do, I do. I think of it on
my pillow at the silent hour of midnight; my heart burns with the
gratitude it hath not--may never have an opportunity of showing to the
world; and I put up my prayer in faith to Him who seeth in secret, that
he may bless and reward them openly.

Sorrows and pleasures are inseparably mixed up in the cup set for