A DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM. (Concluded from page 69.) HE child's mother, who was as bigoted as her own father, demanded she should be sent home, promising she would soon cure her of her abominable opinions; but her husband, who had more liberal views, advised sending her to a school, and offered to select one suitable for her. This her grandfather very reluctantly consented to, while the Rabbi affirmed such a course would complete the mischief that was begun. However, it was at last so decided; and, through the kind providence of God, her father was directed to apply to a lady named Russell, who it appeared was a gracious woman, and singularly he was induced to candidly explain to her the motives of the family in placing Amelia under instruction. Mrs. Russell (viewing the hand of the Lord in the matter) at once consented to take her as day pupil, notwithstanding the peculiar stipulations mentioned. One of these was she should never be allowed to mix with the other pupils out of school, nor touch any food prepared by a Christian (her own was carried by a servant who daily accompanied her to and fro); also that she should never attempt to instruct the child in what they called the Nazarene faith-that is, Christian truth-and strictly confine her reading to the Old Testament and her book of prayers. This Mrs. Russell promised and fulfilled in the letter; but, having sought the Lord's guidance, found other means of bringing before her the truths of the Gospel. She formed a daily Bible-class from among the other pupils, and selected portions for them to read, in Amelia's hearing, from the New Testament which contained some reference to the portion Amelia had previously read in her Bible; then addressing her scholars without apparently noticing the child's presence, who was seated by her employing her needle, explained the portion read, comparing Scripture with Scripture, thus endeavouring to lead her mind to the truth as it is in Jesus. Nor was her labour in vain, as with pleasure she watched the child's sometimes anxious and at other times animated countenance. Amelia continued to attend school for some time, until Mrs. Russell was called to remove from London; and just before her departure she obtained permission for the child to spend a day with her as visitor. Now, laying aside all reserve, she drew from her her thoughts and feelings, finding to her great pleasure she was truly brought from Jewish darkness to the light of the Gospel, and a precious Jesus was the object of her heart's desire. Foreseeing the heavy trials that lay before her should her friends discover the change, she gave Amelia all the advice she could dictate, prayed with her and for her, and on parting gave her a small Testament that she could conceal under her frock. After this Amelia's mother, who had before openly expressed her hatred of her and called her an apostate, took advantage of an opportunity when her grandparents were attending a funeral, and sent a Rabbi, who filled the office of tutor to her sons, to forcibly take her from her grandfather's house. This he effected, and conveyed her to her mother, who shut her in an attic at the top of the house, where she remained until the next day without food. Her mother then entered the room with some coarse clothes which she ordered her to put on, and forbade her to go down stairs without her permission. Providentially Amelia had her little Testament concealed in a bag in her bosom, which escaped notice; but, it being thus very nearly discovered, she was obliged to place it in a more secure spot. She therefore, when confined in her small bedroom, cut open a seam in her mattress and concealed the precious book there. She now found that blessed promise fulfilled, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be;" for, severed as she was from her indulgent relatives, A NOBLE SON OF A NOBLE MOTHER. and deprived of earthly comforts, she was happy. The Lord so blessedly manifested His love to her and favoured her with His presence that it carried her above her trials, which were now very severe, owing to the continual visits of the Rabbi, and occasionally of her mother, who each tried every means, both by pursuasions and threatenings, to shake her faith and bring her back to the faith of her nation; but the Lord upheld her and gave her such wisdom that, as she expressed it several times, the Rabbi was at a loss to reply to the assertions of a child twelve years old. Hitherto she had always felt under restraint, not daring to utter a word on religion in the presence of her aged relatives; but now, having confessed herself a Christian, she was enabled to speak freely and to withstand all their offers. Amelia remained in this degraded position several years, and was permitted only to descend by the back stairs to the kitchen, where her employ was to wait on the under-servants, who were encouraged to treat her with contempt and neglect. However, after a time her father, who, although a Jew, had never approved of his wife's conduct, interfered and insisted on Amelia taking her place in the family. Though this added to her outward comforts, yet so many were her annoyances from those around, she often sighed for the lonely hours spent in her garret where the Lord so favoured her with His pre A NOBLE SON OF A NOBLE MOTHER. 91 ABOUT seventeen years ago it fell to the lot of Mr. John Crossley, of Halifax, to entertain the Prince of Wales at his princely mansion of Manor Heath. One evening, after his guests had been shown over the magnificent house and grounds, some of them sat conversing with him respecting his earlier days. And concerning his mother he answered thus :—“ Oh, my mother was a remarkable woman; she was once a farm servant; she lived fourteen years in the same family; she had to milk the cows and churn the butter, and carry it to market; she had for a long time only £6 a year wages, and yet she managed to save a nice sum; and her leisure hours were filled up with spinning wool; her mistress allowing her a fourth of the profits for herself." "Ah," said a friend who was present, "perhaps you are indebted to your good mother for some of your success in the spinning world?" "Oh yes," he replied, "under God's blessing, I owe everything to my mother." [Read. Remember. Strive to imitate.] RAT CAPTURED BY AN OYSTER. VERY curious capture of a rat was brought under our notice some time ago by Mr. Prosser, the well-known oyster merchant close by Temple Bar. Rats, we know, have a remarkable instinct in finding out good quarters for themselves, not only where they will be comfortable and securely lodged from the intrusion of unwelcome visitors, but where they will also have easy access to plenty of good food. Mr. Prosser's establishment in Fleet Street presents what may be called a very paradise for rats. Throughout the whole house from roof to basement are innumerable nooks and crannies behind the wainscoting, under counters, and between the floors, in which are many secure retreats. Provisions of all kinds, moreover, are plentiful, so it is scarcely to be wondered at that Mr. Prosser is constantly troubled by depredations on his stores from these hungry feeders. He has tried various means to get rid of them-traps, poison, &c.-but all to little or no avail, as, no matter how many are killed, the numbers appear to increase rather than fall off. He has now given up traps and poison, and depends altogether on two bull-terriers to keep these pests of the household in check. These useful little dogs are constantly and suddenly let loose in the vaults beneath, where oysters, &c., are stored. They are very quick, and generally manage to account for a rat or two, who, taken unawares, are quickly despatched. Rats appear particularly fond of oysters, and appear to know what a good one is, as they as a rule pay particular attention to the natives. Numbers of them are kept below, and during the cold weather are covered with sacks to keep the cold out. The rat the hero of our story was found in the position here related. Mr. Prosser, entering the vault, heard a rustle under a sack, and on going to see what was the matter was astonished to find a fine, well-fed rat closely fastened by the tail in the mouth of a native. The rat was struggling hard to free himself, but the oyster held close grip and would not let him go; so Mr. Prosser called his terriers, one of which soon put an end to the rat's struggles. Some of the oysters in the barrel showed that Master Rat had been feeding on them, and Mr. Prosser thinks that by some accident the tail of the rat got into the mouth of a lively open-mouthed oyster, who not liking the intrusion firmly closed "his jaws" and held on tight. We have seen several instances of mice being caught by oysters. In the collection of the late Frank Buckland were several specimens, but in all these instances the mice were caught by the heads. In one case two mice had fallen victims to an oyster. The case of the rat given above is, we think, worthy of being recorded as a curiosity of natural history. -Land and Water. A PLEASING INCIDENT. [A friend, having read the short notice of the celebrated Wedgewood given in last month's GLEANER, has forwarded us the following interesting incident, which we are pleased to insert for the sake of the lesson it teaches.] DEAR MR. EDITOR,-Your notice of the life and labours of the celebrated Mr. Wedgewood brought to my mind a circumstance that may interest your youthful readers, while it confirms the testimony of his daughter as to his grateful memory of past kindness. Mr. Wedgewood went to Dublin just as his struggling attempts to raise the character of English pottery were beginning to be unfolded in England before a nation slow to change old practices. ENIGMA. He took a small shed in an obscure part of Dublin, and there exhibited his models and his wares. My father at that time held an important post under Government, and, having a natural taste for arts and sciences, all of a local kind, he took a ready interest in hearing acciden. tally through one of his subordinates that an enterprising young Englishman had started in Dublin with some specimens of improved pottery, and, added to this, his circumstances seemed the reverse of prosperous. My father soon found out Wedgewood's shed, and, struck alike with his good sense and superior class of models, gave him, I believe, his first order. Being in an influential position, he drew the attention of others to the humble shed, which proved of pecuniary importance to the intelligent young potter. It was some time after Mr. Wedgewood returned to England-how long I am unable to say—a large crate arrived at my father's residence that contained a supper service of ivory white delf, termed the graduated pattern, and two superb jugs, beautiful specimens of flower painting. My father's crest and initials were upon every article, and accompanying the present was a letter from Mr. Wedgewood, expressive of his grateful sense of the kindness he had received from my father, and the substantial benefits he had obtained when in Dublin entirely through his instrumentality. Gratitude for past kindness is sweet both to the giver and receiver; but it is a plant of rare growth. Our Lord said in His day, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" Happy those who, being grace-taught, know what they owe the Lord of life and glory! Then the language of their hearts will be "Were the whole realms of nature mine, ENIGMA. 93 ONE who by Paul did greeting send For Israel fled before the foe. One from afar, who watched to see And they the name will give No mercy, save through God's dear Son, The finals will the meaning give He sees us all, both great and small, He says that those who seek Him now And all who unto Jesus go His blessing shall obtain. But yet the Lord still sees the heart, SARAH DUNK (altered). ANSWERS TO BIBLE QUESTIONS ON THE BOOK OF EXODUS. CHAPTERS I. TO XXI. (Page 70.) 1. Shiphrah and Puah, i. 15–21. 2. Pharaoh, v. I—4. 3. The children of Israel, xii. 21—30. 4. Pharaoh, ix. 27; x. 16; xiv. 5, 25, and 28. 5. Moses, xviii. 24. 6. xx. 12. 7. The Israelites, xx. 19. [Examples and Lessons from the above questions.] 1. "We should alway obey God and do that which is right, and not fear the threatenings of men.”—M. E. Drake, E. Pickett, E. J. Collins, E. Gregory, F. S. Self. 66 'It is better to fear God than man. We should not dishonour God through the fear of man."-E. A. Marriott, L. Ricketts, S. Combridge. "God will protect those who fear Him." |