174 THE FIT OF ABSTRACTION. If any thing, this latter burst of philanthropy was finer than the former; and most likely, at the moment, my countenance brightened up in contemplating the fair picture which my fancy in such glowing colours had drawn. But not yet was the fountain of my good intentions dry, or the treasure-house of my munificence exhausted; for thus did I continue my abstraction. "Had I the power and the opportunity to bless mankind, friend and foe should alike be the partakers of my bounty; misery should be unknown; unkindness should be banished from the world, and the nations of the earth should celebrate an unbroken jubilee of joy." By the time that I had arrived at this exalted climax of philanthropy, I stood tolerably high in my own estimation, and how much higher I might have elevated myself it would be hard to say; but, at the moment, my opposite neighbour opened his door to let in a strange cat, which had, for some time, been mewing in the cold; he brought out, too, directly after, some broken victuals to a shivering lad, who had undertaken for a trifle to sweep away the snow from his door, and scattered a liberal handful of crumbs around for the benefit of the poor birds. ހ With shame and confusion I reflected on my useless thoughts, and on my neighbour's deeds. I had stood stock still, idly dreaming on imaginary kindness, while he had really performed three acts of unobtrusive charity. When shall we learn that THE FIT OF ABSTRACTION. 175 benevolence consists not in thinking, but in doing? A real penny outweighs an ideal pound, and a cup of cold water given with kindness is better than rivers of oil flowing only in the imagination. THE COAT OF MANY COLOURS. THE other Sabbath morning I overtook an aged man whose threadbare coat was well patched with cloth of different hues, so that it was indeed "a coat of many colours." As I walked behind him, musing on his grey hair, his bent body, his humble mien, and slow movement, he turned into a place of worship. "Well," thought I, "I took him for a pilgrim, and a pilgrim he is, I doubt not, to the city with the golden gates. He appears to be low in the world; but there was one who wore, if not a coat of the same kind as his, at least a coat of many colours, who was brought much lower, and yet afterwards was raised to a high estate, even to sit among princes." However much there may be to discourage a man in so humble a garb from thriving in this world, there seems to be no impediment in the way of his arriving at high honour and dignity in the 176 THE COAT OF MANY COLOURS. world that is to come. Earthly kings may not covet his company; but if his heart be right with God, however lowly his apparel may be, he shall share the glory of the King of heaven. It must comfort such an one to know on Divine authority, that the Almighty Ruler of the skies despiseth not poverty. He puts down the mighty from their seat, and exalts them of low degree. He fills the hungry with good things, and sends the rich empty away. Were all the Christians congregated together to whom the Saviour of the world when on earth showed personal kindness, they would form but a motley group, and would obtain but little attention, on account of the respectability of their clothing. Simon Peter's "fisher's coat" was most likely of a homely fashion. Poor blind Bartimeus, who would not be chidden into silence, but persisted in crying out, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have merey on me," was not, you may depend upon it, dressed in very fashionable attire. I greatly question if the cloak that Paul left at Troas was of much value; and I never could think of lowly Lazarus as wearing any other coat on the Sabbath day than that which he wore on every other day of the week. Cheer up, humble-minded, meanly-clad Christian. Be content for awhile to take the lowest seat: by and by thou shalt hear the welcome invitation of thy Lord," Come up higher," when garments shall be given thee pure and white as the moon in her brightness, and effulgent as the sun in his glory. SUDDEN CHANGES. An old man's experience will perhaps be borne out by your own in the following relation. How sudden are, at times, the changes in the face of creation! One of the goodliest days that I ever remember was ushered in by the appearance of a storm. A sullen stillness prevailed, and the gathering gloom became more and more oppressive. It was a season that solemnized the mind. A day in which the burdened spirit might have given way to sadness, and the desponding soul lamented for sin The heavy clouds were rolled thickly together; the low growl of the distant thunder seemed the note of preparation-the precursor of the raging storm. But even from the very bosom of the coal-black cloud the sunbeam bursts forth; the darkened vapours were soon after scattered, and heaven was lit up with a blaze of glory. It was a season of sudden surprise and joy. A day in which the exulting heart might have cried aloud, "Let young men, and maidens; old men, and children; yea, let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. Praise ye the Lord," Psa. cxlviii. 12, 13; cl. 6. 178 SUDDEN CHANGES. How oft amid the murky shroud How often too, with waving wings, THE CHURLISH FARMER. ARE you kind-hearted or churlish? This is a little like asking if you are a cordial or a scourge to those around you. One of the most churlish remarks that I remember to have ever heard was made by a farmer; it was on a Shrove Tuesday. A servant-girl had been frying pancakes and fritters all the morning, till, what with the heat and the fatigue, she seemed hardly able to stand. A kind-hearted visitor, who happened to be present, interceded that the girl might have a little rest. "Let her rest in her grave was the reply of the churlish farmer. This happened when I was a boy, so that by the time I grew up to manhood, the churlish farmer was in years. With the wrinkled brow and the |