not brook. Anxious to try his spirit and under a pledge that he could get him again into crime, an individual fell in with him under friendly pretences, saying that he ought not to endure such abuse, and directing his attention to the man who had commenced the fray, he secretly placed into his hand a knife bidding him use it in case of necessity. Lancey passed round to where his enemy was standing and suppressing his rage, enquired: "Did you intend to insult me by the language you used a few moments since ?" "Insult you-you have not character enough to insult," was the heartless reply. Infuriated beyond further control, Lancey sprang toward him and with a blow levelled his foe to the ground. Recovering his feet, and conscious of his physical power, he expected to chastise Lancey with a few blows, and. the next moment the pardoned convict was prostrated. The crowd gathered round in great numbers to witness the fight, and stimulate the passions of the combatants. Lancey recovered himself and renewed the attack. Being bent more upon vengeance than the honor of what is called a fair victory, he be thought himself of the knife that had been presented to him, and drawing it hastily he was about to plunge the blade into the heart of his antagonist, when his arm was paralized by the voice of a woman crying, "hold," as she made her way through the crowd. Jurdon was not so nearly self-annihilated as not to recognize the voice of his guardian spirit. Quick as a flash she caught his arm and raising the weapon threw it far into the street. Taking him by the hand she said, "come this is a fatal spot for thee, there is too little quietude for thy too turbulent mind." Lancey glanced at the heavenly countenance of his preserver, and was mute with astonishment. A thought, and his holier nature was rallied, he felt condemned, and guilty not only of a disturbance of the peace and an attempt upon the life of a fellow, but above all, guilty of forgetfulness and ingratitude toward his liberator and benefactor. Imagine the feelings of a naturally noble mind under such circumstances! The silence of dumbness pervaded the gaping crowd over whom Elmira had cast a serene and holy influence. No hisses nor expression, of contempt escaped a single lip-a power was upon them and they felt that it was no trifling thing to redeem a human spirit. They almost wished she could remain a brief space that they might adore her as the Queen of the virtues. But no, she had been sent to lead her ward from the precipice over which he was about to leap, and quickly moved away. The antagonist of Lancey soon recovered himself sufficiently to see his position and recognize the hand that had saved him. He also felt condemned for abusing the hitherto unoffending Lancey. He was not insensible of gratitude to Elmira and hastened on her track to thank her for her interposition. Approaching them he manifested the honesty of his repentance and said: “Will you forgive me Mr. Lancey? I have deeply wronged you-I feel it and crave your pardon?" He brushed the big tear drops from his eyes, and Lancey replied: "I have nothing to forgive. I should not have permitted a few idle words to so unman me. If, however, you desire me to pronounce the word forgive, I most cheerfully do and give you my hand as a token of future friendship." "And this lady with you-how shall, I repay the debt of gratitude I owe thee? I owe my life to thy interposition, and what service can I render for such assistance ?" "I ask no service" she replied. "If I have served you I rejoice in it. If I have saved your life, all that I ask is that you hereafter prove that life to have been worth purchasing. This was uttered with such sweet severity that it penetrated the heart of the heretofore too reckless man, and feeling not only their acutest penitence, but rising in spirit unto the pure influence of a higher sphere, he fell upon his knees before her exclaiming : "Hear it ye powers that made the world and rule the universe, accept the offering of a broken spirit and record the consecration I now, in this holy presence, make to the service of truth and goodness. Hereafter I shall be resigned to thy will and obedient to thy commands. Assist me by thy grace, and bless her who has ministered to the spiritual wants of thy unfaithful servant, and forget not him whom I have so wronged by cruel speech. Sustain him in every trial that he may also sustain thy suppliant in the pilgrimage he now commences." "Amen”-escaped from their united voices, and from many of these who had quietly gathered around. They separated mutually blessed by the recent occurrences. The crowd silently dispersed to their several homes and Elmira was the imaged angel to their minds, and the theme of many tongues for days, and months, and years. The gossipping community ceased their slanders and gradually changed their scurrilous insinuations to praises. Elmira did not chastise Lancey for his desertion of her and of virtue, because she knew his feelings were wrought up to their highest tension. She knew his weakness, and that the result had placed him upon higher ground than he ever occupied. They separated for their respective homes, he stronger than ever in virtue, and she fully persuaded that a human spirit can be redeemed. The appearance of Elmira so opportunely was not merely accidental. It was not a remarkable coincidence, a lucky hit merely, but the result of more deliberation than might be imagined were the matter not thoroughly understood. She saw the future by reason of that mental illumination which is vouchsafed to the "pure in heart." Her intuitions, her presentiments, and the impressions from the world of spirits revealed her duty, and in obedience she wandered out on this day of danger to the being entrusted to her care, that she might be near to shield from danger. Years passed, and Jurdon Lancey the convict, became Jurdon Lancey the honored and beloved. All delighted to pronounce his name-the rich because they could not withhold esteem, the poor because he had frequently given them substantial evidence of his sympathy, and the criminal because he appreciated their condition and had often ministered unto them. His life had been characterized by industry, sobriety and economy, and complete success had crowned all his efforts. He threw himself into all public enterprizes and contributed to them his unflagging energies. His relations with Elmira became more intimate than those of a friend and adviser, and their home was one the angels blessed, and Lancey was a living example of a REDEEMED HUMAN SPIRIT. ART. XXV.-BATTLE FIELDS. There are battles, fierce and many, By our valor to be fought, Who will fight as brave men ought; Half the world are shut in darkness Let us march to give them freedom, Cast aside your carnal weapons ! 'Tis the Truth shall set them free! Voices call upon us now, Out of war's abominations-- "Preach to us the saving truth, Preach a brotherhood of nations: Earth has long enough been stained By its cain-commending slaughters"-- Who will fail to heed the call, And to bring the cleansing waters Shall a man henceforth be found Let him humbly turn to God On his shrinking brow shall burn. Error's chains that long have held It shall be a joyous stroke That shall glad his heart forever. While the western Ophir calls Thousands in its dross to share, For the diamond hidden there : With the weapons of St. John. Let us quickly then prepare For the strife the needed shield: Forth we'll go, a conquering band, With the truth upon our lips And the Bible in our hand! ART. XXIV. OHIO, HER RESOURCES AND - PROSPECTS. Ohio is worthy an article. 1. Her POPULATION at the various periods at which her census was taken is as follows: This shows an increase from 1820 to 1830, of 62 per cent, and from 1830 to 1840 of the same amount. If we calculate the population for 1850 at the same per cent wo shall have for 1850, 2,459,132. There is no doubt that this is even below the true increase, for the population of her principal towns has in creased more than 100 per cent during the past ten years The population of Pennsylvania at the various censu was as follows: 1790 434,373 |