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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:33:45 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:33:45 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10024-0.txt b/10024-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a737e8b --- /dev/null +++ b/10024-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6021 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10024 *** + +BENEATH THE BANNER + +BEING NARRATIVES OF NOBLE LIVES AND BRAVE DEEDS + +BY + +F.J. CROSS + + + + +_ILLUSTRATED_ + + + "I have done my best for the honour of our country."--GORDON + +SECOND EDITION + +1895 + + +_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_. + +GOOD MORNING! GOOD NIGHT! + +TRUE STORIES PURE AND BRIGHT. + +In this work will be found a Series of upwards of sixty Chats with +Children, suitable for morning and evening reading. The book abounds +with anecdotes, and contains numerous illustrations. + +_Ready about May, 1895_. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +_Only a Nurse Girl_,--ALICE AYRES + +_A Slave Trade Warrior_,--SIR SAMUEL BAKER + +_Two Working Men Heroes_,--CASE AND CHEW + +_The Commander of the Thin Red Line_,--SIR COLIN CAMPBELL + +_A Sailor Bold and True_,--LORD COCHRANE + +_A Rough Diamond that was Polished_,--JOHN CASSELL + +"_A Brave, Fearless Sort of Lass_,"--GRACE DARLING + +_A Friend of Lepers_,--FATHER DAMIEN + +_A Great Arctic Explorer_,--SIR JOHN FRANKLIN + +_A Saviour of Six_,--FIREMAN FORD + +_A Blind Helper of the Blind_,--ELIZABETH GILBERT + +_A Great Traveller in the Air_,--JAMES GLAISHER + +_The Soldier with the Magic Wand_,--GENERAL GORDON + +"_Valiant and True_,"--SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE + +_One who Left All_,--BISHOP HANNINGTON + +_A Man who Conquered Disappointments_,--SIR HENRY HAVELOCK + +_A Friend of Prisoners_,--JOHN HOWARD + +_A Hero of the Victoria Cross_,--KAVANAGH + +_The Man who Braved the Flood_,--CAPTAIN LENDY + +_A Temperance Leader_,--JOSEPH LIVESEY + +_A Great Missionary Explorer_,--DAVID LIVINGSTONE + +_From Farm Lad to Merchant Prince_,--GEORGE MOORE + +_A Man who Asked and Received_,--GEORGE MÃœLLER + +_A Labourer in the Vineyard_,--ROBERT MOFFAT + +"_The Lady with the Lamp_,"--FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE + +_For England, Home, and Duty_,--THE DEATH OF NELSON + +_A Woman who Succeeded by Failure_,--HARRIET NEWELL + +_A Martyr of the South Seas_,--BISHOP PATTESON + +"_K.G. and Coster_,"--LORD SHAFTESBURY + +_A Statesman who had no Enemies_,--W.H. SMITH + +_Greater than an Archbishop_,--THE REV.C. SIMEON + +_A Soldier Missionary_,--HEDLEY VICARS + +_A Lass that Loved the Sailors_,--AGNES WESTON + +_A Great Commander on a Famous Battlefield_ THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON + +_A Prince of Preachers_,--JOHN WESLEY + +_Some Children of the Kingdom_ + +_The Victor, the Story of an Unknown Man_ + +_A Boy Hero_,--JOHN CLINTON + +_Postscript_ + + + + +BENEATH THE BANNER. + + +_STORIES OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN STEADY WHEN "UNDER FIRE_". + + + + +ONLY A NURSE GIRL! + + +THE STORY OF ALICE AYRES. + +On the night of Thursday, 25th April, 1886, the cry rang through Union +Street, Borough, that the shop of Chandler, the oilman, was in flames. + +So rapid was the progress of the fire that, by the time the escapes +reached the house, tongues of flame were shooting out from the +windows, and it was impossible to place the ladders in position. The +gunpowder had exploded with great violence, and casks of oil were +burning with an indescribable fury. + +As the people rushed together to the exciting scene they were +horrified to find at one of the upper windows a girl, clad only in her +night-dress, bearing in her arms a child, and crying for help. + +It was Alice Ayres, who, finding there was no way of escape by the +staircase, was seeking for some means of preserving the lives of the +children in her charge. The frantic crowd gathered below shouted for +her to save herself; but that was not her first aim. Darting back into +the blinding smoke, she fetched a feather-bed and forced it through +the window. This the crowd held whilst she carefully threw down to +them one of the children, which alighted safe on the bed. + +Again the people in the street called on her to save her own life; but +her only answer was to go back into the fierce flames and stifling +smoke, and bring out another child, which was safely transferred to +the crowd below. + +Once again they frantically entreated her to jump down herself; and +once again she staggered back blinded and choking into the fiery +furnace; and for the third time emerged, bearing the last of her +charges, whose life also was saved. + +Then, at length, she was free to think of herself. But, alas! her head +was dizzy and confused, and she was no longer able to act as surely as +she had hitherto done. She jumped--but, to the horror of that anxious +admiring throng below, her body struck against the projecting +shop-sign, and rebounded, falling with terrific force on to the hard +pavement below. + +Her spine was so badly injured that although everything possible was +done for her at Guy's Hospital, whither she was removed, she died on +the following Sunday. + +Beautiful windows have been erected at Red Cross Hall, Southwark, to +commemorate her heroism; but the best memorial is her own expression: +"I tried to do my best"--for this will live in the hearts of all who +read of her self-devotion. She had tried to do her best _always_. Her +loving tenderness to the children committed to her care and her pure +gentle life were remarked by those around her before there was any +thought of her dying a heroic death. So, when the great trial came, +she was prepared; and what seems to us Divine unselfishness appeared +to her but simple duty. + + + + +A SLAVE TRADE WARRIOR. + + +SOME STORIES OF SIR SAMUEL BAKER. + +Sir Samuel Baker, who died at the end of the year 1893, aged +seventy-three, will always be remembered for the splendid work he +did in the Soudan during the four years he ruled there, and for his +explorations in Africa. + +In earlier life he had done good service in Ceylon, had been in the +Crimea during the Russian war, and had superintended the construction +of the first Turkish railway. + +Then, at the age of forty, he turned his attention to African travel. +Accompanied by his wife, he left Cairo in 1861; and, after exploring +the Blue Nile, arrived in 1862 at Khartoum, situated at the junction +of the White and Blue Nile. Later on he turned southward. In spite of +the opposition of slave owners, and without guide or interpreter, he +reached the Albert Nyanza; and when, after many perils, he got safely +back to Northern Egypt, his fame as an explorer was fully established. +His was the first expedition which had been successful in penetrating +into Central Africa from the north. On his return to England he was +welcomed with enthusiasm, and received many honours. + +In the year 1869, at the request of the Khedive of Egypt, Sir Samuel +undertook a journey to the Soudan to put down the slave trade. + +He was given supreme power for a period of four years. In December, +with a small army of about 1500 men, he left Cairo for Gondokoro, +about 3000 miles up the Nile, accompanied by his wife. It was a +terrible journey. His men fell ill, the water in the river was low +in many places, and the passage blocked up. At times he had to cut +channels for his ships; the men lost heart; and, had the leader not +been firm and steadfast, he would never have reached his destination. + +On one occasion he found his thirty vessels stranded, the river having +almost dried up. Nothing daunted, he cut his way through a marsh, +making a progress of only twelve miles in about a fortnight. At the +end of this time he found it was impossible to proceed further along +that course, and had to return to the place he had left and begin +again. + +Still, in spite of all obstacles, he made steady progress. + +At Sobat, situated on the Nile above Khartoum, he established a +station, and had a watch kept on passing ships to see that no slaves +were conveyed down the river. + +One day a vessel came in sight, and keeping in the middle of the river +would have passed by without stopping. But Sir Samuel, having his +suspicions aroused, sent to inspect it. + +The captain declared stoutly he had no slaves aboard. He stated that +his cargo consisted simply of corn and ivory. The inspector was not +convinced, and determined to test the truth of this statement. Taking +a ramrod, he drove it into the corn. This produced an answering scream +from below, and a moment later a woolly head and black body were +disclosed. Further search was made, and a hundred and fifty slaves +were discovered packed as close as herrings in a barrel. Some were +in irons, one was sewn up in a sail cloth, and all had been cruelly +treated. + +Soon the irons were knocked off and the poor slaves set free, to their +great wonder and delight. + +Sir Samuel arrived at Gondokoro on the 15th of April, 1871. Already +two years of his time had expired. In addition to checking the slave +trade, he had been commissioned to introduce a system of regular +commerce. He set to work at once to show the people the benefits of +agricultural pursuits. He got his followers to plant seeds, and soon +they were happy enough watching for the green shoots to appear. + +But before long they began to suffer from want of food. The tribes +round about had been set against them by the slave hunters, and would +supply them with nothing; so that Baker, in the midst of plenty, +seemed likely to perish of starvation. However, he soon adopted +energetic measures to prevent that. Having taken official possession +of the land in the name of the Khedive he seized a sufficient number +of animals for his requirements. + +The head man of the tribe and his followers were soon buzzing about +his ears like a swarm of wasps; but seeing he was not to be frightened +by their threats they showed themselves ready enough in the future to +supply him with cattle in return for payment. + +His own soldiers were nearly as troublesome as the natives. They +were lazy and mutinous; the sentries went to sleep, the scouts were +unreliable, they were full of complaints; whilst round about him were +the natives, ready to steal, maim, and murder whenever they could get +an opportunity. + +His life was daily in danger; and, so as not to be taken unawares, he +organised a band of forty followers for his personal service. On these +men he could always rely. They were proud of the confidence placed +in them, and were ready to go anywhere and do anything. By a strange +perversity they were nicknamed "the forty thieves," though they were +amongst the very few who were honest. + +What with sickness and fighting and losses encountered on the way up +the river, Baker's force was now reduced to about five hundred men, in +place of the twelve hundred whom he had once reviewed at Gondokoro. +Still, he did not despair of accomplishing, with God's help, the +mission on which he had been sent. + +In January, 1872, with his wife and only two hundred and twelve +officers and men, he started south on a journey of three or four +hundred miles into the region where the slave trade was carried on +with the greatest activity. + +He had arranged with one of the chiefs to supply him with two thousand +porters to carry the goods of the expedition; but when the time came +not a single man was forthcoming. So his soldiers had to be their +own carriers for a time. At a later date he was enabled to hire five +hundred men to assist him to transport his goods, and presented each +with a cow as a reward for his services. All took the cows readily +enough, but sixty-seven of the carriers did not appear at the time +appointed. The others were extremely desirous of going to look after +them; but Baker, knowing their ways full well, thought it better to +lose the services of the sixty-seven men rather than to allow this; +for he felt sure if they once returned to search for their companions +there would be no chance of seeing a single one of them again. + +After many perils he reached the territory of Kabbu Rega on the +Victoria Nile. The king was apparently friendly at first. But on +several occasions the war drums sounded, and although no violence was +actually offered yet Sir Samuel thought it well to be on his guard. + +He therefore set his men to work to build a strong fort. They cut +thick logs of wood, and planted them firmly in the ground, prepared +fireproof rooms for the ammunition, and were in the course of a few +days ready in case of emergency. + +These preparations had been made none too soon. + +[Illustration: Burning the king's Divan and Huts.] + +A few days later a very strange thing happened. The king sent Sir +Samuel a present of some jars of cider. This he gave to his troops. A +little while afterwards one of his officers rushed in to say the men +had been poisoned. + +It was really so. The men who had drunk of the cider were lying about +in terrible pain, and apparently dying. At once Sir Samuel gave them +mustard and water and other emetics, and they were soon better. But he +knew that trouble was at hand. + +Next morning he was standing at the entrance to the fort with one of +his men when a chorus of yells burst upon his ear. He told his bugler +to sound the alarm, and was walking towards the house to get a rifle +when the man beside him fell shot through the heart. + +The fort was surrounded by thousands of natives, who kept up +a continuous fire, and the bushes near at hand were full of +sharp-shooters. But the fort was strong, and its defenders fought +bravely; the woods were gradually cleared of sharp-shooters, and the +natives, ere long, broke and fled. + +Then Sir Samuel sent a detachment out of the fort, and set fire to the +king's divan and to the surrounding huts to teach the people a lesson +for their treachery. + +But the place was full of foes. A poisoned spear was thrown at +Sir Samuel, and every day he remained his force was in danger of +destruction, so he determined to go on to King Riongo, whom he hoped +would be more friendly. + +It is wonderful that the party ever got there. First of all it was +found that they would probably be a week without provisions; but, +happily, Lady Baker had put by some supplies, and great was the +rejoicing when her forethought became known. + +Then it was discovered that the country through which they had to pass +was full of concealed foes. From the long grass and bushes spears were +constantly hurled at them, and not a few of the men were mortally +wounded. Sir Samuel saw several lances pass close to his wife's head, +and he narrowly escaped being hit on various occasions. + +But, at last, Riongo's territory was reached. The king was friendly, +and for a time they were in comparative safety. + +By April, 1873, Baker had returned to Gondokoro, and his mission +ended. It was, to a great extent, the story of a failure, so far as +its main purpose was concerned, owing to the opposition of the men who +were making a profit by dealing in slaves; and who, whilst appearing +to be friendly, stirred up the natives to attack him. But, failure +though it was, he had done all that man could do; and the expedition +stands out as one of the most glorious efforts which have been made +against overwhelming odds to put an end to the slave trade. + + + + +TWO WORKING MEN HEROES. + + +THE STORY OF CASE AND CHEW. + +The large gasholders, which are often a source of wonder to youthful +minds as they rise and fall, are the places in which gas is stored for +the use of our cities. + +By day, when they are generally receiving more gas than they are +giving out, they rise; and again at night, when less is being pumped +into them than is going out for consumption in the streets and houses, +they fall. The gasholder is placed in a tank of water, so that there +is no waste of gas as the huge iron holder fills or empties. + +Now it was in one of these gasholders that a few years ago two men did +a deed that will live. Here is the brief story. + +The holder was being repaired, the gas had been removed, and air had +been pumped into it instead of gas so that men could work inside, and +the holder had risen about fifty feet. Two men were working inside the +holder, one a foreman, and the other a labourer named Case, the latter +in a diver's helmet. They were standing on a plank floating on the +water. Fresh air was being pumped down to Case, who, so long as he +kept on the helmet, was perfectly safe. + +All at once the foreman found he was beginning to feel faint, so he +told the labourer they would go up to the top for fresh air. But he +had not the strength to carry out his purpose. The raft was pulled to +the ladder by which they were to get out; but he was unable to ascend, +and fell down in a fainting condition. + +Then the labourer, regardless of the danger he was running, unscrewed +his helmet, into which fresh air was being pumped, and, placing it +quite near his fallen comrade, enabled him to get some of the air. The +foreman tried in vain to get Case to put on the helmet; and his own +strength was too slight to force him to do so. Indeed, he was in such +a state of weakness that he fell on the raft, and knew no more till he +once again found himself in a place of safety. + +Now let us see how the foreman's rescue was effected, and at what +cost. The men at the top of the holder had by this time become aware +that something was wrong below; and two men, Chew and Smith by name, +at once volunteered to go down below. They reached the plank, got a +rope round the foreman's body, when they too began to feel the effects +of the gas, and ascended the ladder, whilst the foreman was being +hoisted up by means of the rope. Smith reached the top in a fainting +condition. Chew never arrived there at all; for just as he got within +a few feet of safety he became insensible, and fell down into the +water below and was drowned. Meantime, Case had become jammed in +between the plank and one of the stays; and so, when at length they +removed him, life had passed away. + +Such deeds are so often done by our working men that they think +nothing about it. They do not know that they are heroes--that's the +best of it! It is a fact to be thankful for that everywhere throughout +the land, beneath the rough jackets of our artisans and labourers, +beat hearts as true and fearless as those which have stormed the fort +or braved the dangers of the battlefield. + + + + +THE COMMANDER OF THE "THIN RED LINE". + + +THE STORY OF SIR COLIN CAMPBELL. + +It was the 21st Of October, 1808. Colin Campbell, not yet sixteen, +had joined the army as ensign; and the battle of Vimiera was about to +begin. + +It was his "baptism of fire". Colin was in the rear company. His +captain came for him, and taking the lad's hand walked with him up and +down in front of the leading company for several minutes, whilst the +enemy's guns were commencing to fire. Then he told the youngster to go +back to his place. + +"It was the greatest kindness that could have been shown to me at such +a time; and through life I have felt grateful for it," wrote Colin +Campbell in later life of this incident. + +Soon after, the regiment to which he belonged formed part of the army +that retreated to Corunna, when our troops suffered such terrible +hardships. Colin Campbell had a rough time of it then. The soles of +his boots were worn to pieces, and so long a time did he wear them +without a change that the uppers stuck firmly to his legs; and, though +the boots were soaked in hot water, the skin came away when they were +taken off. + +After the battle of Corunna,--when the British brought to bay, turned +and defeated their foes,--it was Colin's regiment that had the honour +of digging the grave in which their heroic commander Sir John Moore +was buried. + +Battle after battle followed ere the French troops were driven out of +Spain, and Colin Campbell, young as he was, fought like a veteran. + +At Barossa his bravery brought him into special notice, and at the San +Sebastian he led a storming party, and was twice wounded in doing so. + +First of all he was shot through the right thigh; but though a storm +of bullets was flying about, and men falling thick around him, he was +up again, and pressed onward only to be again shot down. + +For his gallant conduct on this occasion he was specially mentioned in +the despatch that the general commanding the forces sent to the Duke +of Wellington. + +A few weeks later the troops moved on, and fought at the battle of +Bidassoa, Colin Campbell being left in the hospital to recover from +his wounds. + +But so little was it to his liking to stay in the rear that he escaped +from the hospital, and managed not only to fight at Bidassoa, but to +get wounded again! + +He was, of course, reproved by his colonel; but who could be seriously +angry with a youngster for such conduct? So when he was sent back to +England to get healed of his wounds, he was made a captain at the +early age of twenty-one. + +Among the first things that Colin Campbell did when he received his +captain's pay was to make his father an allowance of £30 or £40 a +year; and later on it was an immense satisfaction for him to be able +to provide both for his father and sister. + +In the Chinese war of 1842 he was in command of the 98th Regiment. The +tremendous heat of the country during the summer terribly thinned the +ranks of his forces, and he lost over 400 men in eighteen months. He +himself was struck down by sunstroke and fever; but, owing probably to +his temperate and careful habits, he soon recovered. + +After the Chinese war, Colin Campbell was busy in India, and at +Chillianwallah was wounded in the arm. It was in this battle he +narrowly escaped with his life. The day after the fight, when he was +being assisted to take off his uniform, he found that a small pistol +which had been put in his pocket without his knowledge was broken, +his watch smashed, and his side bruised. A bullet had struck him, +unperceived in the heat of the battle, and his life saved by its force +having been arrested by the handle of the pistol. + +In 1849 Colin Campbell was made a K.C.B. (Knight Commander of the +Bath); so we must henceforth speak of him as "Sir" Colin. + +March, 1853, saw Sir Colin Campbell in England; but though he had +passed his sixtieth year, most of which had been spent in his +country's service, his rest was not of long duration, as in 1854 he +went out to the Crimea in command of the Highland brigade, consisting +of the 42nd, 79th, and 93rd regiments. Sir Colin was proud of the +splendid troops he commanded, and at the battle of the Alma they +covered themselves with glory. + +The 42nd (the Black Watch) were the first of the three regiments +across the river Alma. Whilst ascending the height on the Russian side +of the river, Sir Colin's horse was twice wounded, the second shot +killing it; but he was soon mounted on another horse, leading his men +to victory. + +The Guards and Highlanders strove in friendly emulation who should be +first in the Russian redoubt; but Sir Colin, well ahead of his own men +was first in the battery shouting:-- + +"We'll hae nane but Highland bonnets here!" and his troops rushed in +after him like lions. + +The terrific charge of these fierce Highlanders, combined with their +dress, struck terror into the hearts of the Russians; who said that +they thought they had come to fight men, but did not bargain for +demons in petticoats! + +"Now, men," Sir Colin had said before the engagement, "you are going +into battle. Remember this: Whoever is wounded--I don't care what his +rank is--must lie where he falls till the bandsmen come to attend to +him.... Be steady. Keep silent. Fire low. Now, men, the army will +watch us. Make me proud of the Highland brigade!" + +At the conclusion of that well-fought day the commander-in-chief, Lord +Raglan, sent for Sir Colin. His eyes were full, his lips quivered, and +he was unable to speak; but he gave Campbell a hearty handshake and a +look which spoke volumes. + +That was a joyful day for Sir Colin. + +"My men behaved nobly," he writes. "I never saw troops march to +battle with greater _sang froid_ and order than these three Highland +regiments." + +The Alma had been fought on 20th September, 1854, and on the 25th +October was fought the battle of Balaclava, memorable for the "Thin +Red Line". It looked, at one time, as if the heavy masses of Russian +cavalry must entirely crush Sir Colin's Highlanders; and their +commander, riding down the line of his troops, said: "Remember, there +is no retreat from here, men; you must die where you stand". + +"Ay, ay, Sir Colin, we'll do that," came the ready response. Now, it +was usual, in preparing to receive a cavalry charge, for soldiers to +be formed in a hollow square; but on this occasion Sir Colin ranged +his men, two deep, in a _thin red line_, which has become memorable in +the annals of the British army. The Russian cavalry were advancing, +but, instead of the masses which were expected to make the attack, +only about 400 came on. + +Sir Colin's men, fierce and eager for the onset, would have dashed +from behind the hillock where they were stationed, but for the stern +voice commanding them to stand firm in their ranks. + +The Russians hardly waited for their fire. Startled by the red-coated +Britishers rising up at the word of their leader, they broke and fled; +and the men of the 93rd, who, but a little before, had made up their +minds to die where they stood, saw as in a dream their enemies +scattered and broken; and the cloud of horsemen which had threatened +to engulf and annihilate them, make no effort to snatch the victory +which seemed within their grasp. + +Before the Crimean war was over, Sir Colin resigned his command, and +returned to England, as a protest against an affront he had received. + +Honoured by the Queen with a command to attend her at Windsor, he was +asked by her Majesty to return to the Crimea; and the veteran assented +at once, declaring he would serve under a corporal if she wished it. + +The Russian war was soon concluded; and Sir Colin thought that at +length he had finished soldiering. But it was not to be. In the summer +of 1857 the Indian Mutiny broke out, and on 11th July he was asked how +soon he could start for India. The old soldier of sixty-five replied +that he could go the same evening; and on the very next day, Sunday, +he was on his way to take command of the British army in India. + +As the Mutiny is alluded to briefly in the story of Havelock, I will +only state that Sir Colin's vigorous, cautious, skilful policy ere +long brought this fearful rebellion to a close. + +For his able conduct of the war he was warmly thanked by the Queen; +and at its conclusion was raised to the peerage, under the title +of Lord Clyde. Colin Campbell was an admirable soldier, firm in +discipline, setting a good example, ever thoughtful for the comfort +and well-being of his men, sharing in all the hardships and perils +they passed through. It is, therefore, not surprising that his men +loved him. + +Not that he was by any means a perfect man. He had a temper--a very +hasty and passionate temper too, and one that troubled him a good +deal; but he was on the watch for that to see it did not get the +better of him. + +Here is an entry from his diary of 5th March, 1846, showing something +of the character of the man. "Anniversary of Barossa. An old story +thirty years ago. Thank God for all His goodness to me'! Although I +have suffered much from ill health, and in many ways, I am still as +active as any man in the regiment, and quite as able as the youngest +to go through fatigue." + +Let us just glance at the way this victor in a hundred fights regarded +the approach of death. + +He prepared for his end with a humility as worthy of example as his +deeds in the army had been. "Mind this," he said to his old friend +General Eyre, "I die at peace with all the world." + +He frequently asked Mrs. Eyre to pray with him, and to read the Bible +aloud. + +"Oh! for the pure air of Heaven," he once exclaimed, "that I might be +laid at rest and peace on the lap of the Almighty!" + +He suffered a good deal in his last illness, and at times would jump +up as if he heard the bugle, and exclaim:-- + +"I am ready!" + +And so; when he passed away on the 14th August, 1863, in his +seventy-first year, "lamented by the Queen, the army, and the people," +he was quite ready to meet that last enemy, death, whom he had faced +so often on the field of battle. + + + + +A SAILOR BOLD AND TRUE. + + +STORIES OF LORD COCHRANE. + +All who, forgetful of self, have striven to render their country free +and glorious are true heroes. Of those who have been ready to lay down +their lives for the welfare of Great Britain the number is legion. +From them let us select one as a type of thousands of brave men who +have helped to make Britain mistress of the ocean. + +Thomas Cochrane, son of Lord Dundonald, took to the sea as a duck +takes to the water. When he first went on board ship the lieutenant +cared neither that he was Lord Cochrane nor that he was related to the +captain of the ship. He did not spare him one jot; but made him do all +kinds of work, just as if he had been plain Tom Smith. And so it came +to pass that he got a thorough training, and, being a smart youth, was +soon promoted. + +Cochrane had the good fortune on one occasion to meet Lord Nelson, who +in course of conversation said to him, "Never mind manoeuvres; always +go at them". + +This advice he certainly followed throughout his life; and he began +pretty early too. For being in command of a sloop of 158 tons, called +the _Speedy_, with fourteen small guns and fifty-one men, he happened +to come across a good-sized Spanish vessel, with thirty-two big guns, +and over 300 men. The Spaniard, of course, was going to seize on the +little English ship, and, so to speak, gobble it up. But Cochrane, +instead of waiting to be attacked, made for the Spaniard, and, after +receiving the fire of all her guns, without delivering a shot, got +right under the side of the _Gamo_ (so the vessel was called), and +battered into her with might and main. The Spaniards did not relish +this, and were going to board the tiny English craft, but again they +were forestalled; for Cochrane with all his men took the _Gamo_ by +storm, killed some, and frightened others; and ere long a marvellous +sight was witnessed at Minorca, the great _Gamo_ was brought by the +_Speedy_ into the harbour, with over 263 men on board, hale and +hearty, whilst Cochrane never had a fifth of that number! + +Ship after ship he took, till his name became a terror to the +Spaniards and French; for he was so audacious, that no matter how big +was the vessel he came across, nor how small his own, he "went at +them," as Nelson had told him to do; and many a stately prize brought +he home as the result of his daring and bravery. + +One of the most gallant deeds he did was in connection with the +defence of Rosas. Times had changed since the events related above, +and Great Britain was now helping Spain in her struggle against +France. + +When he got to Rosas the place was within an ace of surrender. The +French had pounded the defences into a deplorable condition. + +Fort Trinidad, an important position, was about to be assaulted, the +walls having been well-nigh beaten down by the fire of the enemy. + +Cochrane however, with an immense quantity of sandbags, palisades, and +barrels, made it pretty secure. But he did a cleverer thing even than +this. There was a piece of steep rock, up which the besiegers would +have to climb. This he covered with grease, so as to make it difficult +to get a foothold, and planks with barbed hooks were placed ready to +catch those who were rash enough to seek their aid. + +The assault was delivered--up the rock came the French, and--down they +tumbled in dozens and hundreds. Those who caught hold of the planks +were hooked; and, to crown all, a heavy fire was poured into them by +the British. + +During the siege the Spanish flag was shot away whilst a heavy +cannonade was going on; but Cochrane, though the bullets were +whistling about in every direction, calmly stepped down into the +ditch, and rescued the flag. + +[Illustration: LORD COCHRANE RESCUING THE FLAG.] + +When he was not fighting his country's battles at sea, he was +besieging Parliament to bring about reforms in the Navy. This +naturally brought him a good many enemies amongst rich and powerful +people, who were making plenty of money out of the Government, and +doing nothing for it. So, when these persons had a chance of bringing +a charge of conspiracy against him, they were right glad of the +opportunity; and in the end Cochrane was sent to prison. + +Some there were who believed in his honour and uprightness. His wife +was in all his trials a very tower of strength to him. The electors +of Westminster, who had sent him to Parliament, never ceased to have +faith in his truth and honour, and re-elected him when still in +prison. Yet, for all this, it was between forty and fifty years before +his innocence was completely proved! + +In 1847, however, he was restored to his honours by her Majesty the +Queen; and in 1854 he was made a Rear Admiral of England. + + + + +A ROUGH DIAMOND THAT WAS POLISHED. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN CASSELL. + +"I were summat ruff afore I went to Lunnon," said John Cassell. + +He had called to see his friend Thomas Whittaker, who was staying at +Nottingham, and John was announced as "the Manchester carpenter". + +He was dressed on the occasion in a suit of clothes which a Quaker +friend had given him; but Cassell being tall and thin, and the Quaker +short and stout, they did not altogether fit! + +The trousers were too short, and the hat too big; accordingly, John's +legs came a long way through the trousers, and his head went a good +way in at the top. "It was something like taking a tin saucepan with +the bottom out and using it as a scabbard for a broad sword," remarked +one who knew him. He had on an old overcoat, and a basket of tools +was thrown over his shoulder with which to earn his food in case +temperance lecturing failed. + +When John remarked that he was "summat ruff," the gentleman at whose +house Mr. Whittaker was staying nearly had a fit; and after he had at +length recovered his gravity he ejaculated, "Well, I would have given +a guinea to have seen you before you did go". + +Yet John Cassell was a diamond--though at that time the roughest +specimen one could come across from the pit's mouth to the Isle of +Dogs. His ideas were clear cut; he had confidence in himself, he meant +to make a name in the world,--and he _did_. + +John Cassell was born in Manchester in 1817. His father, the +bread-winner of the family, had the misfortune to meet with an injury +which entirely disabled him, and from the effects of which he died +when John was quite young. His mother worked hard for her own and her +son's support, and had little time left to look very particularly to +the education of her boy. He, however, grew up strong and hardy. + +It is true that when he ought to have been at school he was often at +play, or seeing something of the world, its sights and festivities, +on his own account. True, also, that he tumbled into the river, and +nearly ended his career at a very early age. Still he survived his +river catastrophe; and, though he gained little book learning, +possessed such a good and retentive memory, and was so observant, +that his mind became stored with vivid impressions of the scenes and +surroundings of his youth, which he related with great effect in +after-life. + +He had, of course, to begin work at an early age. First of all, he +went into a cotton factory, and later to a velveteen factory; then, +having a taste for carpentering, he took to it as a trade, though he +was at best but a rough unskilled workman, tramping about the country, +and doing odd jobs wherever he could get them. + +One day John Cassell was working at the Manchester Exchange when he +was persuaded to go and hear Dr. Grindrod lecture on temperance. The +lecture seems to have bitten itself into John's mind; for a little +later on, in July, 1835, after hearing Mr. Swindlehurst lecture, he +signed the pledge. That was the unsuspected turning-point of carpenter +John's life. + +After this he attended meetings and took an active part on the +platform, and became known as "the boy lecturer". Though he was +dressed in fustian, and wore a workman's apron, he spoke effectively, +and his words went to the hearts of his hearers. His originality of +style, too, pleased the audiences of working people whom he addressed. + +In 1836 John Cassell made his first move towards London. + +He worked his way to town, and lectured on the road. He carried a +bell, and with that brought together his audiences. + +At times he was very roughly handled by the crowd; yet this had no +effect upon him, except to make him the more determined. + +His clothes became threadbare, his boots worn out, his general +appearance dilapidated; but he got help from a few good people, who +saw the hero beneath his rags. + +He was three weeks accomplishing the journey; and when he arrived +in London spent the first day in search of work, which he failed to +obtain. + +In the evening, seeing that a temperance meeting was to be held in a +hall off the Westminster Road, he went to it; and asked to be allowed +to speak. Some of those on the platform viewed with distrust the +gaunt, shabby, travel-stained applicant. But he would take no denial, +and soon won cheers from the audience. When he stopped short, after a +brief address, someone shouted "Go on". "How can a chap go on when he +has nothing to say?" came the ready reply. That night he had no money +in his pocket to pay for a bed; so he walked the streets of London +through the weary hours till dawn of day. + +Other temperance meetings he addressed; for his heart and mind were +full of that subject. After one of the meetings a gentleman questioned +him as to his means; and, finding the straits he was in, asked if he +were not disheartened. + +"No," replied John; "it is true I carry all my wealth in my little +wallet, and have only a few pence in my pocket; but I have faith in +God I shall yet succeed." + +Struck by his manifest sincerity, the gentleman introduced him next +day to a friend who took a warm interest in the temperance cause. + +"Which wouldst thou prefer, carpentering or trying to persuade thy +fellow-men to give up drinking, and to become teetotalers?" he asked. + +Without hesitation John Cassell replied:-- + +"The work of teetotalism." + +"Then thou shalt have an opportunity, and I will stand thy friend." + +John Cassell now went forth as a disciple of the temperance cause. +Remembering his experiences on the way to London he furnished himself +with a watchman's rattle, with which he used to call together the +people of the villages he visited. + +A temperance paper thus speaks of him in 1837:-- + +"John Cassell, the Manchester carpenter, has been labouring, amidst +many privations, with great success in the county of Norfolk. He is +passing through Essex--(where he addressed the people, among other +places, from the steps leading up to the pulpit of the Baptist chapel, +with his carpenter's apron twisted round his waist)--on his way to +London. He carries his watchman's rattle--an excellent accompaniment +of temperance labour." + +Cassell had a great regard for Thomas Whittaker. It was an address +given by this gentleman which had first made him wish to become a +public man. + +When he called on Mr. Whittaker in Nottingham, as already related, +after some conversation had taken place, he remarked:-- + +"I should like to hear thee again, Tom". + +"Well," remarked Whittaker as a joke, "you can if you go with me to +Derby." + +John accepted the invitation forthwith, much to his friend's chagrin, +who was bothered to know what to do with him; for he was under the +impression that some members of the family where he expected to lodge +would not give a very hearty welcome to this rough fellow. + +This is Mr. Whittaker's narrative of the sequel:-- + +"We walked together to Derby that day. At the meeting he spoke a +little, and pleased the people. When the meeting was over, he said:-- + +"'Can't I sleep with you?' + +"'Well,' I said, 'I have no objection; but, you know, _I_ am only a +lodger.' + +"However, go with me he _would_, and _did_. That was the man. When +John made up his mind to do a thing he did it; and to that feature in +his character, no doubt, much of his future success may be attributed. +The gentleman at whose house he met me at Nottingham, and who was +ashamed of him, subsequently became his servant, and touched his hat +to him; and John has pulled up at my own door in his carriage, with a +liveried servant, when I lived near to him in London." + +John Cassell was now in the thick of the fight. In those days the +opposition to the Gospel of Temperance was keen and bitter. Sometimes +there were great disturbances at the meetings, sometimes he was pelted +with rubbish, at times he did not know where to turn for a night's +lodging. It was, on the whole, a fierce conflict; but John was nothing +daunted. + +It is, of course, impossible to sum up the amount of a man's +influence. John Cassell scattered the seed of temperance liberally. +Here is a case showing how one of the grains took root, and grew up to +bear important fruit. + +The Rev. Charles Garrett, the celebrated teetotal President of the +Wesleyan Conference, writing several years after John Cassell's death, +says:-- + +"I signed the pledge of total abstinence in 1840, after hearing a +lecture on the subject by the late John Cassell. I have therefore +tried it for more than thirty years. It has been a blessing to me, and +has made me a blessing to others." + +How to cure the curse of drink, what to give in its place when the +pleasures of the glass were taken away--that was the problem which +many have tried to solve. None more successfully than John Cassell. + +At a meeting in Exeter Hall he suddenly put a new view before his +audience. "I have it!" he exclaimed. + +"The remedy is education. Educate the working men and women, and you +have a remedy for the crying evil of the country. Give the people +mental food, and they will not thirst after the abominable drink which +is poisoning them." + +He had hitherto been doing something to assist the temperance cause +by the sale of tea and coffee, and he now turned his attention to the +issue of publications calculated to benefit the cause. + +Having, at the age of twenty-four, married Mary Abbott, he became +possessed of additional means for carrying out his publishing schemes. + +Cheap illustrated periodicals began to issue from the press under his +superintendence, and copies were multiplied by the hundred thousand. + +He never forgot that he had been a working man, and one of the first +publications he started was called _The Working Man's Friend_. + +It is not necessary to say more. Though John Cassell died +comparatively young--he was only forty-eight when his death took place +in 1865--he had done a grand life's work; and the soundness of his +judgment is shown by the fact that works which he planned retain their +hold upon the people to this day. + +John Cassell had his ambitions, but they were of a very simple kind. + +"I started in life with one ambition," he said, "and that was to have +a clean shirt every day of my life; this I have accomplished now for +some years; but I have a second ambition, and that is to be an MAP., +and represent the people's cause; then I shall be public property, +and you may do what you like with me." This latter desire he would +doubtless have realised but for his early decease. + + + + +"A BRAVE, FEARLESS SORT OF LASS." + + +THE STORY OF GRACE DARLING. + +She was not much of a scholar, she could not spell as well as a girl +in the third standard, she lived a quiet life quite out of the busy +world; and yet Grace Darling's name is now a household word. + +Let us see how that has come about. + +William Darling, Grace's father, was keeper of the Longstone +Lighthouse on the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland. +Longstone is a desolate rock, swept by the northern gales; and woe +betide the ship driven on its pitiless shores! + +Mr. Darling and his family had saved the lives of many persons who had +been shipwrecked ere that memorable day of which I will tell you. + +On the night of the 5th September, 1838, the steamer _Forfarshire_, +bound from Hull to Dundee, was caught in a terrific storm off the +Farne Islands. Her machinery became damaged and all but useless, and +the vessel drifted till the sound of the breakers told sixty-three +persons composing the passengers and crew that death was near at hand. + +[Illustration: Longstone Lighthouse.] + +The captain made every effort to run the ship in between the Islands +and the mainland, but in vain; and about three o'clock on the morning +of the 6th September the vessel struck on the rock with a sickening +crash. + +A boat was lowered, into which nine of the passengers got safely, +whilst others lost their lives in attempting to do so. These nine were +saved during the day by a passing vessel. + +The _Forfarshire_ meantime was the sport of the waves, which +threatened every minute to smash her in pieces. + +Before long, indeed, one wave mightier than the rest lifted her bodily +on to the sharp rocks and broke her in two. Her after-part was swept +away, and the captain, his wife, and those who were in that portion of +the vessel, were drowned. The fore-part meantime remained fast on the +rocks, lashed by the furious billows. + +That morning Grace was awakened by the sound of voices in distress, +and dressing quickly she sought her father. + +They listened, and soon their worst fears were confirmed. Near at +hand, but still quite beyond reach of help, could be heard the +despairing shrieks of the shipwrecked crew. + +To attempt to rescue them seemed quite out of the question. That was +apparent at once to William Darling, skilful boatman though he was, +and brave as a lion. + +The sea was so terrific that it was ten chances to one against a boat +being able to keep afloat. + +But Grace entreated: "Father, we must not let them perish. I will go +with you in the boat, and God will give us success." + +In vain Mrs. Darling urged that the attempt was too perilous to be +justified, and reproached Grace for endeavouring to persuade her +father to run such unwarrantable risks. + +William Darling saw plainly how many were the chances against success. +Even if the boat was not at once swamped, two persons alone, and one +of them only a girl, were insufficient for the work; for, supposing +they reached the wreck, they would probably be too exhausted to get +back. + +No, duty did not demand such an act; and for a time he declined to put +out. + +But Grace was quite firm. This girl of three and twenty, never very +robust, had marvellous strength of will; and, her mind being set on +attempting the rescue, she prevailed over both her father's judgment +and her mother's entreaties; and into that awful sea the boat was at +length launched. Though every billow threatened to engulf the frail +craft, yet it nevertheless rode through the mountainous waves and drew +near the rock where the helpless men and women were standing face to +face with death. When it was sufficiently close to the shore William +Darling sprang out to help the weary perishing creatures, whilst Grace +was left to manage the boat unaided. + +It was now that her courage was put to the severest test. At this +critical moment the lives of her father and all the survivors depended +upon her judgment and skill. + +Well did her past experience and cool nerve then serve her. Alone and +unaided she kept the boat in a favourable position in the teeth of +that pitiless gale; and as soon as her father signalled to her she +waited for an opportune moment and rowed in. Ere long, in spite of +the fury of wind and wave, they had got all aboard, and rowed back in +safety to the lighthouse. + +The passengers who were rescued told the story of Grace's courage; and +soon the tale was in every newspaper. + +George Darling, Grace's brother, speaking of this deed fifty years +after, says: "She always considered, as indeed we all did, that far +too much was made of what she did. She only did what was her duty in +the circumstances, brought up among boats, so to speak, and used to +the sea as she was. Still she was always a brave, fearless sort of +lass, and very religious too--there's no doubting that. But it was +never her wish that people should make so much of what she did." + +A great deal was made of the deed certainly, but surely not too much. +A subscription was set on foot, and £700 presented to her, besides +innumerable presents. + +Four years later Grace died, much lamented by all who knew her. + +Doubtless many a time, before and since, faith as strong, and bravery +as heroic, have been shown, and have passed unrecorded and unnoticed +by men. But duty performed in simple faith and without expectation +of reward brings inward peace and joy greater than any outward +recognition can give. + + * * * * * + +GRACE DARLING THE SECOND. + +Whilst these pages were passing through the press the news came of the +bravery of another Grace Darling in a far-off land.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See letter of Rev. Ellis of Rangoon in _Times_ of 25th +May, 1894.] + +Miss Darling was head mistress of the Diocesan School at Amherst near +Rangoon, and her pupils were bathing in the sea when one of them was +bitten in the leg by a shark or alligator. Alarmed by this terrible +shock she lost her balance and was being carried away by the tide when +her sister and the head mistress both went to the rescue. Miss Grace +Darling had succeeded in getting hold of her when she too was bitten +and disappeared under the water. The sister behind cried out for help, +at the same time seizing the head mistress and vainly endeavouring to +keep her head above water. In the end some native sailors came to the +rescue and dragged all three out, but Grace Darling and the favourite +pupil whom she had endeavoured to save were both dead. + + + + +A FRIEND OF LEPERS. + + +THE STORY OF FATHER DAMIEN. + +Of all forms of disease leprosy is perhaps the most terrible. The +lepers of whom we read in the Bible were obliged to dwell alone +outside the camp; and even king Uzziah, when smitten with leprosy, +mighty monarch though he was, had to give up his throne and dwell by +himself to the end of his days. + +In the far-off Sandwich (or Hawaiian) Islands in the Pacific Ocean +there are many lepers; but the leprosy from which they suffer is of a +more fatal kind than that which is spoken of in the Bible. + +So as to prevent the spread of the disease, the lepers are sent to one +of the smaller islands, where there is a leper village, in which those +who are afflicted remain until their death. + +When a shipload of these poor creatures leaves Honolulu for the little +Isle of Molokai there is great wailing by the relatives of those sent +away, for they know the parting is final. + +The disease is not slow in running its course. After about four years +it usually attacks some vital organ, and the leper dies. + +Until the year 1873 the lot of the lepers on their help them, that all +hearts were turned in love towards him. + +He first made the discovery when he had been at Molokai about ten +years. He happened to drop some boiling water on his foot, and it gave +him no pain. Then he knew he had the leprosy. + +Yet he was not cast down when he became aware of the fact, for he had +anticipated it. + +"People pity me and think me unfortunate," he remarked; "but I think +myself the happiest of missionaries." + +In 1889, sixteen years after landing at Molokai, Father Damien died. + +When he was nearing his end, he wrote of the disease as a +"providential agent to detach the heart from all earthly affection, +prompting much the desire of a Christian soul to be united--the sooner +the better--with Him who is her only life". + +During his last illness he suffered at times intensely; yet was +patient, brave, and full of thoughtfulness for his people through it +all, and looked forward with firm hope to spending Easter with his +Maker. He died on the 15th April, 1889. "A happier death," wrote the +brother who nursed him in his illness, "I never saw." + +There, far away amongst those for whom he gave his life, lie the +remains of one of the world's great examples, whose name will ever be +whispered with reverence, and who possessed to a wonderful extent "the +peace which the world cannot give". + + + + +A GREAT ARCTIC EXPLORER. + + +THE STORY OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. + +The passage to the North Pole is barred by ice fields and guarded by +frost and snow more securely than Cerberus guarded the approach to the +kingdom of Pluto. + +For three centuries and more the brave and daring of all nations have +tried to pass these barriers. Hundreds of men have been frozen to +death, hundreds have died of starvation; and yet men continue to +hazard their lives to find out this secret of Nature. + +One of the bravest arctic explorers was Sir John Franklin, who, after +many wonderful adventures, finally died with his companions amid the +frozen seas of the north. + +As a little boy, "life on the ocean wave" was to John Franklin a +delightful day-dream. Once when at school he walked twelve miles to +get a sight of the sea and a taste of the salt air; and such was his +desire for a seafaring career that although his father was at first +very much opposed to the idea, yet when he found how strongly Franklin +had set his heart upon a sailor's life, he got him a place on a +war-ship where John took part in the battle of Copenhagen. + +Then he was shipwrecked on the coast of Australia, did some fighting +in the Straits of Malacca, and was present at the great battle of +Trafalgar. + +After this he had his first taste of Arctic adventure, having received +a commission from the Government to explore the Coppermine, one of the +great rivers of Canada, which discharges its waters into the Arctic +Ocean. Down this river sailed Franklin and his companions. They +encountered rapids and falls, and all kinds of obstacles, and met with +many dangers and disasters. + +The first winter they were nearly starved to death. They stayed at +Fort Enterprise; but, long before the spring returned, they found +their food was all but finished, and the nearest place to get more was +five hundred miles away, over a trackless desert of snow. One of their +number, however, tramped the whole weary way, and brought back food to +his starving leader and companions. + +Next summer, Franklin descended the river to its mouth, and embarking +in canoes he and his followers made towards Behring Strait, from which +they were ere long driven back by their old dread enemy--starvation. +For many days on their return journey they had nothing to live upon +but rock moss, which barely kept them alive. They became so worn and +ill that they could only cover a few miles a day, and Franklin fainted +from exhaustion. + +For eight days they waited on the banks of a river which it was +necessary to pass, but which they had no means of crossing. One of the +men tried to swim across and was nearly drowned, and despair seized on +the party, for they thought the end had come. But there was one man +among them who could not believe God would leave them to perish, +and spurred on by this thought he gathered rock moss in sufficient +quantities to preserve their lives; and, hope springing up again, they +made a light raft on which they passed over to the other side. + +Then Franklin set off with eight men to get assistance, whilst others +remained to care for the sick. He and three companions only arrived at +Fort Enterprise. They had to endure a fearful journey, during +which they ate their very boots to preserve life. To their bitter +disappointment when they got there they found the place deserted! Then +they attempted to go to the next settlement; but Franklin utterly +broke down on the way, and was with difficulty got back to Fort +Enterprise. Here they were joined by two of the party who had been +left behind, the others having perished on the way. + +The night of their reunion, the six survivors had a grand feast. A +partridge had been shot, and for the first time during an entire month +these men tasted flesh food. Later on, sitting round the fire they had +kindled, words of hope and comfort were read from the Bible, and the +men joined heartily together in prayer and thanksgiving. Shortly +after, friendly Indians arrived with supplies of food, and Franklin +with the survivors of his party returned safely to England. + +After this, Franklin made other expeditions, gaining fame and honour +by his explorations, and was for seven years Lieutenant-Governor of +Tasmania. + +Then in 1845, when he was in his sixtieth year, he went out in the +service of the Admiralty to attempt the passage through the Arctic +Ocean. Leaving England in May, 1845, in command of the _Erebus_ and +_Terror_, with a body of the most staunch and experienced seamen, he +sailed into the Arctic Seas. They were last seen by a whaler on the +26th of July that year, and then for years no word of their fate +reached Great Britain. + +Not that England waited all this time before she sent to discover +what had befallen them. The Government was stirred into action by +the pleadings of Lady Franklin. Expedition after expedition left our +shores. America and France joined in the search. Five years later was +discovered the place in which the _Erebus_ and _Terror_ had first +wintered; but it was left for Dr. John Rae to find out from the +Esquimaux in 1854 that the ships had been crushed in the ice, and that +Franklin and his companions had died of fatigue and starvation. + +The final relics of the Franklin Expedition were discovered by +McClintock and a party of volunteers. Starting from England in a +little vessel called _The Fox_ he and his crew passed through a +hundred dangers from shipwreck, icebergs, and other perils. But at +length, in April, 1858, they found on King William's Island the record +which told plainly and fully the fate of Franklin and his companions. + +[Illustration: RELICS OF THE FRANKLIN EXPEDITION. 1. Loaded Gun. 2. +Fragment of Ensign. 3. Anvil Block. 4. Portable Cooking Stove. 5. +Chronometers from _Erebus_ and _Terror_. 6. Medicine Chest. 7. +Testament 8. Dipping Needle.] + +The document contained two statements, one written in 1846, mentioning +that Sir John Franklin and all were well; and a second, written in +1848, to say that they had been obliged to abandon the _Erebus_ and +_Terror_, that Sir John Franklin had died in June, 1847, and that they +had already lost nine officers and fifteen men. + +Other traces of the sad end which overtook the expedition were also +found. In a boat were discovered two skeletons; and amongst other +books a Bible, numerous passages in which were underlined, showing +that these gallant men in their last hours had the comfort of God's +Word to support them when earthly hopes had passed away. + +The object for which Sir John Franklin had sailed, viz., the discovery +of the North West passage, had been attained, but no single man of the +expedition, alas, lived to enjoy the fruits of the discovery. + + + + +A SAVIOUR OF SIX + + +THE STORY OF FIREMAN FORD. + +In the waiting room at the head quarters of the London Fire Brigade, +in Southwark Street, London, is an oak board on which are fixed a +number of brass tablets, bearing the names of men who are entitled to +a place on this "Roll of Honour". + +From amongst these let us take one, and tell briefly what befell him. +It will serve as a sample of the dangers which beset the fireman daily +in the pursuit of his duty. + +"Joseph Andrew Ford," so runs the official record, "lost his life at a +fire which occurred at 98 Gray's Inn Road, at about 2 a.m. on the 7th +of October, 1871. + +"Ford was on duty with the fire escape stationed at Bedford Row, and +he was called to the fire a few minutes before 2 a.m., and proceeded +there with the utmost speed. + +"Before he reached the fire, three persons had been rescued by the +police, who took them down from the second-floor window by means of a +builder's ladder; and, on his arrival, there were seven persons in the +third floor, six in the left-hand window, and one in the right-hand +window. + +"He pitched his escape to the left-hand window, and with great +difficulty and much exertion and skill succeeded in getting the six +persons out safely (the woman in the right-hand window being in the +meanwhile rescued by the next escape that arrived, in charge of +fireman W. Attwood); and Ford was in the act of coming down himself +when he became enveloped in flame and smoke, which burst out of the +first-floor window; and, after some struggling in the wire netting, he +fell to the pavement. + +"Ford was evidently coming down the shoot when his axe handle or some +of his accoutrements became entangled in the wire netting; so that, to +clear himself, he had to break through, and, while struggling to do +so, he got so severely burned that his recovery was hopeless. + +"It was a work of no ordinary skill and difficulty to save so many +persons in the few moments available for the purpose; and, when it +is mentioned that some of them were very old and crippled, it is no +exaggeration to say that it would be impossible to praise too highly +Ford's conduct on this occasion, which has resulted so disastrously to +himself. + +"He was thirty-one years of age when he met his death, and he left a +wife and two children to mourn his loss." + +That's all the official record says--simple, calm, +straightforward--like Joseph Ford's conduct on that night. + +I suppose that next morning two pairs of bright little eyes were on +the watch for Joseph Ford; and perchance four pattering feet ran to +the door when the knock came; and that two little minds dimly realised +that father had been called to a far-off country, where some day they +would see him. And it may be that a brave woman, into whose life the +sunlight had shined, was stricken with grief and bowed down. But all I +know for certain is, that Joseph Ford died in the performance of his +duty. He did a brave night's work. Six lives saved from the angry +flames--old and crippled some of the terror-stricken folk were--and he +took them down so carefully, so tenderly, and landed them all safely +below. + +His work was over. He had saved every life he could; and glad of +heart, if weary of limb, he turned with a thankful mind to do just the +simplest thing in the world--viz., to descend the escape he had been +down so many times before. + +He was young and strong; safety was only thirty feet or so below; and +the people were waiting to welcome and cheer the victor. + +Only thirty feet between him and safety! Yet the man was "fairly +roasted" in the escape. + +Men have been burnt at the stake and tortured, and limbs have been +stretched on the rack, and people have been maimed by thumbscrews +and bootscrews, and put inside iron figures with nails that tear and +pierce. All this have they suffered in pursuit of duty, or at the +bidding of conscience; and of such and of brave Joseph Ford there +comes to us across the ages--a saying spoken long ago, to the effect +that "he that loseth his life shall save it": and we need to remember +that saying in such cases as that of Fireman Ford. + + + + +A BLIND HELPER OF THE BLIND. + + +THE STORY OF ELIZABETH GILBERT. + +"A fine handsome child, with flashing black eyes!" Thus was Elizabeth +Gilbert described at her birth in 1826; but at the age of three an +attack of scarlet fever deprived her of eyesight; and thenceforth, for +upwards of fifty years, the beautiful things in the world were seen by +her no more. + +Her parents were most anxious that she should take part in all that +was going on in the household, in order that she should feel her +misfortune as little as possible. So she lived in the midst of the +family circle, sharing in their sports, their meals, and their +entertainments, and being treated just as one of the others; yet with +a special care and devotion by her father, Dr. Gilbert, whose heart +went out in deep love towards his little sightless daughter. + +Bessie was fond of romping games, and preferred by far getting a few +knocks and bumps to being helped or guided by others when she was at +play. She was by nature passionate, yet she gradually subdued this +failing. She was a general favourite; and, when any petition had to be +asked of father, it was always Bessie who was put forward to do it, as +the children knew how good were her chances of being successful in her +mission. + +She was educated just like other girls, except that her lessons were +read to her. She made great progress, and was a very apt pupil in +French, German, and other subjects; but arithmetic she cordially +disliked. Imagine for an instant the drudgery of working a long +division sum with leaden type and raised, figures; think of all the +difficulty of placing the figures, and the chances of doing the sum +wrong; and then it will not cause surprise that the blind girl could +never enjoy arithmetic, although in mental calculation she showed +herself later on to be very clever. + +When she was about ten years old, the Duchess of Kent and the Princess +Victoria visited Oxford, where Bessie then lived with her parents. +On her return home Bessie exclaimed: "Oh, mamma, I have _seen_ the +Duchess of Kent, and she had on a brown silk dress". Indeed, the child +had such a vivid imagination that she saw mentally the scenes and +people described to her. + +And, so though no glimmer of light from the sun reached her, the child +was not dull or unhappy. She listened to the birds with delight, and +knew their songs; she loved flowers and liked people to describe them +to her; and she was fond of making expeditions to the fields and +meadows. + +But as Bessie grew up she began to feel some of the sadness and +loneliness natural to her lot. Her sisters could no longer be +constantly with her as in the nursery days; and though she made no +complaint, nor spoke of it to those around her, yet she felt it none +the less keenly. + +By this time her father had become Bishop of Chichester. + +When Bessie was twenty-seven years old an idea was suggested which +was the means of giving her an object in life, and affording her an +opportunity of doing a great work for the blind. + +It was her sister Mary who first spoke about it, having seen with +sorrow how changed the once happy blind sister had become, and longing +to lighten her burden. + +Bessie listened to the facts which were set before her of the need +that existed for some one to give a helping hand to the blind in +London. She made many inquiries into the condition of the sightless, +and then thought out a scheme for helping them. + +Some of her friends considered it a great mistake for her to undertake +such a mission. "Don't work yourself to death," said one of her +acquaintances. + +"Work to death!" she replied with a happy laugh. "I am working to +life." + +But if a few were opposed, her parents, brothers, sisters, and the +majority of those she loved, were in hearty sympathy. + +So in May, 1854, Bessie commenced her life work. Seven blind men were +given employment at their own homes in London; materials were supplied +to them at cost price, they manufactured them, and received the full +price that the articles were sold for. + +This, of course, entailed a loss; but Bessie had been left a legacy +by her godmother, which gave her an income of her own, and a large +portion of this she continued to devote throughout her life to helping +the blind. + +A cellar was rented in New Turnstile Street, Holborn, at a charge of +eighteenpence a week. A manager, named Levy, was engaged at a salary +of half a crown a week and a commission on sales. He was a blind man +himself, and a blind carpenter was engaged to assist in making the +storehouse presentable. + +It was a small beginning, certainly, but it was not long ere Levy's +wages were largely increased, and trade began to grow in response to +Miss Gilbert's efforts. From the cellar in Holborn a move was made to +a better room, costing half a crown a week; and then, within little +more than a year from the commencement, a house and shop were taken at +a rent of £26 a year. + +The increase in expenses as the scheme developed rendered it necessary +to ask for public assistance. By the bishop's advice a committee was +formed, and money collected. + +By 1856, Miss Gilbert thought her work far enough advanced to bring it +under the notice of Her Majesty, who, having asked for and received +full particulars, sent a very kind letter of encouragement with a +donation of £50. + +This gracious acknowledgment of the work in which Miss Gilbert was +engaged not only gave sincere pleasure to the blind lady herself, but +helped on her scheme immensely. And the Queen did more than contribute +money: orders for work were sent from Windsor Castle, Osborne and +Balmoral; and the blind people delighted in saying that they were +making brooms for the Queen. The benefit to the blind was not confined +to what Miss Gilbert was doing herself, but general interest in their +welfare was excited in all parts of the kingdom. + +Naturally, many difficulties had to be encountered. Blind people +applied for work who wished for alms instead; and arrangements +necessary for carrying out so large a scheme entailed a good deal of +labour on Miss Gilbert's part. Yet she was very happy in her mission, +which attracted numerous friends occupying positions of eminence. + +Miss Gilbert herself gave £2000 to the Association as an endowment +fund, and others contributed liberally too. One day a strange old lady +came to see her, and left with her £500 in bank notes. She did not +even give her name; and a further gift of £500 was received the same +year from a gentleman who felt interested in the work. + +Up to the close of her life, which ended in 1885, Elizabeth +Gilbert continued to take an active interest in the affairs of the +Association. Notwithstanding her own weak and failing health she +laboured on, winning the love and gratitude of the blind, and +accomplishing a great work of which any one might feel justly proud. + + + + +A GREAT TRAVELLER IN THE AIR. + + +SOME ANECDOTES OF JAMES GLAISHER. + +For many years past men of science have been engaged in ascending +far up amongst the clouds for the purpose of finding out as much as +possible about the various currents of air, the electrical state of +the atmosphere, the different kinds of clouds, sound, temperature and +such matters. + +One of the most eminent balloonists of modern times, Mr. James +Glaisher, was many times in danger of losing his life whilst in +pursuit of knowledge miles above the earth. + +His first ascent was made from Wolverhampton on the 17th of July, +1862. It was very stormy at the time of starting. Before he and Mr. +Coxwell got fairly off they very nearly came to grief; for the balloon +did not rise properly, but dragged the car along near the ground, so +that if they had come against any chimney or high building they would +probably have been killed. + +However, fortunately, they got clear and were soon high up above the +clouds, with a beautiful blue sky, and the air so pleasantly warm that +they needed no extra clothing, as is usually the case when in the +upper region of the atmosphere. When they were about four miles high +Mr. Glaisher found the beating of his heart become very distinct, his +hands and lips turned to a dark bluish colour, and he could hardly +read the instruments. Between four and five miles high he felt a kind +of sea sickness. + +Mr. Coxwell began to think they might be getting too near the Wash for +safety, and they therefore came down quickly, and reached the earth +with such force that the scientific instruments were nearly all +broken. In their descent they passed through a cloud 8000 feet (or +over a mile and a half) thick! + +On the 5th of September, 1862, Mr. Glaisher and Mr. Coxwell made one +of the most remarkable ascents in the history of ballooning. It nearly +proved fatal to both. + +Up to the time they reached the fifth mile Mr. Glaisher felt pretty +well. What happened afterwards is best described by himself. + +"When at the height of 26,000 feet I could not see the fine column of +the mercury in the tube; then the fine divisions on the scale of the +instrument became invisible. At that time I asked Mr. Coxwell to help +me to read the instruments, as I experienced a difficulty in seeing +them. In consequence of the rotary motion of the balloon, which had +continued without ceasing since the earth was left, the valve line had +become twisted, and he had to leave the car, and to mount into the +ring above to adjust it. At that time I had no suspicion of other than +temporary inconvenience in seeing. Shortly afterwards I laid my arm +upon the table, possessed of its full vigour but directly after, being +desirous of using it, I found it powerless. It must have lost its +power momentarily. I then tried to move the other arm, but found it +powerless also. I next tried to shake myself, and succeeded in shaking +my body. I seemed to have no legs. I could only shake my body. I then +looked at the barometer, and whilst I was doing so my head fell on my +left shoulder. I struggled, and shook my body again, but could not +move my arms. I got my head upright, but for an instant only, when it +fell on my right shoulder; and then I fell backwards, my back resting +against the side of the car, and my head on its edge. In that position +my eyes were directed towards Mr. Coxwell in the ring. When I shook +my body I seemed to have full power over the muscles of the back, and +considerable power over those of the neck, but none over my limbs....I +dimly saw Mr. Coxwell in the ring, and endeavoured to speak, but could +not do so; when in an instant black darkness came over me, and the +optic nerve lost power suddenly. I was still conscious, with as active +a brain as whilst writing this. I thought I had been seized with +asphyxia, and that I should experience no more, as death would come +unless we speedily descended. Other thoughts were actively entering my +mind when I suddenly became unconscious, as though going to sleep. +I could not tell anything about the sense of hearing; the perfect +stillness of the regions six miles from the earth--and at that time we +were between six and seven miles high--is such that no sound reaches +the ear. My last observation was made at 29,000 feet.... Whilst +powerless I heard the words 'temperature' and 'observation,' and I +knew Mr. Coxwell was in the car, speaking to me, and endeavouring to +rouse me; and therefore consciousness and hearing had returned. I then +heard him speak more emphatically, but I could not speak or move. Then +I heard him say, 'Do try; now do!' Then I saw the instruments dimly, +next Mr. Coxwell, and very shortly I saw clearly. I rose in my seat +and looked round, as though waking from sleep, and said to Mr. +Coxwell, 'I have been insensible'. He said, 'Yes; and I too very +nearly ...'. Mr. Coxwell informed me that he had lost the use of his +hands, which were black, and I poured brandy over them." + +When Mr. Coxwell saw that Mr. Glaisher was insensible he tried to go +to him but could not, and he then felt insensibility coming over him. +He became anxious to open the valve, but having lost the use of his +hands he could not, and ultimately he did so by seizing the cord with +his teeth and dipping his head two or three times. + +During the journey they got to a height of 36,000 or 37,000 +feet--about seven miles--that is to say, two miles higher than Mount +Everest, the loftiest mountain in the world. + +The year following Mr. Glaisher had a narrow escape from drowning. + +He and Mr. Coxwell started from the Crystal Palace at a little past +one o'clock on the 18th of April, 1863, and in an hour and thirteen +minutes after starting were 24,000 feet high. Then they thought it +would be just as well to see where they were, so they opened the valve +to let out the gas, and came down a mile in three minutes. When, at a +quarter to three, they were still 10,000 feet high Mr. Coxwell caught +sight of Beachy Head and exclaimed: "What's that?" On looking over the +car Mr. Glaisher found that they seemed to be overhanging the sea! + +Not a moment was to be lost. They both clung on to the valve-line, +rending the balloon in two places. Down, down, down at a tremendous +speed they went; the earth appeared to be coming up to them with awful +swiftness; and a minute or two later with a resounding crash they +struck the ground at Newhaven close to the sea. The balloon had +been so damaged that it did not drag along, and though most of the +instruments were smashed their lives were saved. + +Much valuable scientific information has been obtained by Mr. +Glaisher, and by those who, like him, have made perilous journeys into +cloudland. + + + + +THE SOLDIER WITH THE MAGIC WAND. + + +THE STORY OF GENERAL GORDON. + +"That great man and gallant soldier and true Christian, Charles +Gordon."--THE PRINCE OF WALES. + +Charles George Gordon was born at Woolwich on the 28th of January, +1833. + +In early life he was delicate, and of all professions that of a +soldier seemed least suitable for him. At school he made no mark in +learning. + +He was a fearless lad, with a strong will of his own. When he was only +nine years old, and was yet unable to swim, he would throw himself +into deep water, trusting to some older boy to get him out. He was +threatened on one occasion that he should not go on a pleasure +excursion because of some offence he had committed; and when +afterwards he was given permission he stubbornly refused the +treat--circus though it was, dear to the heart of a lad. + +After passing through the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich he +obtained in 1852 a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Engineers, and +was sent out to the Crimea in December, 1854, with instructions to put +up wooden huts for our soldiers, who were dying from cold in that icy +land. + +On his way he wrote from Marseilles to his mother; and, after telling +her of the sights and scenes he has witnessed, mentions that he will +leave Marseilles "D.V. on Monday for Constantinople". + +Whilst in the Crimea he worked in the trenches twenty hours at a +stretch times without number. + +Once when he was leading a party at night he was fired at by his own +sentries. On another occasion he was wounded in the forehead, and +continued his work without showing any concern. He found it dull when +no fighting was going on, but when there were bullets flying then it +was exciting enough. + +He was mentioned in the official despatches, and received from the +French Government the Cross of the Legion of Honour. + +Five years later Gordon was fighting with the English and French +armies in China. Shortly after he was made commander of a force that +was commissioned by the Emperor of China to put down a rebellion +of the Taipings, of so dangerous a character that it threatened to +overturn the monarchy. + +Gordon had only about 3000 men, chiefly Chinese; and, notwithstanding +the fact that when he took over the force it had just been demoralised +by defeat, he soon proved himself more than a match for the rebel +hordes. From one victory to another he led his men on, and cities fell +in quick succession before him. His name ere long began to have the +weight of an army in the mind of the rebels. Major Gordon, in fact, +had made a great mark in the Chinese Empire. + +On the 30th April Gordon was before the city of Taitsan, where three +months before the same army which was now under his command had been +defeated. + +Three times his men rushed into the breach which the big guns had +made. Twice they were hurled back; but for a third time Gordon urged +them on, and their confidence in his leadership was such that they +went readily; and this time, after a swift, sharp conflict, the city +was won. + +Europeans were fighting both with him and with the rebels. In the +breach at Taitsan he came across two of the men he formerly had under +his command. One was shot during the assault; the other cried out, +"Mr. Gordon! Mr. Gordon! you will not let me be killed". "Take +him down to the river and shoot him," said Gordon aloud. Aside he +whispered, "Put him in my boat, let the doctor attend him, and send +him down to Shanghai". He was stern and resolute enough where it was +necessary, but underneath all was a heart full of love and pity. + +During this war the only weapon Gordon carried was a cane; and men +grew to regard this stick as a kind of magic wand, and Gordon as a man +whom nothing could harm. + +On one occasion when he was wounded he refused to retire till he was +forcibly carried off the field by the doctor's orders. + +After he had put an end to the rebellion the Emperor of China wanted +to give him a large sum of money; but Gordon, whose only object in +fighting was to benefit the people, refused it, and left China as poor +as he had entered it. He had various distinctions conferred upon him +by the emperor, and the English people gave him the title of "Chinese +Gordon". + +A gold medal was presented to him by the emperor. Gordon, obliterating +the inscription, sent it anonymously to the Coventry relief fund. Of +this incident he wrote at a later period: "Never shall I forget what +I got when I scored out the inscription on the gold medal. How I have +been repaid a millionfold! There is now not one thing I value in +the world. Its honours, they are false; its knicknacks, they are +perishable and useless; whilst I live I value God's blessing--health; +and if you have that, as far as this world goes, you are rich." + +He returned to England and settled down at Gravesend, living quite +simply, and working in his spare moments amongst the poor. To the boys +he was a hero indeed. That was but natural, seeing he not only taught +them to read and write, and tried to get them situations, but treated +them as his friends. + +In his sitting-room was a map of the world, with pins stuck in it +marking the probable positions of the ships in which his "kings" (as +he called his boys) were to be found in various parts of the world. +Thus, as they moved from place to place, he followed them in his +thoughts, and was able to point out their whereabouts to inquiring +friends. + +It is no wonder then that the urchins scrawled upon the walls of the +town, "C.G. is a jolly good feller". "God bless the Kernel." + +He visited the hospitals and workhouses, and all the money he received +he expended on the poor; for he believed that having given his heart +to God he had no right to keep anything for himself. He comforted the +sick and dying, he taught in the Ragged and Sunday Schools. He lived +on the plainest food himself, thus "enduring hardness". He even gave +up his garden, turning it into a kind of allotment for the needy. + +He had one object in life--to do good. His views were utterly +unworldly and opposed to those generally held, but they were in the +main right. + +In 1874 Gordon went to Egypt, and at the request of the Khedive +undertook the position of Governor-General of the Soudan, in the hope +of being able to put down the slave trade. + +He was beset with difficulties, and "worn to a shadow" by incessant +work and ceaseless anxiety; but he would not give up. + +In all his trials he felt the presence of God. As he watched his men +hauling the boats up the rapids he "_prayed them up_ as he used to do +the troops when they wavered in the breaches in China". + +Once his men failed in their attack on an offending tribe; and, +believing they had been misled by the Sheik, wanted to punish him; +but Gordon saw the other side of the man's character--"He was a brave +patriotic man," he said; "and I shall let him go". + +Here was his hope. "With terrific exertion," he writes, "in two +or three years' time I may with God's administration make a good +province--with a good army and a fair revenue and peace, and an +increased trade,--also have suppressed slave raids." He felt it was a +weary work before him, for he adds: "Then I will come home and go to +bed, and never get up till noon every day, and never walk more than a +mile". No wonder he was worn and tired, for he moved about the Soudan +like a whirlwind. He travelled on camelback thousands of miles. In +four months' time he had put down a dangerous rebellion that would +have taken the Egyptians as many years--if, indeed, they could ever +have done it at all. + +This is the kind of way in which he won his victories. On one occasion +with a few troops he arrived at a place called Dara. That great slave +trader Suleiman, who had given Sir Samuel Baker so much trouble, was +there at the head of 6000 men. Gordon rode into the place nearly +alone, and told the commander to come and talk with him. Utterly +taken aback the man did as he was requested, and afterwards promised +obedience. + +It is true he did not keep his promise; but after fighting several +battles Suleiman was at length taken prisoner by Gordon's lieutenant; +and so many were the crimes and cruelties that he had committed that +he was condemned to death, and thus the slaves of Africa became rid of +one of their worst oppressors. + +[ILLUSTRATION: GORDON STATUE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE.] + +The work begun by Baker was continued with great success by Gordon. He +estimated that in nine months he liberated 2000 slaves. The suffering +these poor creatures had gone through was appalling. Some of them when +set free had been four or five days without water in the terrible heat +of that hot country. Every caravan route showed signs of the horrible +trade, by the bones of those who had fallen and died from exhaustion, +unable to keep their ranks in the gang. + +So great was the effect which the thought and sight of these +sufferings produced on Gordon that he wrote in March, 1879: "I declare +if I could stop this traffic I would willingly be shot this night". + +Later on he was to give his life for these people; but the hour was +not yet. + +When Gordon was in Abyssinia King John took him prisoner. Brought +before his Majesty, Gordon fairly took away the breath of the monarch +by going up to him, placing his own chair beside the king's, and +telling him that he would only talk to him as an equal. + +"Do you know, Gordon Pasha," said the king, "that I could kill you on +the spot if I liked?" + +"I am perfectly aware of it," replied Gordon calmly; "so do it, if it +is your royal pleasure." + +"What! ready to be killed?" asked the king incredulously. + +"Certainly. I am always ready to die," answered the pasha; "and so far +from fearing your putting me to death you would confer a favour on me +by so doing." + +Upon this his Majesty gave up the idea of frightening him. + +At the end of 1879 Gordon was free from the Soudan for the second +time. In 1876 he had left it, as he thought, for good; but, as it +turned out, it was only for a few weeks' holiday in England, and then +back to quell the rebellion. + +Even now it was destined that he should soon return once again and +finally. But during the breathing time that now came to him, so far +from leading an easy life or "never getting up till noon," he was in +all parts of the world, from China to the Cape, from Ireland to India, +still on the old mission of endeavouring to do a little good wherever +he was. + +Leopold II., King of the Belgians, who had a profound regard for +Gordon, greatly desired that he should go out to the Congo; and in +January, 1884, he was just preparing to start in his Majesty's service +when on the 17th of that month a telegram from Lord Wolseley arrived, +asking him to return to England. + +At six o'clock next morning he was in London; and the same day, having +received instructions from the Government, he was on his way for the +last time to Khartoum. + +The Egyptian garrisons of the Soudan towns were sore beset by the +legions which were gathering beneath the banners of the Mahdi, who, +flushed with victory, was threatening an eruption into Lower Egypt +itself. + +To extricate these garrisons without bloodshed if possible was +Gordon's object. It was a forlorn hope; still if any one man could +accomplish it Charles Gordon was that man. + +But ere long it was found even beyond his powers; for after sending +off a portion of the Khartoum population in safety down the river, the +Mahdi's legions closed in upon him, and Khartoum was in a state of +siege. + +For nearly a year he held the city against all the forces of the +enemy; and meantime Great Britain was stirred with a vehement desire +to save the life of this devoted man. + +In the autumn of 1884 a force under the command of Lord Wolseley was +sent out to relieve Khartoum. + +Whilst the British troops were slowly forcing their way up the river +and across the desert, Khartoum was enduring a death agony. + +By January, 1885, the city had been reduced to starvation. Donkeys, +dogs, rats, everything indeed in the way of flesh, had been consumed; +even boot leather, the straps of native bedsteads, and mimosa gum did +not come amiss to the sorely-tried garrison. + +Famine had produced lack of discipline on the part of some of the +troops; and Gordon foresaw well what the end must be, though without a +fear for himself. + +You can read for yourself from the reproduction of the last page of +his diary, written on the 14th December, 1884, his own estimate of the +length of time he could hold out; and, though he managed to keep back +the enemy for another month, yet on the 26th January, 1885, whilst yet +Sir Charles Wilson and the British troops were fighting their way up +the river Nile to his relief, Khartoum fell. + +In the early dawn of that day the Mahdi assaulted the town in +overwhelming force--whether helped by treachery is not exactly known; +and before his well-fed, well-trained hosts, the feeble worn-out +garrison gave way, the walls were scaled, the city taken, and the hero +who had won the affection of many nations fell amidst the people he +had come to save. + +[ILLUSTRATION: REDUCED FACSIMILE OF THE LAST PAGE OF GORDON'S DIARY AT +KHARTOUM.] + +It was on the whole a happy and fitting end. The mind cannot conceive +Gordon rusting out; and the man lived so much in the presence of God +that death was a welcome visitor. + +"Like Lawrence," he wrote, "I have tried to do my duty"; and England +confessed that right nobly he had done it. + +Let those who wish to testify their love and veneration for this great +man remember the Gordon Home for Boys at Chobham, which was founded to +perpetuate his name. It is situated in the midst of Surrey; and here +are to be found over two hundred boys rescued from the streets of our +great cities. + +The bracing life they lead in their country home soon brings the +colour to their cheeks, and the training they receive fits them for +becoming useful citizens and valuable servants of the State. Most of +them join the army, and the Gordon boys are now to be found serving +the Queen in every land. + + + + +"VALIANT AND TRUE." + + +THE STORY OF SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE. + +One of the most glorious of the many battles of the British navy was +fought on the 10th and 11th September, 1591, by Vice-Admiral Sir +Richard Grenville, in his ship _The Revenge_, against a great fleet +of Spanish vessels. The fight was described by the gallant Sir Walter +Raleigh, from whose account (published in November, 1591) the facts +given in the following narrative are taken. + +If the story seems somewhat out of place amongst nineteenth century +records, it is, nevertheless, such a unique display of stubborn +heroism "under fire" that I have not hesitated to include it. + +On the 10th of September, 1591 (31st August, old style), Lord Thomas +Howard, with six of her Majesty's ships, five victualling ships, a +barque and two or three pinnaces, was at anchor near Flores, one of +the westerly islands of the Azores, when Captain Middleton brought the +news that the Spanish fleet was approaching. + +He had no sooner delivered his message than the Spaniards came in +sight. The few ships at Lord Howard's command were in a very unready +state for fighting. Many of the seamen were ill. Some of the ships' +companies were procuring ballast, others getting in water. + +Being so unprepared for the contest, and so greatly outnumbered, the +British ships weighed their anchors and set sail. The last ship to get +under weigh was _The Revenge_, as Sir Richard waited for the men left +on the island, who would have otherwise been captured. + +The master of the ship wanted him to "cut his mainsail and cast about, +and to trust to the sailing of his ship"; but Sir Richard utterly +refused to turn from the enemy, saying that he would rather choose to +die than dishonour himself, his country, and her Majesty's ship, and +informed his company that he would pass through the two squadrons in +spite of them. He might possibly have been able to carry out his plan; +but the huge _San Philip_, an immense vessel of 1500 tons, coming +towards him as he was engaging other ships of the fleet, becalmed +his sails and then boarded him. Whilst thus entangled with the _San +Philip_, four other ships also boarded _The Revenge_. + +"The fight thus beginning at three of the clocke in the after noone," +says Sir Walter Raleigh, "continued verie terrible all that evening." + +Before long, the _San Philip_, having received the fire of _The +Revenge_ at close quarters, "shifted herself with all diligence, +utterly misliking her first entertainment". + +The Spanish ships had a great number of soldiers on board, in some +cases two hundred, in others five, and in some even eight hundred; +whilst on _The Revenge_ there were in all only one hundred and ninety +persons, of whom ninety were sick. + +After discharging their guns the Spanish ships endeavoured to board +_The Revenge_; but, notwithstanding the multitude of their armed men, +they were repulsed again and again, and driven back either into their +ships or into the sea. + +After the battle had lasted well into the night many of the British +were slain or wounded, whilst two Spanish ships had been sunk. An hour +before midnight Sir Richard Grenville was shot in the body, and a +little later was wounded in the head, whilst the doctor who was +attending him was killed. + +The company on board _The Revenge_ was gradually getting less and +less; the Spanish ships, meanwhile, as they received a sufficient +evidence of _The Revenge's_ powers of destruction, dropped off, and +their places were taken by others; and thus it happened that ere the +morning fifteen ships had been engaged, and all were so little pleased +with the entertainment provided that they were far more willing to +listen to proposals for an honourable arrangement than to make any +more assaults. + +As Lord Tennyson writes:-- + + And the sun went down, and the stars came out far over the summer sea, + But never a moment ceased the fight of the one and the fifty-three. + Ship after ship the whole night long their high-built galleons came, + + Ship after ship, the whole night long, with her battle-thunder and + flame; + Ship after ship, the whole night long, drew back with her dead and her + shame. + For some were sunk and many were shatter'd, and so could fight us no + more-- + God of battles, was ever a battle like this in the world before? + +_The Revenge_ had by this time spent her last barrel of gunpowder; all +her pikes were broken, forty of her best men slain, and most of the +remainder wounded. For her brave defenders there was now no hope,--no +powder, no weapons, the masts all beaten overboard, all her tackle cut +asunder, her decks battered, nothing left overhead for flight or below +for defence. + +Sir Richard, finding himself in this condition after fifteen hours' +hard fighting, and having received about eight hundred shots from +great guns, besides various assaults from the enemy, and seeing, +moreover, no way by which he might prevent his ship falling into the +hands of the Spanish, commanded the master gunner, whom he knew was +a most resolute man, to split and sink the ship. He did this that +thereby nothing might remain of glory or victory to the Spaniards: +seeing that in so many hours' fight, and with so great a navy, they +were not able to take her, though they had fifteen hours in which +to do so; and moreover had 15,000 men and fifty-three ships of war +against his single vessel of five hundred tons. + +He endeavoured to persuade his men to yield themselves to God, and to +the mercy of none else; that, as they had repulsed so many enemies, +they should not shorten the honour of their nation by prolonging their +lives by a few hours or days. + +The captain and master could not, however, see the matter in this +light, and besought Sir Richard to have a care of them, declaring that +the Spaniards would be ready to treat with them; and that, as there +were a number of gallant men yet living whose wounds were not mortal, +they might do their country and prince acceptable service hereafter. +They also pointed out that as _The Revenge_ had six feet of water in +the hold and three shots under water, but weakly stopped, she must +needs sink in the first heavy sea; which indeed happened a few days +later. But Sir Richard refused to be guided by such counsels. + +Whilst, however, the dispute was going on, the master of _The Revenge_ +opened communication with the Spaniards and concluded an arrangement +fully honourable to the British, by which it was agreed that those on +board _The Revenge_ should be sent to England in due course; those of +the better sort to pay a reasonable ransom, and meantime no one was +to be imprisoned. The commander of the Spanish fleet agreed to this +readily, not only because (knowing the disposition of his adversary) +he feared further loss to his own side by prolonging the fight, but +because he greatly admired the valour of Sir Richard Grenville, and +desired to save his life. The master gunner, finding Sir Richard and +himself alone in their way of thinking, would have slain himself +rather than fall into the hands of the enemy, but was forcibly +prevented from carrying out his intention and locked in his cabin. + +Being sent for by Don Alfonso Bassan, the Spanish commander, Sir +Richard made no objection to going, answering that he might do as he +pleased with his body, for he esteemed it not. As he was being carried +out of the ship he swooned, and reviving again desired the company to +pray for him. + +Though the Spaniards treated Sir Richard with every care and +consideration, he died the second or third day after the fight, deeply +lamented both by, the enemy and by his own men. + +"Here die I, Richard Grenville," said he, "with a joyful and quiet +mind; for that I have ended my life as a true soldier ought to do, +that hath fought for his country, queen, religion and honour. Whereby +my soul most joyfully departeth out of this body, and shall always +leave behind it an everlasting fame of a valiant and true soldier, +that hath done his duty as he was bound to do." + +The reason the other British ships did not take part in the contest +was that it was altogether hopeless; and that, had the admiral ordered +it, the entire fleet would probably have fallen into the hands of the +Spaniards, seeing that they so greatly outnumbered the British ships. + +Six small ships ill supplied with fighting men against fifty-three +bigger ones filled with soldiers was too great a disparity of force to +give even a hope of victory. + +And, although Lord Howard would himself have gone into battle even +against such odds as that, yet the other commanders were greatly +opposed to so rash an enterprise; and the master of his own ship said +he would rather jump into the sea than conduct her Majesty's ship and +the rest to be a prey to the enemy. + +Hence it was that _The Revenge_ fought alone on that September day the +entire Spanish fleet, and has given us one of the most glorious pages +in the annals of our national history. + + + + +ONE WHO LEFT ALL. + + +THE STORY OF BISHOP HANNINGTON. + +Fancy Hannington, of all persons in the world, turning missionary, and +going out to preach the Gospel to the blacks! + +It is well-nigh incredible at first thought that such a light-hearted, +rollicking, jovial fellow could have given up _everything_ for such a +work as that! + +He had plenty of money, hosts of friends, wife, children, any amount +of useful work to do at home,--everything, in fact, that can make life +worth living. + +What could possibly make such a man as that go into the wilds of +Africa to be tormented, tortured, and slain by savages? + +I will try and show briefly how it came about. + +At school Hannington was the veriest pickle, and was nicknamed "Mad +Jim". + +On one occasion he lit a bonfire in his dormitory, he pelted the +German master with rejected examination papers, and in a single day +was caned over a dozen times. Yet he fought the bullies, and kept his +word; he was brave, honest and manly, and was a great favourite. + +When about fifteen years old he was put into his father's business +at Brighton. His life there was certainly not hard or trying. He was +allowed to travel a great deal, and thus went over a considerable part +of Europe, enjoying himself immensely when so doing. Still, he had no +taste for the counting-house; and after six years gave it up to become +a clergyman, and forthwith proceeded to Oxford. + +Both at Oxford and at Martinhoe, in North Devon, where he spent some +time during the vacations, Hannington preserved his reputation for +fun and love of adventure. At Oxford he took part in practical jokes +innumerable; at Martinhoe cliff-climbing and adventurous scrambles +occupied some little of his time. + +One day he went with two companions to explore a cave called "The +Eyes". Adjoining this they discovered a narrow hole leading to a +further cave, which was below high-water mark. Into this with great +exertion Jim managed to squeeze himself. It was quite dark inside, and +whilst he was describing it to his companions they suddenly noticed +that the tide was fast coming in, and implored him to get out of his +perilous position at once. + +Easier said than done. The difficulty he had found in getting in was a +trifle compared with the passage out. He tried head first, then feet +first, and whilst his friends tugged he squeezed. It was of no use. +The sea had almost reached him, and drowning seemed certain. + +Then, quite hopeless of escape, he bade his companions good-bye. All +at once it occurred to him to try taking off his clothes. This made +just the difference required, and with a tremendous effort he got out +of his prison-house in the very nick of time. + +A little later comes an important entry in his diary: "---- opened a +correspondence with me to-day, which I speak of as delightful; it led +to my conversion". + +Thereafter followed a change in Hannington's life--he prayed more. + +It seems that about this time a college friend began to think much +of him, and to pray earnestly for him; and finally wrote to him a +serious, simple, earnest letter, which had much effect on Hannington. + +The letter was unanswered for over a year; but coming at a time when +the man of twenty-five was beginning to find that there were better +things to be done in life than cliff-climbing in the country, or +giving pleasant parties at Oxford, it wrought its purpose, and formed +the first step towards the new life. + +Having spent some time in study, Hannington went up for his ordination +examination. He did very well the first day; the second he was ill and +could do nothing; the third the same; and when he was dismissed by the +bishop he was in a state akin to despair. + +The next examination was better, but he was nervous, and found his +mind at times a hopeless blank. He passed, but not in such a way as he +desired. At the examination for priest's orders he came out at the top +of the list. + +The first portion of his life as a curate did not seem to point to his +making any mark upon his Devonshire flock. His audiences were sleepy, +and paid little attention to his sermons. + +One day he got lost on Exmoor in trying to make a short cut to a place +where he was to conduct service. He was consequently late in arriving, +and found the congregation waiting. On explaining why he was late to +the clerk:-- + +"Iss," said that official, "we reckoned you was lost, but now you are +here go and put on your surples and be short, for we all want to get +back to dinner". Truly he was no Wesley in those days! + +But to him, as to every true-hearted seeker, light came at last. Not +long afterwards he could write, "I know now that Jesus Christ died for +me, and that He is mine and I am His". + +After little more than a year in Devonshire, Hannington was appointed +curate in charge of St. George's, Hurstpierpoint, near Brighton. By +his earnestness he roused the people to a fuller faith and to better +works. Finding much drunkenness in the place he turned teetotaler, and +persuaded many to sign the pledge. He started Bible classes, prayer +meetings, and mothers' meetings. Not only was he a shining light in +his own parish, but he also went about the country and assisted at +revival missions, showing himself everywhere a bright and helpful +minister of the Gospel. + +In the year 1878 Hannington heard of the violent deaths which had +befallen Lieut. Shergold Smith and Mr. O'Neil in Central Africa. From +this time he became drawn towards mission work in that district. + +It was not, however, till the year 1882 that he finally entered into +arrangements with the Church Missionary Society to go to Africa. + +Their high estimation of his capacities may be gathered from the fact +that he was appointed as leader of the expedition which was being sent +out. + +It was a horrible wrench at last to leave wife and children. "My most +bitter trial," he writes--"an agony that still cleaves to me--was +saying good-bye to the little ones. Thank God the pain was all on one +side. 'Come back soon, papa!' they cried." His wife had resolutely +made up her mind to give him to God, and was brave to the last. + +"When at length the ship left England I watched and watched the +retreating tow-boat," he continues, "until I could see it no longer, +and then hurried down below. Indeed, I felt for the moment as one +paralysed. Now is the time for reaction--to 'cast all your care upon +Him'." + +Strangely enough, both his missionary journeys in Africa failed in +their original aim, which was to reach the kingdom of Uganda. + +In the first journey the expedition started from the coast at the end +of June, 1882. After two months' difficult marching into the interior, +amidst the constant difficulties which beset the African traveller, he +writes on 1st August: "I am very happy. Fever is trying, but it does +not take away the joy of the Lord, and keeps one low in the right +place". + +On, on they went. Fever was so heavy upon him that his temperature +reached 110 degrees; but still he struggled forward, insisting upon +placing a weary companion on the beast which he ought himself to have +ridden. + +By 4th September they reached Uyui, a place which was still far +distant from Lake Victoria (or Victoria Nyanza); and now he was at +death's door. So intense was the pain he suffered that he asked to be +left alone that he might scream, as that seemed to bring some relief. + +Notwithstanding this suffering, the expedition started forward again +on 16th October, Hannington being placed in a hammock. They reached +Lake Victoria, but the leader could go no further. He was utterly +broken down by continued fever; and, though the thought of returning +to England without accomplishing his mission was bitter to him, it was +a necessity. + +By June, 1883, he was again in London. How favourable was the +impression Hannington had already made upon the Missionary Society is +apparent from the fact that the bishopric of East Equatorial Africa +was offered him. He was consecrated in June, 1884; and, after visiting +Palestine to confirm the churches there, he arrived in Frere Town on +the west coast of Africa in January, 1885, and spent several months of +useful work in organising. By July, 1885, he was ready to attempt the +second time to reach the kingdom of Uganda. + +He determined to try a different route from that taken before, in +order to avoid the fevers from which the previous expedition had +suffered so terribly. + +After surmounting many difficulties in his passage through Masai Land +he had by October reached within a few days' journey of Uganda; but +there, on the outskirts of the kingdom he sought to enter, a martyr's +death crowned his brief but earnest mission life. + +On 21st October, 1885, the bishop had started from his tent to get a +view of the river Nile when about twenty of the natives set upon him, +robbed him, and hurried him off to prison. He was violently dragged +along, some trying to force him one way, some another, dashing him +against trees in their hurry, and bruising and wounding him without +thought or consideration. Although the bishop believed he was to be +thrown over a precipice or murdered at once, he could still say, +"Lord, I put myself in Thy hands; I look to Thee alone," and sing, +"Safe in the arms of Jesus". + +At length, after a journey of about five miles, he was pushed into +a hut, and there kept prisoner. Whilst in this place he endured all +kinds of horrors. Laughed at in his sufferings by the savages, almost +suffocated by the bad smells about the hut, taken out at times to be +the sport of his captors, unable to eat, full of aches and pains, he +was yet able to look up and say, "Let the Lord do as He sees fit," and +to read his Bible and feel refreshed. + +On 27th October he writes: "I am very low, and cry to God for +release". On the 28th fever developed rapidly. Word was brought that +messengers had arrived from Mwanga, King of Uganda. Three soldiers +from this monarch had indeed arrived; but, instead of bringing orders +for his release, doubtless conveyed instructions that the bishop +should be put to death. + +It seems that Mwanga had some fear of invasion from the East; and +acting on his suspicions, without taking any trouble to ascertain the +facts of the case, had sent the fatal command. + +On the day of the bishop's release, the 29th, he was held up by Psalm +xxx., which came with great power. As he was led forth to execution he +sang hymns nearly all the way. When his captors hesitated to launch +their spears at him, he spake gently to them and pointed to his gun. +So, either by gunshot or spear wounds, died another of that glorious +band of martyrs who have, century after century, fearlessly laid down +their lives to advance the Kingdom of God. + +Mrs. Hannington has kindly made a tracing of the page in the bishop's +little pocket diary for 28th October, the day before his martyrdom +took place. I am very glad to be able to give a reproduction of so +interesting a memento. + +[Illustration: diary entry] + +_Seventh day's prison. Wednesday, 28th October_. A terrible night, 1st +with noisy, drunken guard, and 2nd with vermin which have found out my +tent and swarm. I don't think I got one sound hour's sleep, and woke +with fever fast developing. O Lord, do have mercy upon me and release +me. I am quite broken down and brought low. Comforted by reading 27th +Psalm. + +In an hour or two's time fever developing rapidly. My tent was so +stifling I was obliged to go inside the filthy hut, and soon was +delirious. + +Evening: fever passed away. Word came that Mwanga had sent 3 soldiers, +but what news they bring they will not yet let me know. + +Much comforted by 28th Psalm. + + + + +A MAN WHO CONQUERED DISAPPOINTMENTS. + + +THE STORY OF SIR HENRY HAVELOCK. + +He was nicknamed "Phlos"--short for philosopher--even when at school. +Havelock and a few companions at Charterhouse met together for +devotion, and of course came in for a large amount of jeering from +some of the other boys. But it was useless to call him "Methodist" and +"hypocrite"; he had learnt from his mother the value of Bible reading, +and possessed sufficient character to care little what his companions +said. + +He knew the right, and did it--thus early he was a philosopher in a +small way. + +It had been intended that Havelock should follow the law as a +profession; and he was studying with this end in view when his father +stopped the necessary supplies of money, and he had to turn to some +other occupation for a living. + +He had always had a leaning towards a military life, and by his +brother's aid obtained a commission as second lieutenant in 1815, +being then twenty years old. + +Unlike Colin Campbell, who was in the thick of the fight within a few +months of joining his regiment, it was some years before Havelock had +a chance of distinguishing himself; but meantime he set to work to +study military history and tactics both ancient and modern. + +Not content with this, he learnt Persian and Hindostanee; and thus +when he went to India in 1823 he was equipped as few young men of his +day were. + +Havelock's faith, strong though it was, had to undergo a time of +severe trial. Doubts arose in his mind, and made him miserable while +they lasted. But on board ship he came across Lieut. Gardner, to whom, +with others, he was giving lessons in languages; and as a result of +his intercourse with this man he became again the same simple loving +believer that he had been when he learnt to read the Bible at his +mother's knee, or braved the taunts of his school-fellows. + +During the two months he was at Calcutta he held religious meetings, +to which the soldiers were invited. At these, not only did he preach +the Gospel of Christ, but he made a point of telling the men the +blessings of temperance; and it was by his influence that later on +a society was formed in the regiment, and various attractions were +placed before the men to keep them from intemperance. + +Now came the chance of active service for which he had been longing. +An expedition was planned against the Burmese, and Havelock was one of +the members. But a great disappointment was in store for him. The ship +in which he sailed was delayed, and did not arrive at Rangoon till the +town was taken. Still, though there was no glory to be gained, there +was much good work to be done in looking after his men's comfort and +well-being; and this he did to the utmost of his power. He also held +simple services, such as the men could appreciate, in one of the +Buddhist temples. + +Though there was not a great deal of fighting to do, there were great +losses of men through disease; and Havelock himself was ere long so +ill that he was told a voyage to England was the only thing to save +his life. + +This, however, he objected to; and after a stay at Bombay he was +sufficiently restored to rejoin his regiment. + +During this war a night attack was made by the enemy on an outpost; +and the men ordered to repulse it were not ready when summoned. + +"Then call out Havelock's saints," said the commander-in-chief. "They +are always sober, and can be depended upon, and Havelock himself is +always ready." And, surely enough, "Havelock's saints" were among the +enemy in double quick time, and soon gave them as much steel and lead +as they had any wish for! + +"Every inch a soldier, and every inch a Christian,"--that was an exact +description of this man. + +Even the day he got married to Hannah Marshman, the missionary's +daughter, he showed that he was a soldier before all else. For, having +been suddenly summoned to attend a military court of inquiry at twelve +o'clock on his wedding day, he got married at an earlier hour than he +had previously arranged, took a quick boat to Calcutta, returning to +his bride when his business of the day was finished. + +Time passed on, and the leader of "the saints" was still but a junior +lieutenant, though he had been seventeen years in the army. +Thrice were his hopes of promotion raised, and thrice doomed to +disappointment. + +Still he murmured not. "I have only two wishes," he would say. "I +pray that in life and death I may glorify God, and that my wife and +children may be provided for." + +Heavy trials befel him. Death laid its hand on his little boy Ettrick, +and another child was so burnt in a fire that happened at their +bungalow that he died also, whilst his beloved wife narrowly escaped +the same fate. Yet he bore all this with patience. + +Stern commander though he was, his men loved him so much that they +wanted to give him a month of their pay to assist him in the loss of +means occasioned by the fire. + +Though their offer was refused, yet Havelock could not but be thankful +for the kind feeling which prompted it. + +At length, after over twenty years' service, he became a captain. + +In the Afghan war Havelock was with General Sale at Jellalabad at the +time that Dr. Brydon brought the news of the massacre of our men by +the Afghans; and during the anxious time that followed he was able to +render good service in the field and at the council table. + +He fought in the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshah, and Sobraon. At +the first-named he had two horses shot under him; and in all he +distinguished himself by coolness and bravery. + +When the terrible mutiny broke out in India in the year 1857, the +hour of dire emergency had come, and with it had come the man. "Your +excellency," said Sir Patrick Grant, presenting Havelock to Lord +Canning, "I have brought the man." + +That was on 17th June, 1857. + +Two days later Havelock was appointed to the command of the little +army. His instructions were that, "after quelling all disturbances +at Allahabad, he should not lose a moment in supporting Sir Henry +Lawrence at Lucknow, and Sir Hugh Wheeler at Cawnpore; and that he +should take prompt measures for dispersing and utterly destroying all +mutineers and insurgents". + +A large order that to tell a commander with 2000 men, to take a dozen +fortified places defended by ten times the number of his own force! + +Not a moment was to be lost, for both cities were in deadly peril. + +Alas! Early on the 1st July came news of the terrible massacre of +the Cawnpore garrison,--men, women and children slain in one wanton, +heartless slaughter, which still makes the blood run cold to read +about. + +Out of the 2000 men under Havelock's command 1400 only were British +soldiers. But in that force every man was a hero. Notwithstanding the +scorching heat of an Indian summer,--in spite, too, of the fact that +a number of the men were obliged to march in heavy garments utterly +unsuited to the climate; though death, disease, and a thousand perils +lay in front of them,--not a man of Havelock's "Ironsides" but was +impatient to push onward to death or victory. + +The general himself was full of humble trust in the Lord, and was in +good spirits notwithstanding--perhaps because of--the perils before +him. For it is written of him that "he was always as sour as if he had +swallowed a pint of vinegar except when he was being shot at,--and +then he was as blithe as a schoolboy out for a holiday". + +Sour he was _not_, but he kept splendid discipline among his troops. + +"Soldiers," he said as they set out, "there is work before us. We are +bound on an expedition whose object is the supremacy of British rule, +and to avenge the fate of British men and women." + +The first battle fought was at Futtehpore. Writing to his wife on the +same night, Havelock said: "One of the prayers oft repeated throughout +my life has been answered, and I have lived to command in a general +action.... We fought, and in ten minutes' time the affair was +decided.... But away with vain glory! Thanks to God Almighty, who gave +me the victory." + +Day, after day, the men fought and marched--marched and fought. Battle +after battle was won against foes of reckless daring, carefully +entrenched, amply supplied with big guns, and infinitely superior in +numbers. + +His men were often half famished. For two whole days they had but one +meal, consisting of a few biscuits and porter! + +Hearing that some of the women and children were still alive, having +escaped the massacre of 27th June, Havelock pressed on with his +wearied little army. "With God's help," said he, "we shall save them, +or every man die in the attempt." + +Nana Sahib himself barred the way to Cawnpore. His 5000 men were well +placed in good positions; but they were driven from post to post +before the onset of the British. + +"Now, Highlanders!" shouted Havelock, as the men halted to re-form +after one of their irresistible onslaughts; "another charge like the +last wins the day!" + +And again the Scots scattered the enemy, at the bayonet's point. + +The sun was far towards the western horizon before the battle was +finally over. The mutineers were brave men; and, though beaten, +retreated, reformed, and fought again. + +The enemy had rallied at a village; and Havelock's men, after their +day's fight, lagged a little when, having gone over ploughed fields +and swamps, they came again under fire. + +[Illustration: THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW.] + +But their general rode out under fire of the guns, and, smiling as a +cannon ball just missed him by a hairsbreadth, said:-- + +"Come, who is to take that village--the Highlanders or the 64th?" + +That was enough: pell-mell went both regiments upon the enemy, who had +a bad quarter of an hour between the two. + +Cawnpore was won; but, alas! the women and children had been slain +whilst their countrymen had been fighting for their deliverance. And +Lucknow was not yet to be relieved. + +For after advancing into Oude Havelock found that constant fighting, +cholera, sunstroke and illness had so reduced his numbers that to go +on would risk the extermination of his force. + +He therefore returned to await reinforcements. By the time these +arrived, Sir James Outram had been appointed general of the forces in +India; but he generously refused to accept the command till Lucknow +had been relieved, saying that, Havelock having made such noble +exertions, it was only right he should have the honour of leading the +troops till this had been done. + +So he accompanied the army as a volunteer; and again the men fought +their way, this time right through the mutineers, accomplishing their +object by the first relief of Lucknow. + +On the evening of 28th September, the soldiers reached the Residency, +where the British had been shut up for so long face to face with +death. The last piece of fighting was the worst they had had to face. +Fired at from roof and window by concealed foes, they marched on with +unwavering courage, and those who reached the Residency had a reward +such as can come to few in this life. + +As the women and children frantic with joy rushed to welcome their +rescuers the stern-set faces of the Highlanders changed to joy and +gladness; hunger, thirst, wounds, weariness--all were forgotten as +they clasped hands with those for whom they had fought and bled. + +"God bless you," they exclaimed; "why, we expected to have found only +your bones!" + +"And the children living too!" + +Women and children, civilians and soldiers, gave themselves up to pure +gladness of heart, and in that meeting all thought of past woes and +dangers faded away. + +After a series of the most thrilling incidents the world has known, +Lucknow was finally relieved by Sir Colin Campbell. + +When Havelock came from the Residency to meet the troops the men +flocked round him cheering, and their enthusiasm brought tears to the +veteran's eyes. + +On the 17th November Lucknow was relieved, and on the 24th Havelock +died. "I have," he said to Outram in his last illness, "for forty +years so ruled my life that when death came I might face it without +fear." + + + +A FRIEND OF PRISONERS. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN HOWARD. + +In St. Paul's Cathedral there stands a monument representing a man +with a key in his right hand and a scroll in his left, whilst on the +pedestal from which he looks down are pictured relics of the prison +life of the past. The man is John Howard, who travelled tens of +thousands of miles, and spent many years in visiting gaols all over +England and the Continent, and in endeavouring to render prison life +less degrading and brutalising. Wherever he went prison doors were +unlocked as if he possessed a magic key; and by his life and books he +did more to help prisoners than any other man. + +It is only just over a hundred years since John Howard died; yet in +his day persons could be put to death for stealing a horse or a sheep, +for robbing dwellings, for defrauding creditors, for forgery, for +wounding deer, for killing or maiming cattle, for stealing goods to +the value of five shillings, or even for cutting a band in a hop +plantation. And many persons who were innocent of any offence would +lie in dungeons for years! + +At his father's death John Howard came into possession of a good +property; and, marrying a lady some years older than himself, settled +down on his estate and passed three years of quiet happiness. + +Then a great grief came to him. His wife died, and Howard was bowed +down with sorrow. + +But the distress brought with it a longing to be a comfort to others; +and he set out for Lisbon, which had just been visited by the great +earthquake of 1755, with the hope of assisting the homeless and +suffering. + +France and England were then at war, and on his way thither he was +captured by a French vessel and thrown into prison. He was placed in +a dark, damp, filthy dungeon, and was half starved. For two months he +was kept a prisoner, and as soon as he was free he set about obtaining +the release of his fellow captives. + +Some years later he became a sheriff of Bedford, and began visiting +the prisoners in the gaol where John Bunyan wrote the _Pilgrim's +Progress_. + +From the inquiries he made during the course of his visitations he was +astonished to find that the gaolers received no salary, and that they +lived on what they could make out of the prisoners. As a result it +often happened that those who had been acquitted at their trial were +kept in prison long afterwards, because they were unable to pay the +fees which the gaoler demanded. + +Horrified at the state in which he found the prison and at the abuses +of justice that prevailed, John Howard determined to find out what +was done in other parts of the kingdom, and visited a number of gaols +throughout the country. And fearful places he found them to be! Boys +who were taken to gaol for the first time were put with old and +hardened criminals; the prisons were dirty and ill-smelling; the +dungeons were dark and unhealthy; and, unless prisoners could afford +to pay for comforts, they were obliged to sleep on cold bare floors, +even delicate women not being exempted from such cruel treatment. + +At Exeter he found two sailors in gaol, having been fined one shilling +each for some trifling offence, and owing £1 15s. 8d. for fees to the +gaolers and clerk of the peace. When he visited Cardiff he heard a man +had just died in prison after having been there ten years for a debt +of seven pounds. At Plymouth he found that three men had been shut up +in a little dark room only five and a half feet high, so that they +could neither breathe freely nor stand upright. + +Hundreds of cases as bad or worse than these did he discover and bring +before public notice. + +He gave evidence before the House of Commons of what he had seen. Then +Acts of Parliament were passed, providing that gaolers should be paid +out of the rates, that prisoners who were found not guilty should be +set at liberty at once, that the prisons should be kept clean and +healthy, and the prisoners properly clothed and attended to. + +Determined that these Acts should not remain a dead letter, he went +about the country seeing that what Parliament required was actually +carried out. + +Not contented with what he had already done, he travelled abroad, +inspecting the prisons of France, Russia, Holland, Switzerland, +Germany, and other countries, in order to see how they compared with +those in Great Britain. + +Strange to say, he discovered that in a number of cases they were in +many ways better; and the prisoners, unlike their fellows in Britain, +were generally employed in some useful manner. + +When he was in London on one occasion he heard that there had been a +revolt in the military prison in the Savoy. Two of the gaolers had +been killed, and the rioters held possession of the building. Howard +set off for the prison, though he was warned that his life would not +be safe if he ventured inside. Nothing daunted, he went amongst +the prisoners, and soon persuaded them to go back to their cells +peaceably, promising to bring their grievances before the authorities. + +At Paris he was unable for a long time to get into that great prison +house which then existed called the Bastille. Try as he would, he +could gain no admittance. One day when he was passing he went to the +gate of the prison, rang the bell and marched in. After passing the +sentry he stopped and took a good look at the building, then he had to +beat a hasty retreat, and narrowly escaped capture; but by that time +he had partly accomplished his object. + +When Howard was in Russia the empress sent a message saying she +desired to see him; but he returned an answer that he was devoting +his time to inspecting prisons, and had no leisure for visiting the +palaces of rulers. + +At Rome, however, he was prevailed on to go and see the Pope, on +the express understanding that he should not be obliged to kiss his +holiness's toe; and he came away with a very pleasant remembrance of +the Holy Father. + +At Vienna the Emperor Joseph II. specially requested an interview. +Howard refused at first to meet the emperor's wishes; but, on the +English ambassador representing good might come of the visit, +Howard went to see his majesty, and remained with him two hours in +conversation, during which time he made the emperor acquainted with +the bad state of some of the Austrian prisons. Once or twice the +emperor was angered by Howard's plainness of speech, but told the +ambassador afterwards that he liked the prison reformer all the better +for his honesty. + +Having made up his mind to see the quarantine establishment at +Marseilles, Howard made his way through France, though he was so +feared and disliked by the Government that he was warned if he were +caught in that country he would be thrown into the Bastille. + +He disguised himself as a doctor, and after some narrow escapes +arrived at Marseilles and visited the Lazaretto (or place of detention +for the infected), though even Frenchmen were forbidden to do so. He +took drawings of the place, and then went on a tour to many southern +cities. He was at Smyrna while fever was raging with fury, and went +amongst the sick and fever-stricken, fearless of the consequences. + +In the course of his travels the ship in which he was a passenger was +attacked by pirates, and John Howard showed himself as brave in actual +battle as he was in fighting abuses; for he loaded the big gun with +which the ship was armed nearly up to the muzzle with nails and +spikes, and fired it into the pirate crew just in time to save himself +and his companions from destruction. The books in which he gave an +account of his experiences were eagerly read by the public, and +produced a profound effect. + +His last journey was to Russia. At Cherson he received an urgent +request to visit a lady who had the fever. The place where she lived +was many miles off, and no good horses were to be obtained. But he +was determined not to disappoint her; so he procured a dray horse and +started for his destination on a wintry night, with rain falling in +torrents. As a result of this journey he was stricken down by the +fever, and died 20th January, 1790. + +Howard was a very hard worker, and a man of most frugal habits. He was +often up by two o'clock in the morning writing and doing business till +seven, when he breakfasted. He ate no flesh food, and drank no wine +or spirits. He had a great dislike to any fuss being made about him +personally; and, though £1500 was subscribed during his life to erect +a memorial, it was, at his earnest desire, either returned to the +subscribers or spent in assisting poor debtors. + +But after his death a memorial was put up in St. Paul's, and quite +recently a monument has been erected at Bedford, where he first began +his labours on behalf of the prisoners. + + + + +A HERO OF THE VICTORIA CROSS. + + +THE STORY OF KAVANAGH. + +It was the time of the Indian Mutiny. Lucknow was in the hands of the +rebels. Within the Residency Sir James Outram, Sir Henry Havelock, +and their troops, were fast shut up, around them a vast multitude of +mutineers. But now near at hand was Sir Colin Campbell with the army +of relief. + +It was difficult, nay, almost impossible, to get a trusty messenger +through that multitude of fierce and bloodthirsty foes; and yet it was +of the utmost importance that Sir Colin should have some one to tell +him what was passing within the Residency, and show him the best route +by which his troops could approach. + +If any man tried to get through and failed, death--or perhaps worse +still, horrible torture--was his certain fate. But there was one man +who determined to do it, or die in the attempt. His name was Kavanagh. +It was so dangerous a matter that when Sir James Outram heard of his +proposal he declared he would not have asked one of his officers +to attempt the passage. But in the end he accepted the offer, and +Kavanagh prepared for the journey. + +Dressing himself as a native soldier, and covering his face and hands +with lampblack, he was so altered in appearance that even his friends +failed to recognise him. Thus disguised, and accompanied by a +native spy named Kunoujee Lal to guide him, he set out. The night, +fortunately, was dark and favoured their design. The first thing they +did was to ford the Goomtee, a river about a hundred yards wide, and +four or five feet deep. Taking off their garments they waded across; +but whilst in the water Kavanagh's courage reached a low ebb, and he +wished himself back again. However, they got to the opposite bank in +safety, and crouching up a ditch found a grove of trees, where they +dressed. + +Kavanagh's confidence had now returned, and he felt so sure of his +disguise that he even exchanged a few words with a matchlock-man whom +they met. After going on for about half a mile they reached the iron +bridge over the river, and here they were challenged by a native +officer. Kavanagh kept judiciously in the shade whilst the guide +advanced and answered the questions put to him satisfactorily, and +they were allowed to proceed. A little further they passed through a +number of Sepoys, but these let them go by without inquiry. Having +had the good fortune to get unperceived past a sentry who was closely +questioning a native, they came into the principal street of Lucknow, +jostling against the armed rebels, who would have killed them in a +moment had their suspicion been aroused. But no mishap occurred, and +after being challenged by a watchman they at last found themselves to +their great relief out in the open country. + +They were now in the best of spirits, and went along for a few miles +in a state of great gladness. Then came a rude shock. They had taken +the wrong direction, and were returning into the midst of the rebels. +It was an awful awakening for Kavanagh. Suppose the spy after all were +playing him false. It seemed an extraordinary mistake to have made. +Happily it was stupidity not treason that had caused the disastrous +loss of time, and the guide was full of sorrow for his error. + +There was nothing now to be done but to return as quickly as possible; +but they were for a while in an awkward fix, as they could get no one +to direct them. + +A man whom they asked declared he was too old to guide them, another +on being commanded to lead them ran off shouting and alarmed the +village. It was now midnight, so there was no time to be lost. They +made for the canal, into which Kavanagh fell several times, for his +shoes were wet and slippery, and he was footsore and weary. By this +time the shoes he wore had rubbed the skin off his toes and cut into +the flesh above the heels. + +About two o'clock in the morning they came across a picket of Sepoys, +and, thinking it safer not to try and avoid them, went up and asked +the way. Having answered the inquiries put to them without exciting +suspicion, they were directed aright. + +They now made for Sir Colin's camp, which the spy told him was +situated at a village called Bunnee, about eighteen miles from +Lucknow. The moon had risen by this time, and they could now see their +way clearly. About three o'clock a villager observing them approach +called out a Sepoy guard of twenty-five men, who asked them all kinds +of questions. Kunoujee Lal now got frightened, for the first time; and +threw away the letter he had received, for fear of being taken, but +Kavanagh kept his in his turban. At last they satisfied the guard that +they were poor men travelling to the village of Umroola to inform a +friend of the death of his brother, and they were directed on their +perilous road. + +Hardly had they got through one difficulty than they were into +another. For now they found themselves in a swamp, where they waded +for two hours up to their waists in water. This might have proved the +worst accident of all, for in forcing his way through the weeds nearly +all the black was washed off Kavanagh's hands. Had they after this +been seen by the enemy there would have been little chance of either +of them reaching the British lines alive. + +Much against the spy's advice, Kavanagh now insisted on a quarter of +an hour's rest, for he was about worn out. After this they passed +between two of the enemy's pickets who, happily for them, had no +sentries thrown out, and reached a grove of trees. Here he asked +Kunoujee Lal to see if there was any one who could tell them where +they were. Before they had gone far, however, they heard with joy +the English challenge, "Who goes there?" They had reached a British +cavalry outpost, and Kavanagh's eyes filled with tears as he shook the +officer's hand. They took him into a tent, gave him some dry clothes +and refreshment; and he thanked God for having preserved him through +the perils of that awful night. + +All through the British camp spread the tale of Kavanagh's brave deed; +and the enthusiasm of officers and men alike knew no bounds. + +The information he was able to give proved of the greatest assistance; +and a little later he had the honour of conducting Sir James Outram +and Sir Henry Havelock into the presence of Sir Colin Campbell, and +witnessed the meeting of these three great commanders. + +When the army of relief forced its way into Lucknow, Kavanagh was +always near the commander-in-chief; and, when at length they drew near +to the besieged, he was one of the first at the Residency, and as he +approached a loud cheer burst forth from his old associates. "It is +Kavanagh!" they shouted. "He is the first to relieve us. Three cheers +for him!" + +In consideration of his gallant services he received the Victoria +Cross, and was afterwards made Assistant-Commissioner of Oude. + + + + +THE MAN WHO BRAVED THE FLOOD. + + +THE STORY ON CAPTAIN LENDY'S BRAVE DEED. + +In the autumn of 1893 a police force of forty men, under the command +of Captain E.A.W. Lendy, Inspector-General of Police, in Sierra Leone, +was sent to open a road to Koinadugu, which, owing to the war with the +Sofas, had been closed. + +It was no easy task to perform. The men had to cut their way through a +dense jungle. This was heavy and tiring work, and, owing to the fact +that for a month past they had been obliged to exist on a small +quantity of rice, they were not in the best condition to undertake +such labour. + +However, so as to get the road finished as quickly as possible they +worked from sunrise to sunset. Even the night slid not bring them rest +and peace; for the rain descended in such a manner as to add to the +discomfort of their situation. + +On the 4th of November the force arrived at the Sell or Roquelle +river. The stream was eighty yards wide. There was no bridge over it, +but only a creeper rope tied across from bank to bank. + +The river was very full, and a swift current was running; two hundred +yards below, the noise of falls sounded a warning note, and it was +known that alligators infested the district. + +No wonder, then, that the natives were terrified at the idea of +attempting to swim across. + +Yet the river lay between Captain Lendy's force and the food and rest +it needed. So, though owing to the privations the men had endured +their vital powers were at a low ebb, yet, with starvation staring +them in the face they must make the passage--alligators and falls +notwithstanding. + +The first to cross were two policemen, who, after a difficult journey, +got safe to the other side. + +Then followed a scene of excitement and danger. Private Momo Bangura +and Sergeant Smith were the next pair to start. Hardly had they +reached midstream when Bangura's rifle band, slipping over his arms, +pinned them to his side. + +Smith gallantly went to the rescue; but it was difficult enough for +him to get along alone; and, with Bangura to support, he quickly +became exhausted. After shouting for help, he and his companion +disappeared from view beneath the waters. + +At once two other men went to Bangura's assistance, giving Smith an +opportunity of looking to his own safety. + +But it seemed a hopeless struggle. Worn by their previous exertions, +the men were unable to give any permanent help to Bangura, and were in +their turn dragged under several times in their efforts to afford him +assistance. Indeed, it now seemed that, in spite of all the bravery +shown, Bangura's fate was sealed, if not that of his would-be rescuers +also. + +It was a terrible predicament. Four men were struggling in the +seething waters in deadly danger. Too brave and resolute to leave +their comrade-in-arms, too feeble to procure his safety, they were +wearing out their strength in futile though heroic efforts, whilst the +object of their solicitude was at his last gasp. + +At this moment their brave commander came to the rescue, and at once +changed the aspect of affairs. + +Diving into the stream he soon reached the drowning man; and the +others, released from their burden, were now able to give their +undivided attention to self-preservation. + +The supreme moment had arrived. Would Captain Lendy's efforts end as +the others had done? If so, it is probable that all would have found +a watery grave in the Roquelle; for, exhausted though they were, the +three other men were far too fond of their commander to have left him +to perish alone. + +It was for a time a stern fight with death. But Lendy was cool, calm, +resourceful. Yard by yard the distance between the further shore was +lessened, notwithstanding the race of the waters toward the falls. +Foot by foot he drew nearer to safety, though the man lay like a log +in the grasp of his rescuer, unable to assist in the struggle that was +going on. + +At length the shadow of death was dissipated; for the gallant soldier +managed to land his burden on the further shore, which the others had +already reached. + +The end of the stern combat with the waters was particularly +gratifying, as several men had previously lost their lives in crossing +the same river. + +The silver medal of the Royal Geographical Society was awarded to +Captain Lendy, and a bronze medal given to his brave followers. + +But, alas! Lendy did not live to receive his medal. Ere it could reach +him he had fallen in a night attack which the French made by mistake +upon our forces, supposing them to be natives whom they were seeking +to punish. Ere the error was discovered the loss on both sides was +serious, and in the conflict her Majesty was deprived of the services +of a devoted and faithful servant by the death of heroic Captain +E.A.W. Lendy. + +The little block in this page is a reproduction of Momo Bangura's +statement forwarded to the Colonial Office, duly witnessed by his +companions' signatures. + + Pte Momo. Bangurah's Statement. + + My name is Pte Momo Bangurah. I am a private in the Frontier + Police Force. On the 4th instant I tried to cross over the Seli + River. I slung my rifle across my shoulder half way across, the + sling slipped and so I could not use my arms. I sank but Sergeant + Smith caught me. I dragged him down twice and called out for help. + Corporal Sambah and Parkins then kept me up but the stream was so + strong, that we were taken under several times. I thought my last + moment had come. I remember Captain Lendy seizing me and then I + forgot everything till I found myself being rubbed on shore. If it + had not been for Captain Lendy Sergeant Smith Corporals Samba and + Parkins, I know I should have been drowned and I thank them for + their assistance. + + (sd) Momo Bangur + + his mark. + + Witnesses + + (sd) Benoni Johnson Sub Inspr. F.P. + " R.W. Sawyer Sergt + " S. Jenkins Coker Sergt + " Emanuel R. Palmer Sergt + + + + +A TEMPERANCE LEADER. + + +THE STORY OF JOSEPH LIVESEY. + +The leader of the great temperance movement in England--Joseph +Livesey, of Preston--had a very bad start in life. + +He was quite poor; he lost both father and mother from consumption +when he reached his eighth year; he was frail and delicate; his +brothers and sisters all died young; so that he seemed ill fitted to +make any headway in the race of life. + +His grandfather, who adopted him, failed in business; and Joseph +Livesey commenced his career by doing the work of a domestic servant, +as well as toiling at the loom. + +"As we were too poor to keep a servant," he says, "and having no +female help except to wash the clothes and occasionally clean up, I +may be said to have been the housekeeper." + +But, whilst he was weaving in the cellar where his grandfather and +uncle also worked, he was at the same time gaining knowledge day by +day. + +When his pocket money of a penny a week was increased to threepence, +he felt himself on the high road to wealth, and ere long he was the +possessor of a Bible and a grammar, which he set himself to study +whenever he could get a spare moment. + +One can scarcely realise the difficulties that lay in the way of a +studious boy in those days. A newspaper cost sevenpence; there were no +national schools or Sunday schools, no penny publications, no penny +postage, no railways, no gas, and no free libraries, and no free +education! Yet so resolute was he in his desire for education that, +though he was not even allowed a candle after the elders went to bed, +he would sit up till late at night reading by the glow of the embers. + +It is sad enough to see the number of families that are ruined by +drink at the present time; but in Livesey's early days people suffered +even more from drunkenness than they do now. + +The weavers used to keep Monday as a day of leisure; and the +public-houses were crowded from morning till night with men and women, +who drank away their earnings to the last penny. + +In the church to which Joseph Livesey belonged the ringers and singers +were hard drinkers, the gravedigger was a drunkard, and the parish +clerk was often intoxicated! + +Living amidst so much sin and misery, this frail lad determined to +strive his hardest to assist others. He found Sunday a day of rest and +rejoicing to him "a feast of good things," and became a Sunday-school +teacher and preacher. + +So far as worldly matters went he was not at all successful in early +life. Weaving was so badly paid that he tried several other trades, +but only to meet with failure. + +At the age of twenty he received a legacy of a few pounds; and soon +after, having saved a little money, married a good and true woman, who +helped him much throughout life. + +"Our cottage," says Mr. Livesey in his autobiography, "though small, +was like a palace; for none could excel my Jenny for cleanliness and +order. I renovated the garden, and made it a pleasant place to walk +in. On the loom I was most industrious, working from early in the +morning often till ten, and sometimes later, at night; and she +not only did all the house work, but wound the bobbins for three +weavers--myself, uncle, and grandfather; and yet, with all this +apparently hard lot, these were happy days." + +But it was not all sunshine at first. He fell ill, and the doctor +ordered him better living than he had been getting; and where the +money was to come from to get more nourishing food Livesey knew not. + +He had been ordered to take some cheese in the forenoon, so he bought +a piece at about eightpence a pound; and as he munched it came this +thought: cheese wholesale cost but fivepence per pound; would it not +be possible to buy a piece wholesale and sell it to his friends, so +that he too might have the benefit of getting it at this low price? + +No sooner thought of than done. But, when he had finished weighing out +the cheese to his friends, he found he had made, quite unexpectedly, +a profit of eighteenpence, and that it was more than he could have +gained by a great deal of weaving. + +So he changed his trade: weaving gave place to cheese mongering; and, +after some very hard work and persevering efforts, he placed himself +beyond the reach of poverty. + +Now came the important moment of his life. One day in settling a +bargain he drank a glass of whisky. It was, he said, the best he ever +drank, because it was the last. For the sensation it produced made him +resolve he would never again taste a drop of intoxicating liquor. + +Finding himself the better for this course, he soon tried to get +others to join him. His first convert to _total abstinence_ was a man +named John King; Livesey and he signed together; and on 1st September, +1832, at a meeting held at Preston, seven men--"the Seven Men of +Preston," as they are called--signed the pledge, of which the +following is a facsimile:-- + + [Handwritten: We agree to _abstain_ from all Liquors of an + _Intoxicating Quality_, whether ale porter Wine, or Ardent + Spirits, except as Medicine. + + John Gratix + Edw'd Dickinson + Jno: Broadbelt + Jno: Smith + Joseph Livesey + David Anderson + Jno: Ring.] + +It was a terrible struggle for these men at first. They were laughed +at, they were abused, they were persecuted; but the more people +tried to put them down the harder they fought; and soon hundreds and +thousands had joined their ranks, and the movement spread throughout +the kingdom. + +"There is more food in a pennyworth of bread," said Livesey, "than in +a gallon of ale"; and he proved it. He lectured far and wide; and, +though he met with much opposition, facts in the end prevailed. + +He was not only a temperance advocate, but an earnest worker for the +good of others in various directions. He visited the sick, and helped +them. When the railways came he started cheap trips to the seaside for +working people, and was never happier than when he was helping the +poor and unfortunate. + +Joseph Livesey is a striking example of the benefits to health derived +from teetotalism, as he lived to the good old age of ninety. + + + + +A GREAT MISSIONARY EXPLORER. + + +THE STORY OF DAVID LIVINGSTONE. + +It is past ten o'clock at night. A little boy fond of going about the +country in search of plants has returned home. Finding the door of his +father's house locked, and fearing to awaken his parents, he settles +down contentedly on the step to spend the night there. Then a woman's +hand quietly unbolts the door and receives the little wanderer back. +The boy is David Livingstone. Now-a-days we know him as one of the +greatest missionary explorers of our times. + +A stern father, a loving mother, both godly and upright people--such +were the parents of David; and he respected and loved them with a true +and constant affection. + +The boy was fond of learning--so fond indeed that when he was at +the factory he would keep his book open before him on the spinning +machine. Most people think "one thing at a time" is a very good +maxim--David thought two things at a time was even better. + +At home he was ever ready to lend a hand at house work to save his +mother. "If you bar the door, mother," he would say, "I'll wash the +floor;" and wash the floor he did, times without number! + +In later life he used to say he was glad he had thus toiled; and that, +if it were possible to begin life again, he would like to go through +just the same hard training. + +He got on quickly at lessons, and became, like his father, a total +abstainer for life. He was fond of serious books; and, reading the +lives of Christian missionaries, he began to wish to be one himself. +Ere long he journeyed from Blantyre near Glasgow (where he had been +working as a factory hand) to London, to prepare for going abroad as a +missionary. + +His first address was not very promising. He gave out his text, and +then was obliged to confess that his sermon had quite gone out of his +mind. + +In the year 1840 David Livingstone, being then just over twenty-seven +years old, went out to South Africa as a missionary. He made his way +up country to the furthest district in which the London Missionary +Society then had a station. There he taught the Hottentots, and his +heart was ere long rejoiced by the change which took place in them. + +Before leaving home he had studied medicine, and passed his +examination satisfactorily; and this knowledge of healing he found +most useful. His patients, the poor African blacks, would walk a +hundred miles to seek his advice, and his waggon was followed by a +great crowd of sick folk anxious to be healed. + +He studied the language of the tribes amongst whom he was ministering; +and soon the people were able to sing in their own tongue, "There is a +fountain filled with blood," "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun," and +other beautiful hymns which delight the hearts of those in our own +land. + +Whilst he was gaining the affection of the natives, he did not forget +his loved ones at home; and out of his scanty salary of about £100 a +year he sent £20 to his parents. + +Before he had been long in Africa he had an adventure which nearly +cost him his life. In the parts where he was teaching, the lions were +very troublesome, and would come by night and seize cattle. Sometimes +even they would venture into the gardens and carry off women and +children. So the people got together an expedition to go and hunt the +lions, and Livingstone joined them. After they had been on the track +for some time, and several lions had escaped owing to the fright of +the natives, Livingstone saw one sitting on a rock about thirty yards +off. He took careful aim and fired both barrels of his gun, wounding +it badly. + +The people thought it was, dead, and were going towards it, but +Livingstone made them keep back and began reloading. Before he had +finished, the lion sprang upon him, caught him by the shoulder, and +began shaking and tearing him so badly that he was utterly overcome. +Two persons who tried to help him were bitten by the lion. But just +when it looked as if the missionary's life had reached its last day, +the lion suddenly fell down dead from the effect of the bullets which +he had fired into it. + +Four years after he had been in Africa he married Mary Moffat, the +missionary's daughter. She was a true helpmate, and in the trials and +difficulties which beset him his way was made clearer and brighter by +this good and loving woman. + +[Illustration: LIVINGSTONE ATTACKED BY THE LION] + +He could not always take his wife with him, as the districts he +explored were so wild and savage. He ran risks of death by thirst, by +hostile tribes and disease, and went through terrible places where no +woman could have lived. But on many a long and perilous journey +she went with him. "When I took her," writes Livingstone, "on two +occasions to Lake Ngami and far beyond, she endured more than some who +have written large books of travel." + +One of Livingstone's first mission stations was Mabotsa, where he +stayed a year, and in that short time gained the love of the people. +When he thought it well to move on farther north the natives offered +to build him a new house, schools, anything he wished if he would only +stay. + +But he had made up his mind that it was best to go to fresh districts +rather than stay in places where there were already teachers, and +therefore proceeded forty miles further on to Chonuane. Here he met +with almost immediate success. The chief, Sechele by name, became a +convert and was able in a few weeks to read the Bible. Isaiah was his +favourite book. "He was a fine man, that Isaiah," remarked Sechele; +"he knew how to speak." + +This chief would have been willing to help Livingstone to convert his +tribe at a great pace, only his method was not to the missionary's +liking. + +"Do you think," said Sechele, "you can make my people believe by +talking to them? I can make them do nothing except by thrashing +them, and if you like I shall call my headman, and with our whips of +rhinoceros hide we will soon make them all believe together!" + +Like all missionaries, Livingstone was doomed to suffer +disappointments. Thus after labouring at Kolobeng for ten years the +Boers, annoyed with him for endeavouring to teach them that the +natives should be treated with kindness and consideration, made an +attack on his house when he was absent. They slaughtered a number of +the men and women, carried away 200 children into slavery, and burnt +down the mission station. Livingstone was deeply grieved about the +capture of the children, but as to his own loss he merely says: "The +Boers by taking possession of all my goods have saved me the trouble +of making a will". + +Still on, on into the dark continent went Livingstone. Not dark to +him, for he loved the natives and possessed such powers of attraction +that wherever he settled he won their affections. + +After taking leave of Sechele he travelled several hundred miles to +the territory of Sebituane. + +On the road Livingstone and his family had a terribly anxious time. +The water in the waggons was all but finished, they were passing +through a desert land, their guide had left them. The children were +suffering from thirst; his wife, though not uttering a word of +reproach, was in an agony of anxiety for her little ones, and +Livingstone was fearful lest they should perish in this desert +country. When hope had nearly vanished some of the party who had gone +out searching for water returned with a supply. They were soon after +welcomed by Sebituane, the greatest chief in Central Africa, who gave +them food to eat, soft skins to lie upon, and made much of them. + +After the death of Sebituane his son Sekeletu was equally friendly, as +may be gathered from this page of Livingstone's diary, which, by the +kindness of his daughter, Mrs. Bruce, I am permitted to reproduce. + +[Illustration: REDUCED FACSIMILE OF A PAGE FROM LIVINGSTONE'S DIARY. +THE ORIGINAL IS WRITTEN ON PAPER 7 INCHES BY 4-3/8 INCHES.] + +This entry in his diary was written on the eve of Livingstone's great +journey to the West Coast. Having sent his wife and family to England, +he determined to find a way from the centre of Africa to the West +Coast. It was a forlorn hope; but, says Livingstone, "Cannot the love +of Christ carry the missionary where the slave trade carries the +trader? I shall open up a path to the interior or perish." + +On the 11th of November, 1853, he left Linyante, having overcome +Sekeletu's objection to let him go, and arrived at Loando, on the West +Coast, on 31st May, 1854, after a variety of adventures, and being +reduced by fever to a mere skeleton. + +The sight of the sea, which gladdened Livingstone's heart, astonished +his native escort beyond description. "We were marching along with our +father," they said, "believing that what the ancients had told us was +true--that the world had no end; but all at once the world said to us, +'I am finished, there is no more of me'." + +At Loando friends tried to persuade Livingstone to go to England +by sea, but he had promised Sekeletu to return with the men who +accompanied him on his great journey, and would not be turned from his +purpose. And he arrived at Linyante on the return journey with every +one of the 27 men he had taken with him safe and sound! + +After this followed the journey to the East Coast ending at Quilemane. + +Besides discovering several large lakes, Livingstone was the first to +see the Falls of the Zambesi, which he named the Victoria Falls, +after her Majesty the Queen. The water at these falls dashes down in +torrents, a sheer depth of 320 feet, the spray rises mountains high +and can be seen many miles away, whilst its sound is like the noise of +thunder. + +Numerous were the expeditions he made. In the course of these he +traversed thousands of miles of country before untrodden by the feet +of Europeans. His fame had now spread to the four quarters of the +globe, and he had published several volumes giving an account of his +explorations. + +In January, 1873, he started on his last journey. In April, after +suffering intensely from constant illness, he got to a place near Lake +Bemba; and here he told his followers to build a hut for him to die +in. On the 27th April he wrote the last entry in his diary, viz., +"Knocked up quite, and remain--recover--sent to buy milch cows. We are +on the banks of the Molilamo." When on the 1st May his followers +went into the hut they found the great explorer kneeling by his +bedside--dead. + +Great was their grief and great was the sorrow of all in this country +when the news reached Britain of his decease. + +But the little factory boy had done such a great work that no place +was good enough for his remains but Westminster Abbey. + + + + +FROM FARM LAD TO MERCHANT PRINCE. + + +THE STORY OF GEORGE MOORE. + +George Moore was born in Cumberland in 1807. His father was a small +farmer. He had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was six years +old; but his father was a good and pious man, whose example had a +great effect upon him. + +The lad was shrewd and earnest, and showed a power of thinking and +acting for himself. + +At one time he worked for his brother in return for his board and +lodging; but wishing to make some money for himself he asked the +neighbouring farmers to give him some extra work to do, for which he +got wages. + +By the time he was ten years old he was able to earn as much as +eighteenpence a day, and at twelve years old did the work and earned +the wages of a full-grown man. + +He had had but little schooling, and his master was one of those +persons who thought the best way to get learning implanted in a boy's +mind was by forcing it into him at the point of the ruler. He beat his +boys much, but taught them little. + +To finish his education his father sent George for one quarter to a +better school. The cost was only eight shillings, but the boy then got +an idea for the first time of the value of learning. + +He determined not to return to farm life, believing he could do better +for himself in a town. So at about thirteen years of age George Moore +began his business life as apprentice to a draper at Wigton. + +He did not make at all a pleasant or successful start. His work was +very hard. He had to light fires, clean windows, groom horses, and +make himself generally useful. His master was fond of drink, and +George had to get his meals at a public-house. One of his duties was +to serve out spirits to customers who made good purchases. + +All things considered, it is perhaps not surprising that he got into +bad habits himself. He began to gamble at cards, sitting up often +nearly all night, and losing or winning considerable sums of money. + +At last a change came in a rather unexpected manner. George lodged at +his master's house, and when he went out to play was accustomed to +leave a window unfastened so that he could let himself in without +rousing the household. Somehow or other his master found out this +plan, and determined to put a stop to it. So one night when George had +gone out he nailed down the window, and when the apprentice returned +home in the early hours of the morning he found himself locked out. +Nothing daunted he climbed on to the roof and managed to get in +through his bedroom window. + +But he narrowly escaped being discharged, and on thinking the matter +over he saw how great was his folly. So he determined, with God's +help, to give up his evil ways, and was enabled to lead a better life +in future. + +As soon as his apprenticeship was up George Moore resolved to try his +fortune in London. At first everything went against him. He tramped +the streets of the city from morn till eve, calling here, there and +everywhere, seeking for employment, and finding no one to give him a +trial. At last he made up his mind to go to America. One day, however, +he received from a Cumberland man engaged in the drapery trade a +request to call upon him. To his intense delight he was engaged, +receiving a salary of thirty pounds a year. + +George had now got his foot on the first round of the ladder, and made +up his mind to climb higher. So he at once took lessons at a night +school, and worked hard at self-education. + +Then he got a better place; but, for a time, had to bear much abuse +from his master, who declared that, although he had come across many +blockheads from Cumberland, George was the stupidest one of all! Still +he bore the reproaches of his employer good-naturedly, and before long +made his mark. He was offered the position of town traveller, and soon +proved himself to be one of the cleverest business men of the time. + +Before this, however, George had made up his mind about marriage. +Seeing his master's little daughter come into the shop he was much +struck by her appearance, and remarked that, if he were ever able to +marry, that girl should be his wife. His companions laughed at him +heartily; but, as a matter of fact, he did marry that girl, though she +refused him the first time he asked. + +From this it will be seen that George Moore was no ordinary youth; and +before he had been travelling for his firm long, they discovered his +value. So did another firm, which found he was taking away their +business, and offered him £500 a year to travel for them. But George +told them nothing less than a partnership would satisfy him; and as +they were determined to secure his services they gave it him, and at +the age of twenty-three George Moore became junior partner in the +famous house of Groucock & Copestake, to which the name of Moore was +then added. + +His fortune was thus early made, and his business life was one +continued series of successes. He had an immense capacity for work, +and boasted that for twelve years he laboured sixteen hours a day. + +Yet his energies were not confined to business. After a time, when +he no longer needed to work so hard for himself, he took up various +charitable schemes, and by his intense vigour soon obtained for them +remarkable support. The Commercial Travellers' Schools was one of the +institutions in which he took great interest. These schools were built +at a cost of about £25,000, the greater portion of which he obtained. + +In his native county, in his house of business; everywhere George +Moore became famed for his liberal gifts. He spent £15,000 in building +a church in one of the poorest districts of London. He visited Paris +just after the siege to assist in the distribution of the funds +subscribed in England; and to many charitable schemes he subscribed +with a generous hand. + +In November, 1876, he was knocked down in the streets of Carlisle by a +runaway horse, and carried into the hospital to die. He had expressed +a wish when he was in good health to be told when he was dying; so his +wife said to him, "We have often talked about heaven. Perhaps Jesus is +going to take you home. You are willing to go with Him, are you not?" + +"Yes," he replied; "I fear no evil ... He will never leave me, nor +forsake me." + + + + +A MAN WHO ASKED AND RECEIVED. + + +THE STORY OF GEORGE MÃœLLER. + +In the year 1805 was born in Prussia George Müller, whose orphanages +at Ashley Down, Bristol, may be regarded as one of the modern wonders +of the world. + +His father intended that George should become a minister, but the lad +in his early days showed no signs of a desire to set apart his life +to good works. He had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was +fourteen years old, and though he was confirmed in 1820 no deep +impression had been made by God's grace in his heart. + +When he was sixteen he went to Brunswick, and putting up at an hotel +lived expensively, and had to part with his best clothes to pay the +bill. Later on, for leaving an hotel without paying, he was put in +prison, and had to stay there till the money was sent for his release. + +He had, indeed, grown so hardened that he could tell lies without +blushing. He pretended to lose some money which had been sent to him, +and his friends gave him more to replace it. He got into debt, and +pawned his clothes in order to procure the means to go to taverns and +places of amusement. + +But the hand of God was upon him, and he did not do these things +without suffering in his mind. About this time too he began to study +the Bible earnestly. + +At the age of twenty the great change came. He attended a prayer +meeting, and there his eyes became opened, and he saw there was no +hope for him but in Christ. He read the Bible anew, and from that time +commenced leading a _new life_. + +When he was about twenty-four years old Müller came over to England, +and settled at Teignmouth as pastor of a small church. He refused to +have any regular salary or to receive pew rents, taking only such +offerings as his congregation wished to give him. Sometimes he had +no money left at all; at others he had only just enough food for one +meal, and knew not where the means were coming from for the next. Yet +he trusted entirely in God, and was never left in want. + +After this he went to Bristol, and seeing many poor children uncared +for laid the matter before God; and, believing it to be His will that +he should try to provide some place of rest for these little ones, he +took a house large enough to contain thirty girls. + +Rather a remarkable thing happened in connection with the opening of +the Home. The money had been supplied, and preparations had been made +to receive the children, but none sought admission! + +Müller cast about in his mind as to why this should be so, and he +discovered that whilst he had asked God for money to open the Home and +for helpers, he had forgotten to pray that the children might be sent; +and to this he attributed such a strange occurrence. + +Still, the omission was soon rectified, and the Home ere long teemed +with children. + +This was in 1834. From such a small beginning the great Orphan Homes +on Ashley Down sprang. Every need connected with the progress of the +work was made the subject of prayer by George Müller and his earnest +band of workers. + +Again and again he has not known where to turn for the next meal for +his orphans; but, as if by a miracle, supplies have been _always_ +forthcoming. Though often in great straits Mr. Müller has never asked +for help except of God, and _never_ has that help been denied. + +The following extract from his journal will show the trials to which +Mr. Müller has been subjected: "Never were we so reduced in funds as +to-day. There was not a single halfpenny in hand between the matrons +of the three orphan houses. There was a good dinner, and by managing +to help one another by bread, etc., there was a prospect of getting +over the day also; but for none of the houses had we the prospect of +being able to take in bread. When I left the brethren and sisters at +one o'clock after prayer I told them that we must wait for help, and +see how the Lord would deliver us this time." About twenty yards from +his home he met a person interested in the Homes who gave him £20. +This is but a sample of many occasions upon which, having waited upon +God in simple faith, help has arrived at the very hour it has been +needed. + +Some paragraphs in Müller's yearly reports read almost like a fairy +story, only they are far more beautiful, being a record of _facts_. +Thus in May, 1892, when the financial year of the institution began, +they had in hand for their School, Bible, Missionary and Tract funds +only £17 8s. 5-1/2 d. + +In June of that year a packet was found at Hereford Railway Station +containing eleven sovereigns, addressed to Mr. Müller, with nothing +but these words inside, "From a Cheerful Giver, Bristol, for Jesus' +Sake". In the same month came £100, "from two servants of the Lord +Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seek to lay up treasure +in Heaven". + +A Newcastle man wrote that though finances were low he doubled the sum +usually sent to the institution, "in faith and also with much joy". +A sick missionary in the wilds of Africa sent £44 17s. 5d., being +apparently all the money he possessed. + +"Again and again," writes Mr. Müller, "I have had cheques amounting +even to £5000, from individuals whose names I knew not before +receiving their donations." + +Other paragraphs in the report read thus: "Received anonymously five +large cheeses; received a box of dessert knives and forks, a cruet, a +silver soup ladle and a silver cup; from Clifton, twelve tons house +coals; from Bedminster, a monster loaf, 200 lbs. in weight, and ten +feet long and twenty-one inches broad". + +On 1st August £82 5s. came "from a Christian gentleman in Devon, who +for more than forty-five years has from time to time helped us, though +I have never seen him". + +"To-day," writes Müller on 7th September, "our income altogether was +about £300--a plain proof that we do not wait on the Lord in vain; for +every donation we receive is a direct answer to prayer, because we +never ask a single human being for anything." On 29th October Mr. +Müller writes: "For several days very little has come in for the +support of the various objects of the institution. To-day, again, only +about £15 was received by the first four deliveries of letters; at +5:45 I had for the third time that day prayer with my dear wife, +entreating God to help us, and a little after 6 p.m. came a cheque for +£200 by the fifth delivery, from Edinburgh." + +A gold chain and watch-key, two gold brooches, and a pair of earrings +were sent to Mr. Müller, with the following comment: "My wife and I +having, through the exceeding riches of God's grace, been brought to +the Lord Jesus, wish to lay aside the perishing gold of the world +for the unsearchable riches of Christ, and send the enclosed for the +support of the orphans". + +The above are from a single yearly report--that for 1893. Scores of +similar donations in money and kind are recounted in the same annual +statement. In that year Mr. Müller was able to speak of his conversion +as having taken place nearly sixty-eight years ago. The work has been +wonderfully blessed. In the report mentioned Mr. Müller stated that +the total amount he had received by prayer and faith for the various +objects of his institutions, since 5th March, 1834, had been +£1,309,627; that no fewer than 8727 children had been under his care; +and that he had room at his Homes for 2050 orphans. + + + + +A LABOURER IN THE VINEYARD. + + +THE STORY OF ROBERT MOFFAT. + +"Oh, mother! ask what you will, and I shall do it." + +So said Robert Moffat as he stood with his mother on the Firth of +Forth waiting for the boat to ferry him across. + +He was sixteen years old, and having got a good situation as gardener +in Cheshire was bidding farewell that day to home and parents, and +about to face the world alone. + +His mother had begged him to promise to do whatsoever she asked, and +he had hesitated, wishing to know first what it was that she wanted. +At last, however, remembering how good and loving she had always been, +he had consented. Her request was a very simple one, but it was very +far reaching. + +"I only ask whether you will read a chapter in the Bible every morning +and another every evening." + +"Mother," he replied, "you know I read my Bible." + +"I know you do," was her answer; "but you do not read it regularly, or +as a duty you owe to God, its Author." + +"Now I shall return home," she observed when his word had been +pledged, "with a happy heart, inasmuch as you have promised to +read the Scriptures daily. O Robert, my son, read much in the New +Testament! Read much in the Gospels--the blessed Gospels! Then you +cannot well go astray. If you pray, the Lord Himself will teach you." + +Thus they parted--he starting on his life's journey with her earnest +pleadings ringing in his ears. + +Travelling in those days (1813) was so slow that it took him a full +month to get to High Leigh in Cheshire; and on the way he narrowly +escaped being captured by the pressgang and made to serve on a British +man-of-war, which was short of hands. The vessel in which he was going +south was indeed boarded, and one man seized; but Robert says, "I +happened to be in bed, and keep it there as long as they were on +deck". + +He kept manfully the promise he had made his mother. Notwithstanding +the difficulty he experienced in his busy life of setting aside the +necessary time for reading two chapters a day from his Bible, he +nevertheless faithfully did it. + +At first this practice seemed to bring him trouble. It made him feel +that he was a sinner, but how to get grace he knew not. + +Ere long, however, his fears rolled away. He perceived that being +justified by faith he had peace with Christ, and rejoiced in the grace +and power of the Lord. + +Some good Wesleyans took an interest in the young gardener, and he +attended their meetings, which he found very helpful. + +When a little later on he was offered a much better situation on the +condition that he gave up Methodism he refused it, preferring, as he +says, "his God to white and yellow ore". + +One day he went to Warrington, and whilst there saw a placard +announcing a missionary meeting, at which the Rev. William Roby was to +speak. The sight of this reminded him of the descriptions his mother +used to read of mission work in Greenland, and the subject became +fixed in his mind. + +A little later he had the opportunity of hearing Mr. Roby, and +determined to call upon him and offer himself for mission work. + +So great was his dread of making this call that he asked a companion +to accompany him, and be present at the interview, but could only +induce his friend to wait for him outside. + +When he got to Mr. Roby's door his courage failed him; he looked +longingly at his friend and began to retreat. However, his conscience +would not allow him to surrender; and back again he went to the house, +but still feared to knock. + +At length after walking up and down the street in a state of painful +indecision he returned and ventured to knock. A terrible moment +followed. He would have given anything to run away, and hoped with all +his heart Mr. Roby would be out. + +This, however, was not the case; and, brought face to face with the +mission preacher, he told his story simply and effectively, and Mr. +Roby promised to write to the Missionary Society about him. + +At first the offer of his services was declined, but later on it was +accepted; and on 30th September, 1816, he was ordained at Surrey +Chapel. Amongst others set apart at the same time was John Williams, +the martyr of Erromanga. + +It was at first proposed that Williams and Moffat should go together +to Polynesia; but Mr. Waugh remarked that "thae twa lads were ower +young to gang together," so they were separated. + +At the age of twenty-one Moffat sailed for South Africa. The ship +reached Cape Town, after a voyage of eighty-six days, on 13th January, +1817; and forthwith he started on his career in receipt of a salary of +twenty-five pounds per year. + +On his journey into the interior he stopped one evening at a Dutch +farmer's, where he was warmly welcomed, and was requested to conduct +family worship. + +Before commencing he asked for the servants. The farmer, roused to +indignation by such a request, said he would call in the dogs and +baboons if Moffat wanted a congregation of that sort! + +But the missionary was not to be denied. In reading the Bible he +selected the story of the Syrophoenician woman. Before many minutes +had passed the farmer stopped him, saying he would have the servants +in. + +When the service was over the old man said to Moffat, "My friend, you +took a hard hammer, and you have broken a hard head". + +[Illustration: MOFFAT PREACHING TO THE BOERS.] + +His early missionary efforts were crowned with success. He visited +the renowned chief Afrikaner in Namaqualand. This man had given much +trouble to the Government, and £100 had been offered for his head. He +became, however, sincerely attached to Moffat, and after a time he +went to Cape Town with him. The authorities could hardly believe that +this notorious robber had become so altered; but right glad were they +at the change, and, when Afrikaner returned home, he took with him +numerous presents from the Government. + +In December, 1819, Moffat was married to Mary Smith at St. George's +Church, Cape Town. She had been engaged to him before he left England, +and had given up home and parents to go out to Africa and become a +missionary's wife. No truer helper could Moffat have found, for +she loved the work, and experienced great happiness in her life, +notwithstanding all its toils and danger. + +Shortly after, Mr. and Mrs. Moffat started for Bechuanaland. They went +through many privations, and suffered much from hunger and thirst; but +the Gospel was preached to the tribes. Moffat in those days was not +only teacher and preacher, but carpenter, smith, cooper, tailor, +shoemaker, miller, baker and gardener! + +For some years Moffat laboured without seeing much result. One day he +said to his wife, "This is hard work, Mary". "It _is_ hard work." she +replied; "but you must remember the Gospel has never yet been preached +to them _in their own tongue_." + +Moffat had hitherto taught the natives through an interpreter. He now +determined not only to master their language, but to get to know all +about their habits and customs, so as to be able to lay hold of them +more forcibly. He not only preached the Word in their native tongue, +but set up in type and printed the Gospel of St. Luke and some hymns. +Then he followed on with the other Gospels and also the Epistles, till +the entire of the New Testament was translated into their language. + +It must not be thought that a missionary's only cares are those +connected with preaching. Far from it. To Mrs. Moffat, who tried to +teach the women to be cleanly in their habits, they would say, "Ra +Mary, your customs may be good enough for you, but we don't see that +they fill the stomach". + +The difficulty of getting sufficient food to eat was very real. The +soil in the neighbourhood of the station was light and needed plenty +of water, but the stream which supplied them with the necessary +moisture for their vegetables was diverted from its channel by the +natives, so that the missionary's garden was nearly burnt up by the +hot sun. + +On one occasion Mrs. Moffat asked a native woman to move out of her +kitchen, as she wanted to close it before she went to church. For +answer the woman hurled a log of wood at her; and she, fearful lest +her babe should be hurt, departed, leaving the savage woman in +possession of her home. + +Whilst Mrs. Moffat had difficulties at home, her husband encountered +many dangers abroad. Once whilst going in search of game he came upon +a tiger, which seemed as if it were preparing to spring upon him. With +the greatest caution he retired slowly from the place, and was just +congratulating himself that he was out of danger when he trod on a +cobra. The reptile twisted itself about Moffat's leg, and was about +to bite him when he managed to level his gun at it and kill it. The +poison of this snake is so deadly that had he been bitten his death +would have almost instantly followed. + +Though he was ready to lay down his life for their good, it was long +ere the natives understood how firm a friend he was. At a time of +great drought the native "rain-makers" declared that the bell of the +chapel frightened away the clouds. So a number of people came to the +missionary, and told him they were determined that he must go. But +Moffat was not to be awed by the threats of the warriors. He told them +that they might kill him, but he should certainly not be driven away. +Then the chief and his followers gave up the contest and retired, full +of wonder and admiration at his dauntless determination. + +Once, whilst Moffat was away on a visit to a neighbouring tribe, his +wife was aroused in the night by the report that a hostile tribe had +invaded their territory and was close upon them. So Mrs. Moffat had to +prepare for flight, but ere she had finished her preparations the good +news came that the tribe had gone off in another direction. Yet even +then she was in fear for her husband's life. But three weeks later, +after enduring terrible anxiety, her husband returned in safety, +having managed to escape the enemy. + +Gradually a great and wonderful change came over the people amongst +whom Robert and Mary Moffat lived. From utter disregard of teaching +they began to exhibit signs of spiritual life, and a number were +baptised and received into the Church. + +[Illustration: Letter] + +In 1871 Robert and Mary Moffat, after living in Africa for upwards of +half a century, returned home. From the letter to Mr. G. Unwin, which +is here reproduced in facsimile, it will be seen that Robert Moffat's +labours were not even then finished; for up to the last he took the +greatest interest in the missionary cause. + +[Illustration: Reduced Facsimile letter from Moffat.] + + +His useful life came to an end in August, 1883, when he was in his +eighty-eighth year. + + + + +"THE LADY WITH THE LAMP." + + +THE STORY OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. + + "Lo! in that house of misery + A lady with a lamp I see + Pass through the glimmering gloom, + And flit from room to room." + +LONGFELLOW. + + +"She would speak to one and another, and nod and smile to many +more, but she could not do it to all, you know, for we lay there by +hundreds; but we could kiss her shadow as it fell, and lay our heads +on our pillows again, content." + +So wrote one of the soldiers from the hospital at Scutari of Florence +Nightingale, the soldier's nurse, and the soldier's friend. + +Let us see how it happened that Florence Nightingale was able to do so +much for the British soldiers who fought in the Crimea, and why she +has left her mark on the history of our times. + +Miss Nightingale was born in the city of Florence in the year 1820, +and it is from that beautiful Italian town that she derives her +Christian name. + +Her father was a good and wealthy man, who took great interest in the +poor; and her mother was ever seeking to do them some kindness. + +Thus Florence saw no little of cottage folk. She took them dainties +when they were ailing, and delighted to nurse them when ill. + +She loved all dumb animals, and they seemed to know by instinct +that she was their friend. One day she came across her father's old +shepherd, looking as miserable as could be; and, on inquiring the +cause, found that a mischievous boy had thrown a stone at his +favourite dog, which had broken its leg, and he was afraid it would +have to be killed. + +Going together to the shepherd's home they found the dog very excited +and angry; but, on Florence speaking to it in her gentle voice, it +came and lay down at her feet, and allowed her to examine the damaged +limb. + +Happily, she discovered it was only bruised; and she attended to it so +skilfully that the dog was soon running about in the field again. A +few days later she met the shepherd,--he was simply beaming, for the +dog had recovered and was with him. + +When Florence spoke to the man the dog wagged its tail as much as to +say, "I'm mighty glad to see _you_ again"; whereupon the shepherd +remarked: "Do look at the dog, miss, he be so pleased to hear your +voice". + +The fact that even her dolls were properly bandaged when their limbs +became broken, or the sawdust began to run out of their bodies, will +show that even then she was a thoughtful, kindly little person. + +When she grew up she wished very much to learn how to nurse the sick. + +But in those days it was not considered at all a ladylike thing to do; +and, after trying one or two nursing institutions at home, she went +to Germany, and afterwards to Paris, in order to make a study of the +subject, and to get practical experience in cities abroad. + +Miss Nightingale thus learnt nursing very thoroughly, and when she +came back to England turned her knowledge to account by taking charge +of an institution in London. By good management, tact and skill, the +institution became a great success; but she was too forgetful of self, +and after a time the hard work told upon her health, and she was +obliged to take a rest from her labours. + +The time came when the Russian war broke out and Great Britain and +France sent their armies into the Crimea. Our men fought like heroes. +But it was found out ere many months had passed that those brave +fellows, who were laying down their lives for the sake of their +country, were being so badly nursed when they were sick and wounded +that more were being slain by neglect than by the guns of the enemy. + +Then there arose a great cry in Britain; and every one demanded that +something should be done to remedy this state of things. But nobody +knew quite what to do or how to do it, except one woman,--and that +woman was Florence Nightingale. + +Mr. Sidney Herbert, the War Minister, was one of the very few people +who knew anything about her great powers of organisation; and happily +he did know how thoroughly fit she was for the task of properly +directing the nursing of the sick soldiers. + +So, on the 15th October, 1854, he asked her to go to the Crimea to +take entire charge of the nursing arrangements; and in less than a +week she started with about forty nurses for Scutari, the town where +the great hospital was situated. + +All Britain was stirred with admiration at her heroism; for it was +well known how difficult was the task she was undertaking. But the +quiet gentle woman herself feared neither death, disease nor hard +work; the only thing she did not like was the fuss the people made +about her. + +Scutari, whither she went, is situated on the eastern side of the +Bosphorus, opposite Constantinople. Thither the sick and wounded +soldiers were being brought by hundreds. It took four or five days to +get them from the field of battle to the hospital, their wounds during +that tame being generally unattended to. When they arrived at Scutari, +it was difficult to land them; after that there was a steep hill up +which they had to be carried to the hospital, so that by the time they +arrived they were generally in a sad condition. But their trials were +not over then. The hospital was dirty and dismal. There was no proper +provision for the supply of suitable food, everything was in dire +disorder, and the poor fellows died of fever in enormous numbers. + +But "the lady with the lamp" soon brought about a revolution; and the +soldiers knew to their joy what it was to have proper nursing. No +wonder the men kissed her shadow! Wherever the worst cases were to be +found there was Florence Nightingale. Day and night she watched and +waited, worked and prayed. Her very presence was medicine and food and +light to the soldiers. + +Gradually disorder disappeared, and deaths became fewer day by day. +Good nursing; care and cleanliness; nourishing food, and--perhaps +beyond and above all--love and tenderness, wrought wonders. The oath +in the soldier's mouth turned to a prayer at her appearance. + +Though the beds extended over a space equal to four miles, yet each +man knew that all that human strength could do to forward his recovery +was being done. + +Before her task was finished Miss Nightingale had taken the fever +herself, but her life was mercifully spared. + +Since those days, Florence Nightingale has done many kindly and +noble deeds. She has always lived as much out of the public sight as +possible, though her work has rendered her dear to all hearts. + +Though she has had much ill health herself, she has been able to +accomplish a splendid life's work, and to advance the study of nursing +in all parts of the globe. + + + + +FOR ENGLAND, HOME, AND DUTY. + + +THE DEATH OF NELSON. + +It was the 21st October, 1805. The English fleet had been for many +days lying off the coast of Spain, eagerly waiting for the navies of +France and Spain to leave their shelter in Cadiz harbour. At length, +to his joy, Lord Nelson received the signal that they had put out to +sea; and he now prepared to attack the combined fleet (which consisted +of forty vessels) with his thirty-one ships. Yet, though the enemy +not only had more vessels, but they were larger than his own, Nelson +confidently expected victory, and told Captain Blackwood he would +not be satisfied unless he captured twenty ships. Having made all +arrangements, Nelson went down to his cabin and wrote this prayer:-- + +"May the great God whom I worship grant to my country, and for the +benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may no +misconduct in any one tarnish it, and may humanity after victory be +the predominant feature in the British fleet! For myself individually, +I commit my life to Him that made me, and may His blessing alight +on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully! To Him I resign +myself, and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. +Amen. Amen." + +Before the battle began Nelson made the signal which stirred every +heart in the fleet on that day, and has since remained a watchword of +the nation:-- + +"England expects every man will do his duty". + +It was received with an outburst of cheering. + +Nelson wore, as usual, his admiral's frock-coat. On his breast +glittered four stars of the different orders which had been given him. +He was in good spirits, and eager for the fray. + +His officers represented to him how desirable it was that he should +keep out of the battle as long as possible; and, knowing the truth of +this, he signalled to the other ships to go in front. Yet his desire +to be in the forefront of the attack was so great that he would not +take in any sail on The Victory, and thus rendered it impossible for +the other vessels to obey his orders. + +At ten minutes to twelve the battle began; by four minutes past twelve +fifty men on board Nelson's ship _The Victory_ had been killed or +wounded, and many of her sails shot away. + +The fire of the enemy was so heavy that Nelson, smiling, said, "This +is too warm work, Hardy, to last long". Up to that time not a shot had +been fired from _The Victory_; and Nelson declared that never in all +his battles had he seen anything which surpassed the cool courage of +his crew. Then, however, when they had come to close quarters with the +enemy, from both sides of _The Victory_ flashed forth the fire of the +guns, carrying swift destruction among the foe. + +[Illustration: Nelson's Tomb in St. Paul's Cathedral.] + +The French ship next which they were lying, _The Redoutable_, having +ceased firing her great guns, Nelson twice gave instructions to stop +firing into her, with the humane desire of avoiding unnecessary +slaughter. Strange to say, that from this ship at a quarter past one +was fired a shot which struck him in the left shoulder, and proved +fatal. + +Within twenty minutes after the fatal shot had been fired from _The +Redoutable_ that ship was captured, the man who killed Nelson having +himself been shot by a midshipman on board _The Victory_. + +When he had been taken down to the cockpit he insisted that the +surgeon should leave him and attend to others; "for," said he, "you +can do nothing for me". + +At this time his sufferings were very great, but he was cheered by the +news which they brought him from time to time. At half-past two Hardy +could report "ten ships have struck". An hour later he came with the +news that fourteen or fifteen had struck. "That's well," cried Nelson, +"but I bargained for twenty." + +A little later he said, "Kiss me, Hardy". Hardy knelt down, and Nelson +said, "Now I am satisfied. Thank God I have done my duty". After that +it became difficult for him to speak, but he several times repeated +the words, "Thank God I have done my duty". And these were the last +words he uttered before he died. At half-past four o'clock he expired. + +Thus Nelson died in the hour of victory. He had won a battle which +once and for all broke the naval power of France and Spain, and +delivered Great Britain from all fear of attack by the great Napoleon. + + + + +A WOMAN WHO SUCCEEDED BY FAILURE. + + +THE STORY OF HARRIET NEWELL. + +This is rather an exceptional chapter: for it tells of a very little +life judged by length of days, a very sad life judged by some of +its incidents, a very futile life considered by what it actually +accomplished,--but a very wonderful life regarded in the light of the +results which followed. + +Harriet Attwood was born in Massachusetts, America, in the year 1793. + +Even in her girlhood she looked forward to assisting in making the +Gospel known in distant lands. Long before any movement sprang up in +America for sending out female missionaries to the heathen, the day +dream of this little girl was to devote herself to the mission cause. + +Not that she dreamed away her life in longing, and neglected her +every-day duties. She was remarkable for her intelligence and dutiful +conduct; and from the age of ten felt deep religious convictions, and +was constant in her daily prayers and Bible reading. + +Her life was brightened by her belief, and she ever kept in view what +she believed to be her mission in life. "What can I do," she writes, +"that the light of the Gospel may shine upon the heathen? They are +perishing for lack of knowledge, while I enjoy the glorious privileges +of a Christian land." + +The means of accomplishing her desire soon came. A young missionary, +named Newell, who was going out to India, asked her to become his +wife. + +Her decision was not taken without earnest prayer; and had her parents +opposed her wishes she would have been prepared to give them up, but, +gaining their consent, she accepted Mr. Newell's offer. She was fully +aware that the difficulties in the way would be very great; for up to +that time no female missionary had gone from America to the mission +field. + +At first her friends tried in every way to dissuade her from leaving +home, and, as they termed it, "throwing herself away on the heathen". + +But her simplicity of belief and earnestness of purpose soon changed +their thoughts on the subject and when, early in the year 1812, Mr. +and Mrs. Newell sailed for Calcutta, many came together to wish them +God-speed on their perilous journey. + +On his arrival in Calcutta Mr. Newell, in accordance with the +regulation of the East India Company at that time, reported himself at +the police office; and to his sorrow found that the Company would not +allow any missionaries to work in their dominions! + +Here was a disappointing beginning for these earnest young people! At +first it seemed quite probable they would not even be allowed to land; +and though permission was after a time obtained, yet in six weeks they +were told they must go elsewhere, as they would not be permitted to +settle. + +A few days later, however, the prospect brightened. "We have obtained +leave," writes Mrs. Newell, "to go to the Isle of France (Mauritius). +We hear that the English Governor there favours missions; that a large +field of usefulness is there opened--18,000 inhabitants ignorant of +Jesus. Is not this the station that Providence has designed for us? A +door is open wide. Shall we not enter and help the glorious work?" + +But it was by her influence alone that she was permitted to engage +in the work her heart longed for. On the journey to Mauritius rapid +consumption set in, and day by day she became weaker. + +Although she felt at first a natural disappointment that she would not +be allowed to labour in the mission field, she was able to look upward +in her hour of trial and to say: "Tell my friends I never regretted +leaving my native land for the cause of Christ. God has called me away +before we have entered on the work of the mission, but the case of +David affords me comfort. I have it in my heart to do what I can for +the heathen, and I hope God will accept me." + +On the 30th November, 1812, at the early age of nineteen, Harriet +Newell passed away. + +Might not many a one justly ask, was not her life a failure? And the +answer, based on the experience and results of what her life and death +accomplished, is No--emphatically No! + +For her example produced a wave of religious life and missionary +enthusiasm in America, the like of which has hardly ever been known. + +The very fact of this whole-hearted girl giving up her life for the +cause of Christ, and the pathos of her untimely end, did more to touch +the hearts of multitudes than perhaps the most apparently successful +accomplishment of her mission would have done. + + + + +A MARTYR OF THE SOUTH SEAS. + + +THE MORNING AND EVENING OF BISHOP PATTESON'S LIFE. + +John Coleridge Patteson was born in April, 1827. He was blessed with +an upright and good father, and a loving and gentle mother; and thus +his early training was calculated to make him the earnest Christian +man he afterwards became. + +Here is an extract from a letter written from school at the age of +nine, which shows that he had faults and failings to overcome just +like all other boys:-- + +"My dear papa, I am very sorry for having told so many falsehoods, +which Uncle Frank has told mama of. I am very sorry for having done so +many bad things--I mean falsehoods--and I heartily beg your pardon; +and Uncle Frank says that he thinks if I stay, in a month's time Mr. +Cornish will be able to trust me again.... He told me that if I ever +told another falsehood he should that instant march me into the school +and ask Mr. Cornish to strip and birch me ... but I will not catch the +birching." + +And he did not. He was so frank, so ready to see his own faults, that +he was always a favourite. Uncle Frank remarked of him at this same +time: "He wins one's heart in a moment". + +Perhaps one ought to call him a Queen's missionary, for her Majesty +saved him from a serious accident in a rather remarkable manner. + +In 1838 when the Queen was driving in her carriage the crowd was so +dense that Patteson, then at school at Eton, became entangled in the +wheel of the carriage and would have been thrown underneath and run +over had it not been for the young Queen's quick perception. Seeing +the danger she gave her hand to the boy, who readily seized it, and +was thus able to get on his feet again and avoid the threatened peril. + +He was a boy who, when he had done wrong, always blamed himself--not +any one else. Thus, when he was twelve, having spent a good deal of +his time one term at Eton enjoying cricket and boating, he found his +tutor was not at all satisfied with his progress. "I am ashamed to +say," he remarked in writing home, "that I can offer not the slightest +excuse: my conduct on this occasion has been very bad. I expect a +severe reproof from you, and pray do not send me any money. But from +this time I am determined I will not lose a moment." + +In 1841 came the first indication of what his future career might be. + +Bishop Selwyn of New Zealand was preaching, and the boy says of the +sermon: "It was beautiful when he talked of his going out to found a +church, and then to die neglected and forgotten". + +How deep had been the influence on his mind of his mother's example +may be gathered from the letter he wrote at the time of her death in +1842, when he was fifteen years old: "It is a very dreadful loss for +us all, but we have been taught by that dear mother who has now been +taken from us that it is not fit to grieve for those who die in the +Lord, 'for they rest from their labours'.... She said once, 'I wonder +I wish to leave you, my dearest John, and the children and this sweet +place, but yet I do wish it'; so lovely was her faith." + +In 1854 Bishop Selwyn returned to England. During the time that had +elapsed since his previous visit, Patteson had been ordained. The +bishop stayed with his father a few days, and during that time the +feelings which the boy of fourteen had experienced were revived in +the man of twenty-seven; and with his father's consent John Coleridge +Patteson entered upon his life work, sailing with Bishop Selwyn for +the South Seas in March, 1855. + +There he laboured with such energy and success that in 1861 he was +consecrated bishop. Many thousands of miles were traversed by him in +the mission ship _The Southern Cross_, visiting the numerous islands +of the Pacific known as Polynesia or Melanesia. + +Of the dangers that abounded he knew ample to try his courage. On +arriving at Erromanga (the scene of Williams' martyrdom) on one +occasion he found that Mr. Gordon, the missionary, and his wife had +recently both been treacherously slain by the natives. At another +island, as he returned to the boat, he saw one of the natives draw a +bow with the apparent intention of shooting him, and then unbend it at +the entreaty of his comrades. "But," remarks the bishop in recording +this, "we must try to effect more frequent landings." + +And thus full of faith he laboured on, telling the people of these +scattered islands, which besprinkle the southern ocean like stars in +the milky way, of the love of Christ. + +He was still ready to condemn himself just as he did in his early +days. From Norfolk Island, in 1870, he wrote to his sister when he was +holding an ordination: "At such times as these, when one is specially +engaged in solemn work, there is much heart searching; and I cannot +tell you how my conscience accuses me of such systematic selfishness +during many long years--I mean I see how I was all along making self +the centre, and neglecting all kinds of duties--social and others--in +consequence". + +He was much grieved by the accounts which reached him of the terrible +war which was being fought between France and Germany in 1870. "What +can I say," he writes, "to my Melanesians about it? Do these nations +believe in the gospel of peace and goodwill? Is the sermon on the +mount a reality or not?" + +Yet he had troubles closer at home than this even. The trading ships +were coming in numbers to the islands, and carrying off the natives +either by guile or by force to Fiji and other places where labourers +were wanted. + +Notwithstanding the anxieties which beset him on this account, the +good bishop continued to work as hard as ever, and very happy he was +about his people. + +On Christmas Eve, 1870, he writes: "Seven new communicants to-morrow +morning. And all things, God be praised, happy and peaceful about us." +He wrote of the large "family" of 145 Melanesian natives he had around +him; at another time he spoke of his sleeping on a table with some +twelve or more fellows about him; and people coming and going all day +long both in and out of school hours! + +In August, 1871, he baptised 248 persons, twenty-five of them adults, +all in a little more than a month, and he rejoiced in the thought that +a blessed change was going on in the hearts of these people. + +He had never experienced such cheering success before, and, though his +friends were endeavouring to persuade him to take rest and change for +his health's sake, he determined to labour on while there was so much +need for his exertion and such blessed results followed. + +The desire to believe on the part of some of his people was very +touching. One of them said to him: "I don't know how to pray properly, +but I and my wife say, 'God make our hearts light--take away the +darkness. We believe that You love us because You sent Jesus to become +a man and die for us; but we can't understand it all. Make us fit to +be baptised.'" + +Some, of course, were not so enlightened as that. After the kidnapping +traders had been harrying the islands, one of the chiefs said that, if +the bishop would only bring a man-of-war and get him vengeance on his +adversaries, he would be exalted like his Father above. + +There was indeed serious cause for the anger of the natives. One of +them related how he had been out to a vessel with his companions, +and a white man had come down into the canoe and presently upset it, +seizing him by the belt. Happily this broke, and he swam under the +side of the canoe and finally got on shore, but the other three were +killed--their heads were cut off and taken on board, and their bodies +thrown to the sharks. The assailants were men-stealers, who killed +ruthlessly that they might present heads to the chiefs. + +Five natives from the same island were also killed or carried off, +and thus when the bishop visited them they were in a state of sullen +wrath. + +On the 20th of September, 1871, Bishop Patteson came to Nukapu. The +island is difficult of approach at low water, and the little ship, +_The Southern Cross_, could not get close in. So the bishop went off +to the shore in a boat and got into one of the canoes, leaving his +four pupils to await his return. They saw him land, and he was then +lost to sight. + +About half an hour later the natives in the canoes, without the least +warning, began shooting their arrows at the poor fellows in the boat, +and ere it could be taken out of bowshot one of them was pierced with +six arrows, and two of the others were also wounded. + +They were full of fears about the bishop, and, notwithstanding the +danger, determined to seek for him. They had no arms except one pistol +which the mate possessed. + +As they made their way towards shore a canoe drifted out, and lying in +it, wrapped in a native mat, was the body of Bishop Patteson. + +A sweet calm smile was on his face, a palm leaf was fastened upon his +breast, and upon the body were five wounds--the exact number of the +natives who had been kidnapped or killed. + +So the good bishop died for the misdeeds of others. The natives but +followed their traditions in exacting blood for blood, and their poor +dark minds could not distinguish between the good and the bad white +men. + +Two of those who were with the bishop in the boat, and had received +arrow wounds, died within a week, after much suffering. + +One of them, Mr. Atkins, writing of the occurrence on the day of the +martyrdom, says:-- + +"It would be selfish to wish him back. He has gone to his rest, dying, +as he lived, in the Master's service. It seems a shocking way to +die; but I can say from experience it is far more to hear of than to +suffer. There is no sign of fear or pain on his face, just the look +that he used to have when asleep, patient and a little wearied. What +his mission will do without him, God only knows who has taken him +away." + +Three days after, in celebrating the Holy Communion, Mr. Atkins +stumbled in his speech, and then he and his companions knew the poison +in his system was working. "Stephen and I," he said, "are going to +follow the bishop. Don't grieve about it ... It is very good because +God would have it so, because He only looks after us, and He +understands about us, and now He wills to take us too and _it is +well_." + + + + +"K.G. AND COSTER." + + +SOME ANECDOTES ABOUT LORD SHAFTESBURY. + +"And where shall we write to?" asked one of the costermongers. + +"Address your letter to me at Grosvenor Square," replied Lord +Shaftesbury, "and it will probably reach me; but, if after my name you +put 'K.G. and Coster,' there will be no doubt that I shall get it!" + +This conversation took place at the conclusion of a meeting which +had been held by the costermongers. They had met to talk about their +grievances, and Lord Shaftesbury had attended the gathering and +promised to help them, telling them to write to him if they required +further assistance. + +The noble Knight of the Garter was not only interested in the +costermongers themselves, but in their animals too. + +At one time the costers had used their donkeys and ponies shamefully, +had overworked and underfed them; but gradually they were made to see +how much better it was to treat their animals well. With a good Sunday +rest and proper treatment, the donkeys would go thirty miles a day +comfortably; without it, they could not do more than half. + +So, as Lord Shaftesbury had been kind to the costers and taken such +interest in their pursuits, they invited him to a special meeting, at +which they presented him with a splendid donkey. + +Over a thousand costers with their friends were there, when the +donkey, profusely decorated with ribbons, was led to the platform. +Lord Shaftesbury vacated the chair and made way for the new arrival; +and then, putting his arm round the animal's neck, returned thanks in +a short speech in which he said:-- + +"When I have passed away from this life I desire to have no more said +of me than that I have done my duty, as the poor donkey has done +his--with patience and unmurmuring resignation". + +The donkey was then led down the steps of the platform, and Lord +Shaftesbury remarked, "I hope the reporters of the press will state +that, the donkey having vacated the chair, the place was taken by Lord +Shaftesbury". + +Let us turn for a moment to the beginning of his life, and see how it +was that Lord Shaftesbury was induced to devote himself so heartily to +the good of the poor and oppressed. + +Maria Mills, his old nurse, had not a little to do with this. She was +one of those simple-minded humble Christians who, all unknowingly, +plant in many minds the good seed which grows up and brings forth much +fruit. + +[Illustration: Lord Shaftesbury inspecting the Costers' Donkeys.] + +She was very fond of the little boy, and would tell him the "sweet +story of old" in so attractive a manner that a deep impression was +made upon his heart. The prayers she taught him in childhood he not +only used in his youth, but even in old age the words were often upon +his lips. + +When he was a schoolboy at Harrow came the turning point in his life. + +He saw four or five drunken men carrying a coffin containing the +remains of a companion; and such was their state of intoxication that +they dropped it, and then broke out into foul language. + +The effect this had upon the youth was so great that he resolved to +devote his life to helping the poor and friendless. + +There was plenty of work for him to do. Children in factories and +mines required to be protected from the cruelties to which they were +subjected; chimney sweeps needed to be guarded from the dangers +to which they were exposed; the hours of labour in factories were +excessive; thieves required to be shown a way of escape from their +wretched life; ragged schools and other institutions needed support. + +These and numerous other matters kept Lord Shaftesbury hard at +work during the entire of his long life, and by his help many wise +alterations were made in the laws of the country. + +"Do what is right and trust to Providence for the rest," was his +motto; and he stuck to it always. + +Lord Shaftesbury brought before Parliament a scheme for assisting +young thieves to emigrate; and the grown-up burglars and vagabonds, +seeing how much in earnest he was, invited him to a meeting. To this +he went without a moment's hesitation. + +The door was guarded by a detachment of thieves, who watched to see +that none but those of their class went in. + +Lord Shaftesbury was in the chair, and the meeting commenced with +prayer. There were present over two hundred burglars and criminals of +the worst kind, besides a great number of other bad characters. + +First of all the chairman gave an address; then some of the thieves +followed, telling quite plainly and simply how they spent their lives. + +When Lord Shaftesbury urged them to give up their old lives of sin one +of them said, "We must steal or we shall die". + +The city missionary, who was present, urged them to pray, as God could +help them. + +"But," said one of the men, "my Lord and gentlemen of the jury (!), +prayer is very good, but it won't fill an empty stomach." + +It was, indeed, a difficult problem how best to aid the poor fellows; +but Lord Shaftesbury solved it. As a result of the conference three +hundred thieves went abroad to Canada to begin life anew, or were put +into the way of earning an honest living. + +One of the subjects which occupied a great deal of Lord Shaftesbury's +attention was the condition of the young in coal mines and factories. + +At that date children began to work in mines at the age of four or +five, and large numbers of girls and boys were labouring in the pits +by the time they were eight. For twelve or fourteen hours a day these +poor little toilers had to sit in the mines, opening and shutting trap +doors as the coal was pushed along in barrows. All alone, with no one +to speak to, sitting in a damp, stifling atmosphere, the poor children +had to stay day after day; and if they went to sleep they got well +beaten. Rats and mice were their only companions, and Sunday was the +only day on which they were gladdened by the daylight. + +It was a shocking state of existence, nor did it grow better as the +children got older. + +Then they had to drag heavy loads along the floors of the mine. When +the passages were narrow the boys and girls had a girdle fastened +round their waists, a chain was fixed to this, and passed between +their legs and hooked to the carriage. Then, crawling on hands and +knees through the filth and mire, they pulled these trucks as cattle +would drag them, whilst their backs were bruised and wounded by +knocking against the low roof. + +Girls and women were made to carry heavy weights of coal. Children +stood ankle deep in water, pumping hour after hour, and their work was +sometimes prolonged for thirty-six hours continuously; so that it +was no wonder the children died early, that they suffered much from +disease, and led cheerless, wretched lives. + +Against such cruelties Lord Shaftesbury was constantly warring; and +his warfare was not in vain. + +Quite as badly off were the little chimney sweeps. Boys were +kidnapped, and sold to cruel masters, who forced them to climb high +chimneys filled with soot and smoke. If they refused, a fire was +perhaps lighted below, and they would thus be forced to ascend. The +consequence was that many terrible accidents happened, resulting in +the deaths of these poor little fellows, whilst numbers died early +from disease. + +Lord Shaftesbury roused the country to a sense of the wrong that was +being done to the chimney sweeps, and Bills were passed in Parliament +for their protection. + +Not only children, but men and women also, needed to be defended from +wrong and overwork. + +Lord Shaftesbury visited the factories to see how the labourers were +actually treated; and this is one of the things that came under his +notice. + +A young woman whilst working in a mill at Stockport was caught by the +machinery and badly injured. When the accident happened she had not +completed her week's work, so eighteenpence was deducted from her +wages! + +Horrified at such treatment Lord Shaftesbury brought an action against +the owners of the factory, and obtained £100 for the woman. + +For shorter hours and better treatment of factory hands the earl +struggled in and out of Parliament; and, though the battle was long +and fierce, it ended in victory. + +Such labour took up much time, and brought many expenses to the good +earl. It brought him, too, plenty of enemies; for most of his life was +devoted to striving to make the rich and selfish do justice to the +poor and downcast. + +He not only gave his time, but his money too; and oftentimes, though +the eldest son of an earl, and later an earl himself, he hardly knew +where to turn for the means to keep his schemes going. + +One day a lady called on him, and, telling a piteous tale of a Polish +refugee, asked him for help. Lord Shaftesbury had to confess he had no +money he could give; then he suddenly remembered he had five pounds in +the library: he fetched the bank note, which formed his nest egg, and +presented it to her. + +One of Lord Shaftesbury's greatest works was the promotion of ragged +schools. + +To these schools, established in the poorest neighbourhoods of the +metropolis, came the street arabs, the poor and abandoned, and +received kindness and teaching, which comforted and civilised them. +The outcasts who slept in doorways, under arches, and in all kinds of +horrible and unhealthy places, were the objects of this good man's +care; and ways were found of benefiting and starting afresh hundreds +of lads who would otherwise have become thieves or vagabonds in the +great city. + +When he was over eighty years old he was still striving for the good +of others. So much was his heart in the work that he remarked on one +occasion: "When I feel age creeping on me, and know I must soon die--I +hope it is not wrong to say it--but I cannot bear to leave the world +with all the misery in it". + +The dawn came for him in October, 1885, when in his eighty-fifth year +this veteran leader was called to his rest. + +For convenience I have spoken of him throughout as Lord Shaftesbury; +but it may be well to mention that till he was fifty years old he was +known as Lord Ashley. Through the death of his father he became Earl +of Shaftesbury in 1851. + + + + +A STATESMAN WHO HAD NO ENEMIES. + + +THE STORY OF W.H. SMITH. + +It is always well to remember that the man who serves his country as +a good citizen, as a soldier, as a statesman, or in any other walk +of life, deserves our admiration as much as the missionary or the +minister of the Gospel--each and all such are servants of the great +King. + +By far the greater portion of our lives is spent at the desk or the +counter, in the office, shop, or field; so that it is of the first +importance we should keep the strictest watch on our actions in our +work as well as in our leisure moments. + +One of the most successful men in commerce and politics of the century +was Mr. W.H. Smith. Strange to say, the desires of his early days were +entirely opposed to business life. At the age of sixteen he greatly +desired to proceed to one of the universities, and prepare for +becoming a clergyman, but his parents being opposed to such a step he +gave up the idea in deference to their wishes. + +It was a great disappointment to him to do this--yet he was able to +write, "It is my duty to acknowledge an overruling and directing +Providence in all the very minutest things, by being in whatever state +I am therewith content. My conclusion is, then, that I am at present +pursuing the path of duty, however imperfectly; wherever it may lead, +or what it may become, I know not." + +Thus did William Henry Smith see the door of the Church closed upon +him with no vain regrets, but in a spirit of submission to his +father's wishes. Writing of these days many years later, when as +a Minister of the Crown he was in attendance upon her Majesty at +Balmoral, he says: "I thought my life was aimless, purposeless, and I +wanted something else to do; but events compelled me to what promised +to be a dull life and a useless one: the result is that few men have +had more interesting work to do". + +In his earlier years W.H. Smith made a list of subjects for daily +prayer, embracing repentance, faith, love, grace to help, gratitude, +power to pray, constant direction in all things, a right understanding +of the Bible, deliverance from besetting sin, constancy in God's +service, relatives and friends, missionaries, pardon for all ignorance +and sin in prayer, etc., etc.; and it was one of the characteristics +of his nature that he felt prayer both in youth and age to be _a +necessity_. + +It was a busy life in which Smith was launched at the commencement of +his career. + +His father had already laid the foundation of the newsagency business +which is now of world-wide fame. Every week-day morning, summer and +winter, throughout the year, sunshine or rain, fog or snow, father +and son left their home for the business house in the Strand, at four +o'clock. Sometimes, indeed, the younger man was at his post as early +as three o'clock in the morning; and from the time he arrived at the +place of business there was constant work to be done. It was difficult +and anxious work too, and the constant strain told upon the young +man's health. + +The collection and distribution of newspapers, which formed then the +chief part of the business of W.H. Smith & Son, was one that needed +the closest attention and the most untiring energy. + +"First on the road" was old Mr. Smith's motto; and he carried it out. + +Smith's carts were in attendance at all the great newspaper offices, +ready to carry off printed sheets to the Strand house for sorting and +packing; and thence they sped swiftly through the streets in the early +morning to catch the first trains for the country. Occasionally _The +Times_, which was the last printed journal, did not arrive at the +station till the final moment. The whistle would have sounded, the +doors would have all been locked, the guard would have given his +warning signal, when in would come at hurricane speed Smith's cart +bearing its load of "Thunderers". Ready hands would seize the papers, +and the last packet would perchance be thrown in as the train was +already steaming out of the station. + +A great deal of the forwarding of newspapers was in those days done by +coaches. To catch these with the later papers, Smith had light carts +with fast horses. If the coaches had started, Smith's carts would +pursue for many miles, till they caught up the coaches at one of their +stopping places. + +At the death of William IV. Smith made gigantic efforts to distribute +the papers early, and he got them into the country many hours before +the ordinary mails would have taken them. He even hired a special ship +to carry over the papers to Ireland, so that they reached Belfast on +the same day. By such means the fame of Smith grew rapidly, and the +business vastly increased. When Mr. W.H. Smith became a partner in +1846, at the age of twenty-one, it was valued at over £80,000. + +But wear and tear and the anxieties of business life had made old Mr. +Smith often quick-tempered, and difficult to please; and the coming of +Mr. "W.H." into the business was hailed with pleasure by the workmen: +he was so full of tact and sympathy; and sometimes, when his father +had raised a storm of ill-feeling by some hasty expressions, he was +able to bring peace and calm by his pleasant and genial manner. + +Yet he was every inch a man of business, and even more clear-headed +and far-seeing than the senior partner, his father. + +It was he who commenced the railway bookstall business. + +Every one knows the familiar look of Smith's bookstalls, with their +energetic clerks, and their armies of pushing newsboys, and perchance +think they were born with the railways and have grown up with them. + +But such is not the case. It was not till about 1850 that Mr. +W.H. Smith secured the entire bookstall rights on the London and +North-Western Railway, much against his father's advice. The vast +improvement in the selection of books and the service of papers, +however, induced other companies to desire to have a similar +arrangement, till the chief portion of all the English railways came +to be girdled by Smith's bookstalls. + +From this date the business advanced with giant strides. Managers and +clerks had to be engaged, the latter in large numbers. Here the genius +of Smith as a judge of character was abundantly shown. He came to a +determination almost at a glance, and seldom erred in his judgment. + +In 1868 he was returned to Parliament, and in 1874 Mr. Disraeli +selected him for a place in his Ministry. A year later he was made +First Lord of the Admiralty. How serviceable he had been in the former +post may be judged by the remark made by Sir Stafford Northcote when +he lost Smith's assistance on his promotion to the higher position: "I +am troubled to know what to do without my right hand. I don't think he +made a slip in the whole three years." + +Writing to his wife when he was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, +Mr. Smith says: "My patent has come to-day, and I have taken my +seat at the Board, who address me as 'Sir' in every sentence. It is +strange, and makes me shy at first; and I have to do what I hardly +like--to send for them, not to go to them; but I am told they expect +me, as their chief, to require respect." + +He often wrote to his wife whilst the debates were going on in the +House of Commons. "Here I am, sitting listening to Arthur Balfour, who +is answering Mr. J. Morley," he writes; "and I have ears for him and +thoughts for my dear ones at home." + +"Remember me in your prayers" is a request he often makes to his wife +and children. In 1886 the Rt. Hon. W. H. Smith became leader of the +House of Commons, and had thus reached one of the highest positions +any Englishman can occupy. "Old Morality" was the nickname by which he +was known; and this term is one of great honour. No man ever gained +higher respect from all parties, and no man was ever more fully +trusted by the people at large. Thus though Mr. Smith never entered +the Church, and perchance missed a bishopric, yet he was a good +citizen of the world and a humble Christian, devoting his best +energies to the service of his Queen and country. + + + + +"GREATER THAN AN ARCHBISHOP." + + +ANECDOTES ABOUT THE REV. CHARLES SIMEON. + +"As to Simeon," wrote Macaulay, "if you knew what his authority and +influence were, and how they extended from Cambridge to the most +remote corners of England, you would allow that his real sway over the +Church was far greater than that of any primate." + +There is little recorded of Simeon's early life to indicate the +character of the future leader of men; for, to "jump over half a +dozen chairs in succession, and snuff a candle with his feet," is an +ordinary schoolboy accomplishment. Yet there is one incident which +shows he could be in earnest in religious matters, even at that date. + +Whilst he was at Eton, in 1776, a national fast-day was appointed on +account of the war with America, which was then in progress. Simeon, +feeling that, if any one had displeased God more than others, it was +certainly he, spent the day in prayer and fasting. So great was +the ridicule, however, which followed, that he gave up his serious +thoughts for the time, though it is related that he kept an alms-box, +into which he put money whenever his conscience accused him of +wrong-doing. + +It was rather a favourite habit of his to punish himself by fines for +bad behaviour. Later on in life, when he found it difficult to rise +early in the morning, he resolved to give the servant half a crown +every time he played the part of the sluggard. One morning he found +himself reasoning in his own mind, whilst enjoying a warm, comfortable +bed, that, after all, half-crowns were very acceptable to the poor +woman who received them. But he made up his mind to put an end, once +and for all, to such suggestions from the tempter; and resolved +accordingly that, if he got up late again, he would throw a guinea +into the Cam. He did it too. The next time he rose late he walked down +to the river, and threw a hard-earned guinea into the water. It was +worth while, nevertheless; for he never had to punish himself again +for the same fault. + +The turning point in his life came soon after his arrival at +Cambridge. + +The provost sent him a message to say that he would be required to +partake of the Holy Communion at mid-term, then about three weeks +distant. + +The thought of so solemn an occasion weighed heavily on his mind. He +at once set about reading devotional manuals, and sorrowed earnestly +for his past sins. So heavy, indeed, lay the burden of sin upon him +that he envied the very dogs, wishing that he could change places with +them. + +For three months this state of feeling continued. But in Passion Week +the thought came to him that God had provided an Offering for him, on +whose head he could lay his sins, just as the Jewish high priest laid +the sins of the people on the head of the scapegoat. He saw dimly at +first that his sins could be, and were intended to be, transferred to +Christ; and he determined to lay them upon the Saviour, and be rid of +them. + +On Wednesday hope dawned in his heart; on Thursday it increased; on +Friday and Saturday it grew and developed; and on Easter Day, 1778, he +awoke with the words on his lips:-- + +"Jesus Christ is risen to-day, Hallelujah!" and, better still, written +once and for ever in his heart. + +In his twentieth year he had experienced that deep conviction known as +conversion. + +Like every true convert, Simeon, having found the way himself, now +endeavoured to help others to realise the same blessed hope. + +His intimate friends were told of the new joy that had come to him: he +instructed the women who worked at the colleges, and when he went home +induced his relatives to commence family prayers. + +Though the light had dawned upon him he was nevertheless full +of faults. He dressed showily, went to races, spent his Sundays +carelessly. + +But gradually these habits were overcome, and he grew in holiness, +becoming watchful of his conduct, praying more fervently, living +nearer to Christ. + +In 1782 Simeon was ordained deacon in Ely Cathedral, and shortly after +became honorary curate to Mr. Atkinson, vicar of St. Edward's Church, +near King's College. He was already a marked man on account of +his earnest life. He visited the parishioners as Mr. Atkinson's +substitute, and was soon received with pleasure by them. + +The church became so full that the people could hardly find room. It +is related that even the clerk's desk was invaded, and that when Mr. +Atkinson returned after a holiday the clerk met him with the following +strange welcome:-- + +"Oh, sir, I am so glad you are come: Now we shall have some room!" + +On the very first Sunday he took duty he showed the metal of which he +was made; for, in going home after service, he heard voices high +in dispute in one of the houses he passed. Straightway he went in, +reproved the couple who were at strife, and knelt down to pray. Peace +was restored, and Simeon's character for earnestness was confirmed. + +Now came an eventful period in this good man's life. The minister of +Trinity Church, Cambridge, having died, Simeon was appointed by the +bishop. + +The parishioners, however, desired to have as minister the curate; +and, as it was impossible to gratify their wish, they made matters as +unpleasant as possible for Simeon. + +The pew doors were nearly all kept locked, so that the space left for +the congregation was much reduced. + +On the first Sunday there was practically no congregation; but later +on people could not resist his influence, and the church began to +fill. To provide places for those who came, Simeon had seats placed in +various parts of the building. The churchwardens, however, threw them +out into the church-yard! + +It was an uncomfortable beginning; but Simeon persevered. He began +a course of Sunday evening lectures, to which the people flocked in +crowds; but the churchwardens locked the church doors and carried off +the keys. + +Besides beings rude and unmannerly, that was distinctly illegal; but +Simeon put up with the affront for the sake of peace. + +When necessary he could be firm. The young men threw stones at the +church windows and broke them. On one occasion Simeon discovered the +offender, and obliged him to read a public confession of his fault. + +The church was crowded. The young man read the paper which Simeon had +prepared for him, but did so in a voice low and partially inaudible. +Then Simeon himself, taking the paper from him, read the apology in +such tones that none could fail to hear. + +The young men were impressed, and the congregation listened to the +sermon that followed with more than usual attention. + +He was of all men the most humble; yet this did not prevent his +speaking honestly and openly when he considered by so doing he could +be of service. Thus a friend once asked him, after having preached a +showy sermon with which he himself was remarkably satisfied, "How did +I speak this evening?" + +"Why, my dear brother," said Simeon, "I am sure you will pardon me; +you know it is all love, my brother--but, indeed, it was just as if +you were knocking on a warming-pan--tin, tin, tin, tin, without any +intermission!" + +Once a party of undergraduates laid an ambush for Simeon, intending to +assault him. He, however, by accident happened to go home that night +another way. + +Not only had he to put up with active but also with much passive +opposition. But he went on in faith and charity, till his enemies +became his friends--his friends, his ardent and reverent admirers. + +We must pass over without further comment a life of humility, love, +and holiness--a life full of good works at home, and ardently +interested in missions abroad. + +In 1831, when Simeon was seventy-two years old, he preached his last +sermon before the university. The place was crowded. The heads +of houses, the doctors, the masters of art, the bachelors, the +undergraduates, the townsmen, all crowded to hear the venerable +preacher. They hung on his words and listened with the deepest +reverence. + +His closing days were singularly bright and happy. Three weeks before +his death a friend, seeing him look more than usually calm and +peaceful, asked him what he was thinking of. + +"I don't think now," he answered brightly; "I enjoy." + +At another time his friends, believing the end was at hand, gathered +round him. + +"You want to see," he remarked, "what is called a dying scene. That I +abhor.... I wish to be alone with my God, the lowest of the low." + +One evening those watching beside him thought he was unconscious, his +eyes having been closed for some hours. But suddenly he remarked:-- + +"If you want to know what I am doing, go and look in the first chapter +of Ephesians from the third to the fourteenth verse; there you will +see what I am enjoying now." + +On Sunday, 13th November, just as the bells of St. Mary's were calling +together the worshippers to service he passed away. He had accepted +an invitation to preach a course of four sermons, and would have +delivered the second of the course on that very afternoon. I am +permitted, by the kindness of the Rev. H.C.G. Moule, from whose +delightful biography the foregoing sketch has been compiled, to +reproduce a page from this address. + +"Who would ever have thought I should behold such a day as this?" +wrote Simeon. "My parish sweetly harmonious, my whole works +stereotyping in twenty-one volumes, and my ministry not altogether +inefficient at the age of seventy-three.... But I love the valley of +humiliation." + +In that last sentence, perhaps, lies the secret of the man's +far-reaching and undying influence. + + + + +A SOLDIER MISSIONARY. + + +THE STORY OF HEDLEY VICARS. + +It was the 22nd March, 1855, just outside Sebastopol. The night was +dark and gusty. Close to the Russian entrenchments was an advanced +post of the British forces, commanded by Captain Hedley Vicars. +Fifteen thousand Russians under cover of the gloom had come out +from Sebastopol and driven our French allies out of their advanced +trenches. Then a portion of this force stealthily advanced, seeking to +take the British by surprise. + +The first to discover the presence of the enemy was Hedley Vicars. +With great judgment he made his men lie down till the Russians were +within twenty paces. Then, springing to his feet, he shouted:-- + +"Now, 97th, on your pins and charge!" + +His force was about 200, that of the enemy nearly 2000! Wounded in the +breast at the first onset, he still led the charge. "Men of the 97th, +follow me!" rang out his voice above the din of battle, and leaping +the parapet of the entrenchment he charged the enemy down the ravine. +"This way, 97th!" was his last command--still at the head of his +men. His sword had already dealt with two of the foe, and was again +uplifted, when a musket shot, fired at close quarters, severed an +artery; and the work on earth of this gallant man was over. + +Hedley Vicars was a true soldier and earnest Christian. The last words +he wrote, penned the night before he died, were: "I spent the evening +with Cay. I read Isaiah, xli.; and he prayed. We walked together +during the day, and exchanged our thoughts about Jesus." + +He spent a busy time in the Crimea, doing plenty of hard work in the +trenches; and when off duty engaged in hospital visiting, tract and +book distributing, attending prayer meetings and mission services, +constant in his Bible reading, and always endeavouring to do good to +others. + +Here is an entry from his diary on the 4th March, 1855: "Sunday. Had +Divine service in camp. We afterwards met together in a tent. All +present. Then sat on a regimental board, after which I went to the +Guards' camp for Cay; and we then went, laden with tracts, books and +prayers, to the remaining hospitals of the Second Division, where we +distributed all we had. Had service in our hospital tent on my return, +and prayed with one of the sick, particularly, who asked me to do +so... I spoke to him of and directed him to 'look to Jesus' the +Saviour. Service in the tent again in the evening. ... Oh, what a +happy day this has been!... I must now conclude, as I must get ready +for the trenches." + +[Illustration: HEDLEY VICARS LEADING THE 97TH.] + +On 12th January he wrote: "I have just returned from a night in the +trenches, having come off the sick list yesterday morning. Last Sunday +I was unable to leave my tent, but I had happy communion with Jesus +in my solitude, and derived much pleasure from the fourteenth and +fifteenth of St. John. How true is the peace of mind that cleaving to +Christ brings to a man! There is nothing like it in this world." + +Such was Hedley Vicars--a bright, loving, faithful Christian. He knew +what it was to be without peace; for having got into debt when he was +first in the army, and knowing the distress it caused his family at +home, his mind was so troubled that he wrote to his mother: "Oh, what +agony I have endured! What sleepless nights I have passed since the +perusal of that letter! The review of my past life, especially the +retrospect of the last two years, has at last quite startled me, and +at the same time disgusted me." And again: "Oh, that I had the last +two years allotted to me to live over again!" + +His mother's letters stirred him to sorrow for past faults and desires +to live a new life. The sudden death of his fellow-officer, Lieut. +Bindon, made him realise the uncertainty of earthly things. + +In November, 1851, whilst at Halifax, Nova Scotia, he was awaiting the +return of a brother-officer to his room, and idly turning over the +leaves of a Bible that was upon the table. He caught sight of the +words, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin". +The message went home. That night he hardly slept. With the morning +came LIGHT AND LIFE. Like Christian in the _Pilgrim's Progress_ he +looked to the cross, and his burden rolled away. + +Feeling keenly his own weakness he bought a large Bible, and placed it +open on the table in his sitting-room, determined that an open Bible +in the future should be his colours. "It was to speak for me," he +said, "before I was strong enough to speak for myself." The usual +result followed. His friends did not like his "new colours". One +accused him of "turning Methodist," and departed; another warned him +not to become a hypocrite, and remarked, "Bad as you were, I never +thought you would come to this, old fellow!" So for a time he was +nearly deserted. + +But he had got that which was better than any ordinary friendships. +Though he often came under the fire of jeers and taunts--more trying +to most men than the rifle bullets of the enemy--he experienced a new +joy which increased and deepened. + +Later on he would spend four or five hours daily in Bible reading, +meditation and prayer, so that whereas he had written a few months +earlier: "Oh! dear mother, I wish I felt more what I write!" he +was now daily becoming more earnest, patient and watchful, and was +gradually putting on the whole armour of God. + +And so, during those three short years that intervened between his +call to grace and his death at the early age of thirty, he did the +work of a lifetime; and of him it can be truly said (as of many +another alluded to in this book) that "he being dead yet speaketh". + + + + +THE LASS THAT LOVED THE SAILORS. + + +THE STORY OF AGNES WESTON. + +"I was obliged to go to church, but I was determined not to listen, +and oftentimes when the preacher gave out the text I have stopped my +ears and shut my eyes that I might neither see nor hear." + +Thus writes Agnes Weston of the days of her girlhood. There was +therefore a time in the life of this devoted woman when there seemed +no prospect of her doing good to any one--to say nothing of the great +work she has accomplished in giving a helping hand to our sailors in +every part of the world. + +However, she got out of this Slough of Despond, and having become +convinced of God's love she told the good story to the sick in +hospitals, to soldiers and sailors without number, and has done more +for the good of Jack Tar afloat and ashore than perhaps any other man +or woman. + +Her public work commenced at the Bath United Hospital, where in 1868 +she visited the patients. These looked forward so eagerly to her +helpful conversation that in course of time it was arranged she should +give a short Gospel address in each of the men's wards once a week. + +One day a man who had met with a terrible accident was brought into +the hospital whilst she was there. His case was hopeless, and Miss +Weston asked that she might be allowed to speak to him. She whispered +to him the text, "God so loved the world"; and, though he gave no sign +of taking it in, yet presently, when she repeated it, big tears rolled +down his face. The word of comfort had reached him. + +Another day she came across a poor fellow with both legs broken; and +after a little earnest talk he said, "I've been a bad fellow, but I'll +trust Him". + +Others she found who had been already influenced by Miss Marsh; and so +her task of teaching was made easier. + +At the Sunday school she showed so great a genius for taming unruly +boys that the curate handed over to her the very worst of the youths, +that she might "lick them into shape". + +Ere long the boys' class developed into a class for working men, which +grew and grew till it reached an average attendance of a hundred. + +After that followed temperance work. This is how Miss Weston came to +sign the pledge. + +She was working hard at meetings for the promotion of the temperance +cause when a desperate drunkard, a chimney sweep by trade, came to her +at one of the meetings and was going to sign the pledge. + +Pausing suddenly he remarked, "If you please, Miss Weston, be you a +teetotaler?" + +"No," she replied; "I only take a glass of wine occasionally, of +course in strict moderation." Laying down the pen he remarked he +thought he'd do the same. So after this Miss Weston became an +out-and-out teetotaler, duly pledged. + +She had some experience of good work in the army before she took to +the navy. The 2nd Somerset Militia assembled every year for drill; +and for their benefit coffee and reading rooms were started and +entertainments arranged, Miss Weston taking an active part in their +promotion. The soldiers' Bible class which she conducted was well +attended; and altogether, as one of the officers remarked, "the men +were not like the same fellows" after they had been brought under her +influence. + +The way Agnes Weston was first introduced to the sailors was singular. +She had written to a soldier on board the troopship _Crocodile_, and +he showed the letter to a sailor friend, who remarked: "That is good: +we poor fellows have no friend. Do you think she would write to me?" + +"I am sure she will," replied the soldier; "I will write and ask her." + +The good news that there was a kind friend willing to write to them +gradually spread; and sailor after sailor wrote to Miss Weston, and +their correspondence grew so large that at length she had to print her +letters. + +Even in the first year she printed 500 copies a month of her letters +("little bluebacks" the sailors called them, on account of the colour +of their cover); but before many years had passed as many as 21,000 a +month were printed and circulated. + +Then the sailor boys wanted a letter all to themselves, saying they +could not fully understand the men's bluebacks. Miss Weston could not +refuse; so she printed them a letter too; and many a reply she had +from the boys, telling her of their trials and difficulties, and the +help her letters had been to them. + +Before Miss Weston had been long at work she thought it would be +useful if she went on board the vessels, and had a chat about +temperance with the men. + +But there was a good deal of difficulty in the way to begin with. A +man would have been allowed readily enough, but a _woman_ to invade +her Majesty's ships,--it was not to be thought of! + +At length Admiral Sir King Hall became interested in the subject. He +determined to hear what Miss Weston had to say to the men, and, if he +was satisfied that her teaching would benefit them, to assist her in +her object. He got together a meeting of dockyard workmen, and asked +her to speak to them. + +So pleased was he with her address that the word went abroad to all +the ships in the harbour: "Don't be afraid to let Miss Weston come on +board and speak to your ship's company. I'll stand security for her." + +She had some grand audiences on the ships, those she addressed +sometimes numbering as many as 500. + +One day when she went out to the _Vanguard_ that vessel was getting up +steam ready to go away, having received sudden orders to put out to +sea. But, when the captain heard Miss Weston was there to keep an +appointment, he put out the accommodation ladder, took her on board, +had the notice piped that she had come to give an address; and soon +a crowd of sailors was swarming round her in the upper deck battery, +standing, sitting, lying, kneeling--all earnestly listening. + +Then the pledge book was brought out and placed on one of the big +guns, and about forty signed. + +On H.M.S. _Topaze_ the grog tub was used as a table for signing the +pledge book, one sailor remarking (to the tub): "Sixty odd nails in +your coffin to-day, old fellow! If they all hold firm I would not give +much for your life." + +At the present day on board every ship in the service there is a +branch of the Royal Navy Temperance Society, and thus our sailors are +being encouraged to become sober as well as gallant men. + +Having seen to Jack's welfare afloat, the next thing was to look after +him on shore; for though the song says:-- + + If love's the best of all that can a man befall; + Then Jack's the king of all--for they all love Jack; + +yet as a matter of fact there are always sharks on the look-out to +cheat and rob Jack whenever he has money in his pocket. + +Miss Weston took counsel with some officers in the service, and +engaged a room for meetings at Devonport. The first Sunday one boy +alone came, and next Sunday not a solitary lad made his appearance; so +Miss Wintz, in whose house she was staying, offered a kitchen as more +homely, and tea and cake as an attraction. Soon the audience reached +a dozen; then all the chairs were filled, and very soon the meetings +became so large that the kitchen would not contain all who came; and +then a bigger building was provided. + +Of course money was needed to enable Miss Weston to develop her scheme +to such an extent. But she just asked in the right way; and before +long, from one source and another, a sum of nearly £6000 was +subscribed, which bought and fitted up a Sailors' Institute and Rest. + +Great was the rejoicing of Jack ashore to have a place where he could +thoroughly enjoy himself without fear of being plundered or getting +drunk. In fact, so great was the enthusiasm that, the night before the +house was to be opened, three sailors presented themselves, and said +they had asked for special leave to be ashore that night, that they +might be the first to sleep in the building. + +It turned out that they were the right sort of jacks; for, when the +attendant went round to see if all was safe for the night, he found +the three seated together, one of them reading aloud the Bible. + +Not only has this home prospered, but similar homes have been founded +in other places. In Portsmouth Miss Weston's Sailors' Rest is one of +the most noted buildings in the town; whilst the principle that Jack, +who fights our battles at sea, and keeps our country prosperous by his +labours aboard ship, needs to be made happy when he is ashore is far +more fully acknowledged than it used to be. + +Miss Weston's homes are as bright almost as the sunshine. Cheap and +good food, tea and coffee both hot and fresh, plenty of light, lots of +periodicals and games; and, for those who wish it, short meetings for +prayer and praise. + +There is a great deal more to tell about Miss Weston, but my space +is short; those, however, who wish to know more will find plenty of +information in the little book called _Our Blue Jackets_. + + + + +A GREAT COMMANDER ON A FAMOUS BATTLEFIELD + + +THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON AT WATERLOO. + +It was on Sunday, 18th June, 1815, that the famous battle of Waterloo +was fought. The British army of 67,600 men and the French army of +72,000 lay on the open field the night before that memorable struggle. +It had been a wet and stormy night; at dawn the rain was falling +heavily, the ground was saturated, and the troops in the rival armies +were thoroughly drenched. About nine o'clock it cleared up, but on +account of the rainfall no movement was made by the French till +towards twelve o'clock. + +On the night of the 17th the Duke of Wellington made every portion of +his army take up the position it was to occupy on the following day. +He slept a few hours at the village of Waterloo and rose early in the +morning to write letters, giving orders what was to be done in case +the battle was lost: although he felt sure of winning. + +Before leaving the village he saw to the preparation of hospitals for +the wounded, and to the arrangements made for the distribution of +the reserves of ammunition. Then mounting his favourite charger, +Copenhagen, he rode to the positions where his men were posted, and +made a careful and thorough inspection. The farm house of Hougoumont, +where some of the most furious fighting of the day took place, +received his special attention. + +Having thus done all that a commander could do to ensure the success +of the day, he rode back to the high ground from which he could +command a full view of the battle, and with a face calm and serene +waited for the French attack. + +It was this serenity which had so great an effect on his troops. They +knew their great commander, and had confidence in him, and this aided +them during that eventful day in holding their positions with that +stubborn courage which destroyed all the hopes of the Emperor +Napoleon. + +At Waterloo for the first time the two greatest commanders of the age +met face to face. Here across the valley they watched each other in +stern anticipation as the church bells called worshippers together for +prayer. + +At about half-past eleven Napoleon's troops advanced to the attack; +and from this time till six or seven o'clock a series of terrific +charges continued to be made by the French, resisted and defeated by +the steady bravery of the British and Germans. + +The duke was often in the thick of the fight, and in so great danger +that his staff advised him for the good of the army to withdraw to a +somewhat safer position. Passing one of the squares of grenadiers a +shell fell among them, and the duke waited to see the result. Several +soldiers were blown to pieces by the bursting of the shell, but +Wellington seemed quite unmoved either by the terrible sight or his +own danger. + +All day long the duke was cool as if he had been riding among his men +in Hyde Park. Wherever he went a murmur of "Silence! stand to your +front!" was heard, and at his presence men grew steady as on parade. + +Again and again commanders told him of the fearful havoc made in the +ranks of their brigades, and asked either for support or to be allowed +to withdraw their men. They generally received this answer, "It is +impossible; you must hold the ground to the last man". + +When asked by some of his staff what they should do if he fell, he +gave the same answer, "My plan is simply to stand my ground here to +the last man". + +The duke seemed to bear a charmed life. Every member of his staff but +one was during the day either killed or wounded, whilst he escaped +unhurt. Wherever the danger seemed greatest there was the duke to be +found inspiriting his men, restraining them, or putting fresh heart +into them. + +"Hard pounding this, gentlemen!" he remarked to a battalion on which +the French shells were falling with destructive fury; "but we will try +who can pound the longest." "Wait a little longer, my lads," was the +duke's reply to the murmur which reached him from some of his troops +who had suffered heavily from the French fire and were anxious to +charge, "and you shall have your wish." + +Once when the fire was concentrated on the spot where he was with +his staff he told them to separate a little, so as to afford a less +conspicuous mark for the enemy. + +At another time, when some German troops hesitated to advance against +the French, the duke put himself at their head. + +When Napoleon's Old Guard was advancing up the hill, the only sight +they could see was the duke and a few mounted officers, till a voice +was heard, "Up, guards, and at them!" And the best men in the whole +French army, the pick of the bravest of the brave, fell back before +the onset of the British guards. + +At about eight o'clock the duke gave the joyful signal for an advance +all along the line. For nearly nine hours the British had been stormed +at with shot and shell, had been charged again and again, and had +stood firm though impatient. Now they received the signal with a +fierce delight, and dashed forward against the enemy with a fury which +nothing could resist. + +The duke was amongst the first to advance, and spoke joyously to the +men as he rode along. The bullets were whistling around him, and one +of his staff ventured to point out to him the terrible danger he +was running. "Never mind," said the duke, "let them fire away: the +battle's won, and my life is of no consequence now." + +About 15,000 men out of Wellington's army were killed or wounded on +the day of this great battle. But Europe was saved. + +The duke, who appeared so calm and unmoved in battle, thus wrote just +afterwards, when the excitement of the conflict was over: "My heart +is broken at the terrible loss I have sustained in my old friends and +companions and my poor soldiers. Believe me, nothing except a battle +lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won." + + + + +A PRINCE OF PREACHERS. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY. + +"I do intend to be more particularly careful of the soul of this child +that Thou hast so mercifully provided for than ever I have been, that +I may do my endeavour to instil into his mind the principles of Thy +true religion and virtue. Lord, give me grace to do it sincerely and +prudently, and bless my attempts with good success!" + +Thus wrote Susanna Wesley of her son John. The child had been nearly +burned to death when he was about six years old in a fire that broke +out at the Rectory of Epworth, where John and Charles Wesley and a +large family were born. + +Mrs. Wesley devoted herself to the training of her children, taught +them to cry softly even when they were a year old, and conquered their +wills even earlier than that. Her one great object was so to prepare +her little ones for the journey of life that they might be God's +children both in this world and the next. To that end she devoted all +her endeavours. + +Is it wonderful that, with her example before their eyes and her +fervent prayers to help them, the Wesleys made a mark upon the world? + +John Wesley--"the brand plucked out of the burning," as he termed +himself--when a boy was remarkable for his piety. At eight his father +admitted him to the Holy Communion. He had thus early learned the +lesson of self-control; for his mother tells us that having smallpox +at this age he bore his disease bravely, "like a man and indeed like +a Christian, without any complaint, though he seemed angry at the +smallpox when they were sore, as we guessed by his looking sourly at +them". + +At the age of ten John Wesley went to Charterhouse School. For a long +time after he got there he had little to live on but dry bread, as the +elder boys had a habit of taking the little boys' meat; but so far +from this hurting him he said, in after life, that he thought it was +good for his health! + +Although he was not at school remarkable for the piety he had shown +earlier, yet he never gave up reading his Bible daily and saying his +prayers morning and evening. + +At the age of twenty-two he began to think of entering the ministry, +and wrote to his parents about it. He also commenced to regulate the +whole tone of his life. "I set apart," he writes, "an hour or two a +day for religious retirement; I communicated every week; I watched +against all sin, whether in word or deed. I began to aim at and pray +for inward holiness." In September, 1725, when he had just passed his +twenty-second year, he was ordained. + +Thirteen years later John Wesley began that series of journeys to all +parts of the kingdom for the purpose of preaching the Gospel, which +continued for over half a century. + +In that time it is said that he travelled 225,000 miles, and preached +more than 40,000 sermons--an average of more than two for every day of +the year. + +As to the numbers who flocked to hear some of his addresses they can +best be realised by those who have attended an international football +match, when 20,000 persons are actually assembled in one field, or +at a review, when a like number of people are together. It seems +impossible to realise that one voice could reach such a multitude; +yet it is a fact that some of John Wesley's open-air congregations +consisted of over 20,000 persons. + +Those were the early days of Methodism, when Whitefield and Wesley +were preaching the Gospel, and giving it a new meaning to the +multitude. + +Here is Wesley's record of one day's work: "May, 1747, Sunday, 10.--I +preached at Astbury at five, and at seven proclaimed at Congleton +Cross Jesus Christ our wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and +redemption. It rained most of the time that I was speaking; but that +did not hinder abundance of people from quietly attending. Between +twelve and one I preached near Macclesfield, and in the evening at +Woodly-green." + +His addresses were so fervent that they acted at times like an +electric shock. Some would drop down as if thunderstruck, others would +cry aloud, whilst others again would have convulsions. + +People did not understand such a state of things. Bishop Butler, +author of the _Analogy of Religion_, was ill pleased at a style of +preaching so different from that to which the people of the day were +accustomed; and told Wesley so. + +But the mission of John Wesley was to rouse the masses. This he +did, though at great peril to his own life; for his preaching often +produced strong opposition. + +Thus in June, 1743, at Wednesbury the mob assembled at the house where +he was staying, and shouted "Bring out the minister; we will have the +minister!" But Wesley was not a bit frightend. He asked that their +captain might be brought in to him, and after a little talk the man +who came in like a lion went out like a lamb. + +Then Wesley went out to the angry crowd, and standing on a chair +asked, "What do you want with me?" + +"We want you to go with us to the justice!" cried some. + +"That I will, with all my heart," he replied. + +Then he spoke a few words to them; and the people shouted: "The +gentleman is an honest gentleman, and we will spill our blood in his +defence". + +But they changed their minds later on; for they met a Walsall crowd on +their way, who attacked Wesley savagely, and those who had been loud +in their promises to protect him--fled! + +Left to the mercy of the rable, he was dragged to Walsall. One man +hit him in the mouth with such force that the blood streamed from the +wound; another struck him on the breast; a third seized him and tried +to pull him down. + +"Are you willing," cried Wesley, "to hear me?" + +"No, no!" they answered; "knock out his brains, down with him, kill +him at once!" + +"What evil," asked Wesley, "have I done? Which of you all have I +wronged by word or deed?" Then he began to pray; and one of the +ringleaders said to him:-- + +"Sir, I will spend my life for you; follow me, and no one shall hurt a +hair of your head." + +Others took his part also--one, fortunately, being a prizefighter. + +Wesley thus describes the finish of this remarkable adventure:-- + +"A little before ten o'clock God brought me safe to Wednesbury, having +lost only one flap of my waistcoat, and a little skin from one of my +hands. From the beginning to the end I found the same presence of mind +as if I had been sitting in my own study. But I took no thought from +one moment to another; only once it came into my mind that, if they +should throw me into the river, it would spoil the papers that were in +my pocket. For myself I did not doubt but I should swim across, having +but a thin coat and a light pair of shoes." + +At Pensford the rabble made a bull savage, and then tried to make it +attack his congregation; at Whitechapel they drove cows among the +listeners and threw stones, one of which hit Wesley between the eyes; +but after he had wiped away the blood he went on with his address, +telling the people that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear". + +At St. Ives in Cornwall there was a great uproar, but Wesley went +amongst the mob and brought the chief mischiefmaker out. Strange to +say, the preacher received but one blow, and then he reasoned the case +out with the agitator, and the man undertook to quiet his companions. + +Thus Wesley went fearlessly from place to place. He visited Ireland +forty-two times, as well as Scotland and Wales. When he was +eighty-four he crossed over to the Channel Islands in stormy weather; +and there "high and low, rich and poor, received the Word gladly". + +He always went on horseback till quite late in life, when his friends +persuaded him to have a chaise. No weather could stop him from keeping +his engagements. In 1743 he set out from Epworth to Grimsby; but was +told at the ferry he could not cross the Trent owing to the storm. + +But he was determined his Grimsby congregation should not be +disappointed; and he so worked on the boatmen's feelings that they +took him over even at the risk of their lives. + +At Bristol, in 1772, he was told that highwaymen were on the road, +and had robbed all the coaches that passed, some just previously. But +Wesley felt no uneasiness, "knowing," as he writes, "that God would +take care of us; and He did so, for before we came to the spot all the +highwaymen were taken, and so we went on unmolested, and came safe to +Bristol". + +This immense labour had no ill effect upon his health. In June, 1786, +when he was entering his eighty-fourth year, he writes: "I am a wonder +to myself. It is now twelve years since I have felt such a sensation +as weariness. I am never tired either with writing, preaching, or +travelling." + +When Wesley was on his death-bed he wrote to Wilberforce cheering him +in his struggle against the slave trade. + +"Unless God has raised you up for this very thing," writes Wesley, +"you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils, but if God +be for you who can be against you?... Go on in the name of God and in +the power of His might till even American slavery, the vilest that +ever saw the sun, shall vanish away before it." + +Wesley died, at the ripe age of eighty-eight, in the year 1791. He had +saved no money, so had none to leave behind; but he was one of those +"poor" persons who "make many rich". + +Amongst his few small gifts and bequests was "£6 to be divided among +the six poor men named by the assistant who shall carry my body to the +grave; for I particularly desire that there be no hearse, no coach, no +escutcheon, no pomp". + + + + +SOME CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM. + + +Shortly after Mwanga, King of Uganda, came to the throne, reports were +made to that weak-minded monarch that Mr. Mackay, the missionary, was +sending messages to Usoga, a neighbouring State, to collect an army +for the purpose of invading Uganda. His mind having thus become +inflamed with suspicion, he was ready to believe anything against the +missionaries, or to invent something if necessary. Thus he complained +that his pages, who received instruction from the missionaries, had +adopted Jesus as their King, and regarded himself as little better +than a brother. + +Not long after, six boys were sent to prison; and, though every effort +was made to obtain their release, it was for a time of no avail. At +length three were given up, and three were ordered to be executed. + +These latter were first tortured, then their arms were cut off; +afterwards they were placed on a scaffold, under which a fire was +made, and burned to death. + +As they were passing through their agony, they were laughed at by the +people, who asked them if Jesus Christ could do anything to help them. + +But the boys were undaunted; and, in spite of all their pain and +suffering, sang hymns of praise till their tongues could utter no +more. This was one of their hymns:-- + + Daily, daily, sing to Jesus, + Sing my soul His praises due, + All He does deserves our praises, + And our deep devotion too. + +Little wonder that Mr. Mackay should write: "Our hearts are +breaking". Yet what a triumph! One of the executioners, struck by +the extraordinary fortitude of the lads, and their evident faith in +another life, came and asked that he might also be taught to pray. +This martyrdom did not daunt the other Christians. Though Mwanga +threatened to burn alive any who frequented the mission premises, or +adopted the Christian faith, they continued to come; and the lads at +the Court kept their teachers constantly informed of everything that +was going on. Indeed, when the king's prime minister began to make +investigation, he found the place so honey-combed by Christianity that +he had to cease his inquisition, for fear of implicating chiefs, and +upsetting society generally. + + + + +A BOY HERO. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN CLINTON. + + Lives of great men all remind us + We should make our lives sublime, + And departing leave behind us + Footprints on the sands of time. + +So sang Longfellow! Yet how difficult is it for most men and women to +make their lives sublime, and how much more difficult for a child of +ten years! Still it is possible. + +John Clinton was born on the 17th January, 1884, at Greek Street, +Soho. His father is a respectable carman, who, a year after little +Johnnie's birth, moved to 4 Church Terrace, Waterloo Road, Lambeth. +When three years old he was sent to the parish schools of St. John's, +Waterloo Road (Miss Towers being the mistress). While a scholar there +he met with a severe accident on the 27th January, 1890. Playing with +other children in the Waterloo Road, a heavy iron gate fell on him +and fractured his skull terribly. He was taken to the St. Thomas's +Hospital, where he remained for thirteen weeks. At first the doctors +said he would not get over it, then that if he got over it he would be +an idiot; but finally their surgical skill and careful nursing were +rewarded, and he came out well in every respect, except for an awful +scar along one side of his head. In due time he moved into the Boys' +School at St. John's, Waterloo Road (Mr. Davey, headmaster). In July, +1893, a tiny child was playing in the middle of Stamford Street when a +hansom cab came dashing along over the smooth wood paving. Little John +Clinton darted out and gave the child a violent push, at the risk of +being run over himself, and got the little one to the side of the road +in safety. A big brother of the child, not understanding what had +happened, gave John Clinton a blow on the nose for interfering with +the child, whose life John Clinton had saved. The blow was the cause +of this act of bravery becoming known, and the big brother afterwards +apologised for his hasty conduct. How many accidents to children are +caused by the lamentable absence of open spaces and playgrounds! 460 +persons are yearly killed in the streets of London and over 2000 +injured there, many of them being children playing in the only place +they have to play in. + +On Sunday, 26th February, 1893, Johnnie was at home minding the baby. +During his temporary absence from the room the baby set itself on +fire. When he came back and saw the flames, instead of wasting time +calling for help, he rolled the baby on the floor, and succeeded in +putting the flames out. The curtain nearest the cot had also taken +fire. Johnnie then, though badly burnt, pulled the curtains, valance, +and all down on to the floor, and beat out the flames with his hands +and feet. The brave little fellow seriously hurt himself, but saved +the baby's life, and prevented the buildings catching fire, crowded as +they are with other families. + +The family then moved to Walworth, 51 Brandon Street, and the boy +attended the schools of St. John's, Walworth (Mr. Ward, headmaster). +On the 18th July, 1894, he came home from school, had his tea, and +about 5:30 p.m. went out with a companion, Campbell Mortimer, to the +foreshore near London Bridge. Here the two boys took off their shoes +and stockings, and commenced paddling in the stream. Little Mortimer, +unfortunately, got out of his depth, and the tide running strongly he +disappeared in the muddy water. Directly the boy came to the surface, +John Clinton sprang at him, seized him, and, though Mortimer was the +heavier lad of the two, succeeded in landing him safely. In pushing +the boy on shore, John Clinton slipped back, and, being exhausted with +his exertions, the tide caught him and he disappeared beneath the +surface, and was carried down stream a few yards under the pier. The +river police dragged for him, and the lightermen did all they could +for some considerable time, but without success. After fifteen +minutes' fruitless search, a lighterman suggested that the boy must be +under the pier. He rowed his boat to the other end of the stage, and +there saw the boy's hand upright in the water. He soon got the body +out, but life was extinct, and the doctor could only pronounce him +to be dead. Thus died John Clinton, a boy of whom London ought to +be proud, giving his life for his friend. He was buried in a common +grave, at Manor Park Cemetery, after a funeral service in St. John's +Church, Walworth. + +[_For the above account I am indebted to the Rev. Arthur W. Jephson, +M.A., Vicar of St. John's, Walworth_.] + + + + +POSTSCRIPT. + + +For those who desire to learn more of the characters mentioned in this +work let me mention a few volumes. In _Heroes of Every-day Life_ Miss +Laura Lane has told briefly the story of Alice Ayres and other humble +heroes and heroines whose deeds should not be forgotten. Further +particulars of the careers of Sir Colin Campbell, John Cassell, +General Gordon, Sir Henry Havelock, Joseph Livesey, David Livingstone, +Robert Moffat, George Moore, Florence Nightingale, Lord Shaftesbury, +Agnes Weston, and other men and women whose example has benefited the +country, will be found in an attractive series of books issued under +the title of _The World's Workers_. Mr. Archibald Forbes' _Life of Sir +Henry Havelock_ is one of the most fascinating works of its kind; the +Rev. H.C.G. Moule's _Life of the Rev. Charles Simeon_ is delightfully +written and full of interest, and the Rev. J.H. Overton's _Life of +Wesley_ gives an admirable picture in brief of the great revival +preacher. Further particulars of the great and good Father Dainien can +be gathered from Mr. Edward Clifford's work; of Elizabeth Gilbert, +from the Life by Frances Martin; and of George Müller, from the +shilling autobiography he has written, which is worthy of the deepest +attention. John Howard's life has been well told by Mr. Hepworth +Dixon, Lord Shaftesbury's by Mr. Edwin Hodder, and Mr. Glaisher's +career is set forth at large in _Travels in the Air_. Perhaps the +largest and best collection of narratives of noble lives is contained +in Mr. Edwin Hodder's _Heroes of Britain in Peace and War_, now issued +in two cheap volumes; from this many facts have been gathered. In _The +Memorials of Captain Hedley Vicars_ will be found a thoughtful +picture of that devoted life; whilst in _The Life and Work of James +Hannington_, by E.C. Dawson, a graphic narrative is given of the +martyr bishop of Central Africa. _Ismailia_ affords a vivid picture of +Sir Samuel Baker's life in the Soudan, and few books will give greater +pleasure to the reader than General Butler's _Life of General Gordon_. +A Life of Mr. W.H. Smith, by Sir H. Maxwell, has been recently +published in popular form. _The Lives of Robert and Mary Moffat_, by +J.S. Moffat, will afford much enjoyment, as will Miss Yonge's _Life of +Bishop Patteson_. + + +[Illustration: THE END] + + + + +Selections from Cassell & Company's Publications. + + * * * * * + +Illustrated, Fine-Art, and other Volumes. + +Abbeys and Churches of England and Wales, The: Descriptive, +Historical, Pictorial. Series II. 21s. + +A Blot of Ink. Translated by Q and PAUL FRANCKE. 5s. + +A Book of Absurdities. With 12 Full-Page Funny Pictures. 2s. 6d. + +Adventure, The World of, Fully Illustrated. In Three Vols. 9s. each. + +Africa and its Explorers, The Story of. By DR. ROBERT BROWN, F.L.S. +Illustrated. Vols. I., II. and III., 7s. 6d. each. + +Agrarian Tenures. By the Rt. Hon. G. SHAW-LEFEVRE, M.P. 10s. 6d. + +Allon, Henry, D.D., Pastor and Teacher. By the Rev. W. HARDY HARWOOD. +6s. + +Arabian Nights Entertainments, Cassell's Pictorial. 10s. 6d. + +Architectural Drawing. By R. PHENÉ SPIERS. Illustrated. 10s.6d. + +Art, The Magazine of. Yearly Vol. With 14 Photogravures or Etchings, a +Series of Full page Plates, and about 400 Illustrations. 21s. + +Artistic Anatomy. By Prof. M. DUVAL. _Cheap Edition_. 3s.6d. + +Astronomy, The Dawn of. A Study of the Temple Worship and Mythology of +the Ancient Egyptians. By Prof. J. NORMAN LOCKYER, C.B., F.R.S., &c. +Illustrated. 21s. + +Atlas, The Universal. A New and Complete General Atlas of the World, +with 119 Pages of Maps, in Colours, and a Complete Index to about +125,00 Names. Cloth, gilt edges, 36s.; or half-morocco, gilt edges, +42s. + +Awkward Squads, The; and Other Ulster Stories. By SHAN F. BULLOCK. 6s. + +Bashkirtseff, Marie, The Journal of. _Cheap Edition_. 7s. 6d. + +Bashkirtseff, Marie, The Letters of. 7s. 6d. + +Beetles, Butterflies, Moths, and Other Insects. By A.W. KAPPEL, +F.E.S., and W. EGMONT KIRBY. With 12 Coloured Plates. 3s. 6d. + +"Belle Sauvage" Library, The. Cloth, 2s. each. + + The Fortunes of Nigel. + Guy Mannering. + Shirley. + Coningsby. + Mary Barton. + The Antiquary. + Nicholas Nickleby.* + Jane Eyre. + Wuthering Heights. + Dombey and Son.* + The Prairie. + Night and Morning. + Kenilworth. + Ingoldsby Legends. + Tower of London. + The Pioneers. + Charles O'Malley. + Barnaby Rudge. + Cakes and Ale. + The King's Own. + People I have Met. + The Pathfinder. + Evelina. + Scott's Poems. + Last of the Barons. + Adventures of Mr.Ivanhoe. [Ledbury. + Oliver Twist. + Selections from Hood's Works. + Longfellow's Prose Works. + Sense and Sensibility. + Lytton's Plays. + Tales, Poems, and Sketches. 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With Several Hundred Original Illustrations. Complete +in Two Vols., cloth, 15s. Half morocco, _price on application_. + +British Battles on Land and Sea. By JAMES GRANT. With about 600 + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Beneath the Banner, by F. J. Cross + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10024 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..45aa114 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10024 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10024) diff --git a/old/10024-8.txt b/old/10024-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6305eaf --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10024-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6441 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Beneath the Banner, by F. J. Cross + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Beneath the Banner + +Author: F. J. Cross + +Release Date: November 9, 2003 [EBook #10024] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENEATH THE BANNER *** + + + + +Produced by Imran Ghory, Stan Goodman, Josephine Paolucci +and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +BENEATH THE BANNER + +BEING NARRATIVES OF NOBLE LIVES AND BRAVE DEEDS + +BY + +F.J. CROSS + + + + +_ILLUSTRATED_ + + + "I have done my best for the honour of our country."--GORDON + +SECOND EDITION + +1895 + + +_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_. + +GOOD MORNING! GOOD NIGHT! + +TRUE STORIES PURE AND BRIGHT. + +In this work will be found a Series of upwards of sixty Chats with +Children, suitable for morning and evening reading. The book abounds +with anecdotes, and contains numerous illustrations. + +_Ready about May, 1895_. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +_Only a Nurse Girl_,--ALICE AYRES + +_A Slave Trade Warrior_,--SIR SAMUEL BAKER + +_Two Working Men Heroes_,--CASE AND CHEW + +_The Commander of the Thin Red Line_,--SIR COLIN CAMPBELL + +_A Sailor Bold and True_,--LORD COCHRANE + +_A Rough Diamond that was Polished_,--JOHN CASSELL + +"_A Brave, Fearless Sort of Lass_,"--GRACE DARLING + +_A Friend of Lepers_,--FATHER DAMIEN + +_A Great Arctic Explorer_,--SIR JOHN FRANKLIN + +_A Saviour of Six_,--FIREMAN FORD + +_A Blind Helper of the Blind_,--ELIZABETH GILBERT + +_A Great Traveller in the Air_,--JAMES GLAISHER + +_The Soldier with the Magic Wand_,--GENERAL GORDON + +"_Valiant and True_,"--SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE + +_One who Left All_,--BISHOP HANNINGTON + +_A Man who Conquered Disappointments_,--SIR HENRY HAVELOCK + +_A Friend of Prisoners_,--JOHN HOWARD + +_A Hero of the Victoria Cross_,--KAVANAGH + +_The Man who Braved the Flood_,--CAPTAIN LENDY + +_A Temperance Leader_,--JOSEPH LIVESEY + +_A Great Missionary Explorer_,--DAVID LIVINGSTONE + +_From Farm Lad to Merchant Prince_,--GEORGE MOORE + +_A Man who Asked and Received_,--GEORGE MÜLLER + +_A Labourer in the Vineyard_,--ROBERT MOFFAT + +"_The Lady with the Lamp_,"--FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE + +_For England, Home, and Duty_,--THE DEATH OF NELSON + +_A Woman who Succeeded by Failure_,--HARRIET NEWELL + +_A Martyr of the South Seas_,--BISHOP PATTESON + +"_K.G. and Coster_,"--LORD SHAFTESBURY + +_A Statesman who had no Enemies_,--W.H. SMITH + +_Greater than an Archbishop_,--THE REV.C. SIMEON + +_A Soldier Missionary_,--HEDLEY VICARS + +_A Lass that Loved the Sailors_,--AGNES WESTON + +_A Great Commander on a Famous Battlefield_ THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON + +_A Prince of Preachers_,--JOHN WESLEY + +_Some Children of the Kingdom_ + +_The Victor, the Story of an Unknown Man_ + +_A Boy Hero_,--JOHN CLINTON + +_Postscript_ + + + + +BENEATH THE BANNER. + + +_STORIES OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN STEADY WHEN "UNDER FIRE_". + + + + +ONLY A NURSE GIRL! + + +THE STORY OF ALICE AYRES. + +On the night of Thursday, 25th April, 1886, the cry rang through Union +Street, Borough, that the shop of Chandler, the oilman, was in flames. + +So rapid was the progress of the fire that, by the time the escapes +reached the house, tongues of flame were shooting out from the +windows, and it was impossible to place the ladders in position. The +gunpowder had exploded with great violence, and casks of oil were +burning with an indescribable fury. + +As the people rushed together to the exciting scene they were +horrified to find at one of the upper windows a girl, clad only in her +night-dress, bearing in her arms a child, and crying for help. + +It was Alice Ayres, who, finding there was no way of escape by the +staircase, was seeking for some means of preserving the lives of the +children in her charge. The frantic crowd gathered below shouted for +her to save herself; but that was not her first aim. Darting back into +the blinding smoke, she fetched a feather-bed and forced it through +the window. This the crowd held whilst she carefully threw down to +them one of the children, which alighted safe on the bed. + +Again the people in the street called on her to save her own life; but +her only answer was to go back into the fierce flames and stifling +smoke, and bring out another child, which was safely transferred to +the crowd below. + +Once again they frantically entreated her to jump down herself; and +once again she staggered back blinded and choking into the fiery +furnace; and for the third time emerged, bearing the last of her +charges, whose life also was saved. + +Then, at length, she was free to think of herself. But, alas! her head +was dizzy and confused, and she was no longer able to act as surely as +she had hitherto done. She jumped--but, to the horror of that anxious +admiring throng below, her body struck against the projecting +shop-sign, and rebounded, falling with terrific force on to the hard +pavement below. + +Her spine was so badly injured that although everything possible was +done for her at Guy's Hospital, whither she was removed, she died on +the following Sunday. + +Beautiful windows have been erected at Red Cross Hall, Southwark, to +commemorate her heroism; but the best memorial is her own expression: +"I tried to do my best"--for this will live in the hearts of all who +read of her self-devotion. She had tried to do her best _always_. Her +loving tenderness to the children committed to her care and her pure +gentle life were remarked by those around her before there was any +thought of her dying a heroic death. So, when the great trial came, +she was prepared; and what seems to us Divine unselfishness appeared +to her but simple duty. + + + + +A SLAVE TRADE WARRIOR. + + +SOME STORIES OF SIR SAMUEL BAKER. + +Sir Samuel Baker, who died at the end of the year 1893, aged +seventy-three, will always be remembered for the splendid work he +did in the Soudan during the four years he ruled there, and for his +explorations in Africa. + +In earlier life he had done good service in Ceylon, had been in the +Crimea during the Russian war, and had superintended the construction +of the first Turkish railway. + +Then, at the age of forty, he turned his attention to African travel. +Accompanied by his wife, he left Cairo in 1861; and, after exploring +the Blue Nile, arrived in 1862 at Khartoum, situated at the junction +of the White and Blue Nile. Later on he turned southward. In spite of +the opposition of slave owners, and without guide or interpreter, he +reached the Albert Nyanza; and when, after many perils, he got safely +back to Northern Egypt, his fame as an explorer was fully established. +His was the first expedition which had been successful in penetrating +into Central Africa from the north. On his return to England he was +welcomed with enthusiasm, and received many honours. + +In the year 1869, at the request of the Khedive of Egypt, Sir Samuel +undertook a journey to the Soudan to put down the slave trade. + +He was given supreme power for a period of four years. In December, +with a small army of about 1500 men, he left Cairo for Gondokoro, +about 3000 miles up the Nile, accompanied by his wife. It was a +terrible journey. His men fell ill, the water in the river was low +in many places, and the passage blocked up. At times he had to cut +channels for his ships; the men lost heart; and, had the leader not +been firm and steadfast, he would never have reached his destination. + +On one occasion he found his thirty vessels stranded, the river having +almost dried up. Nothing daunted, he cut his way through a marsh, +making a progress of only twelve miles in about a fortnight. At the +end of this time he found it was impossible to proceed further along +that course, and had to return to the place he had left and begin +again. + +Still, in spite of all obstacles, he made steady progress. + +At Sobat, situated on the Nile above Khartoum, he established a +station, and had a watch kept on passing ships to see that no slaves +were conveyed down the river. + +One day a vessel came in sight, and keeping in the middle of the river +would have passed by without stopping. But Sir Samuel, having his +suspicions aroused, sent to inspect it. + +The captain declared stoutly he had no slaves aboard. He stated that +his cargo consisted simply of corn and ivory. The inspector was not +convinced, and determined to test the truth of this statement. Taking +a ramrod, he drove it into the corn. This produced an answering scream +from below, and a moment later a woolly head and black body were +disclosed. Further search was made, and a hundred and fifty slaves +were discovered packed as close as herrings in a barrel. Some were +in irons, one was sewn up in a sail cloth, and all had been cruelly +treated. + +Soon the irons were knocked off and the poor slaves set free, to their +great wonder and delight. + +Sir Samuel arrived at Gondokoro on the 15th of April, 1871. Already +two years of his time had expired. In addition to checking the slave +trade, he had been commissioned to introduce a system of regular +commerce. He set to work at once to show the people the benefits of +agricultural pursuits. He got his followers to plant seeds, and soon +they were happy enough watching for the green shoots to appear. + +But before long they began to suffer from want of food. The tribes +round about had been set against them by the slave hunters, and would +supply them with nothing; so that Baker, in the midst of plenty, +seemed likely to perish of starvation. However, he soon adopted +energetic measures to prevent that. Having taken official possession +of the land in the name of the Khedive he seized a sufficient number +of animals for his requirements. + +The head man of the tribe and his followers were soon buzzing about +his ears like a swarm of wasps; but seeing he was not to be frightened +by their threats they showed themselves ready enough in the future to +supply him with cattle in return for payment. + +His own soldiers were nearly as troublesome as the natives. They +were lazy and mutinous; the sentries went to sleep, the scouts were +unreliable, they were full of complaints; whilst round about him were +the natives, ready to steal, maim, and murder whenever they could get +an opportunity. + +His life was daily in danger; and, so as not to be taken unawares, he +organised a band of forty followers for his personal service. On these +men he could always rely. They were proud of the confidence placed +in them, and were ready to go anywhere and do anything. By a strange +perversity they were nicknamed "the forty thieves," though they were +amongst the very few who were honest. + +What with sickness and fighting and losses encountered on the way up +the river, Baker's force was now reduced to about five hundred men, in +place of the twelve hundred whom he had once reviewed at Gondokoro. +Still, he did not despair of accomplishing, with God's help, the +mission on which he had been sent. + +In January, 1872, with his wife and only two hundred and twelve +officers and men, he started south on a journey of three or four +hundred miles into the region where the slave trade was carried on +with the greatest activity. + +He had arranged with one of the chiefs to supply him with two thousand +porters to carry the goods of the expedition; but when the time came +not a single man was forthcoming. So his soldiers had to be their +own carriers for a time. At a later date he was enabled to hire five +hundred men to assist him to transport his goods, and presented each +with a cow as a reward for his services. All took the cows readily +enough, but sixty-seven of the carriers did not appear at the time +appointed. The others were extremely desirous of going to look after +them; but Baker, knowing their ways full well, thought it better to +lose the services of the sixty-seven men rather than to allow this; +for he felt sure if they once returned to search for their companions +there would be no chance of seeing a single one of them again. + +After many perils he reached the territory of Kabbu Rega on the +Victoria Nile. The king was apparently friendly at first. But on +several occasions the war drums sounded, and although no violence was +actually offered yet Sir Samuel thought it well to be on his guard. + +He therefore set his men to work to build a strong fort. They cut +thick logs of wood, and planted them firmly in the ground, prepared +fireproof rooms for the ammunition, and were in the course of a few +days ready in case of emergency. + +These preparations had been made none too soon. + +[Illustration: Burning the king's Divan and Huts.] + +A few days later a very strange thing happened. The king sent Sir +Samuel a present of some jars of cider. This he gave to his troops. A +little while afterwards one of his officers rushed in to say the men +had been poisoned. + +It was really so. The men who had drunk of the cider were lying about +in terrible pain, and apparently dying. At once Sir Samuel gave them +mustard and water and other emetics, and they were soon better. But he +knew that trouble was at hand. + +Next morning he was standing at the entrance to the fort with one of +his men when a chorus of yells burst upon his ear. He told his bugler +to sound the alarm, and was walking towards the house to get a rifle +when the man beside him fell shot through the heart. + +The fort was surrounded by thousands of natives, who kept up +a continuous fire, and the bushes near at hand were full of +sharp-shooters. But the fort was strong, and its defenders fought +bravely; the woods were gradually cleared of sharp-shooters, and the +natives, ere long, broke and fled. + +Then Sir Samuel sent a detachment out of the fort, and set fire to the +king's divan and to the surrounding huts to teach the people a lesson +for their treachery. + +But the place was full of foes. A poisoned spear was thrown at +Sir Samuel, and every day he remained his force was in danger of +destruction, so he determined to go on to King Riongo, whom he hoped +would be more friendly. + +It is wonderful that the party ever got there. First of all it was +found that they would probably be a week without provisions; but, +happily, Lady Baker had put by some supplies, and great was the +rejoicing when her forethought became known. + +Then it was discovered that the country through which they had to pass +was full of concealed foes. From the long grass and bushes spears were +constantly hurled at them, and not a few of the men were mortally +wounded. Sir Samuel saw several lances pass close to his wife's head, +and he narrowly escaped being hit on various occasions. + +But, at last, Riongo's territory was reached. The king was friendly, +and for a time they were in comparative safety. + +By April, 1873, Baker had returned to Gondokoro, and his mission +ended. It was, to a great extent, the story of a failure, so far as +its main purpose was concerned, owing to the opposition of the men who +were making a profit by dealing in slaves; and who, whilst appearing +to be friendly, stirred up the natives to attack him. But, failure +though it was, he had done all that man could do; and the expedition +stands out as one of the most glorious efforts which have been made +against overwhelming odds to put an end to the slave trade. + + + + +TWO WORKING MEN HEROES. + + +THE STORY OF CASE AND CHEW. + +The large gasholders, which are often a source of wonder to youthful +minds as they rise and fall, are the places in which gas is stored for +the use of our cities. + +By day, when they are generally receiving more gas than they are +giving out, they rise; and again at night, when less is being pumped +into them than is going out for consumption in the streets and houses, +they fall. The gasholder is placed in a tank of water, so that there +is no waste of gas as the huge iron holder fills or empties. + +Now it was in one of these gasholders that a few years ago two men did +a deed that will live. Here is the brief story. + +The holder was being repaired, the gas had been removed, and air had +been pumped into it instead of gas so that men could work inside, and +the holder had risen about fifty feet. Two men were working inside the +holder, one a foreman, and the other a labourer named Case, the latter +in a diver's helmet. They were standing on a plank floating on the +water. Fresh air was being pumped down to Case, who, so long as he +kept on the helmet, was perfectly safe. + +All at once the foreman found he was beginning to feel faint, so he +told the labourer they would go up to the top for fresh air. But he +had not the strength to carry out his purpose. The raft was pulled to +the ladder by which they were to get out; but he was unable to ascend, +and fell down in a fainting condition. + +Then the labourer, regardless of the danger he was running, unscrewed +his helmet, into which fresh air was being pumped, and, placing it +quite near his fallen comrade, enabled him to get some of the air. The +foreman tried in vain to get Case to put on the helmet; and his own +strength was too slight to force him to do so. Indeed, he was in such +a state of weakness that he fell on the raft, and knew no more till he +once again found himself in a place of safety. + +Now let us see how the foreman's rescue was effected, and at what +cost. The men at the top of the holder had by this time become aware +that something was wrong below; and two men, Chew and Smith by name, +at once volunteered to go down below. They reached the plank, got a +rope round the foreman's body, when they too began to feel the effects +of the gas, and ascended the ladder, whilst the foreman was being +hoisted up by means of the rope. Smith reached the top in a fainting +condition. Chew never arrived there at all; for just as he got within +a few feet of safety he became insensible, and fell down into the +water below and was drowned. Meantime, Case had become jammed in +between the plank and one of the stays; and so, when at length they +removed him, life had passed away. + +Such deeds are so often done by our working men that they think +nothing about it. They do not know that they are heroes--that's the +best of it! It is a fact to be thankful for that everywhere throughout +the land, beneath the rough jackets of our artisans and labourers, +beat hearts as true and fearless as those which have stormed the fort +or braved the dangers of the battlefield. + + + + +THE COMMANDER OF THE "THIN RED LINE". + + +THE STORY OF SIR COLIN CAMPBELL. + +It was the 21st Of October, 1808. Colin Campbell, not yet sixteen, +had joined the army as ensign; and the battle of Vimiera was about to +begin. + +It was his "baptism of fire". Colin was in the rear company. His +captain came for him, and taking the lad's hand walked with him up and +down in front of the leading company for several minutes, whilst the +enemy's guns were commencing to fire. Then he told the youngster to go +back to his place. + +"It was the greatest kindness that could have been shown to me at such +a time; and through life I have felt grateful for it," wrote Colin +Campbell in later life of this incident. + +Soon after, the regiment to which he belonged formed part of the army +that retreated to Corunna, when our troops suffered such terrible +hardships. Colin Campbell had a rough time of it then. The soles of +his boots were worn to pieces, and so long a time did he wear them +without a change that the uppers stuck firmly to his legs; and, though +the boots were soaked in hot water, the skin came away when they were +taken off. + +After the battle of Corunna,--when the British brought to bay, turned +and defeated their foes,--it was Colin's regiment that had the honour +of digging the grave in which their heroic commander Sir John Moore +was buried. + +Battle after battle followed ere the French troops were driven out of +Spain, and Colin Campbell, young as he was, fought like a veteran. + +At Barossa his bravery brought him into special notice, and at the San +Sebastian he led a storming party, and was twice wounded in doing so. + +First of all he was shot through the right thigh; but though a storm +of bullets was flying about, and men falling thick around him, he was +up again, and pressed onward only to be again shot down. + +For his gallant conduct on this occasion he was specially mentioned in +the despatch that the general commanding the forces sent to the Duke +of Wellington. + +A few weeks later the troops moved on, and fought at the battle of +Bidassoa, Colin Campbell being left in the hospital to recover from +his wounds. + +But so little was it to his liking to stay in the rear that he escaped +from the hospital, and managed not only to fight at Bidassoa, but to +get wounded again! + +He was, of course, reproved by his colonel; but who could be seriously +angry with a youngster for such conduct? So when he was sent back to +England to get healed of his wounds, he was made a captain at the +early age of twenty-one. + +Among the first things that Colin Campbell did when he received his +captain's pay was to make his father an allowance of £30 or £40 a +year; and later on it was an immense satisfaction for him to be able +to provide both for his father and sister. + +In the Chinese war of 1842 he was in command of the 98th Regiment. The +tremendous heat of the country during the summer terribly thinned the +ranks of his forces, and he lost over 400 men in eighteen months. He +himself was struck down by sunstroke and fever; but, owing probably to +his temperate and careful habits, he soon recovered. + +After the Chinese war, Colin Campbell was busy in India, and at +Chillianwallah was wounded in the arm. It was in this battle he +narrowly escaped with his life. The day after the fight, when he was +being assisted to take off his uniform, he found that a small pistol +which had been put in his pocket without his knowledge was broken, +his watch smashed, and his side bruised. A bullet had struck him, +unperceived in the heat of the battle, and his life saved by its force +having been arrested by the handle of the pistol. + +In 1849 Colin Campbell was made a K.C.B. (Knight Commander of the +Bath); so we must henceforth speak of him as "Sir" Colin. + +March, 1853, saw Sir Colin Campbell in England; but though he had +passed his sixtieth year, most of which had been spent in his +country's service, his rest was not of long duration, as in 1854 he +went out to the Crimea in command of the Highland brigade, consisting +of the 42nd, 79th, and 93rd regiments. Sir Colin was proud of the +splendid troops he commanded, and at the battle of the Alma they +covered themselves with glory. + +The 42nd (the Black Watch) were the first of the three regiments +across the river Alma. Whilst ascending the height on the Russian side +of the river, Sir Colin's horse was twice wounded, the second shot +killing it; but he was soon mounted on another horse, leading his men +to victory. + +The Guards and Highlanders strove in friendly emulation who should be +first in the Russian redoubt; but Sir Colin, well ahead of his own men +was first in the battery shouting:-- + +"We'll hae nane but Highland bonnets here!" and his troops rushed in +after him like lions. + +The terrific charge of these fierce Highlanders, combined with their +dress, struck terror into the hearts of the Russians; who said that +they thought they had come to fight men, but did not bargain for +demons in petticoats! + +"Now, men," Sir Colin had said before the engagement, "you are going +into battle. Remember this: Whoever is wounded--I don't care what his +rank is--must lie where he falls till the bandsmen come to attend to +him.... Be steady. Keep silent. Fire low. Now, men, the army will +watch us. Make me proud of the Highland brigade!" + +At the conclusion of that well-fought day the commander-in-chief, Lord +Raglan, sent for Sir Colin. His eyes were full, his lips quivered, and +he was unable to speak; but he gave Campbell a hearty handshake and a +look which spoke volumes. + +That was a joyful day for Sir Colin. + +"My men behaved nobly," he writes. "I never saw troops march to +battle with greater _sang froid_ and order than these three Highland +regiments." + +The Alma had been fought on 20th September, 1854, and on the 25th +October was fought the battle of Balaclava, memorable for the "Thin +Red Line". It looked, at one time, as if the heavy masses of Russian +cavalry must entirely crush Sir Colin's Highlanders; and their +commander, riding down the line of his troops, said: "Remember, there +is no retreat from here, men; you must die where you stand". + +"Ay, ay, Sir Colin, we'll do that," came the ready response. Now, it +was usual, in preparing to receive a cavalry charge, for soldiers to +be formed in a hollow square; but on this occasion Sir Colin ranged +his men, two deep, in a _thin red line_, which has become memorable in +the annals of the British army. The Russian cavalry were advancing, +but, instead of the masses which were expected to make the attack, +only about 400 came on. + +Sir Colin's men, fierce and eager for the onset, would have dashed +from behind the hillock where they were stationed, but for the stern +voice commanding them to stand firm in their ranks. + +The Russians hardly waited for their fire. Startled by the red-coated +Britishers rising up at the word of their leader, they broke and fled; +and the men of the 93rd, who, but a little before, had made up their +minds to die where they stood, saw as in a dream their enemies +scattered and broken; and the cloud of horsemen which had threatened +to engulf and annihilate them, make no effort to snatch the victory +which seemed within their grasp. + +Before the Crimean war was over, Sir Colin resigned his command, and +returned to England, as a protest against an affront he had received. + +Honoured by the Queen with a command to attend her at Windsor, he was +asked by her Majesty to return to the Crimea; and the veteran assented +at once, declaring he would serve under a corporal if she wished it. + +The Russian war was soon concluded; and Sir Colin thought that at +length he had finished soldiering. But it was not to be. In the summer +of 1857 the Indian Mutiny broke out, and on 11th July he was asked how +soon he could start for India. The old soldier of sixty-five replied +that he could go the same evening; and on the very next day, Sunday, +he was on his way to take command of the British army in India. + +As the Mutiny is alluded to briefly in the story of Havelock, I will +only state that Sir Colin's vigorous, cautious, skilful policy ere +long brought this fearful rebellion to a close. + +For his able conduct of the war he was warmly thanked by the Queen; +and at its conclusion was raised to the peerage, under the title +of Lord Clyde. Colin Campbell was an admirable soldier, firm in +discipline, setting a good example, ever thoughtful for the comfort +and well-being of his men, sharing in all the hardships and perils +they passed through. It is, therefore, not surprising that his men +loved him. + +Not that he was by any means a perfect man. He had a temper--a very +hasty and passionate temper too, and one that troubled him a good +deal; but he was on the watch for that to see it did not get the +better of him. + +Here is an entry from his diary of 5th March, 1846, showing something +of the character of the man. "Anniversary of Barossa. An old story +thirty years ago. Thank God for all His goodness to me'! Although I +have suffered much from ill health, and in many ways, I am still as +active as any man in the regiment, and quite as able as the youngest +to go through fatigue." + +Let us just glance at the way this victor in a hundred fights regarded +the approach of death. + +He prepared for his end with a humility as worthy of example as his +deeds in the army had been. "Mind this," he said to his old friend +General Eyre, "I die at peace with all the world." + +He frequently asked Mrs. Eyre to pray with him, and to read the Bible +aloud. + +"Oh! for the pure air of Heaven," he once exclaimed, "that I might be +laid at rest and peace on the lap of the Almighty!" + +He suffered a good deal in his last illness, and at times would jump +up as if he heard the bugle, and exclaim:-- + +"I am ready!" + +And so; when he passed away on the 14th August, 1863, in his +seventy-first year, "lamented by the Queen, the army, and the people," +he was quite ready to meet that last enemy, death, whom he had faced +so often on the field of battle. + + + + +A SAILOR BOLD AND TRUE. + + +STORIES OF LORD COCHRANE. + +All who, forgetful of self, have striven to render their country free +and glorious are true heroes. Of those who have been ready to lay down +their lives for the welfare of Great Britain the number is legion. +From them let us select one as a type of thousands of brave men who +have helped to make Britain mistress of the ocean. + +Thomas Cochrane, son of Lord Dundonald, took to the sea as a duck +takes to the water. When he first went on board ship the lieutenant +cared neither that he was Lord Cochrane nor that he was related to the +captain of the ship. He did not spare him one jot; but made him do all +kinds of work, just as if he had been plain Tom Smith. And so it came +to pass that he got a thorough training, and, being a smart youth, was +soon promoted. + +Cochrane had the good fortune on one occasion to meet Lord Nelson, who +in course of conversation said to him, "Never mind manoeuvres; always +go at them". + +This advice he certainly followed throughout his life; and he began +pretty early too. For being in command of a sloop of 158 tons, called +the _Speedy_, with fourteen small guns and fifty-one men, he happened +to come across a good-sized Spanish vessel, with thirty-two big guns, +and over 300 men. The Spaniard, of course, was going to seize on the +little English ship, and, so to speak, gobble it up. But Cochrane, +instead of waiting to be attacked, made for the Spaniard, and, after +receiving the fire of all her guns, without delivering a shot, got +right under the side of the _Gamo_ (so the vessel was called), and +battered into her with might and main. The Spaniards did not relish +this, and were going to board the tiny English craft, but again they +were forestalled; for Cochrane with all his men took the _Gamo_ by +storm, killed some, and frightened others; and ere long a marvellous +sight was witnessed at Minorca, the great _Gamo_ was brought by the +_Speedy_ into the harbour, with over 263 men on board, hale and +hearty, whilst Cochrane never had a fifth of that number! + +Ship after ship he took, till his name became a terror to the +Spaniards and French; for he was so audacious, that no matter how big +was the vessel he came across, nor how small his own, he "went at +them," as Nelson had told him to do; and many a stately prize brought +he home as the result of his daring and bravery. + +One of the most gallant deeds he did was in connection with the +defence of Rosas. Times had changed since the events related above, +and Great Britain was now helping Spain in her struggle against +France. + +When he got to Rosas the place was within an ace of surrender. The +French had pounded the defences into a deplorable condition. + +Fort Trinidad, an important position, was about to be assaulted, the +walls having been well-nigh beaten down by the fire of the enemy. + +Cochrane however, with an immense quantity of sandbags, palisades, and +barrels, made it pretty secure. But he did a cleverer thing even than +this. There was a piece of steep rock, up which the besiegers would +have to climb. This he covered with grease, so as to make it difficult +to get a foothold, and planks with barbed hooks were placed ready to +catch those who were rash enough to seek their aid. + +The assault was delivered--up the rock came the French, and--down they +tumbled in dozens and hundreds. Those who caught hold of the planks +were hooked; and, to crown all, a heavy fire was poured into them by +the British. + +During the siege the Spanish flag was shot away whilst a heavy +cannonade was going on; but Cochrane, though the bullets were +whistling about in every direction, calmly stepped down into the +ditch, and rescued the flag. + +[Illustration: LORD COCHRANE RESCUING THE FLAG.] + +When he was not fighting his country's battles at sea, he was +besieging Parliament to bring about reforms in the Navy. This +naturally brought him a good many enemies amongst rich and powerful +people, who were making plenty of money out of the Government, and +doing nothing for it. So, when these persons had a chance of bringing +a charge of conspiracy against him, they were right glad of the +opportunity; and in the end Cochrane was sent to prison. + +Some there were who believed in his honour and uprightness. His wife +was in all his trials a very tower of strength to him. The electors +of Westminster, who had sent him to Parliament, never ceased to have +faith in his truth and honour, and re-elected him when still in +prison. Yet, for all this, it was between forty and fifty years before +his innocence was completely proved! + +In 1847, however, he was restored to his honours by her Majesty the +Queen; and in 1854 he was made a Rear Admiral of England. + + + + +A ROUGH DIAMOND THAT WAS POLISHED. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN CASSELL. + +"I were summat ruff afore I went to Lunnon," said John Cassell. + +He had called to see his friend Thomas Whittaker, who was staying at +Nottingham, and John was announced as "the Manchester carpenter". + +He was dressed on the occasion in a suit of clothes which a Quaker +friend had given him; but Cassell being tall and thin, and the Quaker +short and stout, they did not altogether fit! + +The trousers were too short, and the hat too big; accordingly, John's +legs came a long way through the trousers, and his head went a good +way in at the top. "It was something like taking a tin saucepan with +the bottom out and using it as a scabbard for a broad sword," remarked +one who knew him. He had on an old overcoat, and a basket of tools +was thrown over his shoulder with which to earn his food in case +temperance lecturing failed. + +When John remarked that he was "summat ruff," the gentleman at whose +house Mr. Whittaker was staying nearly had a fit; and after he had at +length recovered his gravity he ejaculated, "Well, I would have given +a guinea to have seen you before you did go". + +Yet John Cassell was a diamond--though at that time the roughest +specimen one could come across from the pit's mouth to the Isle of +Dogs. His ideas were clear cut; he had confidence in himself, he meant +to make a name in the world,--and he _did_. + +John Cassell was born in Manchester in 1817. His father, the +bread-winner of the family, had the misfortune to meet with an injury +which entirely disabled him, and from the effects of which he died +when John was quite young. His mother worked hard for her own and her +son's support, and had little time left to look very particularly to +the education of her boy. He, however, grew up strong and hardy. + +It is true that when he ought to have been at school he was often at +play, or seeing something of the world, its sights and festivities, +on his own account. True, also, that he tumbled into the river, and +nearly ended his career at a very early age. Still he survived his +river catastrophe; and, though he gained little book learning, +possessed such a good and retentive memory, and was so observant, +that his mind became stored with vivid impressions of the scenes and +surroundings of his youth, which he related with great effect in +after-life. + +He had, of course, to begin work at an early age. First of all, he +went into a cotton factory, and later to a velveteen factory; then, +having a taste for carpentering, he took to it as a trade, though he +was at best but a rough unskilled workman, tramping about the country, +and doing odd jobs wherever he could get them. + +One day John Cassell was working at the Manchester Exchange when he +was persuaded to go and hear Dr. Grindrod lecture on temperance. The +lecture seems to have bitten itself into John's mind; for a little +later on, in July, 1835, after hearing Mr. Swindlehurst lecture, he +signed the pledge. That was the unsuspected turning-point of carpenter +John's life. + +After this he attended meetings and took an active part on the +platform, and became known as "the boy lecturer". Though he was +dressed in fustian, and wore a workman's apron, he spoke effectively, +and his words went to the hearts of his hearers. His originality of +style, too, pleased the audiences of working people whom he addressed. + +In 1836 John Cassell made his first move towards London. + +He worked his way to town, and lectured on the road. He carried a +bell, and with that brought together his audiences. + +At times he was very roughly handled by the crowd; yet this had no +effect upon him, except to make him the more determined. + +His clothes became threadbare, his boots worn out, his general +appearance dilapidated; but he got help from a few good people, who +saw the hero beneath his rags. + +He was three weeks accomplishing the journey; and when he arrived +in London spent the first day in search of work, which he failed to +obtain. + +In the evening, seeing that a temperance meeting was to be held in a +hall off the Westminster Road, he went to it; and asked to be allowed +to speak. Some of those on the platform viewed with distrust the +gaunt, shabby, travel-stained applicant. But he would take no denial, +and soon won cheers from the audience. When he stopped short, after a +brief address, someone shouted "Go on". "How can a chap go on when he +has nothing to say?" came the ready reply. That night he had no money +in his pocket to pay for a bed; so he walked the streets of London +through the weary hours till dawn of day. + +Other temperance meetings he addressed; for his heart and mind were +full of that subject. After one of the meetings a gentleman questioned +him as to his means; and, finding the straits he was in, asked if he +were not disheartened. + +"No," replied John; "it is true I carry all my wealth in my little +wallet, and have only a few pence in my pocket; but I have faith in +God I shall yet succeed." + +Struck by his manifest sincerity, the gentleman introduced him next +day to a friend who took a warm interest in the temperance cause. + +"Which wouldst thou prefer, carpentering or trying to persuade thy +fellow-men to give up drinking, and to become teetotalers?" he asked. + +Without hesitation John Cassell replied:-- + +"The work of teetotalism." + +"Then thou shalt have an opportunity, and I will stand thy friend." + +John Cassell now went forth as a disciple of the temperance cause. +Remembering his experiences on the way to London he furnished himself +with a watchman's rattle, with which he used to call together the +people of the villages he visited. + +A temperance paper thus speaks of him in 1837:-- + +"John Cassell, the Manchester carpenter, has been labouring, amidst +many privations, with great success in the county of Norfolk. He is +passing through Essex--(where he addressed the people, among other +places, from the steps leading up to the pulpit of the Baptist chapel, +with his carpenter's apron twisted round his waist)--on his way to +London. He carries his watchman's rattle--an excellent accompaniment +of temperance labour." + +Cassell had a great regard for Thomas Whittaker. It was an address +given by this gentleman which had first made him wish to become a +public man. + +When he called on Mr. Whittaker in Nottingham, as already related, +after some conversation had taken place, he remarked:-- + +"I should like to hear thee again, Tom". + +"Well," remarked Whittaker as a joke, "you can if you go with me to +Derby." + +John accepted the invitation forthwith, much to his friend's chagrin, +who was bothered to know what to do with him; for he was under the +impression that some members of the family where he expected to lodge +would not give a very hearty welcome to this rough fellow. + +This is Mr. Whittaker's narrative of the sequel:-- + +"We walked together to Derby that day. At the meeting he spoke a +little, and pleased the people. When the meeting was over, he said:-- + +"'Can't I sleep with you?' + +"'Well,' I said, 'I have no objection; but, you know, _I_ am only a +lodger.' + +"However, go with me he _would_, and _did_. That was the man. When +John made up his mind to do a thing he did it; and to that feature in +his character, no doubt, much of his future success may be attributed. +The gentleman at whose house he met me at Nottingham, and who was +ashamed of him, subsequently became his servant, and touched his hat +to him; and John has pulled up at my own door in his carriage, with a +liveried servant, when I lived near to him in London." + +John Cassell was now in the thick of the fight. In those days the +opposition to the Gospel of Temperance was keen and bitter. Sometimes +there were great disturbances at the meetings, sometimes he was pelted +with rubbish, at times he did not know where to turn for a night's +lodging. It was, on the whole, a fierce conflict; but John was nothing +daunted. + +It is, of course, impossible to sum up the amount of a man's +influence. John Cassell scattered the seed of temperance liberally. +Here is a case showing how one of the grains took root, and grew up to +bear important fruit. + +The Rev. Charles Garrett, the celebrated teetotal President of the +Wesleyan Conference, writing several years after John Cassell's death, +says:-- + +"I signed the pledge of total abstinence in 1840, after hearing a +lecture on the subject by the late John Cassell. I have therefore +tried it for more than thirty years. It has been a blessing to me, and +has made me a blessing to others." + +How to cure the curse of drink, what to give in its place when the +pleasures of the glass were taken away--that was the problem which +many have tried to solve. None more successfully than John Cassell. + +At a meeting in Exeter Hall he suddenly put a new view before his +audience. "I have it!" he exclaimed. + +"The remedy is education. Educate the working men and women, and you +have a remedy for the crying evil of the country. Give the people +mental food, and they will not thirst after the abominable drink which +is poisoning them." + +He had hitherto been doing something to assist the temperance cause +by the sale of tea and coffee, and he now turned his attention to the +issue of publications calculated to benefit the cause. + +Having, at the age of twenty-four, married Mary Abbott, he became +possessed of additional means for carrying out his publishing schemes. + +Cheap illustrated periodicals began to issue from the press under his +superintendence, and copies were multiplied by the hundred thousand. + +He never forgot that he had been a working man, and one of the first +publications he started was called _The Working Man's Friend_. + +It is not necessary to say more. Though John Cassell died +comparatively young--he was only forty-eight when his death took place +in 1865--he had done a grand life's work; and the soundness of his +judgment is shown by the fact that works which he planned retain their +hold upon the people to this day. + +John Cassell had his ambitions, but they were of a very simple kind. + +"I started in life with one ambition," he said, "and that was to have +a clean shirt every day of my life; this I have accomplished now for +some years; but I have a second ambition, and that is to be an MAP., +and represent the people's cause; then I shall be public property, +and you may do what you like with me." This latter desire he would +doubtless have realised but for his early decease. + + + + +"A BRAVE, FEARLESS SORT OF LASS." + + +THE STORY OF GRACE DARLING. + +She was not much of a scholar, she could not spell as well as a girl +in the third standard, she lived a quiet life quite out of the busy +world; and yet Grace Darling's name is now a household word. + +Let us see how that has come about. + +William Darling, Grace's father, was keeper of the Longstone +Lighthouse on the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland. +Longstone is a desolate rock, swept by the northern gales; and woe +betide the ship driven on its pitiless shores! + +Mr. Darling and his family had saved the lives of many persons who had +been shipwrecked ere that memorable day of which I will tell you. + +On the night of the 5th September, 1838, the steamer _Forfarshire_, +bound from Hull to Dundee, was caught in a terrific storm off the +Farne Islands. Her machinery became damaged and all but useless, and +the vessel drifted till the sound of the breakers told sixty-three +persons composing the passengers and crew that death was near at hand. + +[Illustration: Longstone Lighthouse.] + +The captain made every effort to run the ship in between the Islands +and the mainland, but in vain; and about three o'clock on the morning +of the 6th September the vessel struck on the rock with a sickening +crash. + +A boat was lowered, into which nine of the passengers got safely, +whilst others lost their lives in attempting to do so. These nine were +saved during the day by a passing vessel. + +The _Forfarshire_ meantime was the sport of the waves, which +threatened every minute to smash her in pieces. + +Before long, indeed, one wave mightier than the rest lifted her bodily +on to the sharp rocks and broke her in two. Her after-part was swept +away, and the captain, his wife, and those who were in that portion of +the vessel, were drowned. The fore-part meantime remained fast on the +rocks, lashed by the furious billows. + +That morning Grace was awakened by the sound of voices in distress, +and dressing quickly she sought her father. + +They listened, and soon their worst fears were confirmed. Near at +hand, but still quite beyond reach of help, could be heard the +despairing shrieks of the shipwrecked crew. + +To attempt to rescue them seemed quite out of the question. That was +apparent at once to William Darling, skilful boatman though he was, +and brave as a lion. + +The sea was so terrific that it was ten chances to one against a boat +being able to keep afloat. + +But Grace entreated: "Father, we must not let them perish. I will go +with you in the boat, and God will give us success." + +In vain Mrs. Darling urged that the attempt was too perilous to be +justified, and reproached Grace for endeavouring to persuade her +father to run such unwarrantable risks. + +William Darling saw plainly how many were the chances against success. +Even if the boat was not at once swamped, two persons alone, and one +of them only a girl, were insufficient for the work; for, supposing +they reached the wreck, they would probably be too exhausted to get +back. + +No, duty did not demand such an act; and for a time he declined to put +out. + +But Grace was quite firm. This girl of three and twenty, never very +robust, had marvellous strength of will; and, her mind being set on +attempting the rescue, she prevailed over both her father's judgment +and her mother's entreaties; and into that awful sea the boat was at +length launched. Though every billow threatened to engulf the frail +craft, yet it nevertheless rode through the mountainous waves and drew +near the rock where the helpless men and women were standing face to +face with death. When it was sufficiently close to the shore William +Darling sprang out to help the weary perishing creatures, whilst Grace +was left to manage the boat unaided. + +It was now that her courage was put to the severest test. At this +critical moment the lives of her father and all the survivors depended +upon her judgment and skill. + +Well did her past experience and cool nerve then serve her. Alone and +unaided she kept the boat in a favourable position in the teeth of +that pitiless gale; and as soon as her father signalled to her she +waited for an opportune moment and rowed in. Ere long, in spite of +the fury of wind and wave, they had got all aboard, and rowed back in +safety to the lighthouse. + +The passengers who were rescued told the story of Grace's courage; and +soon the tale was in every newspaper. + +George Darling, Grace's brother, speaking of this deed fifty years +after, says: "She always considered, as indeed we all did, that far +too much was made of what she did. She only did what was her duty in +the circumstances, brought up among boats, so to speak, and used to +the sea as she was. Still she was always a brave, fearless sort of +lass, and very religious too--there's no doubting that. But it was +never her wish that people should make so much of what she did." + +A great deal was made of the deed certainly, but surely not too much. +A subscription was set on foot, and £700 presented to her, besides +innumerable presents. + +Four years later Grace died, much lamented by all who knew her. + +Doubtless many a time, before and since, faith as strong, and bravery +as heroic, have been shown, and have passed unrecorded and unnoticed +by men. But duty performed in simple faith and without expectation +of reward brings inward peace and joy greater than any outward +recognition can give. + + * * * * * + +GRACE DARLING THE SECOND. + +Whilst these pages were passing through the press the news came of the +bravery of another Grace Darling in a far-off land.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See letter of Rev. Ellis of Rangoon in _Times_ of 25th +May, 1894.] + +Miss Darling was head mistress of the Diocesan School at Amherst near +Rangoon, and her pupils were bathing in the sea when one of them was +bitten in the leg by a shark or alligator. Alarmed by this terrible +shock she lost her balance and was being carried away by the tide when +her sister and the head mistress both went to the rescue. Miss Grace +Darling had succeeded in getting hold of her when she too was bitten +and disappeared under the water. The sister behind cried out for help, +at the same time seizing the head mistress and vainly endeavouring to +keep her head above water. In the end some native sailors came to the +rescue and dragged all three out, but Grace Darling and the favourite +pupil whom she had endeavoured to save were both dead. + + + + +A FRIEND OF LEPERS. + + +THE STORY OF FATHER DAMIEN. + +Of all forms of disease leprosy is perhaps the most terrible. The +lepers of whom we read in the Bible were obliged to dwell alone +outside the camp; and even king Uzziah, when smitten with leprosy, +mighty monarch though he was, had to give up his throne and dwell by +himself to the end of his days. + +In the far-off Sandwich (or Hawaiian) Islands in the Pacific Ocean +there are many lepers; but the leprosy from which they suffer is of a +more fatal kind than that which is spoken of in the Bible. + +So as to prevent the spread of the disease, the lepers are sent to one +of the smaller islands, where there is a leper village, in which those +who are afflicted remain until their death. + +When a shipload of these poor creatures leaves Honolulu for the little +Isle of Molokai there is great wailing by the relatives of those sent +away, for they know the parting is final. + +The disease is not slow in running its course. After about four years +it usually attacks some vital organ, and the leper dies. + +Until the year 1873 the lot of the lepers on their help them, that all +hearts were turned in love towards him. + +He first made the discovery when he had been at Molokai about ten +years. He happened to drop some boiling water on his foot, and it gave +him no pain. Then he knew he had the leprosy. + +Yet he was not cast down when he became aware of the fact, for he had +anticipated it. + +"People pity me and think me unfortunate," he remarked; "but I think +myself the happiest of missionaries." + +In 1889, sixteen years after landing at Molokai, Father Damien died. + +When he was nearing his end, he wrote of the disease as a +"providential agent to detach the heart from all earthly affection, +prompting much the desire of a Christian soul to be united--the sooner +the better--with Him who is her only life". + +During his last illness he suffered at times intensely; yet was +patient, brave, and full of thoughtfulness for his people through it +all, and looked forward with firm hope to spending Easter with his +Maker. He died on the 15th April, 1889. "A happier death," wrote the +brother who nursed him in his illness, "I never saw." + +There, far away amongst those for whom he gave his life, lie the +remains of one of the world's great examples, whose name will ever be +whispered with reverence, and who possessed to a wonderful extent "the +peace which the world cannot give". + + + + +A GREAT ARCTIC EXPLORER. + + +THE STORY OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. + +The passage to the North Pole is barred by ice fields and guarded by +frost and snow more securely than Cerberus guarded the approach to the +kingdom of Pluto. + +For three centuries and more the brave and daring of all nations have +tried to pass these barriers. Hundreds of men have been frozen to +death, hundreds have died of starvation; and yet men continue to +hazard their lives to find out this secret of Nature. + +One of the bravest arctic explorers was Sir John Franklin, who, after +many wonderful adventures, finally died with his companions amid the +frozen seas of the north. + +As a little boy, "life on the ocean wave" was to John Franklin a +delightful day-dream. Once when at school he walked twelve miles to +get a sight of the sea and a taste of the salt air; and such was his +desire for a seafaring career that although his father was at first +very much opposed to the idea, yet when he found how strongly Franklin +had set his heart upon a sailor's life, he got him a place on a +war-ship where John took part in the battle of Copenhagen. + +Then he was shipwrecked on the coast of Australia, did some fighting +in the Straits of Malacca, and was present at the great battle of +Trafalgar. + +After this he had his first taste of Arctic adventure, having received +a commission from the Government to explore the Coppermine, one of the +great rivers of Canada, which discharges its waters into the Arctic +Ocean. Down this river sailed Franklin and his companions. They +encountered rapids and falls, and all kinds of obstacles, and met with +many dangers and disasters. + +The first winter they were nearly starved to death. They stayed at +Fort Enterprise; but, long before the spring returned, they found +their food was all but finished, and the nearest place to get more was +five hundred miles away, over a trackless desert of snow. One of their +number, however, tramped the whole weary way, and brought back food to +his starving leader and companions. + +Next summer, Franklin descended the river to its mouth, and embarking +in canoes he and his followers made towards Behring Strait, from which +they were ere long driven back by their old dread enemy--starvation. +For many days on their return journey they had nothing to live upon +but rock moss, which barely kept them alive. They became so worn and +ill that they could only cover a few miles a day, and Franklin fainted +from exhaustion. + +For eight days they waited on the banks of a river which it was +necessary to pass, but which they had no means of crossing. One of the +men tried to swim across and was nearly drowned, and despair seized on +the party, for they thought the end had come. But there was one man +among them who could not believe God would leave them to perish, +and spurred on by this thought he gathered rock moss in sufficient +quantities to preserve their lives; and, hope springing up again, they +made a light raft on which they passed over to the other side. + +Then Franklin set off with eight men to get assistance, whilst others +remained to care for the sick. He and three companions only arrived at +Fort Enterprise. They had to endure a fearful journey, during +which they ate their very boots to preserve life. To their bitter +disappointment when they got there they found the place deserted! Then +they attempted to go to the next settlement; but Franklin utterly +broke down on the way, and was with difficulty got back to Fort +Enterprise. Here they were joined by two of the party who had been +left behind, the others having perished on the way. + +The night of their reunion, the six survivors had a grand feast. A +partridge had been shot, and for the first time during an entire month +these men tasted flesh food. Later on, sitting round the fire they had +kindled, words of hope and comfort were read from the Bible, and the +men joined heartily together in prayer and thanksgiving. Shortly +after, friendly Indians arrived with supplies of food, and Franklin +with the survivors of his party returned safely to England. + +After this, Franklin made other expeditions, gaining fame and honour +by his explorations, and was for seven years Lieutenant-Governor of +Tasmania. + +Then in 1845, when he was in his sixtieth year, he went out in the +service of the Admiralty to attempt the passage through the Arctic +Ocean. Leaving England in May, 1845, in command of the _Erebus_ and +_Terror_, with a body of the most staunch and experienced seamen, he +sailed into the Arctic Seas. They were last seen by a whaler on the +26th of July that year, and then for years no word of their fate +reached Great Britain. + +Not that England waited all this time before she sent to discover +what had befallen them. The Government was stirred into action by +the pleadings of Lady Franklin. Expedition after expedition left our +shores. America and France joined in the search. Five years later was +discovered the place in which the _Erebus_ and _Terror_ had first +wintered; but it was left for Dr. John Rae to find out from the +Esquimaux in 1854 that the ships had been crushed in the ice, and that +Franklin and his companions had died of fatigue and starvation. + +The final relics of the Franklin Expedition were discovered by +McClintock and a party of volunteers. Starting from England in a +little vessel called _The Fox_ he and his crew passed through a +hundred dangers from shipwreck, icebergs, and other perils. But at +length, in April, 1858, they found on King William's Island the record +which told plainly and fully the fate of Franklin and his companions. + +[Illustration: RELICS OF THE FRANKLIN EXPEDITION. 1. Loaded Gun. 2. +Fragment of Ensign. 3. Anvil Block. 4. Portable Cooking Stove. 5. +Chronometers from _Erebus_ and _Terror_. 6. Medicine Chest. 7. +Testament 8. Dipping Needle.] + +The document contained two statements, one written in 1846, mentioning +that Sir John Franklin and all were well; and a second, written in +1848, to say that they had been obliged to abandon the _Erebus_ and +_Terror_, that Sir John Franklin had died in June, 1847, and that they +had already lost nine officers and fifteen men. + +Other traces of the sad end which overtook the expedition were also +found. In a boat were discovered two skeletons; and amongst other +books a Bible, numerous passages in which were underlined, showing +that these gallant men in their last hours had the comfort of God's +Word to support them when earthly hopes had passed away. + +The object for which Sir John Franklin had sailed, viz., the discovery +of the North West passage, had been attained, but no single man of the +expedition, alas, lived to enjoy the fruits of the discovery. + + + + +A SAVIOUR OF SIX + + +THE STORY OF FIREMAN FORD. + +In the waiting room at the head quarters of the London Fire Brigade, +in Southwark Street, London, is an oak board on which are fixed a +number of brass tablets, bearing the names of men who are entitled to +a place on this "Roll of Honour". + +From amongst these let us take one, and tell briefly what befell him. +It will serve as a sample of the dangers which beset the fireman daily +in the pursuit of his duty. + +"Joseph Andrew Ford," so runs the official record, "lost his life at a +fire which occurred at 98 Gray's Inn Road, at about 2 a.m. on the 7th +of October, 1871. + +"Ford was on duty with the fire escape stationed at Bedford Row, and +he was called to the fire a few minutes before 2 a.m., and proceeded +there with the utmost speed. + +"Before he reached the fire, three persons had been rescued by the +police, who took them down from the second-floor window by means of a +builder's ladder; and, on his arrival, there were seven persons in the +third floor, six in the left-hand window, and one in the right-hand +window. + +"He pitched his escape to the left-hand window, and with great +difficulty and much exertion and skill succeeded in getting the six +persons out safely (the woman in the right-hand window being in the +meanwhile rescued by the next escape that arrived, in charge of +fireman W. Attwood); and Ford was in the act of coming down himself +when he became enveloped in flame and smoke, which burst out of the +first-floor window; and, after some struggling in the wire netting, he +fell to the pavement. + +"Ford was evidently coming down the shoot when his axe handle or some +of his accoutrements became entangled in the wire netting; so that, to +clear himself, he had to break through, and, while struggling to do +so, he got so severely burned that his recovery was hopeless. + +"It was a work of no ordinary skill and difficulty to save so many +persons in the few moments available for the purpose; and, when it +is mentioned that some of them were very old and crippled, it is no +exaggeration to say that it would be impossible to praise too highly +Ford's conduct on this occasion, which has resulted so disastrously to +himself. + +"He was thirty-one years of age when he met his death, and he left a +wife and two children to mourn his loss." + +That's all the official record says--simple, calm, +straightforward--like Joseph Ford's conduct on that night. + +I suppose that next morning two pairs of bright little eyes were on +the watch for Joseph Ford; and perchance four pattering feet ran to +the door when the knock came; and that two little minds dimly realised +that father had been called to a far-off country, where some day they +would see him. And it may be that a brave woman, into whose life the +sunlight had shined, was stricken with grief and bowed down. But all I +know for certain is, that Joseph Ford died in the performance of his +duty. He did a brave night's work. Six lives saved from the angry +flames--old and crippled some of the terror-stricken folk were--and he +took them down so carefully, so tenderly, and landed them all safely +below. + +His work was over. He had saved every life he could; and glad of +heart, if weary of limb, he turned with a thankful mind to do just the +simplest thing in the world--viz., to descend the escape he had been +down so many times before. + +He was young and strong; safety was only thirty feet or so below; and +the people were waiting to welcome and cheer the victor. + +Only thirty feet between him and safety! Yet the man was "fairly +roasted" in the escape. + +Men have been burnt at the stake and tortured, and limbs have been +stretched on the rack, and people have been maimed by thumbscrews +and bootscrews, and put inside iron figures with nails that tear and +pierce. All this have they suffered in pursuit of duty, or at the +bidding of conscience; and of such and of brave Joseph Ford there +comes to us across the ages--a saying spoken long ago, to the effect +that "he that loseth his life shall save it": and we need to remember +that saying in such cases as that of Fireman Ford. + + + + +A BLIND HELPER OF THE BLIND. + + +THE STORY OF ELIZABETH GILBERT. + +"A fine handsome child, with flashing black eyes!" Thus was Elizabeth +Gilbert described at her birth in 1826; but at the age of three an +attack of scarlet fever deprived her of eyesight; and thenceforth, for +upwards of fifty years, the beautiful things in the world were seen by +her no more. + +Her parents were most anxious that she should take part in all that +was going on in the household, in order that she should feel her +misfortune as little as possible. So she lived in the midst of the +family circle, sharing in their sports, their meals, and their +entertainments, and being treated just as one of the others; yet with +a special care and devotion by her father, Dr. Gilbert, whose heart +went out in deep love towards his little sightless daughter. + +Bessie was fond of romping games, and preferred by far getting a few +knocks and bumps to being helped or guided by others when she was at +play. She was by nature passionate, yet she gradually subdued this +failing. She was a general favourite; and, when any petition had to be +asked of father, it was always Bessie who was put forward to do it, as +the children knew how good were her chances of being successful in her +mission. + +She was educated just like other girls, except that her lessons were +read to her. She made great progress, and was a very apt pupil in +French, German, and other subjects; but arithmetic she cordially +disliked. Imagine for an instant the drudgery of working a long +division sum with leaden type and raised, figures; think of all the +difficulty of placing the figures, and the chances of doing the sum +wrong; and then it will not cause surprise that the blind girl could +never enjoy arithmetic, although in mental calculation she showed +herself later on to be very clever. + +When she was about ten years old, the Duchess of Kent and the Princess +Victoria visited Oxford, where Bessie then lived with her parents. +On her return home Bessie exclaimed: "Oh, mamma, I have _seen_ the +Duchess of Kent, and she had on a brown silk dress". Indeed, the child +had such a vivid imagination that she saw mentally the scenes and +people described to her. + +And, so though no glimmer of light from the sun reached her, the child +was not dull or unhappy. She listened to the birds with delight, and +knew their songs; she loved flowers and liked people to describe them +to her; and she was fond of making expeditions to the fields and +meadows. + +But as Bessie grew up she began to feel some of the sadness and +loneliness natural to her lot. Her sisters could no longer be +constantly with her as in the nursery days; and though she made no +complaint, nor spoke of it to those around her, yet she felt it none +the less keenly. + +By this time her father had become Bishop of Chichester. + +When Bessie was twenty-seven years old an idea was suggested which +was the means of giving her an object in life, and affording her an +opportunity of doing a great work for the blind. + +It was her sister Mary who first spoke about it, having seen with +sorrow how changed the once happy blind sister had become, and longing +to lighten her burden. + +Bessie listened to the facts which were set before her of the need +that existed for some one to give a helping hand to the blind in +London. She made many inquiries into the condition of the sightless, +and then thought out a scheme for helping them. + +Some of her friends considered it a great mistake for her to undertake +such a mission. "Don't work yourself to death," said one of her +acquaintances. + +"Work to death!" she replied with a happy laugh. "I am working to +life." + +But if a few were opposed, her parents, brothers, sisters, and the +majority of those she loved, were in hearty sympathy. + +So in May, 1854, Bessie commenced her life work. Seven blind men were +given employment at their own homes in London; materials were supplied +to them at cost price, they manufactured them, and received the full +price that the articles were sold for. + +This, of course, entailed a loss; but Bessie had been left a legacy +by her godmother, which gave her an income of her own, and a large +portion of this she continued to devote throughout her life to helping +the blind. + +A cellar was rented in New Turnstile Street, Holborn, at a charge of +eighteenpence a week. A manager, named Levy, was engaged at a salary +of half a crown a week and a commission on sales. He was a blind man +himself, and a blind carpenter was engaged to assist in making the +storehouse presentable. + +It was a small beginning, certainly, but it was not long ere Levy's +wages were largely increased, and trade began to grow in response to +Miss Gilbert's efforts. From the cellar in Holborn a move was made to +a better room, costing half a crown a week; and then, within little +more than a year from the commencement, a house and shop were taken at +a rent of £26 a year. + +The increase in expenses as the scheme developed rendered it necessary +to ask for public assistance. By the bishop's advice a committee was +formed, and money collected. + +By 1856, Miss Gilbert thought her work far enough advanced to bring it +under the notice of Her Majesty, who, having asked for and received +full particulars, sent a very kind letter of encouragement with a +donation of £50. + +This gracious acknowledgment of the work in which Miss Gilbert was +engaged not only gave sincere pleasure to the blind lady herself, but +helped on her scheme immensely. And the Queen did more than contribute +money: orders for work were sent from Windsor Castle, Osborne and +Balmoral; and the blind people delighted in saying that they were +making brooms for the Queen. The benefit to the blind was not confined +to what Miss Gilbert was doing herself, but general interest in their +welfare was excited in all parts of the kingdom. + +Naturally, many difficulties had to be encountered. Blind people +applied for work who wished for alms instead; and arrangements +necessary for carrying out so large a scheme entailed a good deal of +labour on Miss Gilbert's part. Yet she was very happy in her mission, +which attracted numerous friends occupying positions of eminence. + +Miss Gilbert herself gave £2000 to the Association as an endowment +fund, and others contributed liberally too. One day a strange old lady +came to see her, and left with her £500 in bank notes. She did not +even give her name; and a further gift of £500 was received the same +year from a gentleman who felt interested in the work. + +Up to the close of her life, which ended in 1885, Elizabeth +Gilbert continued to take an active interest in the affairs of the +Association. Notwithstanding her own weak and failing health she +laboured on, winning the love and gratitude of the blind, and +accomplishing a great work of which any one might feel justly proud. + + + + +A GREAT TRAVELLER IN THE AIR. + + +SOME ANECDOTES OF JAMES GLAISHER. + +For many years past men of science have been engaged in ascending +far up amongst the clouds for the purpose of finding out as much as +possible about the various currents of air, the electrical state of +the atmosphere, the different kinds of clouds, sound, temperature and +such matters. + +One of the most eminent balloonists of modern times, Mr. James +Glaisher, was many times in danger of losing his life whilst in +pursuit of knowledge miles above the earth. + +His first ascent was made from Wolverhampton on the 17th of July, +1862. It was very stormy at the time of starting. Before he and Mr. +Coxwell got fairly off they very nearly came to grief; for the balloon +did not rise properly, but dragged the car along near the ground, so +that if they had come against any chimney or high building they would +probably have been killed. + +However, fortunately, they got clear and were soon high up above the +clouds, with a beautiful blue sky, and the air so pleasantly warm that +they needed no extra clothing, as is usually the case when in the +upper region of the atmosphere. When they were about four miles high +Mr. Glaisher found the beating of his heart become very distinct, his +hands and lips turned to a dark bluish colour, and he could hardly +read the instruments. Between four and five miles high he felt a kind +of sea sickness. + +Mr. Coxwell began to think they might be getting too near the Wash for +safety, and they therefore came down quickly, and reached the earth +with such force that the scientific instruments were nearly all +broken. In their descent they passed through a cloud 8000 feet (or +over a mile and a half) thick! + +On the 5th of September, 1862, Mr. Glaisher and Mr. Coxwell made one +of the most remarkable ascents in the history of ballooning. It nearly +proved fatal to both. + +Up to the time they reached the fifth mile Mr. Glaisher felt pretty +well. What happened afterwards is best described by himself. + +"When at the height of 26,000 feet I could not see the fine column of +the mercury in the tube; then the fine divisions on the scale of the +instrument became invisible. At that time I asked Mr. Coxwell to help +me to read the instruments, as I experienced a difficulty in seeing +them. In consequence of the rotary motion of the balloon, which had +continued without ceasing since the earth was left, the valve line had +become twisted, and he had to leave the car, and to mount into the +ring above to adjust it. At that time I had no suspicion of other than +temporary inconvenience in seeing. Shortly afterwards I laid my arm +upon the table, possessed of its full vigour but directly after, being +desirous of using it, I found it powerless. It must have lost its +power momentarily. I then tried to move the other arm, but found it +powerless also. I next tried to shake myself, and succeeded in shaking +my body. I seemed to have no legs. I could only shake my body. I then +looked at the barometer, and whilst I was doing so my head fell on my +left shoulder. I struggled, and shook my body again, but could not +move my arms. I got my head upright, but for an instant only, when it +fell on my right shoulder; and then I fell backwards, my back resting +against the side of the car, and my head on its edge. In that position +my eyes were directed towards Mr. Coxwell in the ring. When I shook +my body I seemed to have full power over the muscles of the back, and +considerable power over those of the neck, but none over my limbs....I +dimly saw Mr. Coxwell in the ring, and endeavoured to speak, but could +not do so; when in an instant black darkness came over me, and the +optic nerve lost power suddenly. I was still conscious, with as active +a brain as whilst writing this. I thought I had been seized with +asphyxia, and that I should experience no more, as death would come +unless we speedily descended. Other thoughts were actively entering my +mind when I suddenly became unconscious, as though going to sleep. +I could not tell anything about the sense of hearing; the perfect +stillness of the regions six miles from the earth--and at that time we +were between six and seven miles high--is such that no sound reaches +the ear. My last observation was made at 29,000 feet.... Whilst +powerless I heard the words 'temperature' and 'observation,' and I +knew Mr. Coxwell was in the car, speaking to me, and endeavouring to +rouse me; and therefore consciousness and hearing had returned. I then +heard him speak more emphatically, but I could not speak or move. Then +I heard him say, 'Do try; now do!' Then I saw the instruments dimly, +next Mr. Coxwell, and very shortly I saw clearly. I rose in my seat +and looked round, as though waking from sleep, and said to Mr. +Coxwell, 'I have been insensible'. He said, 'Yes; and I too very +nearly ...'. Mr. Coxwell informed me that he had lost the use of his +hands, which were black, and I poured brandy over them." + +When Mr. Coxwell saw that Mr. Glaisher was insensible he tried to go +to him but could not, and he then felt insensibility coming over him. +He became anxious to open the valve, but having lost the use of his +hands he could not, and ultimately he did so by seizing the cord with +his teeth and dipping his head two or three times. + +During the journey they got to a height of 36,000 or 37,000 +feet--about seven miles--that is to say, two miles higher than Mount +Everest, the loftiest mountain in the world. + +The year following Mr. Glaisher had a narrow escape from drowning. + +He and Mr. Coxwell started from the Crystal Palace at a little past +one o'clock on the 18th of April, 1863, and in an hour and thirteen +minutes after starting were 24,000 feet high. Then they thought it +would be just as well to see where they were, so they opened the valve +to let out the gas, and came down a mile in three minutes. When, at a +quarter to three, they were still 10,000 feet high Mr. Coxwell caught +sight of Beachy Head and exclaimed: "What's that?" On looking over the +car Mr. Glaisher found that they seemed to be overhanging the sea! + +Not a moment was to be lost. They both clung on to the valve-line, +rending the balloon in two places. Down, down, down at a tremendous +speed they went; the earth appeared to be coming up to them with awful +swiftness; and a minute or two later with a resounding crash they +struck the ground at Newhaven close to the sea. The balloon had +been so damaged that it did not drag along, and though most of the +instruments were smashed their lives were saved. + +Much valuable scientific information has been obtained by Mr. +Glaisher, and by those who, like him, have made perilous journeys into +cloudland. + + + + +THE SOLDIER WITH THE MAGIC WAND. + + +THE STORY OF GENERAL GORDON. + +"That great man and gallant soldier and true Christian, Charles +Gordon."--THE PRINCE OF WALES. + +Charles George Gordon was born at Woolwich on the 28th of January, +1833. + +In early life he was delicate, and of all professions that of a +soldier seemed least suitable for him. At school he made no mark in +learning. + +He was a fearless lad, with a strong will of his own. When he was only +nine years old, and was yet unable to swim, he would throw himself +into deep water, trusting to some older boy to get him out. He was +threatened on one occasion that he should not go on a pleasure +excursion because of some offence he had committed; and when +afterwards he was given permission he stubbornly refused the +treat--circus though it was, dear to the heart of a lad. + +After passing through the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich he +obtained in 1852 a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Engineers, and +was sent out to the Crimea in December, 1854, with instructions to put +up wooden huts for our soldiers, who were dying from cold in that icy +land. + +On his way he wrote from Marseilles to his mother; and, after telling +her of the sights and scenes he has witnessed, mentions that he will +leave Marseilles "D.V. on Monday for Constantinople". + +Whilst in the Crimea he worked in the trenches twenty hours at a +stretch times without number. + +Once when he was leading a party at night he was fired at by his own +sentries. On another occasion he was wounded in the forehead, and +continued his work without showing any concern. He found it dull when +no fighting was going on, but when there were bullets flying then it +was exciting enough. + +He was mentioned in the official despatches, and received from the +French Government the Cross of the Legion of Honour. + +Five years later Gordon was fighting with the English and French +armies in China. Shortly after he was made commander of a force that +was commissioned by the Emperor of China to put down a rebellion +of the Taipings, of so dangerous a character that it threatened to +overturn the monarchy. + +Gordon had only about 3000 men, chiefly Chinese; and, notwithstanding +the fact that when he took over the force it had just been demoralised +by defeat, he soon proved himself more than a match for the rebel +hordes. From one victory to another he led his men on, and cities fell +in quick succession before him. His name ere long began to have the +weight of an army in the mind of the rebels. Major Gordon, in fact, +had made a great mark in the Chinese Empire. + +On the 30th April Gordon was before the city of Taitsan, where three +months before the same army which was now under his command had been +defeated. + +Three times his men rushed into the breach which the big guns had +made. Twice they were hurled back; but for a third time Gordon urged +them on, and their confidence in his leadership was such that they +went readily; and this time, after a swift, sharp conflict, the city +was won. + +Europeans were fighting both with him and with the rebels. In the +breach at Taitsan he came across two of the men he formerly had under +his command. One was shot during the assault; the other cried out, +"Mr. Gordon! Mr. Gordon! you will not let me be killed". "Take +him down to the river and shoot him," said Gordon aloud. Aside he +whispered, "Put him in my boat, let the doctor attend him, and send +him down to Shanghai". He was stern and resolute enough where it was +necessary, but underneath all was a heart full of love and pity. + +During this war the only weapon Gordon carried was a cane; and men +grew to regard this stick as a kind of magic wand, and Gordon as a man +whom nothing could harm. + +On one occasion when he was wounded he refused to retire till he was +forcibly carried off the field by the doctor's orders. + +After he had put an end to the rebellion the Emperor of China wanted +to give him a large sum of money; but Gordon, whose only object in +fighting was to benefit the people, refused it, and left China as poor +as he had entered it. He had various distinctions conferred upon him +by the emperor, and the English people gave him the title of "Chinese +Gordon". + +A gold medal was presented to him by the emperor. Gordon, obliterating +the inscription, sent it anonymously to the Coventry relief fund. Of +this incident he wrote at a later period: "Never shall I forget what +I got when I scored out the inscription on the gold medal. How I have +been repaid a millionfold! There is now not one thing I value in +the world. Its honours, they are false; its knicknacks, they are +perishable and useless; whilst I live I value God's blessing--health; +and if you have that, as far as this world goes, you are rich." + +He returned to England and settled down at Gravesend, living quite +simply, and working in his spare moments amongst the poor. To the boys +he was a hero indeed. That was but natural, seeing he not only taught +them to read and write, and tried to get them situations, but treated +them as his friends. + +In his sitting-room was a map of the world, with pins stuck in it +marking the probable positions of the ships in which his "kings" (as +he called his boys) were to be found in various parts of the world. +Thus, as they moved from place to place, he followed them in his +thoughts, and was able to point out their whereabouts to inquiring +friends. + +It is no wonder then that the urchins scrawled upon the walls of the +town, "C.G. is a jolly good feller". "God bless the Kernel." + +He visited the hospitals and workhouses, and all the money he received +he expended on the poor; for he believed that having given his heart +to God he had no right to keep anything for himself. He comforted the +sick and dying, he taught in the Ragged and Sunday Schools. He lived +on the plainest food himself, thus "enduring hardness". He even gave +up his garden, turning it into a kind of allotment for the needy. + +He had one object in life--to do good. His views were utterly +unworldly and opposed to those generally held, but they were in the +main right. + +In 1874 Gordon went to Egypt, and at the request of the Khedive +undertook the position of Governor-General of the Soudan, in the hope +of being able to put down the slave trade. + +He was beset with difficulties, and "worn to a shadow" by incessant +work and ceaseless anxiety; but he would not give up. + +In all his trials he felt the presence of God. As he watched his men +hauling the boats up the rapids he "_prayed them up_ as he used to do +the troops when they wavered in the breaches in China". + +Once his men failed in their attack on an offending tribe; and, +believing they had been misled by the Sheik, wanted to punish him; +but Gordon saw the other side of the man's character--"He was a brave +patriotic man," he said; "and I shall let him go". + +Here was his hope. "With terrific exertion," he writes, "in two +or three years' time I may with God's administration make a good +province--with a good army and a fair revenue and peace, and an +increased trade,--also have suppressed slave raids." He felt it was a +weary work before him, for he adds: "Then I will come home and go to +bed, and never get up till noon every day, and never walk more than a +mile". No wonder he was worn and tired, for he moved about the Soudan +like a whirlwind. He travelled on camelback thousands of miles. In +four months' time he had put down a dangerous rebellion that would +have taken the Egyptians as many years--if, indeed, they could ever +have done it at all. + +This is the kind of way in which he won his victories. On one occasion +with a few troops he arrived at a place called Dara. That great slave +trader Suleiman, who had given Sir Samuel Baker so much trouble, was +there at the head of 6000 men. Gordon rode into the place nearly +alone, and told the commander to come and talk with him. Utterly +taken aback the man did as he was requested, and afterwards promised +obedience. + +It is true he did not keep his promise; but after fighting several +battles Suleiman was at length taken prisoner by Gordon's lieutenant; +and so many were the crimes and cruelties that he had committed that +he was condemned to death, and thus the slaves of Africa became rid of +one of their worst oppressors. + +[ILLUSTRATION: GORDON STATUE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE.] + +The work begun by Baker was continued with great success by Gordon. He +estimated that in nine months he liberated 2000 slaves. The suffering +these poor creatures had gone through was appalling. Some of them when +set free had been four or five days without water in the terrible heat +of that hot country. Every caravan route showed signs of the horrible +trade, by the bones of those who had fallen and died from exhaustion, +unable to keep their ranks in the gang. + +So great was the effect which the thought and sight of these +sufferings produced on Gordon that he wrote in March, 1879: "I declare +if I could stop this traffic I would willingly be shot this night". + +Later on he was to give his life for these people; but the hour was +not yet. + +When Gordon was in Abyssinia King John took him prisoner. Brought +before his Majesty, Gordon fairly took away the breath of the monarch +by going up to him, placing his own chair beside the king's, and +telling him that he would only talk to him as an equal. + +"Do you know, Gordon Pasha," said the king, "that I could kill you on +the spot if I liked?" + +"I am perfectly aware of it," replied Gordon calmly; "so do it, if it +is your royal pleasure." + +"What! ready to be killed?" asked the king incredulously. + +"Certainly. I am always ready to die," answered the pasha; "and so far +from fearing your putting me to death you would confer a favour on me +by so doing." + +Upon this his Majesty gave up the idea of frightening him. + +At the end of 1879 Gordon was free from the Soudan for the second +time. In 1876 he had left it, as he thought, for good; but, as it +turned out, it was only for a few weeks' holiday in England, and then +back to quell the rebellion. + +Even now it was destined that he should soon return once again and +finally. But during the breathing time that now came to him, so far +from leading an easy life or "never getting up till noon," he was in +all parts of the world, from China to the Cape, from Ireland to India, +still on the old mission of endeavouring to do a little good wherever +he was. + +Leopold II., King of the Belgians, who had a profound regard for +Gordon, greatly desired that he should go out to the Congo; and in +January, 1884, he was just preparing to start in his Majesty's service +when on the 17th of that month a telegram from Lord Wolseley arrived, +asking him to return to England. + +At six o'clock next morning he was in London; and the same day, having +received instructions from the Government, he was on his way for the +last time to Khartoum. + +The Egyptian garrisons of the Soudan towns were sore beset by the +legions which were gathering beneath the banners of the Mahdi, who, +flushed with victory, was threatening an eruption into Lower Egypt +itself. + +To extricate these garrisons without bloodshed if possible was +Gordon's object. It was a forlorn hope; still if any one man could +accomplish it Charles Gordon was that man. + +But ere long it was found even beyond his powers; for after sending +off a portion of the Khartoum population in safety down the river, the +Mahdi's legions closed in upon him, and Khartoum was in a state of +siege. + +For nearly a year he held the city against all the forces of the +enemy; and meantime Great Britain was stirred with a vehement desire +to save the life of this devoted man. + +In the autumn of 1884 a force under the command of Lord Wolseley was +sent out to relieve Khartoum. + +Whilst the British troops were slowly forcing their way up the river +and across the desert, Khartoum was enduring a death agony. + +By January, 1885, the city had been reduced to starvation. Donkeys, +dogs, rats, everything indeed in the way of flesh, had been consumed; +even boot leather, the straps of native bedsteads, and mimosa gum did +not come amiss to the sorely-tried garrison. + +Famine had produced lack of discipline on the part of some of the +troops; and Gordon foresaw well what the end must be, though without a +fear for himself. + +You can read for yourself from the reproduction of the last page of +his diary, written on the 14th December, 1884, his own estimate of the +length of time he could hold out; and, though he managed to keep back +the enemy for another month, yet on the 26th January, 1885, whilst yet +Sir Charles Wilson and the British troops were fighting their way up +the river Nile to his relief, Khartoum fell. + +In the early dawn of that day the Mahdi assaulted the town in +overwhelming force--whether helped by treachery is not exactly known; +and before his well-fed, well-trained hosts, the feeble worn-out +garrison gave way, the walls were scaled, the city taken, and the hero +who had won the affection of many nations fell amidst the people he +had come to save. + +[ILLUSTRATION: REDUCED FACSIMILE OF THE LAST PAGE OF GORDON'S DIARY AT +KHARTOUM.] + +It was on the whole a happy and fitting end. The mind cannot conceive +Gordon rusting out; and the man lived so much in the presence of God +that death was a welcome visitor. + +"Like Lawrence," he wrote, "I have tried to do my duty"; and England +confessed that right nobly he had done it. + +Let those who wish to testify their love and veneration for this great +man remember the Gordon Home for Boys at Chobham, which was founded to +perpetuate his name. It is situated in the midst of Surrey; and here +are to be found over two hundred boys rescued from the streets of our +great cities. + +The bracing life they lead in their country home soon brings the +colour to their cheeks, and the training they receive fits them for +becoming useful citizens and valuable servants of the State. Most of +them join the army, and the Gordon boys are now to be found serving +the Queen in every land. + + + + +"VALIANT AND TRUE." + + +THE STORY OF SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE. + +One of the most glorious of the many battles of the British navy was +fought on the 10th and 11th September, 1591, by Vice-Admiral Sir +Richard Grenville, in his ship _The Revenge_, against a great fleet +of Spanish vessels. The fight was described by the gallant Sir Walter +Raleigh, from whose account (published in November, 1591) the facts +given in the following narrative are taken. + +If the story seems somewhat out of place amongst nineteenth century +records, it is, nevertheless, such a unique display of stubborn +heroism "under fire" that I have not hesitated to include it. + +On the 10th of September, 1591 (31st August, old style), Lord Thomas +Howard, with six of her Majesty's ships, five victualling ships, a +barque and two or three pinnaces, was at anchor near Flores, one of +the westerly islands of the Azores, when Captain Middleton brought the +news that the Spanish fleet was approaching. + +He had no sooner delivered his message than the Spaniards came in +sight. The few ships at Lord Howard's command were in a very unready +state for fighting. Many of the seamen were ill. Some of the ships' +companies were procuring ballast, others getting in water. + +Being so unprepared for the contest, and so greatly outnumbered, the +British ships weighed their anchors and set sail. The last ship to get +under weigh was _The Revenge_, as Sir Richard waited for the men left +on the island, who would have otherwise been captured. + +The master of the ship wanted him to "cut his mainsail and cast about, +and to trust to the sailing of his ship"; but Sir Richard utterly +refused to turn from the enemy, saying that he would rather choose to +die than dishonour himself, his country, and her Majesty's ship, and +informed his company that he would pass through the two squadrons in +spite of them. He might possibly have been able to carry out his plan; +but the huge _San Philip_, an immense vessel of 1500 tons, coming +towards him as he was engaging other ships of the fleet, becalmed +his sails and then boarded him. Whilst thus entangled with the _San +Philip_, four other ships also boarded _The Revenge_. + +"The fight thus beginning at three of the clocke in the after noone," +says Sir Walter Raleigh, "continued verie terrible all that evening." + +Before long, the _San Philip_, having received the fire of _The +Revenge_ at close quarters, "shifted herself with all diligence, +utterly misliking her first entertainment". + +The Spanish ships had a great number of soldiers on board, in some +cases two hundred, in others five, and in some even eight hundred; +whilst on _The Revenge_ there were in all only one hundred and ninety +persons, of whom ninety were sick. + +After discharging their guns the Spanish ships endeavoured to board +_The Revenge_; but, notwithstanding the multitude of their armed men, +they were repulsed again and again, and driven back either into their +ships or into the sea. + +After the battle had lasted well into the night many of the British +were slain or wounded, whilst two Spanish ships had been sunk. An hour +before midnight Sir Richard Grenville was shot in the body, and a +little later was wounded in the head, whilst the doctor who was +attending him was killed. + +The company on board _The Revenge_ was gradually getting less and +less; the Spanish ships, meanwhile, as they received a sufficient +evidence of _The Revenge's_ powers of destruction, dropped off, and +their places were taken by others; and thus it happened that ere the +morning fifteen ships had been engaged, and all were so little pleased +with the entertainment provided that they were far more willing to +listen to proposals for an honourable arrangement than to make any +more assaults. + +As Lord Tennyson writes:-- + + And the sun went down, and the stars came out far over the summer sea, + But never a moment ceased the fight of the one and the fifty-three. + Ship after ship the whole night long their high-built galleons came, + + Ship after ship, the whole night long, with her battle-thunder and + flame; + Ship after ship, the whole night long, drew back with her dead and her + shame. + For some were sunk and many were shatter'd, and so could fight us no + more-- + God of battles, was ever a battle like this in the world before? + +_The Revenge_ had by this time spent her last barrel of gunpowder; all +her pikes were broken, forty of her best men slain, and most of the +remainder wounded. For her brave defenders there was now no hope,--no +powder, no weapons, the masts all beaten overboard, all her tackle cut +asunder, her decks battered, nothing left overhead for flight or below +for defence. + +Sir Richard, finding himself in this condition after fifteen hours' +hard fighting, and having received about eight hundred shots from +great guns, besides various assaults from the enemy, and seeing, +moreover, no way by which he might prevent his ship falling into the +hands of the Spanish, commanded the master gunner, whom he knew was +a most resolute man, to split and sink the ship. He did this that +thereby nothing might remain of glory or victory to the Spaniards: +seeing that in so many hours' fight, and with so great a navy, they +were not able to take her, though they had fifteen hours in which +to do so; and moreover had 15,000 men and fifty-three ships of war +against his single vessel of five hundred tons. + +He endeavoured to persuade his men to yield themselves to God, and to +the mercy of none else; that, as they had repulsed so many enemies, +they should not shorten the honour of their nation by prolonging their +lives by a few hours or days. + +The captain and master could not, however, see the matter in this +light, and besought Sir Richard to have a care of them, declaring that +the Spaniards would be ready to treat with them; and that, as there +were a number of gallant men yet living whose wounds were not mortal, +they might do their country and prince acceptable service hereafter. +They also pointed out that as _The Revenge_ had six feet of water in +the hold and three shots under water, but weakly stopped, she must +needs sink in the first heavy sea; which indeed happened a few days +later. But Sir Richard refused to be guided by such counsels. + +Whilst, however, the dispute was going on, the master of _The Revenge_ +opened communication with the Spaniards and concluded an arrangement +fully honourable to the British, by which it was agreed that those on +board _The Revenge_ should be sent to England in due course; those of +the better sort to pay a reasonable ransom, and meantime no one was +to be imprisoned. The commander of the Spanish fleet agreed to this +readily, not only because (knowing the disposition of his adversary) +he feared further loss to his own side by prolonging the fight, but +because he greatly admired the valour of Sir Richard Grenville, and +desired to save his life. The master gunner, finding Sir Richard and +himself alone in their way of thinking, would have slain himself +rather than fall into the hands of the enemy, but was forcibly +prevented from carrying out his intention and locked in his cabin. + +Being sent for by Don Alfonso Bassan, the Spanish commander, Sir +Richard made no objection to going, answering that he might do as he +pleased with his body, for he esteemed it not. As he was being carried +out of the ship he swooned, and reviving again desired the company to +pray for him. + +Though the Spaniards treated Sir Richard with every care and +consideration, he died the second or third day after the fight, deeply +lamented both by, the enemy and by his own men. + +"Here die I, Richard Grenville," said he, "with a joyful and quiet +mind; for that I have ended my life as a true soldier ought to do, +that hath fought for his country, queen, religion and honour. Whereby +my soul most joyfully departeth out of this body, and shall always +leave behind it an everlasting fame of a valiant and true soldier, +that hath done his duty as he was bound to do." + +The reason the other British ships did not take part in the contest +was that it was altogether hopeless; and that, had the admiral ordered +it, the entire fleet would probably have fallen into the hands of the +Spaniards, seeing that they so greatly outnumbered the British ships. + +Six small ships ill supplied with fighting men against fifty-three +bigger ones filled with soldiers was too great a disparity of force to +give even a hope of victory. + +And, although Lord Howard would himself have gone into battle even +against such odds as that, yet the other commanders were greatly +opposed to so rash an enterprise; and the master of his own ship said +he would rather jump into the sea than conduct her Majesty's ship and +the rest to be a prey to the enemy. + +Hence it was that _The Revenge_ fought alone on that September day the +entire Spanish fleet, and has given us one of the most glorious pages +in the annals of our national history. + + + + +ONE WHO LEFT ALL. + + +THE STORY OF BISHOP HANNINGTON. + +Fancy Hannington, of all persons in the world, turning missionary, and +going out to preach the Gospel to the blacks! + +It is well-nigh incredible at first thought that such a light-hearted, +rollicking, jovial fellow could have given up _everything_ for such a +work as that! + +He had plenty of money, hosts of friends, wife, children, any amount +of useful work to do at home,--everything, in fact, that can make life +worth living. + +What could possibly make such a man as that go into the wilds of +Africa to be tormented, tortured, and slain by savages? + +I will try and show briefly how it came about. + +At school Hannington was the veriest pickle, and was nicknamed "Mad +Jim". + +On one occasion he lit a bonfire in his dormitory, he pelted the +German master with rejected examination papers, and in a single day +was caned over a dozen times. Yet he fought the bullies, and kept his +word; he was brave, honest and manly, and was a great favourite. + +When about fifteen years old he was put into his father's business +at Brighton. His life there was certainly not hard or trying. He was +allowed to travel a great deal, and thus went over a considerable part +of Europe, enjoying himself immensely when so doing. Still, he had no +taste for the counting-house; and after six years gave it up to become +a clergyman, and forthwith proceeded to Oxford. + +Both at Oxford and at Martinhoe, in North Devon, where he spent some +time during the vacations, Hannington preserved his reputation for +fun and love of adventure. At Oxford he took part in practical jokes +innumerable; at Martinhoe cliff-climbing and adventurous scrambles +occupied some little of his time. + +One day he went with two companions to explore a cave called "The +Eyes". Adjoining this they discovered a narrow hole leading to a +further cave, which was below high-water mark. Into this with great +exertion Jim managed to squeeze himself. It was quite dark inside, and +whilst he was describing it to his companions they suddenly noticed +that the tide was fast coming in, and implored him to get out of his +perilous position at once. + +Easier said than done. The difficulty he had found in getting in was a +trifle compared with the passage out. He tried head first, then feet +first, and whilst his friends tugged he squeezed. It was of no use. +The sea had almost reached him, and drowning seemed certain. + +Then, quite hopeless of escape, he bade his companions good-bye. All +at once it occurred to him to try taking off his clothes. This made +just the difference required, and with a tremendous effort he got out +of his prison-house in the very nick of time. + +A little later comes an important entry in his diary: "---- opened a +correspondence with me to-day, which I speak of as delightful; it led +to my conversion". + +Thereafter followed a change in Hannington's life--he prayed more. + +It seems that about this time a college friend began to think much +of him, and to pray earnestly for him; and finally wrote to him a +serious, simple, earnest letter, which had much effect on Hannington. + +The letter was unanswered for over a year; but coming at a time when +the man of twenty-five was beginning to find that there were better +things to be done in life than cliff-climbing in the country, or +giving pleasant parties at Oxford, it wrought its purpose, and formed +the first step towards the new life. + +Having spent some time in study, Hannington went up for his ordination +examination. He did very well the first day; the second he was ill and +could do nothing; the third the same; and when he was dismissed by the +bishop he was in a state akin to despair. + +The next examination was better, but he was nervous, and found his +mind at times a hopeless blank. He passed, but not in such a way as he +desired. At the examination for priest's orders he came out at the top +of the list. + +The first portion of his life as a curate did not seem to point to his +making any mark upon his Devonshire flock. His audiences were sleepy, +and paid little attention to his sermons. + +One day he got lost on Exmoor in trying to make a short cut to a place +where he was to conduct service. He was consequently late in arriving, +and found the congregation waiting. On explaining why he was late to +the clerk:-- + +"Iss," said that official, "we reckoned you was lost, but now you are +here go and put on your surples and be short, for we all want to get +back to dinner". Truly he was no Wesley in those days! + +But to him, as to every true-hearted seeker, light came at last. Not +long afterwards he could write, "I know now that Jesus Christ died for +me, and that He is mine and I am His". + +After little more than a year in Devonshire, Hannington was appointed +curate in charge of St. George's, Hurstpierpoint, near Brighton. By +his earnestness he roused the people to a fuller faith and to better +works. Finding much drunkenness in the place he turned teetotaler, and +persuaded many to sign the pledge. He started Bible classes, prayer +meetings, and mothers' meetings. Not only was he a shining light in +his own parish, but he also went about the country and assisted at +revival missions, showing himself everywhere a bright and helpful +minister of the Gospel. + +In the year 1878 Hannington heard of the violent deaths which had +befallen Lieut. Shergold Smith and Mr. O'Neil in Central Africa. From +this time he became drawn towards mission work in that district. + +It was not, however, till the year 1882 that he finally entered into +arrangements with the Church Missionary Society to go to Africa. + +Their high estimation of his capacities may be gathered from the fact +that he was appointed as leader of the expedition which was being sent +out. + +It was a horrible wrench at last to leave wife and children. "My most +bitter trial," he writes--"an agony that still cleaves to me--was +saying good-bye to the little ones. Thank God the pain was all on one +side. 'Come back soon, papa!' they cried." His wife had resolutely +made up her mind to give him to God, and was brave to the last. + +"When at length the ship left England I watched and watched the +retreating tow-boat," he continues, "until I could see it no longer, +and then hurried down below. Indeed, I felt for the moment as one +paralysed. Now is the time for reaction--to 'cast all your care upon +Him'." + +Strangely enough, both his missionary journeys in Africa failed in +their original aim, which was to reach the kingdom of Uganda. + +In the first journey the expedition started from the coast at the end +of June, 1882. After two months' difficult marching into the interior, +amidst the constant difficulties which beset the African traveller, he +writes on 1st August: "I am very happy. Fever is trying, but it does +not take away the joy of the Lord, and keeps one low in the right +place". + +On, on they went. Fever was so heavy upon him that his temperature +reached 110 degrees; but still he struggled forward, insisting upon +placing a weary companion on the beast which he ought himself to have +ridden. + +By 4th September they reached Uyui, a place which was still far +distant from Lake Victoria (or Victoria Nyanza); and now he was at +death's door. So intense was the pain he suffered that he asked to be +left alone that he might scream, as that seemed to bring some relief. + +Notwithstanding this suffering, the expedition started forward again +on 16th October, Hannington being placed in a hammock. They reached +Lake Victoria, but the leader could go no further. He was utterly +broken down by continued fever; and, though the thought of returning +to England without accomplishing his mission was bitter to him, it was +a necessity. + +By June, 1883, he was again in London. How favourable was the +impression Hannington had already made upon the Missionary Society is +apparent from the fact that the bishopric of East Equatorial Africa +was offered him. He was consecrated in June, 1884; and, after visiting +Palestine to confirm the churches there, he arrived in Frere Town on +the west coast of Africa in January, 1885, and spent several months of +useful work in organising. By July, 1885, he was ready to attempt the +second time to reach the kingdom of Uganda. + +He determined to try a different route from that taken before, in +order to avoid the fevers from which the previous expedition had +suffered so terribly. + +After surmounting many difficulties in his passage through Masai Land +he had by October reached within a few days' journey of Uganda; but +there, on the outskirts of the kingdom he sought to enter, a martyr's +death crowned his brief but earnest mission life. + +On 21st October, 1885, the bishop had started from his tent to get a +view of the river Nile when about twenty of the natives set upon him, +robbed him, and hurried him off to prison. He was violently dragged +along, some trying to force him one way, some another, dashing him +against trees in their hurry, and bruising and wounding him without +thought or consideration. Although the bishop believed he was to be +thrown over a precipice or murdered at once, he could still say, +"Lord, I put myself in Thy hands; I look to Thee alone," and sing, +"Safe in the arms of Jesus". + +At length, after a journey of about five miles, he was pushed into +a hut, and there kept prisoner. Whilst in this place he endured all +kinds of horrors. Laughed at in his sufferings by the savages, almost +suffocated by the bad smells about the hut, taken out at times to be +the sport of his captors, unable to eat, full of aches and pains, he +was yet able to look up and say, "Let the Lord do as He sees fit," and +to read his Bible and feel refreshed. + +On 27th October he writes: "I am very low, and cry to God for +release". On the 28th fever developed rapidly. Word was brought that +messengers had arrived from Mwanga, King of Uganda. Three soldiers +from this monarch had indeed arrived; but, instead of bringing orders +for his release, doubtless conveyed instructions that the bishop +should be put to death. + +It seems that Mwanga had some fear of invasion from the East; and +acting on his suspicions, without taking any trouble to ascertain the +facts of the case, had sent the fatal command. + +On the day of the bishop's release, the 29th, he was held up by Psalm +xxx., which came with great power. As he was led forth to execution he +sang hymns nearly all the way. When his captors hesitated to launch +their spears at him, he spake gently to them and pointed to his gun. +So, either by gunshot or spear wounds, died another of that glorious +band of martyrs who have, century after century, fearlessly laid down +their lives to advance the Kingdom of God. + +Mrs. Hannington has kindly made a tracing of the page in the bishop's +little pocket diary for 28th October, the day before his martyrdom +took place. I am very glad to be able to give a reproduction of so +interesting a memento. + +[Illustration: diary entry] + +_Seventh day's prison. Wednesday, 28th October_. A terrible night, 1st +with noisy, drunken guard, and 2nd with vermin which have found out my +tent and swarm. I don't think I got one sound hour's sleep, and woke +with fever fast developing. O Lord, do have mercy upon me and release +me. I am quite broken down and brought low. Comforted by reading 27th +Psalm. + +In an hour or two's time fever developing rapidly. My tent was so +stifling I was obliged to go inside the filthy hut, and soon was +delirious. + +Evening: fever passed away. Word came that Mwanga had sent 3 soldiers, +but what news they bring they will not yet let me know. + +Much comforted by 28th Psalm. + + + + +A MAN WHO CONQUERED DISAPPOINTMENTS. + + +THE STORY OF SIR HENRY HAVELOCK. + +He was nicknamed "Phlos"--short for philosopher--even when at school. +Havelock and a few companions at Charterhouse met together for +devotion, and of course came in for a large amount of jeering from +some of the other boys. But it was useless to call him "Methodist" and +"hypocrite"; he had learnt from his mother the value of Bible reading, +and possessed sufficient character to care little what his companions +said. + +He knew the right, and did it--thus early he was a philosopher in a +small way. + +It had been intended that Havelock should follow the law as a +profession; and he was studying with this end in view when his father +stopped the necessary supplies of money, and he had to turn to some +other occupation for a living. + +He had always had a leaning towards a military life, and by his +brother's aid obtained a commission as second lieutenant in 1815, +being then twenty years old. + +Unlike Colin Campbell, who was in the thick of the fight within a few +months of joining his regiment, it was some years before Havelock had +a chance of distinguishing himself; but meantime he set to work to +study military history and tactics both ancient and modern. + +Not content with this, he learnt Persian and Hindostanee; and thus +when he went to India in 1823 he was equipped as few young men of his +day were. + +Havelock's faith, strong though it was, had to undergo a time of +severe trial. Doubts arose in his mind, and made him miserable while +they lasted. But on board ship he came across Lieut. Gardner, to whom, +with others, he was giving lessons in languages; and as a result of +his intercourse with this man he became again the same simple loving +believer that he had been when he learnt to read the Bible at his +mother's knee, or braved the taunts of his school-fellows. + +During the two months he was at Calcutta he held religious meetings, +to which the soldiers were invited. At these, not only did he preach +the Gospel of Christ, but he made a point of telling the men the +blessings of temperance; and it was by his influence that later on +a society was formed in the regiment, and various attractions were +placed before the men to keep them from intemperance. + +Now came the chance of active service for which he had been longing. +An expedition was planned against the Burmese, and Havelock was one of +the members. But a great disappointment was in store for him. The ship +in which he sailed was delayed, and did not arrive at Rangoon till the +town was taken. Still, though there was no glory to be gained, there +was much good work to be done in looking after his men's comfort and +well-being; and this he did to the utmost of his power. He also held +simple services, such as the men could appreciate, in one of the +Buddhist temples. + +Though there was not a great deal of fighting to do, there were great +losses of men through disease; and Havelock himself was ere long so +ill that he was told a voyage to England was the only thing to save +his life. + +This, however, he objected to; and after a stay at Bombay he was +sufficiently restored to rejoin his regiment. + +During this war a night attack was made by the enemy on an outpost; +and the men ordered to repulse it were not ready when summoned. + +"Then call out Havelock's saints," said the commander-in-chief. "They +are always sober, and can be depended upon, and Havelock himself is +always ready." And, surely enough, "Havelock's saints" were among the +enemy in double quick time, and soon gave them as much steel and lead +as they had any wish for! + +"Every inch a soldier, and every inch a Christian,"--that was an exact +description of this man. + +Even the day he got married to Hannah Marshman, the missionary's +daughter, he showed that he was a soldier before all else. For, having +been suddenly summoned to attend a military court of inquiry at twelve +o'clock on his wedding day, he got married at an earlier hour than he +had previously arranged, took a quick boat to Calcutta, returning to +his bride when his business of the day was finished. + +Time passed on, and the leader of "the saints" was still but a junior +lieutenant, though he had been seventeen years in the army. +Thrice were his hopes of promotion raised, and thrice doomed to +disappointment. + +Still he murmured not. "I have only two wishes," he would say. "I +pray that in life and death I may glorify God, and that my wife and +children may be provided for." + +Heavy trials befel him. Death laid its hand on his little boy Ettrick, +and another child was so burnt in a fire that happened at their +bungalow that he died also, whilst his beloved wife narrowly escaped +the same fate. Yet he bore all this with patience. + +Stern commander though he was, his men loved him so much that they +wanted to give him a month of their pay to assist him in the loss of +means occasioned by the fire. + +Though their offer was refused, yet Havelock could not but be thankful +for the kind feeling which prompted it. + +At length, after over twenty years' service, he became a captain. + +In the Afghan war Havelock was with General Sale at Jellalabad at the +time that Dr. Brydon brought the news of the massacre of our men by +the Afghans; and during the anxious time that followed he was able to +render good service in the field and at the council table. + +He fought in the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshah, and Sobraon. At +the first-named he had two horses shot under him; and in all he +distinguished himself by coolness and bravery. + +When the terrible mutiny broke out in India in the year 1857, the +hour of dire emergency had come, and with it had come the man. "Your +excellency," said Sir Patrick Grant, presenting Havelock to Lord +Canning, "I have brought the man." + +That was on 17th June, 1857. + +Two days later Havelock was appointed to the command of the little +army. His instructions were that, "after quelling all disturbances +at Allahabad, he should not lose a moment in supporting Sir Henry +Lawrence at Lucknow, and Sir Hugh Wheeler at Cawnpore; and that he +should take prompt measures for dispersing and utterly destroying all +mutineers and insurgents". + +A large order that to tell a commander with 2000 men, to take a dozen +fortified places defended by ten times the number of his own force! + +Not a moment was to be lost, for both cities were in deadly peril. + +Alas! Early on the 1st July came news of the terrible massacre of +the Cawnpore garrison,--men, women and children slain in one wanton, +heartless slaughter, which still makes the blood run cold to read +about. + +Out of the 2000 men under Havelock's command 1400 only were British +soldiers. But in that force every man was a hero. Notwithstanding the +scorching heat of an Indian summer,--in spite, too, of the fact that +a number of the men were obliged to march in heavy garments utterly +unsuited to the climate; though death, disease, and a thousand perils +lay in front of them,--not a man of Havelock's "Ironsides" but was +impatient to push onward to death or victory. + +The general himself was full of humble trust in the Lord, and was in +good spirits notwithstanding--perhaps because of--the perils before +him. For it is written of him that "he was always as sour as if he had +swallowed a pint of vinegar except when he was being shot at,--and +then he was as blithe as a schoolboy out for a holiday". + +Sour he was _not_, but he kept splendid discipline among his troops. + +"Soldiers," he said as they set out, "there is work before us. We are +bound on an expedition whose object is the supremacy of British rule, +and to avenge the fate of British men and women." + +The first battle fought was at Futtehpore. Writing to his wife on the +same night, Havelock said: "One of the prayers oft repeated throughout +my life has been answered, and I have lived to command in a general +action.... We fought, and in ten minutes' time the affair was +decided.... But away with vain glory! Thanks to God Almighty, who gave +me the victory." + +Day, after day, the men fought and marched--marched and fought. Battle +after battle was won against foes of reckless daring, carefully +entrenched, amply supplied with big guns, and infinitely superior in +numbers. + +His men were often half famished. For two whole days they had but one +meal, consisting of a few biscuits and porter! + +Hearing that some of the women and children were still alive, having +escaped the massacre of 27th June, Havelock pressed on with his +wearied little army. "With God's help," said he, "we shall save them, +or every man die in the attempt." + +Nana Sahib himself barred the way to Cawnpore. His 5000 men were well +placed in good positions; but they were driven from post to post +before the onset of the British. + +"Now, Highlanders!" shouted Havelock, as the men halted to re-form +after one of their irresistible onslaughts; "another charge like the +last wins the day!" + +And again the Scots scattered the enemy, at the bayonet's point. + +The sun was far towards the western horizon before the battle was +finally over. The mutineers were brave men; and, though beaten, +retreated, reformed, and fought again. + +The enemy had rallied at a village; and Havelock's men, after their +day's fight, lagged a little when, having gone over ploughed fields +and swamps, they came again under fire. + +[Illustration: THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW.] + +But their general rode out under fire of the guns, and, smiling as a +cannon ball just missed him by a hairsbreadth, said:-- + +"Come, who is to take that village--the Highlanders or the 64th?" + +That was enough: pell-mell went both regiments upon the enemy, who had +a bad quarter of an hour between the two. + +Cawnpore was won; but, alas! the women and children had been slain +whilst their countrymen had been fighting for their deliverance. And +Lucknow was not yet to be relieved. + +For after advancing into Oude Havelock found that constant fighting, +cholera, sunstroke and illness had so reduced his numbers that to go +on would risk the extermination of his force. + +He therefore returned to await reinforcements. By the time these +arrived, Sir James Outram had been appointed general of the forces in +India; but he generously refused to accept the command till Lucknow +had been relieved, saying that, Havelock having made such noble +exertions, it was only right he should have the honour of leading the +troops till this had been done. + +So he accompanied the army as a volunteer; and again the men fought +their way, this time right through the mutineers, accomplishing their +object by the first relief of Lucknow. + +On the evening of 28th September, the soldiers reached the Residency, +where the British had been shut up for so long face to face with +death. The last piece of fighting was the worst they had had to face. +Fired at from roof and window by concealed foes, they marched on with +unwavering courage, and those who reached the Residency had a reward +such as can come to few in this life. + +As the women and children frantic with joy rushed to welcome their +rescuers the stern-set faces of the Highlanders changed to joy and +gladness; hunger, thirst, wounds, weariness--all were forgotten as +they clasped hands with those for whom they had fought and bled. + +"God bless you," they exclaimed; "why, we expected to have found only +your bones!" + +"And the children living too!" + +Women and children, civilians and soldiers, gave themselves up to pure +gladness of heart, and in that meeting all thought of past woes and +dangers faded away. + +After a series of the most thrilling incidents the world has known, +Lucknow was finally relieved by Sir Colin Campbell. + +When Havelock came from the Residency to meet the troops the men +flocked round him cheering, and their enthusiasm brought tears to the +veteran's eyes. + +On the 17th November Lucknow was relieved, and on the 24th Havelock +died. "I have," he said to Outram in his last illness, "for forty +years so ruled my life that when death came I might face it without +fear." + + + +A FRIEND OF PRISONERS. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN HOWARD. + +In St. Paul's Cathedral there stands a monument representing a man +with a key in his right hand and a scroll in his left, whilst on the +pedestal from which he looks down are pictured relics of the prison +life of the past. The man is John Howard, who travelled tens of +thousands of miles, and spent many years in visiting gaols all over +England and the Continent, and in endeavouring to render prison life +less degrading and brutalising. Wherever he went prison doors were +unlocked as if he possessed a magic key; and by his life and books he +did more to help prisoners than any other man. + +It is only just over a hundred years since John Howard died; yet in +his day persons could be put to death for stealing a horse or a sheep, +for robbing dwellings, for defrauding creditors, for forgery, for +wounding deer, for killing or maiming cattle, for stealing goods to +the value of five shillings, or even for cutting a band in a hop +plantation. And many persons who were innocent of any offence would +lie in dungeons for years! + +At his father's death John Howard came into possession of a good +property; and, marrying a lady some years older than himself, settled +down on his estate and passed three years of quiet happiness. + +Then a great grief came to him. His wife died, and Howard was bowed +down with sorrow. + +But the distress brought with it a longing to be a comfort to others; +and he set out for Lisbon, which had just been visited by the great +earthquake of 1755, with the hope of assisting the homeless and +suffering. + +France and England were then at war, and on his way thither he was +captured by a French vessel and thrown into prison. He was placed in +a dark, damp, filthy dungeon, and was half starved. For two months he +was kept a prisoner, and as soon as he was free he set about obtaining +the release of his fellow captives. + +Some years later he became a sheriff of Bedford, and began visiting +the prisoners in the gaol where John Bunyan wrote the _Pilgrim's +Progress_. + +From the inquiries he made during the course of his visitations he was +astonished to find that the gaolers received no salary, and that they +lived on what they could make out of the prisoners. As a result it +often happened that those who had been acquitted at their trial were +kept in prison long afterwards, because they were unable to pay the +fees which the gaoler demanded. + +Horrified at the state in which he found the prison and at the abuses +of justice that prevailed, John Howard determined to find out what +was done in other parts of the kingdom, and visited a number of gaols +throughout the country. And fearful places he found them to be! Boys +who were taken to gaol for the first time were put with old and +hardened criminals; the prisons were dirty and ill-smelling; the +dungeons were dark and unhealthy; and, unless prisoners could afford +to pay for comforts, they were obliged to sleep on cold bare floors, +even delicate women not being exempted from such cruel treatment. + +At Exeter he found two sailors in gaol, having been fined one shilling +each for some trifling offence, and owing £1 15s. 8d. for fees to the +gaolers and clerk of the peace. When he visited Cardiff he heard a man +had just died in prison after having been there ten years for a debt +of seven pounds. At Plymouth he found that three men had been shut up +in a little dark room only five and a half feet high, so that they +could neither breathe freely nor stand upright. + +Hundreds of cases as bad or worse than these did he discover and bring +before public notice. + +He gave evidence before the House of Commons of what he had seen. Then +Acts of Parliament were passed, providing that gaolers should be paid +out of the rates, that prisoners who were found not guilty should be +set at liberty at once, that the prisons should be kept clean and +healthy, and the prisoners properly clothed and attended to. + +Determined that these Acts should not remain a dead letter, he went +about the country seeing that what Parliament required was actually +carried out. + +Not contented with what he had already done, he travelled abroad, +inspecting the prisons of France, Russia, Holland, Switzerland, +Germany, and other countries, in order to see how they compared with +those in Great Britain. + +Strange to say, he discovered that in a number of cases they were in +many ways better; and the prisoners, unlike their fellows in Britain, +were generally employed in some useful manner. + +When he was in London on one occasion he heard that there had been a +revolt in the military prison in the Savoy. Two of the gaolers had +been killed, and the rioters held possession of the building. Howard +set off for the prison, though he was warned that his life would not +be safe if he ventured inside. Nothing daunted, he went amongst +the prisoners, and soon persuaded them to go back to their cells +peaceably, promising to bring their grievances before the authorities. + +At Paris he was unable for a long time to get into that great prison +house which then existed called the Bastille. Try as he would, he +could gain no admittance. One day when he was passing he went to the +gate of the prison, rang the bell and marched in. After passing the +sentry he stopped and took a good look at the building, then he had to +beat a hasty retreat, and narrowly escaped capture; but by that time +he had partly accomplished his object. + +When Howard was in Russia the empress sent a message saying she +desired to see him; but he returned an answer that he was devoting +his time to inspecting prisons, and had no leisure for visiting the +palaces of rulers. + +At Rome, however, he was prevailed on to go and see the Pope, on +the express understanding that he should not be obliged to kiss his +holiness's toe; and he came away with a very pleasant remembrance of +the Holy Father. + +At Vienna the Emperor Joseph II. specially requested an interview. +Howard refused at first to meet the emperor's wishes; but, on the +English ambassador representing good might come of the visit, +Howard went to see his majesty, and remained with him two hours in +conversation, during which time he made the emperor acquainted with +the bad state of some of the Austrian prisons. Once or twice the +emperor was angered by Howard's plainness of speech, but told the +ambassador afterwards that he liked the prison reformer all the better +for his honesty. + +Having made up his mind to see the quarantine establishment at +Marseilles, Howard made his way through France, though he was so +feared and disliked by the Government that he was warned if he were +caught in that country he would be thrown into the Bastille. + +He disguised himself as a doctor, and after some narrow escapes +arrived at Marseilles and visited the Lazaretto (or place of detention +for the infected), though even Frenchmen were forbidden to do so. He +took drawings of the place, and then went on a tour to many southern +cities. He was at Smyrna while fever was raging with fury, and went +amongst the sick and fever-stricken, fearless of the consequences. + +In the course of his travels the ship in which he was a passenger was +attacked by pirates, and John Howard showed himself as brave in actual +battle as he was in fighting abuses; for he loaded the big gun with +which the ship was armed nearly up to the muzzle with nails and +spikes, and fired it into the pirate crew just in time to save himself +and his companions from destruction. The books in which he gave an +account of his experiences were eagerly read by the public, and +produced a profound effect. + +His last journey was to Russia. At Cherson he received an urgent +request to visit a lady who had the fever. The place where she lived +was many miles off, and no good horses were to be obtained. But he +was determined not to disappoint her; so he procured a dray horse and +started for his destination on a wintry night, with rain falling in +torrents. As a result of this journey he was stricken down by the +fever, and died 20th January, 1790. + +Howard was a very hard worker, and a man of most frugal habits. He was +often up by two o'clock in the morning writing and doing business till +seven, when he breakfasted. He ate no flesh food, and drank no wine +or spirits. He had a great dislike to any fuss being made about him +personally; and, though £1500 was subscribed during his life to erect +a memorial, it was, at his earnest desire, either returned to the +subscribers or spent in assisting poor debtors. + +But after his death a memorial was put up in St. Paul's, and quite +recently a monument has been erected at Bedford, where he first began +his labours on behalf of the prisoners. + + + + +A HERO OF THE VICTORIA CROSS. + + +THE STORY OF KAVANAGH. + +It was the time of the Indian Mutiny. Lucknow was in the hands of the +rebels. Within the Residency Sir James Outram, Sir Henry Havelock, +and their troops, were fast shut up, around them a vast multitude of +mutineers. But now near at hand was Sir Colin Campbell with the army +of relief. + +It was difficult, nay, almost impossible, to get a trusty messenger +through that multitude of fierce and bloodthirsty foes; and yet it was +of the utmost importance that Sir Colin should have some one to tell +him what was passing within the Residency, and show him the best route +by which his troops could approach. + +If any man tried to get through and failed, death--or perhaps worse +still, horrible torture--was his certain fate. But there was one man +who determined to do it, or die in the attempt. His name was Kavanagh. +It was so dangerous a matter that when Sir James Outram heard of his +proposal he declared he would not have asked one of his officers +to attempt the passage. But in the end he accepted the offer, and +Kavanagh prepared for the journey. + +Dressing himself as a native soldier, and covering his face and hands +with lampblack, he was so altered in appearance that even his friends +failed to recognise him. Thus disguised, and accompanied by a +native spy named Kunoujee Lal to guide him, he set out. The night, +fortunately, was dark and favoured their design. The first thing they +did was to ford the Goomtee, a river about a hundred yards wide, and +four or five feet deep. Taking off their garments they waded across; +but whilst in the water Kavanagh's courage reached a low ebb, and he +wished himself back again. However, they got to the opposite bank in +safety, and crouching up a ditch found a grove of trees, where they +dressed. + +Kavanagh's confidence had now returned, and he felt so sure of his +disguise that he even exchanged a few words with a matchlock-man whom +they met. After going on for about half a mile they reached the iron +bridge over the river, and here they were challenged by a native +officer. Kavanagh kept judiciously in the shade whilst the guide +advanced and answered the questions put to him satisfactorily, and +they were allowed to proceed. A little further they passed through a +number of Sepoys, but these let them go by without inquiry. Having +had the good fortune to get unperceived past a sentry who was closely +questioning a native, they came into the principal street of Lucknow, +jostling against the armed rebels, who would have killed them in a +moment had their suspicion been aroused. But no mishap occurred, and +after being challenged by a watchman they at last found themselves to +their great relief out in the open country. + +They were now in the best of spirits, and went along for a few miles +in a state of great gladness. Then came a rude shock. They had taken +the wrong direction, and were returning into the midst of the rebels. +It was an awful awakening for Kavanagh. Suppose the spy after all were +playing him false. It seemed an extraordinary mistake to have made. +Happily it was stupidity not treason that had caused the disastrous +loss of time, and the guide was full of sorrow for his error. + +There was nothing now to be done but to return as quickly as possible; +but they were for a while in an awkward fix, as they could get no one +to direct them. + +A man whom they asked declared he was too old to guide them, another +on being commanded to lead them ran off shouting and alarmed the +village. It was now midnight, so there was no time to be lost. They +made for the canal, into which Kavanagh fell several times, for his +shoes were wet and slippery, and he was footsore and weary. By this +time the shoes he wore had rubbed the skin off his toes and cut into +the flesh above the heels. + +About two o'clock in the morning they came across a picket of Sepoys, +and, thinking it safer not to try and avoid them, went up and asked +the way. Having answered the inquiries put to them without exciting +suspicion, they were directed aright. + +They now made for Sir Colin's camp, which the spy told him was +situated at a village called Bunnee, about eighteen miles from +Lucknow. The moon had risen by this time, and they could now see their +way clearly. About three o'clock a villager observing them approach +called out a Sepoy guard of twenty-five men, who asked them all kinds +of questions. Kunoujee Lal now got frightened, for the first time; and +threw away the letter he had received, for fear of being taken, but +Kavanagh kept his in his turban. At last they satisfied the guard that +they were poor men travelling to the village of Umroola to inform a +friend of the death of his brother, and they were directed on their +perilous road. + +Hardly had they got through one difficulty than they were into +another. For now they found themselves in a swamp, where they waded +for two hours up to their waists in water. This might have proved the +worst accident of all, for in forcing his way through the weeds nearly +all the black was washed off Kavanagh's hands. Had they after this +been seen by the enemy there would have been little chance of either +of them reaching the British lines alive. + +Much against the spy's advice, Kavanagh now insisted on a quarter of +an hour's rest, for he was about worn out. After this they passed +between two of the enemy's pickets who, happily for them, had no +sentries thrown out, and reached a grove of trees. Here he asked +Kunoujee Lal to see if there was any one who could tell them where +they were. Before they had gone far, however, they heard with joy +the English challenge, "Who goes there?" They had reached a British +cavalry outpost, and Kavanagh's eyes filled with tears as he shook the +officer's hand. They took him into a tent, gave him some dry clothes +and refreshment; and he thanked God for having preserved him through +the perils of that awful night. + +All through the British camp spread the tale of Kavanagh's brave deed; +and the enthusiasm of officers and men alike knew no bounds. + +The information he was able to give proved of the greatest assistance; +and a little later he had the honour of conducting Sir James Outram +and Sir Henry Havelock into the presence of Sir Colin Campbell, and +witnessed the meeting of these three great commanders. + +When the army of relief forced its way into Lucknow, Kavanagh was +always near the commander-in-chief; and, when at length they drew near +to the besieged, he was one of the first at the Residency, and as he +approached a loud cheer burst forth from his old associates. "It is +Kavanagh!" they shouted. "He is the first to relieve us. Three cheers +for him!" + +In consideration of his gallant services he received the Victoria +Cross, and was afterwards made Assistant-Commissioner of Oude. + + + + +THE MAN WHO BRAVED THE FLOOD. + + +THE STORY ON CAPTAIN LENDY'S BRAVE DEED. + +In the autumn of 1893 a police force of forty men, under the command +of Captain E.A.W. Lendy, Inspector-General of Police, in Sierra Leone, +was sent to open a road to Koinadugu, which, owing to the war with the +Sofas, had been closed. + +It was no easy task to perform. The men had to cut their way through a +dense jungle. This was heavy and tiring work, and, owing to the fact +that for a month past they had been obliged to exist on a small +quantity of rice, they were not in the best condition to undertake +such labour. + +However, so as to get the road finished as quickly as possible they +worked from sunrise to sunset. Even the night slid not bring them rest +and peace; for the rain descended in such a manner as to add to the +discomfort of their situation. + +On the 4th of November the force arrived at the Sell or Roquelle +river. The stream was eighty yards wide. There was no bridge over it, +but only a creeper rope tied across from bank to bank. + +The river was very full, and a swift current was running; two hundred +yards below, the noise of falls sounded a warning note, and it was +known that alligators infested the district. + +No wonder, then, that the natives were terrified at the idea of +attempting to swim across. + +Yet the river lay between Captain Lendy's force and the food and rest +it needed. So, though owing to the privations the men had endured +their vital powers were at a low ebb, yet, with starvation staring +them in the face they must make the passage--alligators and falls +notwithstanding. + +The first to cross were two policemen, who, after a difficult journey, +got safe to the other side. + +Then followed a scene of excitement and danger. Private Momo Bangura +and Sergeant Smith were the next pair to start. Hardly had they +reached midstream when Bangura's rifle band, slipping over his arms, +pinned them to his side. + +Smith gallantly went to the rescue; but it was difficult enough for +him to get along alone; and, with Bangura to support, he quickly +became exhausted. After shouting for help, he and his companion +disappeared from view beneath the waters. + +At once two other men went to Bangura's assistance, giving Smith an +opportunity of looking to his own safety. + +But it seemed a hopeless struggle. Worn by their previous exertions, +the men were unable to give any permanent help to Bangura, and were in +their turn dragged under several times in their efforts to afford him +assistance. Indeed, it now seemed that, in spite of all the bravery +shown, Bangura's fate was sealed, if not that of his would-be rescuers +also. + +It was a terrible predicament. Four men were struggling in the +seething waters in deadly danger. Too brave and resolute to leave +their comrade-in-arms, too feeble to procure his safety, they were +wearing out their strength in futile though heroic efforts, whilst the +object of their solicitude was at his last gasp. + +At this moment their brave commander came to the rescue, and at once +changed the aspect of affairs. + +Diving into the stream he soon reached the drowning man; and the +others, released from their burden, were now able to give their +undivided attention to self-preservation. + +The supreme moment had arrived. Would Captain Lendy's efforts end as +the others had done? If so, it is probable that all would have found +a watery grave in the Roquelle; for, exhausted though they were, the +three other men were far too fond of their commander to have left him +to perish alone. + +It was for a time a stern fight with death. But Lendy was cool, calm, +resourceful. Yard by yard the distance between the further shore was +lessened, notwithstanding the race of the waters toward the falls. +Foot by foot he drew nearer to safety, though the man lay like a log +in the grasp of his rescuer, unable to assist in the struggle that was +going on. + +At length the shadow of death was dissipated; for the gallant soldier +managed to land his burden on the further shore, which the others had +already reached. + +The end of the stern combat with the waters was particularly +gratifying, as several men had previously lost their lives in crossing +the same river. + +The silver medal of the Royal Geographical Society was awarded to +Captain Lendy, and a bronze medal given to his brave followers. + +But, alas! Lendy did not live to receive his medal. Ere it could reach +him he had fallen in a night attack which the French made by mistake +upon our forces, supposing them to be natives whom they were seeking +to punish. Ere the error was discovered the loss on both sides was +serious, and in the conflict her Majesty was deprived of the services +of a devoted and faithful servant by the death of heroic Captain +E.A.W. Lendy. + +The little block in this page is a reproduction of Momo Bangura's +statement forwarded to the Colonial Office, duly witnessed by his +companions' signatures. + + Pte Momo. Bangurah's Statement. + + My name is Pte Momo Bangurah. I am a private in the Frontier + Police Force. On the 4th instant I tried to cross over the Seli + River. I slung my rifle across my shoulder half way across, the + sling slipped and so I could not use my arms. I sank but Sergeant + Smith caught me. I dragged him down twice and called out for help. + Corporal Sambah and Parkins then kept me up but the stream was so + strong, that we were taken under several times. I thought my last + moment had come. I remember Captain Lendy seizing me and then I + forgot everything till I found myself being rubbed on shore. If it + had not been for Captain Lendy Sergeant Smith Corporals Samba and + Parkins, I know I should have been drowned and I thank them for + their assistance. + + (sd) Momo Bangur + + his mark. + + Witnesses + + (sd) Benoni Johnson Sub Inspr. F.P. + " R.W. Sawyer Sergt + " S. Jenkins Coker Sergt + " Emanuel R. Palmer Sergt + + + + +A TEMPERANCE LEADER. + + +THE STORY OF JOSEPH LIVESEY. + +The leader of the great temperance movement in England--Joseph +Livesey, of Preston--had a very bad start in life. + +He was quite poor; he lost both father and mother from consumption +when he reached his eighth year; he was frail and delicate; his +brothers and sisters all died young; so that he seemed ill fitted to +make any headway in the race of life. + +His grandfather, who adopted him, failed in business; and Joseph +Livesey commenced his career by doing the work of a domestic servant, +as well as toiling at the loom. + +"As we were too poor to keep a servant," he says, "and having no +female help except to wash the clothes and occasionally clean up, I +may be said to have been the housekeeper." + +But, whilst he was weaving in the cellar where his grandfather and +uncle also worked, he was at the same time gaining knowledge day by +day. + +When his pocket money of a penny a week was increased to threepence, +he felt himself on the high road to wealth, and ere long he was the +possessor of a Bible and a grammar, which he set himself to study +whenever he could get a spare moment. + +One can scarcely realise the difficulties that lay in the way of a +studious boy in those days. A newspaper cost sevenpence; there were no +national schools or Sunday schools, no penny publications, no penny +postage, no railways, no gas, and no free libraries, and no free +education! Yet so resolute was he in his desire for education that, +though he was not even allowed a candle after the elders went to bed, +he would sit up till late at night reading by the glow of the embers. + +It is sad enough to see the number of families that are ruined by +drink at the present time; but in Livesey's early days people suffered +even more from drunkenness than they do now. + +The weavers used to keep Monday as a day of leisure; and the +public-houses were crowded from morning till night with men and women, +who drank away their earnings to the last penny. + +In the church to which Joseph Livesey belonged the ringers and singers +were hard drinkers, the gravedigger was a drunkard, and the parish +clerk was often intoxicated! + +Living amidst so much sin and misery, this frail lad determined to +strive his hardest to assist others. He found Sunday a day of rest and +rejoicing to him "a feast of good things," and became a Sunday-school +teacher and preacher. + +So far as worldly matters went he was not at all successful in early +life. Weaving was so badly paid that he tried several other trades, +but only to meet with failure. + +At the age of twenty he received a legacy of a few pounds; and soon +after, having saved a little money, married a good and true woman, who +helped him much throughout life. + +"Our cottage," says Mr. Livesey in his autobiography, "though small, +was like a palace; for none could excel my Jenny for cleanliness and +order. I renovated the garden, and made it a pleasant place to walk +in. On the loom I was most industrious, working from early in the +morning often till ten, and sometimes later, at night; and she +not only did all the house work, but wound the bobbins for three +weavers--myself, uncle, and grandfather; and yet, with all this +apparently hard lot, these were happy days." + +But it was not all sunshine at first. He fell ill, and the doctor +ordered him better living than he had been getting; and where the +money was to come from to get more nourishing food Livesey knew not. + +He had been ordered to take some cheese in the forenoon, so he bought +a piece at about eightpence a pound; and as he munched it came this +thought: cheese wholesale cost but fivepence per pound; would it not +be possible to buy a piece wholesale and sell it to his friends, so +that he too might have the benefit of getting it at this low price? + +No sooner thought of than done. But, when he had finished weighing out +the cheese to his friends, he found he had made, quite unexpectedly, +a profit of eighteenpence, and that it was more than he could have +gained by a great deal of weaving. + +So he changed his trade: weaving gave place to cheese mongering; and, +after some very hard work and persevering efforts, he placed himself +beyond the reach of poverty. + +Now came the important moment of his life. One day in settling a +bargain he drank a glass of whisky. It was, he said, the best he ever +drank, because it was the last. For the sensation it produced made him +resolve he would never again taste a drop of intoxicating liquor. + +Finding himself the better for this course, he soon tried to get +others to join him. His first convert to _total abstinence_ was a man +named John King; Livesey and he signed together; and on 1st September, +1832, at a meeting held at Preston, seven men--"the Seven Men of +Preston," as they are called--signed the pledge, of which the +following is a facsimile:-- + + [Handwritten: We agree to _abstain_ from all Liquors of an + _Intoxicating Quality_, whether ale porter Wine, or Ardent + Spirits, except as Medicine. + + John Gratix + Edw'd Dickinson + Jno: Broadbelt + Jno: Smith + Joseph Livesey + David Anderson + Jno: Ring.] + +It was a terrible struggle for these men at first. They were laughed +at, they were abused, they were persecuted; but the more people +tried to put them down the harder they fought; and soon hundreds and +thousands had joined their ranks, and the movement spread throughout +the kingdom. + +"There is more food in a pennyworth of bread," said Livesey, "than in +a gallon of ale"; and he proved it. He lectured far and wide; and, +though he met with much opposition, facts in the end prevailed. + +He was not only a temperance advocate, but an earnest worker for the +good of others in various directions. He visited the sick, and helped +them. When the railways came he started cheap trips to the seaside for +working people, and was never happier than when he was helping the +poor and unfortunate. + +Joseph Livesey is a striking example of the benefits to health derived +from teetotalism, as he lived to the good old age of ninety. + + + + +A GREAT MISSIONARY EXPLORER. + + +THE STORY OF DAVID LIVINGSTONE. + +It is past ten o'clock at night. A little boy fond of going about the +country in search of plants has returned home. Finding the door of his +father's house locked, and fearing to awaken his parents, he settles +down contentedly on the step to spend the night there. Then a woman's +hand quietly unbolts the door and receives the little wanderer back. +The boy is David Livingstone. Now-a-days we know him as one of the +greatest missionary explorers of our times. + +A stern father, a loving mother, both godly and upright people--such +were the parents of David; and he respected and loved them with a true +and constant affection. + +The boy was fond of learning--so fond indeed that when he was at +the factory he would keep his book open before him on the spinning +machine. Most people think "one thing at a time" is a very good +maxim--David thought two things at a time was even better. + +At home he was ever ready to lend a hand at house work to save his +mother. "If you bar the door, mother," he would say, "I'll wash the +floor;" and wash the floor he did, times without number! + +In later life he used to say he was glad he had thus toiled; and that, +if it were possible to begin life again, he would like to go through +just the same hard training. + +He got on quickly at lessons, and became, like his father, a total +abstainer for life. He was fond of serious books; and, reading the +lives of Christian missionaries, he began to wish to be one himself. +Ere long he journeyed from Blantyre near Glasgow (where he had been +working as a factory hand) to London, to prepare for going abroad as a +missionary. + +His first address was not very promising. He gave out his text, and +then was obliged to confess that his sermon had quite gone out of his +mind. + +In the year 1840 David Livingstone, being then just over twenty-seven +years old, went out to South Africa as a missionary. He made his way +up country to the furthest district in which the London Missionary +Society then had a station. There he taught the Hottentots, and his +heart was ere long rejoiced by the change which took place in them. + +Before leaving home he had studied medicine, and passed his +examination satisfactorily; and this knowledge of healing he found +most useful. His patients, the poor African blacks, would walk a +hundred miles to seek his advice, and his waggon was followed by a +great crowd of sick folk anxious to be healed. + +He studied the language of the tribes amongst whom he was ministering; +and soon the people were able to sing in their own tongue, "There is a +fountain filled with blood," "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun," and +other beautiful hymns which delight the hearts of those in our own +land. + +Whilst he was gaining the affection of the natives, he did not forget +his loved ones at home; and out of his scanty salary of about £100 a +year he sent £20 to his parents. + +Before he had been long in Africa he had an adventure which nearly +cost him his life. In the parts where he was teaching, the lions were +very troublesome, and would come by night and seize cattle. Sometimes +even they would venture into the gardens and carry off women and +children. So the people got together an expedition to go and hunt the +lions, and Livingstone joined them. After they had been on the track +for some time, and several lions had escaped owing to the fright of +the natives, Livingstone saw one sitting on a rock about thirty yards +off. He took careful aim and fired both barrels of his gun, wounding +it badly. + +The people thought it was, dead, and were going towards it, but +Livingstone made them keep back and began reloading. Before he had +finished, the lion sprang upon him, caught him by the shoulder, and +began shaking and tearing him so badly that he was utterly overcome. +Two persons who tried to help him were bitten by the lion. But just +when it looked as if the missionary's life had reached its last day, +the lion suddenly fell down dead from the effect of the bullets which +he had fired into it. + +Four years after he had been in Africa he married Mary Moffat, the +missionary's daughter. She was a true helpmate, and in the trials and +difficulties which beset him his way was made clearer and brighter by +this good and loving woman. + +[Illustration: LIVINGSTONE ATTACKED BY THE LION] + +He could not always take his wife with him, as the districts he +explored were so wild and savage. He ran risks of death by thirst, by +hostile tribes and disease, and went through terrible places where no +woman could have lived. But on many a long and perilous journey +she went with him. "When I took her," writes Livingstone, "on two +occasions to Lake Ngami and far beyond, she endured more than some who +have written large books of travel." + +One of Livingstone's first mission stations was Mabotsa, where he +stayed a year, and in that short time gained the love of the people. +When he thought it well to move on farther north the natives offered +to build him a new house, schools, anything he wished if he would only +stay. + +But he had made up his mind that it was best to go to fresh districts +rather than stay in places where there were already teachers, and +therefore proceeded forty miles further on to Chonuane. Here he met +with almost immediate success. The chief, Sechele by name, became a +convert and was able in a few weeks to read the Bible. Isaiah was his +favourite book. "He was a fine man, that Isaiah," remarked Sechele; +"he knew how to speak." + +This chief would have been willing to help Livingstone to convert his +tribe at a great pace, only his method was not to the missionary's +liking. + +"Do you think," said Sechele, "you can make my people believe by +talking to them? I can make them do nothing except by thrashing +them, and if you like I shall call my headman, and with our whips of +rhinoceros hide we will soon make them all believe together!" + +Like all missionaries, Livingstone was doomed to suffer +disappointments. Thus after labouring at Kolobeng for ten years the +Boers, annoyed with him for endeavouring to teach them that the +natives should be treated with kindness and consideration, made an +attack on his house when he was absent. They slaughtered a number of +the men and women, carried away 200 children into slavery, and burnt +down the mission station. Livingstone was deeply grieved about the +capture of the children, but as to his own loss he merely says: "The +Boers by taking possession of all my goods have saved me the trouble +of making a will". + +Still on, on into the dark continent went Livingstone. Not dark to +him, for he loved the natives and possessed such powers of attraction +that wherever he settled he won their affections. + +After taking leave of Sechele he travelled several hundred miles to +the territory of Sebituane. + +On the road Livingstone and his family had a terribly anxious time. +The water in the waggons was all but finished, they were passing +through a desert land, their guide had left them. The children were +suffering from thirst; his wife, though not uttering a word of +reproach, was in an agony of anxiety for her little ones, and +Livingstone was fearful lest they should perish in this desert +country. When hope had nearly vanished some of the party who had gone +out searching for water returned with a supply. They were soon after +welcomed by Sebituane, the greatest chief in Central Africa, who gave +them food to eat, soft skins to lie upon, and made much of them. + +After the death of Sebituane his son Sekeletu was equally friendly, as +may be gathered from this page of Livingstone's diary, which, by the +kindness of his daughter, Mrs. Bruce, I am permitted to reproduce. + +[Illustration: REDUCED FACSIMILE OF A PAGE FROM LIVINGSTONE'S DIARY. +THE ORIGINAL IS WRITTEN ON PAPER 7 INCHES BY 4-3/8 INCHES.] + +This entry in his diary was written on the eve of Livingstone's great +journey to the West Coast. Having sent his wife and family to England, +he determined to find a way from the centre of Africa to the West +Coast. It was a forlorn hope; but, says Livingstone, "Cannot the love +of Christ carry the missionary where the slave trade carries the +trader? I shall open up a path to the interior or perish." + +On the 11th of November, 1853, he left Linyante, having overcome +Sekeletu's objection to let him go, and arrived at Loando, on the West +Coast, on 31st May, 1854, after a variety of adventures, and being +reduced by fever to a mere skeleton. + +The sight of the sea, which gladdened Livingstone's heart, astonished +his native escort beyond description. "We were marching along with our +father," they said, "believing that what the ancients had told us was +true--that the world had no end; but all at once the world said to us, +'I am finished, there is no more of me'." + +At Loando friends tried to persuade Livingstone to go to England +by sea, but he had promised Sekeletu to return with the men who +accompanied him on his great journey, and would not be turned from his +purpose. And he arrived at Linyante on the return journey with every +one of the 27 men he had taken with him safe and sound! + +After this followed the journey to the East Coast ending at Quilemane. + +Besides discovering several large lakes, Livingstone was the first to +see the Falls of the Zambesi, which he named the Victoria Falls, +after her Majesty the Queen. The water at these falls dashes down in +torrents, a sheer depth of 320 feet, the spray rises mountains high +and can be seen many miles away, whilst its sound is like the noise of +thunder. + +Numerous were the expeditions he made. In the course of these he +traversed thousands of miles of country before untrodden by the feet +of Europeans. His fame had now spread to the four quarters of the +globe, and he had published several volumes giving an account of his +explorations. + +In January, 1873, he started on his last journey. In April, after +suffering intensely from constant illness, he got to a place near Lake +Bemba; and here he told his followers to build a hut for him to die +in. On the 27th April he wrote the last entry in his diary, viz., +"Knocked up quite, and remain--recover--sent to buy milch cows. We are +on the banks of the Molilamo." When on the 1st May his followers +went into the hut they found the great explorer kneeling by his +bedside--dead. + +Great was their grief and great was the sorrow of all in this country +when the news reached Britain of his decease. + +But the little factory boy had done such a great work that no place +was good enough for his remains but Westminster Abbey. + + + + +FROM FARM LAD TO MERCHANT PRINCE. + + +THE STORY OF GEORGE MOORE. + +George Moore was born in Cumberland in 1807. His father was a small +farmer. He had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was six years +old; but his father was a good and pious man, whose example had a +great effect upon him. + +The lad was shrewd and earnest, and showed a power of thinking and +acting for himself. + +At one time he worked for his brother in return for his board and +lodging; but wishing to make some money for himself he asked the +neighbouring farmers to give him some extra work to do, for which he +got wages. + +By the time he was ten years old he was able to earn as much as +eighteenpence a day, and at twelve years old did the work and earned +the wages of a full-grown man. + +He had had but little schooling, and his master was one of those +persons who thought the best way to get learning implanted in a boy's +mind was by forcing it into him at the point of the ruler. He beat his +boys much, but taught them little. + +To finish his education his father sent George for one quarter to a +better school. The cost was only eight shillings, but the boy then got +an idea for the first time of the value of learning. + +He determined not to return to farm life, believing he could do better +for himself in a town. So at about thirteen years of age George Moore +began his business life as apprentice to a draper at Wigton. + +He did not make at all a pleasant or successful start. His work was +very hard. He had to light fires, clean windows, groom horses, and +make himself generally useful. His master was fond of drink, and +George had to get his meals at a public-house. One of his duties was +to serve out spirits to customers who made good purchases. + +All things considered, it is perhaps not surprising that he got into +bad habits himself. He began to gamble at cards, sitting up often +nearly all night, and losing or winning considerable sums of money. + +At last a change came in a rather unexpected manner. George lodged at +his master's house, and when he went out to play was accustomed to +leave a window unfastened so that he could let himself in without +rousing the household. Somehow or other his master found out this +plan, and determined to put a stop to it. So one night when George had +gone out he nailed down the window, and when the apprentice returned +home in the early hours of the morning he found himself locked out. +Nothing daunted he climbed on to the roof and managed to get in +through his bedroom window. + +But he narrowly escaped being discharged, and on thinking the matter +over he saw how great was his folly. So he determined, with God's +help, to give up his evil ways, and was enabled to lead a better life +in future. + +As soon as his apprenticeship was up George Moore resolved to try his +fortune in London. At first everything went against him. He tramped +the streets of the city from morn till eve, calling here, there and +everywhere, seeking for employment, and finding no one to give him a +trial. At last he made up his mind to go to America. One day, however, +he received from a Cumberland man engaged in the drapery trade a +request to call upon him. To his intense delight he was engaged, +receiving a salary of thirty pounds a year. + +George had now got his foot on the first round of the ladder, and made +up his mind to climb higher. So he at once took lessons at a night +school, and worked hard at self-education. + +Then he got a better place; but, for a time, had to bear much abuse +from his master, who declared that, although he had come across many +blockheads from Cumberland, George was the stupidest one of all! Still +he bore the reproaches of his employer good-naturedly, and before long +made his mark. He was offered the position of town traveller, and soon +proved himself to be one of the cleverest business men of the time. + +Before this, however, George had made up his mind about marriage. +Seeing his master's little daughter come into the shop he was much +struck by her appearance, and remarked that, if he were ever able to +marry, that girl should be his wife. His companions laughed at him +heartily; but, as a matter of fact, he did marry that girl, though she +refused him the first time he asked. + +From this it will be seen that George Moore was no ordinary youth; and +before he had been travelling for his firm long, they discovered his +value. So did another firm, which found he was taking away their +business, and offered him £500 a year to travel for them. But George +told them nothing less than a partnership would satisfy him; and as +they were determined to secure his services they gave it him, and at +the age of twenty-three George Moore became junior partner in the +famous house of Groucock & Copestake, to which the name of Moore was +then added. + +His fortune was thus early made, and his business life was one +continued series of successes. He had an immense capacity for work, +and boasted that for twelve years he laboured sixteen hours a day. + +Yet his energies were not confined to business. After a time, when +he no longer needed to work so hard for himself, he took up various +charitable schemes, and by his intense vigour soon obtained for them +remarkable support. The Commercial Travellers' Schools was one of the +institutions in which he took great interest. These schools were built +at a cost of about £25,000, the greater portion of which he obtained. + +In his native county, in his house of business; everywhere George +Moore became famed for his liberal gifts. He spent £15,000 in building +a church in one of the poorest districts of London. He visited Paris +just after the siege to assist in the distribution of the funds +subscribed in England; and to many charitable schemes he subscribed +with a generous hand. + +In November, 1876, he was knocked down in the streets of Carlisle by a +runaway horse, and carried into the hospital to die. He had expressed +a wish when he was in good health to be told when he was dying; so his +wife said to him, "We have often talked about heaven. Perhaps Jesus is +going to take you home. You are willing to go with Him, are you not?" + +"Yes," he replied; "I fear no evil ... He will never leave me, nor +forsake me." + + + + +A MAN WHO ASKED AND RECEIVED. + + +THE STORY OF GEORGE MÜLLER. + +In the year 1805 was born in Prussia George Müller, whose orphanages +at Ashley Down, Bristol, may be regarded as one of the modern wonders +of the world. + +His father intended that George should become a minister, but the lad +in his early days showed no signs of a desire to set apart his life +to good works. He had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was +fourteen years old, and though he was confirmed in 1820 no deep +impression had been made by God's grace in his heart. + +When he was sixteen he went to Brunswick, and putting up at an hotel +lived expensively, and had to part with his best clothes to pay the +bill. Later on, for leaving an hotel without paying, he was put in +prison, and had to stay there till the money was sent for his release. + +He had, indeed, grown so hardened that he could tell lies without +blushing. He pretended to lose some money which had been sent to him, +and his friends gave him more to replace it. He got into debt, and +pawned his clothes in order to procure the means to go to taverns and +places of amusement. + +But the hand of God was upon him, and he did not do these things +without suffering in his mind. About this time too he began to study +the Bible earnestly. + +At the age of twenty the great change came. He attended a prayer +meeting, and there his eyes became opened, and he saw there was no +hope for him but in Christ. He read the Bible anew, and from that time +commenced leading a _new life_. + +When he was about twenty-four years old Müller came over to England, +and settled at Teignmouth as pastor of a small church. He refused to +have any regular salary or to receive pew rents, taking only such +offerings as his congregation wished to give him. Sometimes he had +no money left at all; at others he had only just enough food for one +meal, and knew not where the means were coming from for the next. Yet +he trusted entirely in God, and was never left in want. + +After this he went to Bristol, and seeing many poor children uncared +for laid the matter before God; and, believing it to be His will that +he should try to provide some place of rest for these little ones, he +took a house large enough to contain thirty girls. + +Rather a remarkable thing happened in connection with the opening of +the Home. The money had been supplied, and preparations had been made +to receive the children, but none sought admission! + +Müller cast about in his mind as to why this should be so, and he +discovered that whilst he had asked God for money to open the Home and +for helpers, he had forgotten to pray that the children might be sent; +and to this he attributed such a strange occurrence. + +Still, the omission was soon rectified, and the Home ere long teemed +with children. + +This was in 1834. From such a small beginning the great Orphan Homes +on Ashley Down sprang. Every need connected with the progress of the +work was made the subject of prayer by George Müller and his earnest +band of workers. + +Again and again he has not known where to turn for the next meal for +his orphans; but, as if by a miracle, supplies have been _always_ +forthcoming. Though often in great straits Mr. Müller has never asked +for help except of God, and _never_ has that help been denied. + +The following extract from his journal will show the trials to which +Mr. Müller has been subjected: "Never were we so reduced in funds as +to-day. There was not a single halfpenny in hand between the matrons +of the three orphan houses. There was a good dinner, and by managing +to help one another by bread, etc., there was a prospect of getting +over the day also; but for none of the houses had we the prospect of +being able to take in bread. When I left the brethren and sisters at +one o'clock after prayer I told them that we must wait for help, and +see how the Lord would deliver us this time." About twenty yards from +his home he met a person interested in the Homes who gave him £20. +This is but a sample of many occasions upon which, having waited upon +God in simple faith, help has arrived at the very hour it has been +needed. + +Some paragraphs in Müller's yearly reports read almost like a fairy +story, only they are far more beautiful, being a record of _facts_. +Thus in May, 1892, when the financial year of the institution began, +they had in hand for their School, Bible, Missionary and Tract funds +only £17 8s. 5-1/2 d. + +In June of that year a packet was found at Hereford Railway Station +containing eleven sovereigns, addressed to Mr. Müller, with nothing +but these words inside, "From a Cheerful Giver, Bristol, for Jesus' +Sake". In the same month came £100, "from two servants of the Lord +Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seek to lay up treasure +in Heaven". + +A Newcastle man wrote that though finances were low he doubled the sum +usually sent to the institution, "in faith and also with much joy". +A sick missionary in the wilds of Africa sent £44 17s. 5d., being +apparently all the money he possessed. + +"Again and again," writes Mr. Müller, "I have had cheques amounting +even to £5000, from individuals whose names I knew not before +receiving their donations." + +Other paragraphs in the report read thus: "Received anonymously five +large cheeses; received a box of dessert knives and forks, a cruet, a +silver soup ladle and a silver cup; from Clifton, twelve tons house +coals; from Bedminster, a monster loaf, 200 lbs. in weight, and ten +feet long and twenty-one inches broad". + +On 1st August £82 5s. came "from a Christian gentleman in Devon, who +for more than forty-five years has from time to time helped us, though +I have never seen him". + +"To-day," writes Müller on 7th September, "our income altogether was +about £300--a plain proof that we do not wait on the Lord in vain; for +every donation we receive is a direct answer to prayer, because we +never ask a single human being for anything." On 29th October Mr. +Müller writes: "For several days very little has come in for the +support of the various objects of the institution. To-day, again, only +about £15 was received by the first four deliveries of letters; at +5:45 I had for the third time that day prayer with my dear wife, +entreating God to help us, and a little after 6 p.m. came a cheque for +£200 by the fifth delivery, from Edinburgh." + +A gold chain and watch-key, two gold brooches, and a pair of earrings +were sent to Mr. Müller, with the following comment: "My wife and I +having, through the exceeding riches of God's grace, been brought to +the Lord Jesus, wish to lay aside the perishing gold of the world +for the unsearchable riches of Christ, and send the enclosed for the +support of the orphans". + +The above are from a single yearly report--that for 1893. Scores of +similar donations in money and kind are recounted in the same annual +statement. In that year Mr. Müller was able to speak of his conversion +as having taken place nearly sixty-eight years ago. The work has been +wonderfully blessed. In the report mentioned Mr. Müller stated that +the total amount he had received by prayer and faith for the various +objects of his institutions, since 5th March, 1834, had been +£1,309,627; that no fewer than 8727 children had been under his care; +and that he had room at his Homes for 2050 orphans. + + + + +A LABOURER IN THE VINEYARD. + + +THE STORY OF ROBERT MOFFAT. + +"Oh, mother! ask what you will, and I shall do it." + +So said Robert Moffat as he stood with his mother on the Firth of +Forth waiting for the boat to ferry him across. + +He was sixteen years old, and having got a good situation as gardener +in Cheshire was bidding farewell that day to home and parents, and +about to face the world alone. + +His mother had begged him to promise to do whatsoever she asked, and +he had hesitated, wishing to know first what it was that she wanted. +At last, however, remembering how good and loving she had always been, +he had consented. Her request was a very simple one, but it was very +far reaching. + +"I only ask whether you will read a chapter in the Bible every morning +and another every evening." + +"Mother," he replied, "you know I read my Bible." + +"I know you do," was her answer; "but you do not read it regularly, or +as a duty you owe to God, its Author." + +"Now I shall return home," she observed when his word had been +pledged, "with a happy heart, inasmuch as you have promised to +read the Scriptures daily. O Robert, my son, read much in the New +Testament! Read much in the Gospels--the blessed Gospels! Then you +cannot well go astray. If you pray, the Lord Himself will teach you." + +Thus they parted--he starting on his life's journey with her earnest +pleadings ringing in his ears. + +Travelling in those days (1813) was so slow that it took him a full +month to get to High Leigh in Cheshire; and on the way he narrowly +escaped being captured by the pressgang and made to serve on a British +man-of-war, which was short of hands. The vessel in which he was going +south was indeed boarded, and one man seized; but Robert says, "I +happened to be in bed, and keep it there as long as they were on +deck". + +He kept manfully the promise he had made his mother. Notwithstanding +the difficulty he experienced in his busy life of setting aside the +necessary time for reading two chapters a day from his Bible, he +nevertheless faithfully did it. + +At first this practice seemed to bring him trouble. It made him feel +that he was a sinner, but how to get grace he knew not. + +Ere long, however, his fears rolled away. He perceived that being +justified by faith he had peace with Christ, and rejoiced in the grace +and power of the Lord. + +Some good Wesleyans took an interest in the young gardener, and he +attended their meetings, which he found very helpful. + +When a little later on he was offered a much better situation on the +condition that he gave up Methodism he refused it, preferring, as he +says, "his God to white and yellow ore". + +One day he went to Warrington, and whilst there saw a placard +announcing a missionary meeting, at which the Rev. William Roby was to +speak. The sight of this reminded him of the descriptions his mother +used to read of mission work in Greenland, and the subject became +fixed in his mind. + +A little later he had the opportunity of hearing Mr. Roby, and +determined to call upon him and offer himself for mission work. + +So great was his dread of making this call that he asked a companion +to accompany him, and be present at the interview, but could only +induce his friend to wait for him outside. + +When he got to Mr. Roby's door his courage failed him; he looked +longingly at his friend and began to retreat. However, his conscience +would not allow him to surrender; and back again he went to the house, +but still feared to knock. + +At length after walking up and down the street in a state of painful +indecision he returned and ventured to knock. A terrible moment +followed. He would have given anything to run away, and hoped with all +his heart Mr. Roby would be out. + +This, however, was not the case; and, brought face to face with the +mission preacher, he told his story simply and effectively, and Mr. +Roby promised to write to the Missionary Society about him. + +At first the offer of his services was declined, but later on it was +accepted; and on 30th September, 1816, he was ordained at Surrey +Chapel. Amongst others set apart at the same time was John Williams, +the martyr of Erromanga. + +It was at first proposed that Williams and Moffat should go together +to Polynesia; but Mr. Waugh remarked that "thae twa lads were ower +young to gang together," so they were separated. + +At the age of twenty-one Moffat sailed for South Africa. The ship +reached Cape Town, after a voyage of eighty-six days, on 13th January, +1817; and forthwith he started on his career in receipt of a salary of +twenty-five pounds per year. + +On his journey into the interior he stopped one evening at a Dutch +farmer's, where he was warmly welcomed, and was requested to conduct +family worship. + +Before commencing he asked for the servants. The farmer, roused to +indignation by such a request, said he would call in the dogs and +baboons if Moffat wanted a congregation of that sort! + +But the missionary was not to be denied. In reading the Bible he +selected the story of the Syrophoenician woman. Before many minutes +had passed the farmer stopped him, saying he would have the servants +in. + +When the service was over the old man said to Moffat, "My friend, you +took a hard hammer, and you have broken a hard head". + +[Illustration: MOFFAT PREACHING TO THE BOERS.] + +His early missionary efforts were crowned with success. He visited +the renowned chief Afrikaner in Namaqualand. This man had given much +trouble to the Government, and £100 had been offered for his head. He +became, however, sincerely attached to Moffat, and after a time he +went to Cape Town with him. The authorities could hardly believe that +this notorious robber had become so altered; but right glad were they +at the change, and, when Afrikaner returned home, he took with him +numerous presents from the Government. + +In December, 1819, Moffat was married to Mary Smith at St. George's +Church, Cape Town. She had been engaged to him before he left England, +and had given up home and parents to go out to Africa and become a +missionary's wife. No truer helper could Moffat have found, for +she loved the work, and experienced great happiness in her life, +notwithstanding all its toils and danger. + +Shortly after, Mr. and Mrs. Moffat started for Bechuanaland. They went +through many privations, and suffered much from hunger and thirst; but +the Gospel was preached to the tribes. Moffat in those days was not +only teacher and preacher, but carpenter, smith, cooper, tailor, +shoemaker, miller, baker and gardener! + +For some years Moffat laboured without seeing much result. One day he +said to his wife, "This is hard work, Mary". "It _is_ hard work." she +replied; "but you must remember the Gospel has never yet been preached +to them _in their own tongue_." + +Moffat had hitherto taught the natives through an interpreter. He now +determined not only to master their language, but to get to know all +about their habits and customs, so as to be able to lay hold of them +more forcibly. He not only preached the Word in their native tongue, +but set up in type and printed the Gospel of St. Luke and some hymns. +Then he followed on with the other Gospels and also the Epistles, till +the entire of the New Testament was translated into their language. + +It must not be thought that a missionary's only cares are those +connected with preaching. Far from it. To Mrs. Moffat, who tried to +teach the women to be cleanly in their habits, they would say, "Ra +Mary, your customs may be good enough for you, but we don't see that +they fill the stomach". + +The difficulty of getting sufficient food to eat was very real. The +soil in the neighbourhood of the station was light and needed plenty +of water, but the stream which supplied them with the necessary +moisture for their vegetables was diverted from its channel by the +natives, so that the missionary's garden was nearly burnt up by the +hot sun. + +On one occasion Mrs. Moffat asked a native woman to move out of her +kitchen, as she wanted to close it before she went to church. For +answer the woman hurled a log of wood at her; and she, fearful lest +her babe should be hurt, departed, leaving the savage woman in +possession of her home. + +Whilst Mrs. Moffat had difficulties at home, her husband encountered +many dangers abroad. Once whilst going in search of game he came upon +a tiger, which seemed as if it were preparing to spring upon him. With +the greatest caution he retired slowly from the place, and was just +congratulating himself that he was out of danger when he trod on a +cobra. The reptile twisted itself about Moffat's leg, and was about +to bite him when he managed to level his gun at it and kill it. The +poison of this snake is so deadly that had he been bitten his death +would have almost instantly followed. + +Though he was ready to lay down his life for their good, it was long +ere the natives understood how firm a friend he was. At a time of +great drought the native "rain-makers" declared that the bell of the +chapel frightened away the clouds. So a number of people came to the +missionary, and told him they were determined that he must go. But +Moffat was not to be awed by the threats of the warriors. He told them +that they might kill him, but he should certainly not be driven away. +Then the chief and his followers gave up the contest and retired, full +of wonder and admiration at his dauntless determination. + +Once, whilst Moffat was away on a visit to a neighbouring tribe, his +wife was aroused in the night by the report that a hostile tribe had +invaded their territory and was close upon them. So Mrs. Moffat had to +prepare for flight, but ere she had finished her preparations the good +news came that the tribe had gone off in another direction. Yet even +then she was in fear for her husband's life. But three weeks later, +after enduring terrible anxiety, her husband returned in safety, +having managed to escape the enemy. + +Gradually a great and wonderful change came over the people amongst +whom Robert and Mary Moffat lived. From utter disregard of teaching +they began to exhibit signs of spiritual life, and a number were +baptised and received into the Church. + +[Illustration: Letter] + +In 1871 Robert and Mary Moffat, after living in Africa for upwards of +half a century, returned home. From the letter to Mr. G. Unwin, which +is here reproduced in facsimile, it will be seen that Robert Moffat's +labours were not even then finished; for up to the last he took the +greatest interest in the missionary cause. + +[Illustration: Reduced Facsimile letter from Moffat.] + + +His useful life came to an end in August, 1883, when he was in his +eighty-eighth year. + + + + +"THE LADY WITH THE LAMP." + + +THE STORY OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. + + "Lo! in that house of misery + A lady with a lamp I see + Pass through the glimmering gloom, + And flit from room to room." + +LONGFELLOW. + + +"She would speak to one and another, and nod and smile to many +more, but she could not do it to all, you know, for we lay there by +hundreds; but we could kiss her shadow as it fell, and lay our heads +on our pillows again, content." + +So wrote one of the soldiers from the hospital at Scutari of Florence +Nightingale, the soldier's nurse, and the soldier's friend. + +Let us see how it happened that Florence Nightingale was able to do so +much for the British soldiers who fought in the Crimea, and why she +has left her mark on the history of our times. + +Miss Nightingale was born in the city of Florence in the year 1820, +and it is from that beautiful Italian town that she derives her +Christian name. + +Her father was a good and wealthy man, who took great interest in the +poor; and her mother was ever seeking to do them some kindness. + +Thus Florence saw no little of cottage folk. She took them dainties +when they were ailing, and delighted to nurse them when ill. + +She loved all dumb animals, and they seemed to know by instinct +that she was their friend. One day she came across her father's old +shepherd, looking as miserable as could be; and, on inquiring the +cause, found that a mischievous boy had thrown a stone at his +favourite dog, which had broken its leg, and he was afraid it would +have to be killed. + +Going together to the shepherd's home they found the dog very excited +and angry; but, on Florence speaking to it in her gentle voice, it +came and lay down at her feet, and allowed her to examine the damaged +limb. + +Happily, she discovered it was only bruised; and she attended to it so +skilfully that the dog was soon running about in the field again. A +few days later she met the shepherd,--he was simply beaming, for the +dog had recovered and was with him. + +When Florence spoke to the man the dog wagged its tail as much as to +say, "I'm mighty glad to see _you_ again"; whereupon the shepherd +remarked: "Do look at the dog, miss, he be so pleased to hear your +voice". + +The fact that even her dolls were properly bandaged when their limbs +became broken, or the sawdust began to run out of their bodies, will +show that even then she was a thoughtful, kindly little person. + +When she grew up she wished very much to learn how to nurse the sick. + +But in those days it was not considered at all a ladylike thing to do; +and, after trying one or two nursing institutions at home, she went +to Germany, and afterwards to Paris, in order to make a study of the +subject, and to get practical experience in cities abroad. + +Miss Nightingale thus learnt nursing very thoroughly, and when she +came back to England turned her knowledge to account by taking charge +of an institution in London. By good management, tact and skill, the +institution became a great success; but she was too forgetful of self, +and after a time the hard work told upon her health, and she was +obliged to take a rest from her labours. + +The time came when the Russian war broke out and Great Britain and +France sent their armies into the Crimea. Our men fought like heroes. +But it was found out ere many months had passed that those brave +fellows, who were laying down their lives for the sake of their +country, were being so badly nursed when they were sick and wounded +that more were being slain by neglect than by the guns of the enemy. + +Then there arose a great cry in Britain; and every one demanded that +something should be done to remedy this state of things. But nobody +knew quite what to do or how to do it, except one woman,--and that +woman was Florence Nightingale. + +Mr. Sidney Herbert, the War Minister, was one of the very few people +who knew anything about her great powers of organisation; and happily +he did know how thoroughly fit she was for the task of properly +directing the nursing of the sick soldiers. + +So, on the 15th October, 1854, he asked her to go to the Crimea to +take entire charge of the nursing arrangements; and in less than a +week she started with about forty nurses for Scutari, the town where +the great hospital was situated. + +All Britain was stirred with admiration at her heroism; for it was +well known how difficult was the task she was undertaking. But the +quiet gentle woman herself feared neither death, disease nor hard +work; the only thing she did not like was the fuss the people made +about her. + +Scutari, whither she went, is situated on the eastern side of the +Bosphorus, opposite Constantinople. Thither the sick and wounded +soldiers were being brought by hundreds. It took four or five days to +get them from the field of battle to the hospital, their wounds during +that tame being generally unattended to. When they arrived at Scutari, +it was difficult to land them; after that there was a steep hill up +which they had to be carried to the hospital, so that by the time they +arrived they were generally in a sad condition. But their trials were +not over then. The hospital was dirty and dismal. There was no proper +provision for the supply of suitable food, everything was in dire +disorder, and the poor fellows died of fever in enormous numbers. + +But "the lady with the lamp" soon brought about a revolution; and the +soldiers knew to their joy what it was to have proper nursing. No +wonder the men kissed her shadow! Wherever the worst cases were to be +found there was Florence Nightingale. Day and night she watched and +waited, worked and prayed. Her very presence was medicine and food and +light to the soldiers. + +Gradually disorder disappeared, and deaths became fewer day by day. +Good nursing; care and cleanliness; nourishing food, and--perhaps +beyond and above all--love and tenderness, wrought wonders. The oath +in the soldier's mouth turned to a prayer at her appearance. + +Though the beds extended over a space equal to four miles, yet each +man knew that all that human strength could do to forward his recovery +was being done. + +Before her task was finished Miss Nightingale had taken the fever +herself, but her life was mercifully spared. + +Since those days, Florence Nightingale has done many kindly and +noble deeds. She has always lived as much out of the public sight as +possible, though her work has rendered her dear to all hearts. + +Though she has had much ill health herself, she has been able to +accomplish a splendid life's work, and to advance the study of nursing +in all parts of the globe. + + + + +FOR ENGLAND, HOME, AND DUTY. + + +THE DEATH OF NELSON. + +It was the 21st October, 1805. The English fleet had been for many +days lying off the coast of Spain, eagerly waiting for the navies of +France and Spain to leave their shelter in Cadiz harbour. At length, +to his joy, Lord Nelson received the signal that they had put out to +sea; and he now prepared to attack the combined fleet (which consisted +of forty vessels) with his thirty-one ships. Yet, though the enemy +not only had more vessels, but they were larger than his own, Nelson +confidently expected victory, and told Captain Blackwood he would +not be satisfied unless he captured twenty ships. Having made all +arrangements, Nelson went down to his cabin and wrote this prayer:-- + +"May the great God whom I worship grant to my country, and for the +benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may no +misconduct in any one tarnish it, and may humanity after victory be +the predominant feature in the British fleet! For myself individually, +I commit my life to Him that made me, and may His blessing alight +on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully! To Him I resign +myself, and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. +Amen. Amen." + +Before the battle began Nelson made the signal which stirred every +heart in the fleet on that day, and has since remained a watchword of +the nation:-- + +"England expects every man will do his duty". + +It was received with an outburst of cheering. + +Nelson wore, as usual, his admiral's frock-coat. On his breast +glittered four stars of the different orders which had been given him. +He was in good spirits, and eager for the fray. + +His officers represented to him how desirable it was that he should +keep out of the battle as long as possible; and, knowing the truth of +this, he signalled to the other ships to go in front. Yet his desire +to be in the forefront of the attack was so great that he would not +take in any sail on The Victory, and thus rendered it impossible for +the other vessels to obey his orders. + +At ten minutes to twelve the battle began; by four minutes past twelve +fifty men on board Nelson's ship _The Victory_ had been killed or +wounded, and many of her sails shot away. + +The fire of the enemy was so heavy that Nelson, smiling, said, "This +is too warm work, Hardy, to last long". Up to that time not a shot had +been fired from _The Victory_; and Nelson declared that never in all +his battles had he seen anything which surpassed the cool courage of +his crew. Then, however, when they had come to close quarters with the +enemy, from both sides of _The Victory_ flashed forth the fire of the +guns, carrying swift destruction among the foe. + +[Illustration: Nelson's Tomb in St. Paul's Cathedral.] + +The French ship next which they were lying, _The Redoutable_, having +ceased firing her great guns, Nelson twice gave instructions to stop +firing into her, with the humane desire of avoiding unnecessary +slaughter. Strange to say, that from this ship at a quarter past one +was fired a shot which struck him in the left shoulder, and proved +fatal. + +Within twenty minutes after the fatal shot had been fired from _The +Redoutable_ that ship was captured, the man who killed Nelson having +himself been shot by a midshipman on board _The Victory_. + +When he had been taken down to the cockpit he insisted that the +surgeon should leave him and attend to others; "for," said he, "you +can do nothing for me". + +At this time his sufferings were very great, but he was cheered by the +news which they brought him from time to time. At half-past two Hardy +could report "ten ships have struck". An hour later he came with the +news that fourteen or fifteen had struck. "That's well," cried Nelson, +"but I bargained for twenty." + +A little later he said, "Kiss me, Hardy". Hardy knelt down, and Nelson +said, "Now I am satisfied. Thank God I have done my duty". After that +it became difficult for him to speak, but he several times repeated +the words, "Thank God I have done my duty". And these were the last +words he uttered before he died. At half-past four o'clock he expired. + +Thus Nelson died in the hour of victory. He had won a battle which +once and for all broke the naval power of France and Spain, and +delivered Great Britain from all fear of attack by the great Napoleon. + + + + +A WOMAN WHO SUCCEEDED BY FAILURE. + + +THE STORY OF HARRIET NEWELL. + +This is rather an exceptional chapter: for it tells of a very little +life judged by length of days, a very sad life judged by some of +its incidents, a very futile life considered by what it actually +accomplished,--but a very wonderful life regarded in the light of the +results which followed. + +Harriet Attwood was born in Massachusetts, America, in the year 1793. + +Even in her girlhood she looked forward to assisting in making the +Gospel known in distant lands. Long before any movement sprang up in +America for sending out female missionaries to the heathen, the day +dream of this little girl was to devote herself to the mission cause. + +Not that she dreamed away her life in longing, and neglected her +every-day duties. She was remarkable for her intelligence and dutiful +conduct; and from the age of ten felt deep religious convictions, and +was constant in her daily prayers and Bible reading. + +Her life was brightened by her belief, and she ever kept in view what +she believed to be her mission in life. "What can I do," she writes, +"that the light of the Gospel may shine upon the heathen? They are +perishing for lack of knowledge, while I enjoy the glorious privileges +of a Christian land." + +The means of accomplishing her desire soon came. A young missionary, +named Newell, who was going out to India, asked her to become his +wife. + +Her decision was not taken without earnest prayer; and had her parents +opposed her wishes she would have been prepared to give them up, but, +gaining their consent, she accepted Mr. Newell's offer. She was fully +aware that the difficulties in the way would be very great; for up to +that time no female missionary had gone from America to the mission +field. + +At first her friends tried in every way to dissuade her from leaving +home, and, as they termed it, "throwing herself away on the heathen". + +But her simplicity of belief and earnestness of purpose soon changed +their thoughts on the subject and when, early in the year 1812, Mr. +and Mrs. Newell sailed for Calcutta, many came together to wish them +God-speed on their perilous journey. + +On his arrival in Calcutta Mr. Newell, in accordance with the +regulation of the East India Company at that time, reported himself at +the police office; and to his sorrow found that the Company would not +allow any missionaries to work in their dominions! + +Here was a disappointing beginning for these earnest young people! At +first it seemed quite probable they would not even be allowed to land; +and though permission was after a time obtained, yet in six weeks they +were told they must go elsewhere, as they would not be permitted to +settle. + +A few days later, however, the prospect brightened. "We have obtained +leave," writes Mrs. Newell, "to go to the Isle of France (Mauritius). +We hear that the English Governor there favours missions; that a large +field of usefulness is there opened--18,000 inhabitants ignorant of +Jesus. Is not this the station that Providence has designed for us? A +door is open wide. Shall we not enter and help the glorious work?" + +But it was by her influence alone that she was permitted to engage +in the work her heart longed for. On the journey to Mauritius rapid +consumption set in, and day by day she became weaker. + +Although she felt at first a natural disappointment that she would not +be allowed to labour in the mission field, she was able to look upward +in her hour of trial and to say: "Tell my friends I never regretted +leaving my native land for the cause of Christ. God has called me away +before we have entered on the work of the mission, but the case of +David affords me comfort. I have it in my heart to do what I can for +the heathen, and I hope God will accept me." + +On the 30th November, 1812, at the early age of nineteen, Harriet +Newell passed away. + +Might not many a one justly ask, was not her life a failure? And the +answer, based on the experience and results of what her life and death +accomplished, is No--emphatically No! + +For her example produced a wave of religious life and missionary +enthusiasm in America, the like of which has hardly ever been known. + +The very fact of this whole-hearted girl giving up her life for the +cause of Christ, and the pathos of her untimely end, did more to touch +the hearts of multitudes than perhaps the most apparently successful +accomplishment of her mission would have done. + + + + +A MARTYR OF THE SOUTH SEAS. + + +THE MORNING AND EVENING OF BISHOP PATTESON'S LIFE. + +John Coleridge Patteson was born in April, 1827. He was blessed with +an upright and good father, and a loving and gentle mother; and thus +his early training was calculated to make him the earnest Christian +man he afterwards became. + +Here is an extract from a letter written from school at the age of +nine, which shows that he had faults and failings to overcome just +like all other boys:-- + +"My dear papa, I am very sorry for having told so many falsehoods, +which Uncle Frank has told mama of. I am very sorry for having done so +many bad things--I mean falsehoods--and I heartily beg your pardon; +and Uncle Frank says that he thinks if I stay, in a month's time Mr. +Cornish will be able to trust me again.... He told me that if I ever +told another falsehood he should that instant march me into the school +and ask Mr. Cornish to strip and birch me ... but I will not catch the +birching." + +And he did not. He was so frank, so ready to see his own faults, that +he was always a favourite. Uncle Frank remarked of him at this same +time: "He wins one's heart in a moment". + +Perhaps one ought to call him a Queen's missionary, for her Majesty +saved him from a serious accident in a rather remarkable manner. + +In 1838 when the Queen was driving in her carriage the crowd was so +dense that Patteson, then at school at Eton, became entangled in the +wheel of the carriage and would have been thrown underneath and run +over had it not been for the young Queen's quick perception. Seeing +the danger she gave her hand to the boy, who readily seized it, and +was thus able to get on his feet again and avoid the threatened peril. + +He was a boy who, when he had done wrong, always blamed himself--not +any one else. Thus, when he was twelve, having spent a good deal of +his time one term at Eton enjoying cricket and boating, he found his +tutor was not at all satisfied with his progress. "I am ashamed to +say," he remarked in writing home, "that I can offer not the slightest +excuse: my conduct on this occasion has been very bad. I expect a +severe reproof from you, and pray do not send me any money. But from +this time I am determined I will not lose a moment." + +In 1841 came the first indication of what his future career might be. + +Bishop Selwyn of New Zealand was preaching, and the boy says of the +sermon: "It was beautiful when he talked of his going out to found a +church, and then to die neglected and forgotten". + +How deep had been the influence on his mind of his mother's example +may be gathered from the letter he wrote at the time of her death in +1842, when he was fifteen years old: "It is a very dreadful loss for +us all, but we have been taught by that dear mother who has now been +taken from us that it is not fit to grieve for those who die in the +Lord, 'for they rest from their labours'.... She said once, 'I wonder +I wish to leave you, my dearest John, and the children and this sweet +place, but yet I do wish it'; so lovely was her faith." + +In 1854 Bishop Selwyn returned to England. During the time that had +elapsed since his previous visit, Patteson had been ordained. The +bishop stayed with his father a few days, and during that time the +feelings which the boy of fourteen had experienced were revived in +the man of twenty-seven; and with his father's consent John Coleridge +Patteson entered upon his life work, sailing with Bishop Selwyn for +the South Seas in March, 1855. + +There he laboured with such energy and success that in 1861 he was +consecrated bishop. Many thousands of miles were traversed by him in +the mission ship _The Southern Cross_, visiting the numerous islands +of the Pacific known as Polynesia or Melanesia. + +Of the dangers that abounded he knew ample to try his courage. On +arriving at Erromanga (the scene of Williams' martyrdom) on one +occasion he found that Mr. Gordon, the missionary, and his wife had +recently both been treacherously slain by the natives. At another +island, as he returned to the boat, he saw one of the natives draw a +bow with the apparent intention of shooting him, and then unbend it at +the entreaty of his comrades. "But," remarks the bishop in recording +this, "we must try to effect more frequent landings." + +And thus full of faith he laboured on, telling the people of these +scattered islands, which besprinkle the southern ocean like stars in +the milky way, of the love of Christ. + +He was still ready to condemn himself just as he did in his early +days. From Norfolk Island, in 1870, he wrote to his sister when he was +holding an ordination: "At such times as these, when one is specially +engaged in solemn work, there is much heart searching; and I cannot +tell you how my conscience accuses me of such systematic selfishness +during many long years--I mean I see how I was all along making self +the centre, and neglecting all kinds of duties--social and others--in +consequence". + +He was much grieved by the accounts which reached him of the terrible +war which was being fought between France and Germany in 1870. "What +can I say," he writes, "to my Melanesians about it? Do these nations +believe in the gospel of peace and goodwill? Is the sermon on the +mount a reality or not?" + +Yet he had troubles closer at home than this even. The trading ships +were coming in numbers to the islands, and carrying off the natives +either by guile or by force to Fiji and other places where labourers +were wanted. + +Notwithstanding the anxieties which beset him on this account, the +good bishop continued to work as hard as ever, and very happy he was +about his people. + +On Christmas Eve, 1870, he writes: "Seven new communicants to-morrow +morning. And all things, God be praised, happy and peaceful about us." +He wrote of the large "family" of 145 Melanesian natives he had around +him; at another time he spoke of his sleeping on a table with some +twelve or more fellows about him; and people coming and going all day +long both in and out of school hours! + +In August, 1871, he baptised 248 persons, twenty-five of them adults, +all in a little more than a month, and he rejoiced in the thought that +a blessed change was going on in the hearts of these people. + +He had never experienced such cheering success before, and, though his +friends were endeavouring to persuade him to take rest and change for +his health's sake, he determined to labour on while there was so much +need for his exertion and such blessed results followed. + +The desire to believe on the part of some of his people was very +touching. One of them said to him: "I don't know how to pray properly, +but I and my wife say, 'God make our hearts light--take away the +darkness. We believe that You love us because You sent Jesus to become +a man and die for us; but we can't understand it all. Make us fit to +be baptised.'" + +Some, of course, were not so enlightened as that. After the kidnapping +traders had been harrying the islands, one of the chiefs said that, if +the bishop would only bring a man-of-war and get him vengeance on his +adversaries, he would be exalted like his Father above. + +There was indeed serious cause for the anger of the natives. One of +them related how he had been out to a vessel with his companions, +and a white man had come down into the canoe and presently upset it, +seizing him by the belt. Happily this broke, and he swam under the +side of the canoe and finally got on shore, but the other three were +killed--their heads were cut off and taken on board, and their bodies +thrown to the sharks. The assailants were men-stealers, who killed +ruthlessly that they might present heads to the chiefs. + +Five natives from the same island were also killed or carried off, +and thus when the bishop visited them they were in a state of sullen +wrath. + +On the 20th of September, 1871, Bishop Patteson came to Nukapu. The +island is difficult of approach at low water, and the little ship, +_The Southern Cross_, could not get close in. So the bishop went off +to the shore in a boat and got into one of the canoes, leaving his +four pupils to await his return. They saw him land, and he was then +lost to sight. + +About half an hour later the natives in the canoes, without the least +warning, began shooting their arrows at the poor fellows in the boat, +and ere it could be taken out of bowshot one of them was pierced with +six arrows, and two of the others were also wounded. + +They were full of fears about the bishop, and, notwithstanding the +danger, determined to seek for him. They had no arms except one pistol +which the mate possessed. + +As they made their way towards shore a canoe drifted out, and lying in +it, wrapped in a native mat, was the body of Bishop Patteson. + +A sweet calm smile was on his face, a palm leaf was fastened upon his +breast, and upon the body were five wounds--the exact number of the +natives who had been kidnapped or killed. + +So the good bishop died for the misdeeds of others. The natives but +followed their traditions in exacting blood for blood, and their poor +dark minds could not distinguish between the good and the bad white +men. + +Two of those who were with the bishop in the boat, and had received +arrow wounds, died within a week, after much suffering. + +One of them, Mr. Atkins, writing of the occurrence on the day of the +martyrdom, says:-- + +"It would be selfish to wish him back. He has gone to his rest, dying, +as he lived, in the Master's service. It seems a shocking way to +die; but I can say from experience it is far more to hear of than to +suffer. There is no sign of fear or pain on his face, just the look +that he used to have when asleep, patient and a little wearied. What +his mission will do without him, God only knows who has taken him +away." + +Three days after, in celebrating the Holy Communion, Mr. Atkins +stumbled in his speech, and then he and his companions knew the poison +in his system was working. "Stephen and I," he said, "are going to +follow the bishop. Don't grieve about it ... It is very good because +God would have it so, because He only looks after us, and He +understands about us, and now He wills to take us too and _it is +well_." + + + + +"K.G. AND COSTER." + + +SOME ANECDOTES ABOUT LORD SHAFTESBURY. + +"And where shall we write to?" asked one of the costermongers. + +"Address your letter to me at Grosvenor Square," replied Lord +Shaftesbury, "and it will probably reach me; but, if after my name you +put 'K.G. and Coster,' there will be no doubt that I shall get it!" + +This conversation took place at the conclusion of a meeting which +had been held by the costermongers. They had met to talk about their +grievances, and Lord Shaftesbury had attended the gathering and +promised to help them, telling them to write to him if they required +further assistance. + +The noble Knight of the Garter was not only interested in the +costermongers themselves, but in their animals too. + +At one time the costers had used their donkeys and ponies shamefully, +had overworked and underfed them; but gradually they were made to see +how much better it was to treat their animals well. With a good Sunday +rest and proper treatment, the donkeys would go thirty miles a day +comfortably; without it, they could not do more than half. + +So, as Lord Shaftesbury had been kind to the costers and taken such +interest in their pursuits, they invited him to a special meeting, at +which they presented him with a splendid donkey. + +Over a thousand costers with their friends were there, when the +donkey, profusely decorated with ribbons, was led to the platform. +Lord Shaftesbury vacated the chair and made way for the new arrival; +and then, putting his arm round the animal's neck, returned thanks in +a short speech in which he said:-- + +"When I have passed away from this life I desire to have no more said +of me than that I have done my duty, as the poor donkey has done +his--with patience and unmurmuring resignation". + +The donkey was then led down the steps of the platform, and Lord +Shaftesbury remarked, "I hope the reporters of the press will state +that, the donkey having vacated the chair, the place was taken by Lord +Shaftesbury". + +Let us turn for a moment to the beginning of his life, and see how it +was that Lord Shaftesbury was induced to devote himself so heartily to +the good of the poor and oppressed. + +Maria Mills, his old nurse, had not a little to do with this. She was +one of those simple-minded humble Christians who, all unknowingly, +plant in many minds the good seed which grows up and brings forth much +fruit. + +[Illustration: Lord Shaftesbury inspecting the Costers' Donkeys.] + +She was very fond of the little boy, and would tell him the "sweet +story of old" in so attractive a manner that a deep impression was +made upon his heart. The prayers she taught him in childhood he not +only used in his youth, but even in old age the words were often upon +his lips. + +When he was a schoolboy at Harrow came the turning point in his life. + +He saw four or five drunken men carrying a coffin containing the +remains of a companion; and such was their state of intoxication that +they dropped it, and then broke out into foul language. + +The effect this had upon the youth was so great that he resolved to +devote his life to helping the poor and friendless. + +There was plenty of work for him to do. Children in factories and +mines required to be protected from the cruelties to which they were +subjected; chimney sweeps needed to be guarded from the dangers +to which they were exposed; the hours of labour in factories were +excessive; thieves required to be shown a way of escape from their +wretched life; ragged schools and other institutions needed support. + +These and numerous other matters kept Lord Shaftesbury hard at +work during the entire of his long life, and by his help many wise +alterations were made in the laws of the country. + +"Do what is right and trust to Providence for the rest," was his +motto; and he stuck to it always. + +Lord Shaftesbury brought before Parliament a scheme for assisting +young thieves to emigrate; and the grown-up burglars and vagabonds, +seeing how much in earnest he was, invited him to a meeting. To this +he went without a moment's hesitation. + +The door was guarded by a detachment of thieves, who watched to see +that none but those of their class went in. + +Lord Shaftesbury was in the chair, and the meeting commenced with +prayer. There were present over two hundred burglars and criminals of +the worst kind, besides a great number of other bad characters. + +First of all the chairman gave an address; then some of the thieves +followed, telling quite plainly and simply how they spent their lives. + +When Lord Shaftesbury urged them to give up their old lives of sin one +of them said, "We must steal or we shall die". + +The city missionary, who was present, urged them to pray, as God could +help them. + +"But," said one of the men, "my Lord and gentlemen of the jury (!), +prayer is very good, but it won't fill an empty stomach." + +It was, indeed, a difficult problem how best to aid the poor fellows; +but Lord Shaftesbury solved it. As a result of the conference three +hundred thieves went abroad to Canada to begin life anew, or were put +into the way of earning an honest living. + +One of the subjects which occupied a great deal of Lord Shaftesbury's +attention was the condition of the young in coal mines and factories. + +At that date children began to work in mines at the age of four or +five, and large numbers of girls and boys were labouring in the pits +by the time they were eight. For twelve or fourteen hours a day these +poor little toilers had to sit in the mines, opening and shutting trap +doors as the coal was pushed along in barrows. All alone, with no one +to speak to, sitting in a damp, stifling atmosphere, the poor children +had to stay day after day; and if they went to sleep they got well +beaten. Rats and mice were their only companions, and Sunday was the +only day on which they were gladdened by the daylight. + +It was a shocking state of existence, nor did it grow better as the +children got older. + +Then they had to drag heavy loads along the floors of the mine. When +the passages were narrow the boys and girls had a girdle fastened +round their waists, a chain was fixed to this, and passed between +their legs and hooked to the carriage. Then, crawling on hands and +knees through the filth and mire, they pulled these trucks as cattle +would drag them, whilst their backs were bruised and wounded by +knocking against the low roof. + +Girls and women were made to carry heavy weights of coal. Children +stood ankle deep in water, pumping hour after hour, and their work was +sometimes prolonged for thirty-six hours continuously; so that it +was no wonder the children died early, that they suffered much from +disease, and led cheerless, wretched lives. + +Against such cruelties Lord Shaftesbury was constantly warring; and +his warfare was not in vain. + +Quite as badly off were the little chimney sweeps. Boys were +kidnapped, and sold to cruel masters, who forced them to climb high +chimneys filled with soot and smoke. If they refused, a fire was +perhaps lighted below, and they would thus be forced to ascend. The +consequence was that many terrible accidents happened, resulting in +the deaths of these poor little fellows, whilst numbers died early +from disease. + +Lord Shaftesbury roused the country to a sense of the wrong that was +being done to the chimney sweeps, and Bills were passed in Parliament +for their protection. + +Not only children, but men and women also, needed to be defended from +wrong and overwork. + +Lord Shaftesbury visited the factories to see how the labourers were +actually treated; and this is one of the things that came under his +notice. + +A young woman whilst working in a mill at Stockport was caught by the +machinery and badly injured. When the accident happened she had not +completed her week's work, so eighteenpence was deducted from her +wages! + +Horrified at such treatment Lord Shaftesbury brought an action against +the owners of the factory, and obtained £100 for the woman. + +For shorter hours and better treatment of factory hands the earl +struggled in and out of Parliament; and, though the battle was long +and fierce, it ended in victory. + +Such labour took up much time, and brought many expenses to the good +earl. It brought him, too, plenty of enemies; for most of his life was +devoted to striving to make the rich and selfish do justice to the +poor and downcast. + +He not only gave his time, but his money too; and oftentimes, though +the eldest son of an earl, and later an earl himself, he hardly knew +where to turn for the means to keep his schemes going. + +One day a lady called on him, and, telling a piteous tale of a Polish +refugee, asked him for help. Lord Shaftesbury had to confess he had no +money he could give; then he suddenly remembered he had five pounds in +the library: he fetched the bank note, which formed his nest egg, and +presented it to her. + +One of Lord Shaftesbury's greatest works was the promotion of ragged +schools. + +To these schools, established in the poorest neighbourhoods of the +metropolis, came the street arabs, the poor and abandoned, and +received kindness and teaching, which comforted and civilised them. +The outcasts who slept in doorways, under arches, and in all kinds of +horrible and unhealthy places, were the objects of this good man's +care; and ways were found of benefiting and starting afresh hundreds +of lads who would otherwise have become thieves or vagabonds in the +great city. + +When he was over eighty years old he was still striving for the good +of others. So much was his heart in the work that he remarked on one +occasion: "When I feel age creeping on me, and know I must soon die--I +hope it is not wrong to say it--but I cannot bear to leave the world +with all the misery in it". + +The dawn came for him in October, 1885, when in his eighty-fifth year +this veteran leader was called to his rest. + +For convenience I have spoken of him throughout as Lord Shaftesbury; +but it may be well to mention that till he was fifty years old he was +known as Lord Ashley. Through the death of his father he became Earl +of Shaftesbury in 1851. + + + + +A STATESMAN WHO HAD NO ENEMIES. + + +THE STORY OF W.H. SMITH. + +It is always well to remember that the man who serves his country as +a good citizen, as a soldier, as a statesman, or in any other walk +of life, deserves our admiration as much as the missionary or the +minister of the Gospel--each and all such are servants of the great +King. + +By far the greater portion of our lives is spent at the desk or the +counter, in the office, shop, or field; so that it is of the first +importance we should keep the strictest watch on our actions in our +work as well as in our leisure moments. + +One of the most successful men in commerce and politics of the century +was Mr. W.H. Smith. Strange to say, the desires of his early days were +entirely opposed to business life. At the age of sixteen he greatly +desired to proceed to one of the universities, and prepare for +becoming a clergyman, but his parents being opposed to such a step he +gave up the idea in deference to their wishes. + +It was a great disappointment to him to do this--yet he was able to +write, "It is my duty to acknowledge an overruling and directing +Providence in all the very minutest things, by being in whatever state +I am therewith content. My conclusion is, then, that I am at present +pursuing the path of duty, however imperfectly; wherever it may lead, +or what it may become, I know not." + +Thus did William Henry Smith see the door of the Church closed upon +him with no vain regrets, but in a spirit of submission to his +father's wishes. Writing of these days many years later, when as +a Minister of the Crown he was in attendance upon her Majesty at +Balmoral, he says: "I thought my life was aimless, purposeless, and I +wanted something else to do; but events compelled me to what promised +to be a dull life and a useless one: the result is that few men have +had more interesting work to do". + +In his earlier years W.H. Smith made a list of subjects for daily +prayer, embracing repentance, faith, love, grace to help, gratitude, +power to pray, constant direction in all things, a right understanding +of the Bible, deliverance from besetting sin, constancy in God's +service, relatives and friends, missionaries, pardon for all ignorance +and sin in prayer, etc., etc.; and it was one of the characteristics +of his nature that he felt prayer both in youth and age to be _a +necessity_. + +It was a busy life in which Smith was launched at the commencement of +his career. + +His father had already laid the foundation of the newsagency business +which is now of world-wide fame. Every week-day morning, summer and +winter, throughout the year, sunshine or rain, fog or snow, father +and son left their home for the business house in the Strand, at four +o'clock. Sometimes, indeed, the younger man was at his post as early +as three o'clock in the morning; and from the time he arrived at the +place of business there was constant work to be done. It was difficult +and anxious work too, and the constant strain told upon the young +man's health. + +The collection and distribution of newspapers, which formed then the +chief part of the business of W.H. Smith & Son, was one that needed +the closest attention and the most untiring energy. + +"First on the road" was old Mr. Smith's motto; and he carried it out. + +Smith's carts were in attendance at all the great newspaper offices, +ready to carry off printed sheets to the Strand house for sorting and +packing; and thence they sped swiftly through the streets in the early +morning to catch the first trains for the country. Occasionally _The +Times_, which was the last printed journal, did not arrive at the +station till the final moment. The whistle would have sounded, the +doors would have all been locked, the guard would have given his +warning signal, when in would come at hurricane speed Smith's cart +bearing its load of "Thunderers". Ready hands would seize the papers, +and the last packet would perchance be thrown in as the train was +already steaming out of the station. + +A great deal of the forwarding of newspapers was in those days done by +coaches. To catch these with the later papers, Smith had light carts +with fast horses. If the coaches had started, Smith's carts would +pursue for many miles, till they caught up the coaches at one of their +stopping places. + +At the death of William IV. Smith made gigantic efforts to distribute +the papers early, and he got them into the country many hours before +the ordinary mails would have taken them. He even hired a special ship +to carry over the papers to Ireland, so that they reached Belfast on +the same day. By such means the fame of Smith grew rapidly, and the +business vastly increased. When Mr. W.H. Smith became a partner in +1846, at the age of twenty-one, it was valued at over £80,000. + +But wear and tear and the anxieties of business life had made old Mr. +Smith often quick-tempered, and difficult to please; and the coming of +Mr. "W.H." into the business was hailed with pleasure by the workmen: +he was so full of tact and sympathy; and sometimes, when his father +had raised a storm of ill-feeling by some hasty expressions, he was +able to bring peace and calm by his pleasant and genial manner. + +Yet he was every inch a man of business, and even more clear-headed +and far-seeing than the senior partner, his father. + +It was he who commenced the railway bookstall business. + +Every one knows the familiar look of Smith's bookstalls, with their +energetic clerks, and their armies of pushing newsboys, and perchance +think they were born with the railways and have grown up with them. + +But such is not the case. It was not till about 1850 that Mr. +W.H. Smith secured the entire bookstall rights on the London and +North-Western Railway, much against his father's advice. The vast +improvement in the selection of books and the service of papers, +however, induced other companies to desire to have a similar +arrangement, till the chief portion of all the English railways came +to be girdled by Smith's bookstalls. + +From this date the business advanced with giant strides. Managers and +clerks had to be engaged, the latter in large numbers. Here the genius +of Smith as a judge of character was abundantly shown. He came to a +determination almost at a glance, and seldom erred in his judgment. + +In 1868 he was returned to Parliament, and in 1874 Mr. Disraeli +selected him for a place in his Ministry. A year later he was made +First Lord of the Admiralty. How serviceable he had been in the former +post may be judged by the remark made by Sir Stafford Northcote when +he lost Smith's assistance on his promotion to the higher position: "I +am troubled to know what to do without my right hand. I don't think he +made a slip in the whole three years." + +Writing to his wife when he was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, +Mr. Smith says: "My patent has come to-day, and I have taken my +seat at the Board, who address me as 'Sir' in every sentence. It is +strange, and makes me shy at first; and I have to do what I hardly +like--to send for them, not to go to them; but I am told they expect +me, as their chief, to require respect." + +He often wrote to his wife whilst the debates were going on in the +House of Commons. "Here I am, sitting listening to Arthur Balfour, who +is answering Mr. J. Morley," he writes; "and I have ears for him and +thoughts for my dear ones at home." + +"Remember me in your prayers" is a request he often makes to his wife +and children. In 1886 the Rt. Hon. W. H. Smith became leader of the +House of Commons, and had thus reached one of the highest positions +any Englishman can occupy. "Old Morality" was the nickname by which he +was known; and this term is one of great honour. No man ever gained +higher respect from all parties, and no man was ever more fully +trusted by the people at large. Thus though Mr. Smith never entered +the Church, and perchance missed a bishopric, yet he was a good +citizen of the world and a humble Christian, devoting his best +energies to the service of his Queen and country. + + + + +"GREATER THAN AN ARCHBISHOP." + + +ANECDOTES ABOUT THE REV. CHARLES SIMEON. + +"As to Simeon," wrote Macaulay, "if you knew what his authority and +influence were, and how they extended from Cambridge to the most +remote corners of England, you would allow that his real sway over the +Church was far greater than that of any primate." + +There is little recorded of Simeon's early life to indicate the +character of the future leader of men; for, to "jump over half a +dozen chairs in succession, and snuff a candle with his feet," is an +ordinary schoolboy accomplishment. Yet there is one incident which +shows he could be in earnest in religious matters, even at that date. + +Whilst he was at Eton, in 1776, a national fast-day was appointed on +account of the war with America, which was then in progress. Simeon, +feeling that, if any one had displeased God more than others, it was +certainly he, spent the day in prayer and fasting. So great was +the ridicule, however, which followed, that he gave up his serious +thoughts for the time, though it is related that he kept an alms-box, +into which he put money whenever his conscience accused him of +wrong-doing. + +It was rather a favourite habit of his to punish himself by fines for +bad behaviour. Later on in life, when he found it difficult to rise +early in the morning, he resolved to give the servant half a crown +every time he played the part of the sluggard. One morning he found +himself reasoning in his own mind, whilst enjoying a warm, comfortable +bed, that, after all, half-crowns were very acceptable to the poor +woman who received them. But he made up his mind to put an end, once +and for all, to such suggestions from the tempter; and resolved +accordingly that, if he got up late again, he would throw a guinea +into the Cam. He did it too. The next time he rose late he walked down +to the river, and threw a hard-earned guinea into the water. It was +worth while, nevertheless; for he never had to punish himself again +for the same fault. + +The turning point in his life came soon after his arrival at +Cambridge. + +The provost sent him a message to say that he would be required to +partake of the Holy Communion at mid-term, then about three weeks +distant. + +The thought of so solemn an occasion weighed heavily on his mind. He +at once set about reading devotional manuals, and sorrowed earnestly +for his past sins. So heavy, indeed, lay the burden of sin upon him +that he envied the very dogs, wishing that he could change places with +them. + +For three months this state of feeling continued. But in Passion Week +the thought came to him that God had provided an Offering for him, on +whose head he could lay his sins, just as the Jewish high priest laid +the sins of the people on the head of the scapegoat. He saw dimly at +first that his sins could be, and were intended to be, transferred to +Christ; and he determined to lay them upon the Saviour, and be rid of +them. + +On Wednesday hope dawned in his heart; on Thursday it increased; on +Friday and Saturday it grew and developed; and on Easter Day, 1778, he +awoke with the words on his lips:-- + +"Jesus Christ is risen to-day, Hallelujah!" and, better still, written +once and for ever in his heart. + +In his twentieth year he had experienced that deep conviction known as +conversion. + +Like every true convert, Simeon, having found the way himself, now +endeavoured to help others to realise the same blessed hope. + +His intimate friends were told of the new joy that had come to him: he +instructed the women who worked at the colleges, and when he went home +induced his relatives to commence family prayers. + +Though the light had dawned upon him he was nevertheless full +of faults. He dressed showily, went to races, spent his Sundays +carelessly. + +But gradually these habits were overcome, and he grew in holiness, +becoming watchful of his conduct, praying more fervently, living +nearer to Christ. + +In 1782 Simeon was ordained deacon in Ely Cathedral, and shortly after +became honorary curate to Mr. Atkinson, vicar of St. Edward's Church, +near King's College. He was already a marked man on account of +his earnest life. He visited the parishioners as Mr. Atkinson's +substitute, and was soon received with pleasure by them. + +The church became so full that the people could hardly find room. It +is related that even the clerk's desk was invaded, and that when Mr. +Atkinson returned after a holiday the clerk met him with the following +strange welcome:-- + +"Oh, sir, I am so glad you are come: Now we shall have some room!" + +On the very first Sunday he took duty he showed the metal of which he +was made; for, in going home after service, he heard voices high +in dispute in one of the houses he passed. Straightway he went in, +reproved the couple who were at strife, and knelt down to pray. Peace +was restored, and Simeon's character for earnestness was confirmed. + +Now came an eventful period in this good man's life. The minister of +Trinity Church, Cambridge, having died, Simeon was appointed by the +bishop. + +The parishioners, however, desired to have as minister the curate; +and, as it was impossible to gratify their wish, they made matters as +unpleasant as possible for Simeon. + +The pew doors were nearly all kept locked, so that the space left for +the congregation was much reduced. + +On the first Sunday there was practically no congregation; but later +on people could not resist his influence, and the church began to +fill. To provide places for those who came, Simeon had seats placed in +various parts of the building. The churchwardens, however, threw them +out into the church-yard! + +It was an uncomfortable beginning; but Simeon persevered. He began +a course of Sunday evening lectures, to which the people flocked in +crowds; but the churchwardens locked the church doors and carried off +the keys. + +Besides beings rude and unmannerly, that was distinctly illegal; but +Simeon put up with the affront for the sake of peace. + +When necessary he could be firm. The young men threw stones at the +church windows and broke them. On one occasion Simeon discovered the +offender, and obliged him to read a public confession of his fault. + +The church was crowded. The young man read the paper which Simeon had +prepared for him, but did so in a voice low and partially inaudible. +Then Simeon himself, taking the paper from him, read the apology in +such tones that none could fail to hear. + +The young men were impressed, and the congregation listened to the +sermon that followed with more than usual attention. + +He was of all men the most humble; yet this did not prevent his +speaking honestly and openly when he considered by so doing he could +be of service. Thus a friend once asked him, after having preached a +showy sermon with which he himself was remarkably satisfied, "How did +I speak this evening?" + +"Why, my dear brother," said Simeon, "I am sure you will pardon me; +you know it is all love, my brother--but, indeed, it was just as if +you were knocking on a warming-pan--tin, tin, tin, tin, without any +intermission!" + +Once a party of undergraduates laid an ambush for Simeon, intending to +assault him. He, however, by accident happened to go home that night +another way. + +Not only had he to put up with active but also with much passive +opposition. But he went on in faith and charity, till his enemies +became his friends--his friends, his ardent and reverent admirers. + +We must pass over without further comment a life of humility, love, +and holiness--a life full of good works at home, and ardently +interested in missions abroad. + +In 1831, when Simeon was seventy-two years old, he preached his last +sermon before the university. The place was crowded. The heads +of houses, the doctors, the masters of art, the bachelors, the +undergraduates, the townsmen, all crowded to hear the venerable +preacher. They hung on his words and listened with the deepest +reverence. + +His closing days were singularly bright and happy. Three weeks before +his death a friend, seeing him look more than usually calm and +peaceful, asked him what he was thinking of. + +"I don't think now," he answered brightly; "I enjoy." + +At another time his friends, believing the end was at hand, gathered +round him. + +"You want to see," he remarked, "what is called a dying scene. That I +abhor.... I wish to be alone with my God, the lowest of the low." + +One evening those watching beside him thought he was unconscious, his +eyes having been closed for some hours. But suddenly he remarked:-- + +"If you want to know what I am doing, go and look in the first chapter +of Ephesians from the third to the fourteenth verse; there you will +see what I am enjoying now." + +On Sunday, 13th November, just as the bells of St. Mary's were calling +together the worshippers to service he passed away. He had accepted +an invitation to preach a course of four sermons, and would have +delivered the second of the course on that very afternoon. I am +permitted, by the kindness of the Rev. H.C.G. Moule, from whose +delightful biography the foregoing sketch has been compiled, to +reproduce a page from this address. + +"Who would ever have thought I should behold such a day as this?" +wrote Simeon. "My parish sweetly harmonious, my whole works +stereotyping in twenty-one volumes, and my ministry not altogether +inefficient at the age of seventy-three.... But I love the valley of +humiliation." + +In that last sentence, perhaps, lies the secret of the man's +far-reaching and undying influence. + + + + +A SOLDIER MISSIONARY. + + +THE STORY OF HEDLEY VICARS. + +It was the 22nd March, 1855, just outside Sebastopol. The night was +dark and gusty. Close to the Russian entrenchments was an advanced +post of the British forces, commanded by Captain Hedley Vicars. +Fifteen thousand Russians under cover of the gloom had come out +from Sebastopol and driven our French allies out of their advanced +trenches. Then a portion of this force stealthily advanced, seeking to +take the British by surprise. + +The first to discover the presence of the enemy was Hedley Vicars. +With great judgment he made his men lie down till the Russians were +within twenty paces. Then, springing to his feet, he shouted:-- + +"Now, 97th, on your pins and charge!" + +His force was about 200, that of the enemy nearly 2000! Wounded in the +breast at the first onset, he still led the charge. "Men of the 97th, +follow me!" rang out his voice above the din of battle, and leaping +the parapet of the entrenchment he charged the enemy down the ravine. +"This way, 97th!" was his last command--still at the head of his +men. His sword had already dealt with two of the foe, and was again +uplifted, when a musket shot, fired at close quarters, severed an +artery; and the work on earth of this gallant man was over. + +Hedley Vicars was a true soldier and earnest Christian. The last words +he wrote, penned the night before he died, were: "I spent the evening +with Cay. I read Isaiah, xli.; and he prayed. We walked together +during the day, and exchanged our thoughts about Jesus." + +He spent a busy time in the Crimea, doing plenty of hard work in the +trenches; and when off duty engaged in hospital visiting, tract and +book distributing, attending prayer meetings and mission services, +constant in his Bible reading, and always endeavouring to do good to +others. + +Here is an entry from his diary on the 4th March, 1855: "Sunday. Had +Divine service in camp. We afterwards met together in a tent. All +present. Then sat on a regimental board, after which I went to the +Guards' camp for Cay; and we then went, laden with tracts, books and +prayers, to the remaining hospitals of the Second Division, where we +distributed all we had. Had service in our hospital tent on my return, +and prayed with one of the sick, particularly, who asked me to do +so... I spoke to him of and directed him to 'look to Jesus' the +Saviour. Service in the tent again in the evening. ... Oh, what a +happy day this has been!... I must now conclude, as I must get ready +for the trenches." + +[Illustration: HEDLEY VICARS LEADING THE 97TH.] + +On 12th January he wrote: "I have just returned from a night in the +trenches, having come off the sick list yesterday morning. Last Sunday +I was unable to leave my tent, but I had happy communion with Jesus +in my solitude, and derived much pleasure from the fourteenth and +fifteenth of St. John. How true is the peace of mind that cleaving to +Christ brings to a man! There is nothing like it in this world." + +Such was Hedley Vicars--a bright, loving, faithful Christian. He knew +what it was to be without peace; for having got into debt when he was +first in the army, and knowing the distress it caused his family at +home, his mind was so troubled that he wrote to his mother: "Oh, what +agony I have endured! What sleepless nights I have passed since the +perusal of that letter! The review of my past life, especially the +retrospect of the last two years, has at last quite startled me, and +at the same time disgusted me." And again: "Oh, that I had the last +two years allotted to me to live over again!" + +His mother's letters stirred him to sorrow for past faults and desires +to live a new life. The sudden death of his fellow-officer, Lieut. +Bindon, made him realise the uncertainty of earthly things. + +In November, 1851, whilst at Halifax, Nova Scotia, he was awaiting the +return of a brother-officer to his room, and idly turning over the +leaves of a Bible that was upon the table. He caught sight of the +words, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin". +The message went home. That night he hardly slept. With the morning +came LIGHT AND LIFE. Like Christian in the _Pilgrim's Progress_ he +looked to the cross, and his burden rolled away. + +Feeling keenly his own weakness he bought a large Bible, and placed it +open on the table in his sitting-room, determined that an open Bible +in the future should be his colours. "It was to speak for me," he +said, "before I was strong enough to speak for myself." The usual +result followed. His friends did not like his "new colours". One +accused him of "turning Methodist," and departed; another warned him +not to become a hypocrite, and remarked, "Bad as you were, I never +thought you would come to this, old fellow!" So for a time he was +nearly deserted. + +But he had got that which was better than any ordinary friendships. +Though he often came under the fire of jeers and taunts--more trying +to most men than the rifle bullets of the enemy--he experienced a new +joy which increased and deepened. + +Later on he would spend four or five hours daily in Bible reading, +meditation and prayer, so that whereas he had written a few months +earlier: "Oh! dear mother, I wish I felt more what I write!" he +was now daily becoming more earnest, patient and watchful, and was +gradually putting on the whole armour of God. + +And so, during those three short years that intervened between his +call to grace and his death at the early age of thirty, he did the +work of a lifetime; and of him it can be truly said (as of many +another alluded to in this book) that "he being dead yet speaketh". + + + + +THE LASS THAT LOVED THE SAILORS. + + +THE STORY OF AGNES WESTON. + +"I was obliged to go to church, but I was determined not to listen, +and oftentimes when the preacher gave out the text I have stopped my +ears and shut my eyes that I might neither see nor hear." + +Thus writes Agnes Weston of the days of her girlhood. There was +therefore a time in the life of this devoted woman when there seemed +no prospect of her doing good to any one--to say nothing of the great +work she has accomplished in giving a helping hand to our sailors in +every part of the world. + +However, she got out of this Slough of Despond, and having become +convinced of God's love she told the good story to the sick in +hospitals, to soldiers and sailors without number, and has done more +for the good of Jack Tar afloat and ashore than perhaps any other man +or woman. + +Her public work commenced at the Bath United Hospital, where in 1868 +she visited the patients. These looked forward so eagerly to her +helpful conversation that in course of time it was arranged she should +give a short Gospel address in each of the men's wards once a week. + +One day a man who had met with a terrible accident was brought into +the hospital whilst she was there. His case was hopeless, and Miss +Weston asked that she might be allowed to speak to him. She whispered +to him the text, "God so loved the world"; and, though he gave no sign +of taking it in, yet presently, when she repeated it, big tears rolled +down his face. The word of comfort had reached him. + +Another day she came across a poor fellow with both legs broken; and +after a little earnest talk he said, "I've been a bad fellow, but I'll +trust Him". + +Others she found who had been already influenced by Miss Marsh; and so +her task of teaching was made easier. + +At the Sunday school she showed so great a genius for taming unruly +boys that the curate handed over to her the very worst of the youths, +that she might "lick them into shape". + +Ere long the boys' class developed into a class for working men, which +grew and grew till it reached an average attendance of a hundred. + +After that followed temperance work. This is how Miss Weston came to +sign the pledge. + +She was working hard at meetings for the promotion of the temperance +cause when a desperate drunkard, a chimney sweep by trade, came to her +at one of the meetings and was going to sign the pledge. + +Pausing suddenly he remarked, "If you please, Miss Weston, be you a +teetotaler?" + +"No," she replied; "I only take a glass of wine occasionally, of +course in strict moderation." Laying down the pen he remarked he +thought he'd do the same. So after this Miss Weston became an +out-and-out teetotaler, duly pledged. + +She had some experience of good work in the army before she took to +the navy. The 2nd Somerset Militia assembled every year for drill; +and for their benefit coffee and reading rooms were started and +entertainments arranged, Miss Weston taking an active part in their +promotion. The soldiers' Bible class which she conducted was well +attended; and altogether, as one of the officers remarked, "the men +were not like the same fellows" after they had been brought under her +influence. + +The way Agnes Weston was first introduced to the sailors was singular. +She had written to a soldier on board the troopship _Crocodile_, and +he showed the letter to a sailor friend, who remarked: "That is good: +we poor fellows have no friend. Do you think she would write to me?" + +"I am sure she will," replied the soldier; "I will write and ask her." + +The good news that there was a kind friend willing to write to them +gradually spread; and sailor after sailor wrote to Miss Weston, and +their correspondence grew so large that at length she had to print her +letters. + +Even in the first year she printed 500 copies a month of her letters +("little bluebacks" the sailors called them, on account of the colour +of their cover); but before many years had passed as many as 21,000 a +month were printed and circulated. + +Then the sailor boys wanted a letter all to themselves, saying they +could not fully understand the men's bluebacks. Miss Weston could not +refuse; so she printed them a letter too; and many a reply she had +from the boys, telling her of their trials and difficulties, and the +help her letters had been to them. + +Before Miss Weston had been long at work she thought it would be +useful if she went on board the vessels, and had a chat about +temperance with the men. + +But there was a good deal of difficulty in the way to begin with. A +man would have been allowed readily enough, but a _woman_ to invade +her Majesty's ships,--it was not to be thought of! + +At length Admiral Sir King Hall became interested in the subject. He +determined to hear what Miss Weston had to say to the men, and, if he +was satisfied that her teaching would benefit them, to assist her in +her object. He got together a meeting of dockyard workmen, and asked +her to speak to them. + +So pleased was he with her address that the word went abroad to all +the ships in the harbour: "Don't be afraid to let Miss Weston come on +board and speak to your ship's company. I'll stand security for her." + +She had some grand audiences on the ships, those she addressed +sometimes numbering as many as 500. + +One day when she went out to the _Vanguard_ that vessel was getting up +steam ready to go away, having received sudden orders to put out to +sea. But, when the captain heard Miss Weston was there to keep an +appointment, he put out the accommodation ladder, took her on board, +had the notice piped that she had come to give an address; and soon +a crowd of sailors was swarming round her in the upper deck battery, +standing, sitting, lying, kneeling--all earnestly listening. + +Then the pledge book was brought out and placed on one of the big +guns, and about forty signed. + +On H.M.S. _Topaze_ the grog tub was used as a table for signing the +pledge book, one sailor remarking (to the tub): "Sixty odd nails in +your coffin to-day, old fellow! If they all hold firm I would not give +much for your life." + +At the present day on board every ship in the service there is a +branch of the Royal Navy Temperance Society, and thus our sailors are +being encouraged to become sober as well as gallant men. + +Having seen to Jack's welfare afloat, the next thing was to look after +him on shore; for though the song says:-- + + If love's the best of all that can a man befall; + Then Jack's the king of all--for they all love Jack; + +yet as a matter of fact there are always sharks on the look-out to +cheat and rob Jack whenever he has money in his pocket. + +Miss Weston took counsel with some officers in the service, and +engaged a room for meetings at Devonport. The first Sunday one boy +alone came, and next Sunday not a solitary lad made his appearance; so +Miss Wintz, in whose house she was staying, offered a kitchen as more +homely, and tea and cake as an attraction. Soon the audience reached +a dozen; then all the chairs were filled, and very soon the meetings +became so large that the kitchen would not contain all who came; and +then a bigger building was provided. + +Of course money was needed to enable Miss Weston to develop her scheme +to such an extent. But she just asked in the right way; and before +long, from one source and another, a sum of nearly £6000 was +subscribed, which bought and fitted up a Sailors' Institute and Rest. + +Great was the rejoicing of Jack ashore to have a place where he could +thoroughly enjoy himself without fear of being plundered or getting +drunk. In fact, so great was the enthusiasm that, the night before the +house was to be opened, three sailors presented themselves, and said +they had asked for special leave to be ashore that night, that they +might be the first to sleep in the building. + +It turned out that they were the right sort of jacks; for, when the +attendant went round to see if all was safe for the night, he found +the three seated together, one of them reading aloud the Bible. + +Not only has this home prospered, but similar homes have been founded +in other places. In Portsmouth Miss Weston's Sailors' Rest is one of +the most noted buildings in the town; whilst the principle that Jack, +who fights our battles at sea, and keeps our country prosperous by his +labours aboard ship, needs to be made happy when he is ashore is far +more fully acknowledged than it used to be. + +Miss Weston's homes are as bright almost as the sunshine. Cheap and +good food, tea and coffee both hot and fresh, plenty of light, lots of +periodicals and games; and, for those who wish it, short meetings for +prayer and praise. + +There is a great deal more to tell about Miss Weston, but my space +is short; those, however, who wish to know more will find plenty of +information in the little book called _Our Blue Jackets_. + + + + +A GREAT COMMANDER ON A FAMOUS BATTLEFIELD + + +THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON AT WATERLOO. + +It was on Sunday, 18th June, 1815, that the famous battle of Waterloo +was fought. The British army of 67,600 men and the French army of +72,000 lay on the open field the night before that memorable struggle. +It had been a wet and stormy night; at dawn the rain was falling +heavily, the ground was saturated, and the troops in the rival armies +were thoroughly drenched. About nine o'clock it cleared up, but on +account of the rainfall no movement was made by the French till +towards twelve o'clock. + +On the night of the 17th the Duke of Wellington made every portion of +his army take up the position it was to occupy on the following day. +He slept a few hours at the village of Waterloo and rose early in the +morning to write letters, giving orders what was to be done in case +the battle was lost: although he felt sure of winning. + +Before leaving the village he saw to the preparation of hospitals for +the wounded, and to the arrangements made for the distribution of +the reserves of ammunition. Then mounting his favourite charger, +Copenhagen, he rode to the positions where his men were posted, and +made a careful and thorough inspection. The farm house of Hougoumont, +where some of the most furious fighting of the day took place, +received his special attention. + +Having thus done all that a commander could do to ensure the success +of the day, he rode back to the high ground from which he could +command a full view of the battle, and with a face calm and serene +waited for the French attack. + +It was this serenity which had so great an effect on his troops. They +knew their great commander, and had confidence in him, and this aided +them during that eventful day in holding their positions with that +stubborn courage which destroyed all the hopes of the Emperor +Napoleon. + +At Waterloo for the first time the two greatest commanders of the age +met face to face. Here across the valley they watched each other in +stern anticipation as the church bells called worshippers together for +prayer. + +At about half-past eleven Napoleon's troops advanced to the attack; +and from this time till six or seven o'clock a series of terrific +charges continued to be made by the French, resisted and defeated by +the steady bravery of the British and Germans. + +The duke was often in the thick of the fight, and in so great danger +that his staff advised him for the good of the army to withdraw to a +somewhat safer position. Passing one of the squares of grenadiers a +shell fell among them, and the duke waited to see the result. Several +soldiers were blown to pieces by the bursting of the shell, but +Wellington seemed quite unmoved either by the terrible sight or his +own danger. + +All day long the duke was cool as if he had been riding among his men +in Hyde Park. Wherever he went a murmur of "Silence! stand to your +front!" was heard, and at his presence men grew steady as on parade. + +Again and again commanders told him of the fearful havoc made in the +ranks of their brigades, and asked either for support or to be allowed +to withdraw their men. They generally received this answer, "It is +impossible; you must hold the ground to the last man". + +When asked by some of his staff what they should do if he fell, he +gave the same answer, "My plan is simply to stand my ground here to +the last man". + +The duke seemed to bear a charmed life. Every member of his staff but +one was during the day either killed or wounded, whilst he escaped +unhurt. Wherever the danger seemed greatest there was the duke to be +found inspiriting his men, restraining them, or putting fresh heart +into them. + +"Hard pounding this, gentlemen!" he remarked to a battalion on which +the French shells were falling with destructive fury; "but we will try +who can pound the longest." "Wait a little longer, my lads," was the +duke's reply to the murmur which reached him from some of his troops +who had suffered heavily from the French fire and were anxious to +charge, "and you shall have your wish." + +Once when the fire was concentrated on the spot where he was with +his staff he told them to separate a little, so as to afford a less +conspicuous mark for the enemy. + +At another time, when some German troops hesitated to advance against +the French, the duke put himself at their head. + +When Napoleon's Old Guard was advancing up the hill, the only sight +they could see was the duke and a few mounted officers, till a voice +was heard, "Up, guards, and at them!" And the best men in the whole +French army, the pick of the bravest of the brave, fell back before +the onset of the British guards. + +At about eight o'clock the duke gave the joyful signal for an advance +all along the line. For nearly nine hours the British had been stormed +at with shot and shell, had been charged again and again, and had +stood firm though impatient. Now they received the signal with a +fierce delight, and dashed forward against the enemy with a fury which +nothing could resist. + +The duke was amongst the first to advance, and spoke joyously to the +men as he rode along. The bullets were whistling around him, and one +of his staff ventured to point out to him the terrible danger he +was running. "Never mind," said the duke, "let them fire away: the +battle's won, and my life is of no consequence now." + +About 15,000 men out of Wellington's army were killed or wounded on +the day of this great battle. But Europe was saved. + +The duke, who appeared so calm and unmoved in battle, thus wrote just +afterwards, when the excitement of the conflict was over: "My heart +is broken at the terrible loss I have sustained in my old friends and +companions and my poor soldiers. Believe me, nothing except a battle +lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won." + + + + +A PRINCE OF PREACHERS. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY. + +"I do intend to be more particularly careful of the soul of this child +that Thou hast so mercifully provided for than ever I have been, that +I may do my endeavour to instil into his mind the principles of Thy +true religion and virtue. Lord, give me grace to do it sincerely and +prudently, and bless my attempts with good success!" + +Thus wrote Susanna Wesley of her son John. The child had been nearly +burned to death when he was about six years old in a fire that broke +out at the Rectory of Epworth, where John and Charles Wesley and a +large family were born. + +Mrs. Wesley devoted herself to the training of her children, taught +them to cry softly even when they were a year old, and conquered their +wills even earlier than that. Her one great object was so to prepare +her little ones for the journey of life that they might be God's +children both in this world and the next. To that end she devoted all +her endeavours. + +Is it wonderful that, with her example before their eyes and her +fervent prayers to help them, the Wesleys made a mark upon the world? + +John Wesley--"the brand plucked out of the burning," as he termed +himself--when a boy was remarkable for his piety. At eight his father +admitted him to the Holy Communion. He had thus early learned the +lesson of self-control; for his mother tells us that having smallpox +at this age he bore his disease bravely, "like a man and indeed like +a Christian, without any complaint, though he seemed angry at the +smallpox when they were sore, as we guessed by his looking sourly at +them". + +At the age of ten John Wesley went to Charterhouse School. For a long +time after he got there he had little to live on but dry bread, as the +elder boys had a habit of taking the little boys' meat; but so far +from this hurting him he said, in after life, that he thought it was +good for his health! + +Although he was not at school remarkable for the piety he had shown +earlier, yet he never gave up reading his Bible daily and saying his +prayers morning and evening. + +At the age of twenty-two he began to think of entering the ministry, +and wrote to his parents about it. He also commenced to regulate the +whole tone of his life. "I set apart," he writes, "an hour or two a +day for religious retirement; I communicated every week; I watched +against all sin, whether in word or deed. I began to aim at and pray +for inward holiness." In September, 1725, when he had just passed his +twenty-second year, he was ordained. + +Thirteen years later John Wesley began that series of journeys to all +parts of the kingdom for the purpose of preaching the Gospel, which +continued for over half a century. + +In that time it is said that he travelled 225,000 miles, and preached +more than 40,000 sermons--an average of more than two for every day of +the year. + +As to the numbers who flocked to hear some of his addresses they can +best be realised by those who have attended an international football +match, when 20,000 persons are actually assembled in one field, or +at a review, when a like number of people are together. It seems +impossible to realise that one voice could reach such a multitude; +yet it is a fact that some of John Wesley's open-air congregations +consisted of over 20,000 persons. + +Those were the early days of Methodism, when Whitefield and Wesley +were preaching the Gospel, and giving it a new meaning to the +multitude. + +Here is Wesley's record of one day's work: "May, 1747, Sunday, 10.--I +preached at Astbury at five, and at seven proclaimed at Congleton +Cross Jesus Christ our wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and +redemption. It rained most of the time that I was speaking; but that +did not hinder abundance of people from quietly attending. Between +twelve and one I preached near Macclesfield, and in the evening at +Woodly-green." + +His addresses were so fervent that they acted at times like an +electric shock. Some would drop down as if thunderstruck, others would +cry aloud, whilst others again would have convulsions. + +People did not understand such a state of things. Bishop Butler, +author of the _Analogy of Religion_, was ill pleased at a style of +preaching so different from that to which the people of the day were +accustomed; and told Wesley so. + +But the mission of John Wesley was to rouse the masses. This he +did, though at great peril to his own life; for his preaching often +produced strong opposition. + +Thus in June, 1743, at Wednesbury the mob assembled at the house where +he was staying, and shouted "Bring out the minister; we will have the +minister!" But Wesley was not a bit frightend. He asked that their +captain might be brought in to him, and after a little talk the man +who came in like a lion went out like a lamb. + +Then Wesley went out to the angry crowd, and standing on a chair +asked, "What do you want with me?" + +"We want you to go with us to the justice!" cried some. + +"That I will, with all my heart," he replied. + +Then he spoke a few words to them; and the people shouted: "The +gentleman is an honest gentleman, and we will spill our blood in his +defence". + +But they changed their minds later on; for they met a Walsall crowd on +their way, who attacked Wesley savagely, and those who had been loud +in their promises to protect him--fled! + +Left to the mercy of the rable, he was dragged to Walsall. One man +hit him in the mouth with such force that the blood streamed from the +wound; another struck him on the breast; a third seized him and tried +to pull him down. + +"Are you willing," cried Wesley, "to hear me?" + +"No, no!" they answered; "knock out his brains, down with him, kill +him at once!" + +"What evil," asked Wesley, "have I done? Which of you all have I +wronged by word or deed?" Then he began to pray; and one of the +ringleaders said to him:-- + +"Sir, I will spend my life for you; follow me, and no one shall hurt a +hair of your head." + +Others took his part also--one, fortunately, being a prizefighter. + +Wesley thus describes the finish of this remarkable adventure:-- + +"A little before ten o'clock God brought me safe to Wednesbury, having +lost only one flap of my waistcoat, and a little skin from one of my +hands. From the beginning to the end I found the same presence of mind +as if I had been sitting in my own study. But I took no thought from +one moment to another; only once it came into my mind that, if they +should throw me into the river, it would spoil the papers that were in +my pocket. For myself I did not doubt but I should swim across, having +but a thin coat and a light pair of shoes." + +At Pensford the rabble made a bull savage, and then tried to make it +attack his congregation; at Whitechapel they drove cows among the +listeners and threw stones, one of which hit Wesley between the eyes; +but after he had wiped away the blood he went on with his address, +telling the people that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear". + +At St. Ives in Cornwall there was a great uproar, but Wesley went +amongst the mob and brought the chief mischiefmaker out. Strange to +say, the preacher received but one blow, and then he reasoned the case +out with the agitator, and the man undertook to quiet his companions. + +Thus Wesley went fearlessly from place to place. He visited Ireland +forty-two times, as well as Scotland and Wales. When he was +eighty-four he crossed over to the Channel Islands in stormy weather; +and there "high and low, rich and poor, received the Word gladly". + +He always went on horseback till quite late in life, when his friends +persuaded him to have a chaise. No weather could stop him from keeping +his engagements. In 1743 he set out from Epworth to Grimsby; but was +told at the ferry he could not cross the Trent owing to the storm. + +But he was determined his Grimsby congregation should not be +disappointed; and he so worked on the boatmen's feelings that they +took him over even at the risk of their lives. + +At Bristol, in 1772, he was told that highwaymen were on the road, +and had robbed all the coaches that passed, some just previously. But +Wesley felt no uneasiness, "knowing," as he writes, "that God would +take care of us; and He did so, for before we came to the spot all the +highwaymen were taken, and so we went on unmolested, and came safe to +Bristol". + +This immense labour had no ill effect upon his health. In June, 1786, +when he was entering his eighty-fourth year, he writes: "I am a wonder +to myself. It is now twelve years since I have felt such a sensation +as weariness. I am never tired either with writing, preaching, or +travelling." + +When Wesley was on his death-bed he wrote to Wilberforce cheering him +in his struggle against the slave trade. + +"Unless God has raised you up for this very thing," writes Wesley, +"you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils, but if God +be for you who can be against you?... Go on in the name of God and in +the power of His might till even American slavery, the vilest that +ever saw the sun, shall vanish away before it." + +Wesley died, at the ripe age of eighty-eight, in the year 1791. He had +saved no money, so had none to leave behind; but he was one of those +"poor" persons who "make many rich". + +Amongst his few small gifts and bequests was "£6 to be divided among +the six poor men named by the assistant who shall carry my body to the +grave; for I particularly desire that there be no hearse, no coach, no +escutcheon, no pomp". + + + + +SOME CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM. + + +Shortly after Mwanga, King of Uganda, came to the throne, reports were +made to that weak-minded monarch that Mr. Mackay, the missionary, was +sending messages to Usoga, a neighbouring State, to collect an army +for the purpose of invading Uganda. His mind having thus become +inflamed with suspicion, he was ready to believe anything against the +missionaries, or to invent something if necessary. Thus he complained +that his pages, who received instruction from the missionaries, had +adopted Jesus as their King, and regarded himself as little better +than a brother. + +Not long after, six boys were sent to prison; and, though every effort +was made to obtain their release, it was for a time of no avail. At +length three were given up, and three were ordered to be executed. + +These latter were first tortured, then their arms were cut off; +afterwards they were placed on a scaffold, under which a fire was +made, and burned to death. + +As they were passing through their agony, they were laughed at by the +people, who asked them if Jesus Christ could do anything to help them. + +But the boys were undaunted; and, in spite of all their pain and +suffering, sang hymns of praise till their tongues could utter no +more. This was one of their hymns:-- + + Daily, daily, sing to Jesus, + Sing my soul His praises due, + All He does deserves our praises, + And our deep devotion too. + +Little wonder that Mr. Mackay should write: "Our hearts are +breaking". Yet what a triumph! One of the executioners, struck by +the extraordinary fortitude of the lads, and their evident faith in +another life, came and asked that he might also be taught to pray. +This martyrdom did not daunt the other Christians. Though Mwanga +threatened to burn alive any who frequented the mission premises, or +adopted the Christian faith, they continued to come; and the lads at +the Court kept their teachers constantly informed of everything that +was going on. Indeed, when the king's prime minister began to make +investigation, he found the place so honey-combed by Christianity that +he had to cease his inquisition, for fear of implicating chiefs, and +upsetting society generally. + + + + +A BOY HERO. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN CLINTON. + + Lives of great men all remind us + We should make our lives sublime, + And departing leave behind us + Footprints on the sands of time. + +So sang Longfellow! Yet how difficult is it for most men and women to +make their lives sublime, and how much more difficult for a child of +ten years! Still it is possible. + +John Clinton was born on the 17th January, 1884, at Greek Street, +Soho. His father is a respectable carman, who, a year after little +Johnnie's birth, moved to 4 Church Terrace, Waterloo Road, Lambeth. +When three years old he was sent to the parish schools of St. John's, +Waterloo Road (Miss Towers being the mistress). While a scholar there +he met with a severe accident on the 27th January, 1890. Playing with +other children in the Waterloo Road, a heavy iron gate fell on him +and fractured his skull terribly. He was taken to the St. Thomas's +Hospital, where he remained for thirteen weeks. At first the doctors +said he would not get over it, then that if he got over it he would be +an idiot; but finally their surgical skill and careful nursing were +rewarded, and he came out well in every respect, except for an awful +scar along one side of his head. In due time he moved into the Boys' +School at St. John's, Waterloo Road (Mr. Davey, headmaster). In July, +1893, a tiny child was playing in the middle of Stamford Street when a +hansom cab came dashing along over the smooth wood paving. Little John +Clinton darted out and gave the child a violent push, at the risk of +being run over himself, and got the little one to the side of the road +in safety. A big brother of the child, not understanding what had +happened, gave John Clinton a blow on the nose for interfering with +the child, whose life John Clinton had saved. The blow was the cause +of this act of bravery becoming known, and the big brother afterwards +apologised for his hasty conduct. How many accidents to children are +caused by the lamentable absence of open spaces and playgrounds! 460 +persons are yearly killed in the streets of London and over 2000 +injured there, many of them being children playing in the only place +they have to play in. + +On Sunday, 26th February, 1893, Johnnie was at home minding the baby. +During his temporary absence from the room the baby set itself on +fire. When he came back and saw the flames, instead of wasting time +calling for help, he rolled the baby on the floor, and succeeded in +putting the flames out. The curtain nearest the cot had also taken +fire. Johnnie then, though badly burnt, pulled the curtains, valance, +and all down on to the floor, and beat out the flames with his hands +and feet. The brave little fellow seriously hurt himself, but saved +the baby's life, and prevented the buildings catching fire, crowded as +they are with other families. + +The family then moved to Walworth, 51 Brandon Street, and the boy +attended the schools of St. John's, Walworth (Mr. Ward, headmaster). +On the 18th July, 1894, he came home from school, had his tea, and +about 5:30 p.m. went out with a companion, Campbell Mortimer, to the +foreshore near London Bridge. Here the two boys took off their shoes +and stockings, and commenced paddling in the stream. Little Mortimer, +unfortunately, got out of his depth, and the tide running strongly he +disappeared in the muddy water. Directly the boy came to the surface, +John Clinton sprang at him, seized him, and, though Mortimer was the +heavier lad of the two, succeeded in landing him safely. In pushing +the boy on shore, John Clinton slipped back, and, being exhausted with +his exertions, the tide caught him and he disappeared beneath the +surface, and was carried down stream a few yards under the pier. The +river police dragged for him, and the lightermen did all they could +for some considerable time, but without success. After fifteen +minutes' fruitless search, a lighterman suggested that the boy must be +under the pier. He rowed his boat to the other end of the stage, and +there saw the boy's hand upright in the water. He soon got the body +out, but life was extinct, and the doctor could only pronounce him +to be dead. Thus died John Clinton, a boy of whom London ought to +be proud, giving his life for his friend. He was buried in a common +grave, at Manor Park Cemetery, after a funeral service in St. John's +Church, Walworth. + +[_For the above account I am indebted to the Rev. Arthur W. Jephson, +M.A., Vicar of St. John's, Walworth_.] + + + + +POSTSCRIPT. + + +For those who desire to learn more of the characters mentioned in this +work let me mention a few volumes. In _Heroes of Every-day Life_ Miss +Laura Lane has told briefly the story of Alice Ayres and other humble +heroes and heroines whose deeds should not be forgotten. Further +particulars of the careers of Sir Colin Campbell, John Cassell, +General Gordon, Sir Henry Havelock, Joseph Livesey, David Livingstone, +Robert Moffat, George Moore, Florence Nightingale, Lord Shaftesbury, +Agnes Weston, and other men and women whose example has benefited the +country, will be found in an attractive series of books issued under +the title of _The World's Workers_. Mr. Archibald Forbes' _Life of Sir +Henry Havelock_ is one of the most fascinating works of its kind; the +Rev. H.C.G. Moule's _Life of the Rev. Charles Simeon_ is delightfully +written and full of interest, and the Rev. J.H. Overton's _Life of +Wesley_ gives an admirable picture in brief of the great revival +preacher. Further particulars of the great and good Father Dainien can +be gathered from Mr. Edward Clifford's work; of Elizabeth Gilbert, +from the Life by Frances Martin; and of George Müller, from the +shilling autobiography he has written, which is worthy of the deepest +attention. John Howard's life has been well told by Mr. Hepworth +Dixon, Lord Shaftesbury's by Mr. Edwin Hodder, and Mr. Glaisher's +career is set forth at large in _Travels in the Air_. Perhaps the +largest and best collection of narratives of noble lives is contained +in Mr. Edwin Hodder's _Heroes of Britain in Peace and War_, now issued +in two cheap volumes; from this many facts have been gathered. In _The +Memorials of Captain Hedley Vicars_ will be found a thoughtful +picture of that devoted life; whilst in _The Life and Work of James +Hannington_, by E.C. Dawson, a graphic narrative is given of the +martyr bishop of Central Africa. _Ismailia_ affords a vivid picture of +Sir Samuel Baker's life in the Soudan, and few books will give greater +pleasure to the reader than General Butler's _Life of General Gordon_. +A Life of Mr. W.H. Smith, by Sir H. Maxwell, has been recently +published in popular form. _The Lives of Robert and Mary Moffat_, by +J.S. Moffat, will afford much enjoyment, as will Miss Yonge's _Life of +Bishop Patteson_. + + +[Illustration: THE END] + + + + +Selections from Cassell & Company's Publications. + + * * * * * + +Illustrated, Fine-Art, and other Volumes. + +Abbeys and Churches of England and Wales, The: Descriptive, +Historical, Pictorial. Series II. 21s. + +A Blot of Ink. Translated by Q and PAUL FRANCKE. 5s. + +A Book of Absurdities. With 12 Full-Page Funny Pictures. 2s. 6d. + +Adventure, The World of, Fully Illustrated. In Three Vols. 9s. each. + +Africa and its Explorers, The Story of. By DR. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + diff --git a/old/10024-8.zip b/old/10024-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a5c5aba --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10024-8.zip diff --git a/old/10024.txt b/old/10024.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7316aae --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10024.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6441 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Beneath the Banner, by F. J. Cross + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Beneath the Banner + +Author: F. J. Cross + +Release Date: November 9, 2003 [EBook #10024] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENEATH THE BANNER *** + + + + +Produced by Imran Ghory, Stan Goodman, Josephine Paolucci +and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +BENEATH THE BANNER + +BEING NARRATIVES OF NOBLE LIVES AND BRAVE DEEDS + +BY + +F.J. CROSS + + + + +_ILLUSTRATED_ + + + "I have done my best for the honour of our country."--GORDON + +SECOND EDITION + +1895 + + +_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_. + +GOOD MORNING! GOOD NIGHT! + +TRUE STORIES PURE AND BRIGHT. + +In this work will be found a Series of upwards of sixty Chats with +Children, suitable for morning and evening reading. The book abounds +with anecdotes, and contains numerous illustrations. + +_Ready about May, 1895_. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +_Only a Nurse Girl_,--ALICE AYRES + +_A Slave Trade Warrior_,--SIR SAMUEL BAKER + +_Two Working Men Heroes_,--CASE AND CHEW + +_The Commander of the Thin Red Line_,--SIR COLIN CAMPBELL + +_A Sailor Bold and True_,--LORD COCHRANE + +_A Rough Diamond that was Polished_,--JOHN CASSELL + +"_A Brave, Fearless Sort of Lass_,"--GRACE DARLING + +_A Friend of Lepers_,--FATHER DAMIEN + +_A Great Arctic Explorer_,--SIR JOHN FRANKLIN + +_A Saviour of Six_,--FIREMAN FORD + +_A Blind Helper of the Blind_,--ELIZABETH GILBERT + +_A Great Traveller in the Air_,--JAMES GLAISHER + +_The Soldier with the Magic Wand_,--GENERAL GORDON + +"_Valiant and True_,"--SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE + +_One who Left All_,--BISHOP HANNINGTON + +_A Man who Conquered Disappointments_,--SIR HENRY HAVELOCK + +_A Friend of Prisoners_,--JOHN HOWARD + +_A Hero of the Victoria Cross_,--KAVANAGH + +_The Man who Braved the Flood_,--CAPTAIN LENDY + +_A Temperance Leader_,--JOSEPH LIVESEY + +_A Great Missionary Explorer_,--DAVID LIVINGSTONE + +_From Farm Lad to Merchant Prince_,--GEORGE MOORE + +_A Man who Asked and Received_,--GEORGE MUeLLER + +_A Labourer in the Vineyard_,--ROBERT MOFFAT + +"_The Lady with the Lamp_,"--FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE + +_For England, Home, and Duty_,--THE DEATH OF NELSON + +_A Woman who Succeeded by Failure_,--HARRIET NEWELL + +_A Martyr of the South Seas_,--BISHOP PATTESON + +"_K.G. and Coster_,"--LORD SHAFTESBURY + +_A Statesman who had no Enemies_,--W.H. SMITH + +_Greater than an Archbishop_,--THE REV.C. SIMEON + +_A Soldier Missionary_,--HEDLEY VICARS + +_A Lass that Loved the Sailors_,--AGNES WESTON + +_A Great Commander on a Famous Battlefield_ THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON + +_A Prince of Preachers_,--JOHN WESLEY + +_Some Children of the Kingdom_ + +_The Victor, the Story of an Unknown Man_ + +_A Boy Hero_,--JOHN CLINTON + +_Postscript_ + + + + +BENEATH THE BANNER. + + +_STORIES OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN STEADY WHEN "UNDER FIRE_". + + + + +ONLY A NURSE GIRL! + + +THE STORY OF ALICE AYRES. + +On the night of Thursday, 25th April, 1886, the cry rang through Union +Street, Borough, that the shop of Chandler, the oilman, was in flames. + +So rapid was the progress of the fire that, by the time the escapes +reached the house, tongues of flame were shooting out from the +windows, and it was impossible to place the ladders in position. The +gunpowder had exploded with great violence, and casks of oil were +burning with an indescribable fury. + +As the people rushed together to the exciting scene they were +horrified to find at one of the upper windows a girl, clad only in her +night-dress, bearing in her arms a child, and crying for help. + +It was Alice Ayres, who, finding there was no way of escape by the +staircase, was seeking for some means of preserving the lives of the +children in her charge. The frantic crowd gathered below shouted for +her to save herself; but that was not her first aim. Darting back into +the blinding smoke, she fetched a feather-bed and forced it through +the window. This the crowd held whilst she carefully threw down to +them one of the children, which alighted safe on the bed. + +Again the people in the street called on her to save her own life; but +her only answer was to go back into the fierce flames and stifling +smoke, and bring out another child, which was safely transferred to +the crowd below. + +Once again they frantically entreated her to jump down herself; and +once again she staggered back blinded and choking into the fiery +furnace; and for the third time emerged, bearing the last of her +charges, whose life also was saved. + +Then, at length, she was free to think of herself. But, alas! her head +was dizzy and confused, and she was no longer able to act as surely as +she had hitherto done. She jumped--but, to the horror of that anxious +admiring throng below, her body struck against the projecting +shop-sign, and rebounded, falling with terrific force on to the hard +pavement below. + +Her spine was so badly injured that although everything possible was +done for her at Guy's Hospital, whither she was removed, she died on +the following Sunday. + +Beautiful windows have been erected at Red Cross Hall, Southwark, to +commemorate her heroism; but the best memorial is her own expression: +"I tried to do my best"--for this will live in the hearts of all who +read of her self-devotion. She had tried to do her best _always_. Her +loving tenderness to the children committed to her care and her pure +gentle life were remarked by those around her before there was any +thought of her dying a heroic death. So, when the great trial came, +she was prepared; and what seems to us Divine unselfishness appeared +to her but simple duty. + + + + +A SLAVE TRADE WARRIOR. + + +SOME STORIES OF SIR SAMUEL BAKER. + +Sir Samuel Baker, who died at the end of the year 1893, aged +seventy-three, will always be remembered for the splendid work he +did in the Soudan during the four years he ruled there, and for his +explorations in Africa. + +In earlier life he had done good service in Ceylon, had been in the +Crimea during the Russian war, and had superintended the construction +of the first Turkish railway. + +Then, at the age of forty, he turned his attention to African travel. +Accompanied by his wife, he left Cairo in 1861; and, after exploring +the Blue Nile, arrived in 1862 at Khartoum, situated at the junction +of the White and Blue Nile. Later on he turned southward. In spite of +the opposition of slave owners, and without guide or interpreter, he +reached the Albert Nyanza; and when, after many perils, he got safely +back to Northern Egypt, his fame as an explorer was fully established. +His was the first expedition which had been successful in penetrating +into Central Africa from the north. On his return to England he was +welcomed with enthusiasm, and received many honours. + +In the year 1869, at the request of the Khedive of Egypt, Sir Samuel +undertook a journey to the Soudan to put down the slave trade. + +He was given supreme power for a period of four years. In December, +with a small army of about 1500 men, he left Cairo for Gondokoro, +about 3000 miles up the Nile, accompanied by his wife. It was a +terrible journey. His men fell ill, the water in the river was low +in many places, and the passage blocked up. At times he had to cut +channels for his ships; the men lost heart; and, had the leader not +been firm and steadfast, he would never have reached his destination. + +On one occasion he found his thirty vessels stranded, the river having +almost dried up. Nothing daunted, he cut his way through a marsh, +making a progress of only twelve miles in about a fortnight. At the +end of this time he found it was impossible to proceed further along +that course, and had to return to the place he had left and begin +again. + +Still, in spite of all obstacles, he made steady progress. + +At Sobat, situated on the Nile above Khartoum, he established a +station, and had a watch kept on passing ships to see that no slaves +were conveyed down the river. + +One day a vessel came in sight, and keeping in the middle of the river +would have passed by without stopping. But Sir Samuel, having his +suspicions aroused, sent to inspect it. + +The captain declared stoutly he had no slaves aboard. He stated that +his cargo consisted simply of corn and ivory. The inspector was not +convinced, and determined to test the truth of this statement. Taking +a ramrod, he drove it into the corn. This produced an answering scream +from below, and a moment later a woolly head and black body were +disclosed. Further search was made, and a hundred and fifty slaves +were discovered packed as close as herrings in a barrel. Some were +in irons, one was sewn up in a sail cloth, and all had been cruelly +treated. + +Soon the irons were knocked off and the poor slaves set free, to their +great wonder and delight. + +Sir Samuel arrived at Gondokoro on the 15th of April, 1871. Already +two years of his time had expired. In addition to checking the slave +trade, he had been commissioned to introduce a system of regular +commerce. He set to work at once to show the people the benefits of +agricultural pursuits. He got his followers to plant seeds, and soon +they were happy enough watching for the green shoots to appear. + +But before long they began to suffer from want of food. The tribes +round about had been set against them by the slave hunters, and would +supply them with nothing; so that Baker, in the midst of plenty, +seemed likely to perish of starvation. However, he soon adopted +energetic measures to prevent that. Having taken official possession +of the land in the name of the Khedive he seized a sufficient number +of animals for his requirements. + +The head man of the tribe and his followers were soon buzzing about +his ears like a swarm of wasps; but seeing he was not to be frightened +by their threats they showed themselves ready enough in the future to +supply him with cattle in return for payment. + +His own soldiers were nearly as troublesome as the natives. They +were lazy and mutinous; the sentries went to sleep, the scouts were +unreliable, they were full of complaints; whilst round about him were +the natives, ready to steal, maim, and murder whenever they could get +an opportunity. + +His life was daily in danger; and, so as not to be taken unawares, he +organised a band of forty followers for his personal service. On these +men he could always rely. They were proud of the confidence placed +in them, and were ready to go anywhere and do anything. By a strange +perversity they were nicknamed "the forty thieves," though they were +amongst the very few who were honest. + +What with sickness and fighting and losses encountered on the way up +the river, Baker's force was now reduced to about five hundred men, in +place of the twelve hundred whom he had once reviewed at Gondokoro. +Still, he did not despair of accomplishing, with God's help, the +mission on which he had been sent. + +In January, 1872, with his wife and only two hundred and twelve +officers and men, he started south on a journey of three or four +hundred miles into the region where the slave trade was carried on +with the greatest activity. + +He had arranged with one of the chiefs to supply him with two thousand +porters to carry the goods of the expedition; but when the time came +not a single man was forthcoming. So his soldiers had to be their +own carriers for a time. At a later date he was enabled to hire five +hundred men to assist him to transport his goods, and presented each +with a cow as a reward for his services. All took the cows readily +enough, but sixty-seven of the carriers did not appear at the time +appointed. The others were extremely desirous of going to look after +them; but Baker, knowing their ways full well, thought it better to +lose the services of the sixty-seven men rather than to allow this; +for he felt sure if they once returned to search for their companions +there would be no chance of seeing a single one of them again. + +After many perils he reached the territory of Kabbu Rega on the +Victoria Nile. The king was apparently friendly at first. But on +several occasions the war drums sounded, and although no violence was +actually offered yet Sir Samuel thought it well to be on his guard. + +He therefore set his men to work to build a strong fort. They cut +thick logs of wood, and planted them firmly in the ground, prepared +fireproof rooms for the ammunition, and were in the course of a few +days ready in case of emergency. + +These preparations had been made none too soon. + +[Illustration: Burning the king's Divan and Huts.] + +A few days later a very strange thing happened. The king sent Sir +Samuel a present of some jars of cider. This he gave to his troops. A +little while afterwards one of his officers rushed in to say the men +had been poisoned. + +It was really so. The men who had drunk of the cider were lying about +in terrible pain, and apparently dying. At once Sir Samuel gave them +mustard and water and other emetics, and they were soon better. But he +knew that trouble was at hand. + +Next morning he was standing at the entrance to the fort with one of +his men when a chorus of yells burst upon his ear. He told his bugler +to sound the alarm, and was walking towards the house to get a rifle +when the man beside him fell shot through the heart. + +The fort was surrounded by thousands of natives, who kept up +a continuous fire, and the bushes near at hand were full of +sharp-shooters. But the fort was strong, and its defenders fought +bravely; the woods were gradually cleared of sharp-shooters, and the +natives, ere long, broke and fled. + +Then Sir Samuel sent a detachment out of the fort, and set fire to the +king's divan and to the surrounding huts to teach the people a lesson +for their treachery. + +But the place was full of foes. A poisoned spear was thrown at +Sir Samuel, and every day he remained his force was in danger of +destruction, so he determined to go on to King Riongo, whom he hoped +would be more friendly. + +It is wonderful that the party ever got there. First of all it was +found that they would probably be a week without provisions; but, +happily, Lady Baker had put by some supplies, and great was the +rejoicing when her forethought became known. + +Then it was discovered that the country through which they had to pass +was full of concealed foes. From the long grass and bushes spears were +constantly hurled at them, and not a few of the men were mortally +wounded. Sir Samuel saw several lances pass close to his wife's head, +and he narrowly escaped being hit on various occasions. + +But, at last, Riongo's territory was reached. The king was friendly, +and for a time they were in comparative safety. + +By April, 1873, Baker had returned to Gondokoro, and his mission +ended. It was, to a great extent, the story of a failure, so far as +its main purpose was concerned, owing to the opposition of the men who +were making a profit by dealing in slaves; and who, whilst appearing +to be friendly, stirred up the natives to attack him. But, failure +though it was, he had done all that man could do; and the expedition +stands out as one of the most glorious efforts which have been made +against overwhelming odds to put an end to the slave trade. + + + + +TWO WORKING MEN HEROES. + + +THE STORY OF CASE AND CHEW. + +The large gasholders, which are often a source of wonder to youthful +minds as they rise and fall, are the places in which gas is stored for +the use of our cities. + +By day, when they are generally receiving more gas than they are +giving out, they rise; and again at night, when less is being pumped +into them than is going out for consumption in the streets and houses, +they fall. The gasholder is placed in a tank of water, so that there +is no waste of gas as the huge iron holder fills or empties. + +Now it was in one of these gasholders that a few years ago two men did +a deed that will live. Here is the brief story. + +The holder was being repaired, the gas had been removed, and air had +been pumped into it instead of gas so that men could work inside, and +the holder had risen about fifty feet. Two men were working inside the +holder, one a foreman, and the other a labourer named Case, the latter +in a diver's helmet. They were standing on a plank floating on the +water. Fresh air was being pumped down to Case, who, so long as he +kept on the helmet, was perfectly safe. + +All at once the foreman found he was beginning to feel faint, so he +told the labourer they would go up to the top for fresh air. But he +had not the strength to carry out his purpose. The raft was pulled to +the ladder by which they were to get out; but he was unable to ascend, +and fell down in a fainting condition. + +Then the labourer, regardless of the danger he was running, unscrewed +his helmet, into which fresh air was being pumped, and, placing it +quite near his fallen comrade, enabled him to get some of the air. The +foreman tried in vain to get Case to put on the helmet; and his own +strength was too slight to force him to do so. Indeed, he was in such +a state of weakness that he fell on the raft, and knew no more till he +once again found himself in a place of safety. + +Now let us see how the foreman's rescue was effected, and at what +cost. The men at the top of the holder had by this time become aware +that something was wrong below; and two men, Chew and Smith by name, +at once volunteered to go down below. They reached the plank, got a +rope round the foreman's body, when they too began to feel the effects +of the gas, and ascended the ladder, whilst the foreman was being +hoisted up by means of the rope. Smith reached the top in a fainting +condition. Chew never arrived there at all; for just as he got within +a few feet of safety he became insensible, and fell down into the +water below and was drowned. Meantime, Case had become jammed in +between the plank and one of the stays; and so, when at length they +removed him, life had passed away. + +Such deeds are so often done by our working men that they think +nothing about it. They do not know that they are heroes--that's the +best of it! It is a fact to be thankful for that everywhere throughout +the land, beneath the rough jackets of our artisans and labourers, +beat hearts as true and fearless as those which have stormed the fort +or braved the dangers of the battlefield. + + + + +THE COMMANDER OF THE "THIN RED LINE". + + +THE STORY OF SIR COLIN CAMPBELL. + +It was the 21st Of October, 1808. Colin Campbell, not yet sixteen, +had joined the army as ensign; and the battle of Vimiera was about to +begin. + +It was his "baptism of fire". Colin was in the rear company. His +captain came for him, and taking the lad's hand walked with him up and +down in front of the leading company for several minutes, whilst the +enemy's guns were commencing to fire. Then he told the youngster to go +back to his place. + +"It was the greatest kindness that could have been shown to me at such +a time; and through life I have felt grateful for it," wrote Colin +Campbell in later life of this incident. + +Soon after, the regiment to which he belonged formed part of the army +that retreated to Corunna, when our troops suffered such terrible +hardships. Colin Campbell had a rough time of it then. The soles of +his boots were worn to pieces, and so long a time did he wear them +without a change that the uppers stuck firmly to his legs; and, though +the boots were soaked in hot water, the skin came away when they were +taken off. + +After the battle of Corunna,--when the British brought to bay, turned +and defeated their foes,--it was Colin's regiment that had the honour +of digging the grave in which their heroic commander Sir John Moore +was buried. + +Battle after battle followed ere the French troops were driven out of +Spain, and Colin Campbell, young as he was, fought like a veteran. + +At Barossa his bravery brought him into special notice, and at the San +Sebastian he led a storming party, and was twice wounded in doing so. + +First of all he was shot through the right thigh; but though a storm +of bullets was flying about, and men falling thick around him, he was +up again, and pressed onward only to be again shot down. + +For his gallant conduct on this occasion he was specially mentioned in +the despatch that the general commanding the forces sent to the Duke +of Wellington. + +A few weeks later the troops moved on, and fought at the battle of +Bidassoa, Colin Campbell being left in the hospital to recover from +his wounds. + +But so little was it to his liking to stay in the rear that he escaped +from the hospital, and managed not only to fight at Bidassoa, but to +get wounded again! + +He was, of course, reproved by his colonel; but who could be seriously +angry with a youngster for such conduct? So when he was sent back to +England to get healed of his wounds, he was made a captain at the +early age of twenty-one. + +Among the first things that Colin Campbell did when he received his +captain's pay was to make his father an allowance of L30 or L40 a +year; and later on it was an immense satisfaction for him to be able +to provide both for his father and sister. + +In the Chinese war of 1842 he was in command of the 98th Regiment. The +tremendous heat of the country during the summer terribly thinned the +ranks of his forces, and he lost over 400 men in eighteen months. He +himself was struck down by sunstroke and fever; but, owing probably to +his temperate and careful habits, he soon recovered. + +After the Chinese war, Colin Campbell was busy in India, and at +Chillianwallah was wounded in the arm. It was in this battle he +narrowly escaped with his life. The day after the fight, when he was +being assisted to take off his uniform, he found that a small pistol +which had been put in his pocket without his knowledge was broken, +his watch smashed, and his side bruised. A bullet had struck him, +unperceived in the heat of the battle, and his life saved by its force +having been arrested by the handle of the pistol. + +In 1849 Colin Campbell was made a K.C.B. (Knight Commander of the +Bath); so we must henceforth speak of him as "Sir" Colin. + +March, 1853, saw Sir Colin Campbell in England; but though he had +passed his sixtieth year, most of which had been spent in his +country's service, his rest was not of long duration, as in 1854 he +went out to the Crimea in command of the Highland brigade, consisting +of the 42nd, 79th, and 93rd regiments. Sir Colin was proud of the +splendid troops he commanded, and at the battle of the Alma they +covered themselves with glory. + +The 42nd (the Black Watch) were the first of the three regiments +across the river Alma. Whilst ascending the height on the Russian side +of the river, Sir Colin's horse was twice wounded, the second shot +killing it; but he was soon mounted on another horse, leading his men +to victory. + +The Guards and Highlanders strove in friendly emulation who should be +first in the Russian redoubt; but Sir Colin, well ahead of his own men +was first in the battery shouting:-- + +"We'll hae nane but Highland bonnets here!" and his troops rushed in +after him like lions. + +The terrific charge of these fierce Highlanders, combined with their +dress, struck terror into the hearts of the Russians; who said that +they thought they had come to fight men, but did not bargain for +demons in petticoats! + +"Now, men," Sir Colin had said before the engagement, "you are going +into battle. Remember this: Whoever is wounded--I don't care what his +rank is--must lie where he falls till the bandsmen come to attend to +him.... Be steady. Keep silent. Fire low. Now, men, the army will +watch us. Make me proud of the Highland brigade!" + +At the conclusion of that well-fought day the commander-in-chief, Lord +Raglan, sent for Sir Colin. His eyes were full, his lips quivered, and +he was unable to speak; but he gave Campbell a hearty handshake and a +look which spoke volumes. + +That was a joyful day for Sir Colin. + +"My men behaved nobly," he writes. "I never saw troops march to +battle with greater _sang froid_ and order than these three Highland +regiments." + +The Alma had been fought on 20th September, 1854, and on the 25th +October was fought the battle of Balaclava, memorable for the "Thin +Red Line". It looked, at one time, as if the heavy masses of Russian +cavalry must entirely crush Sir Colin's Highlanders; and their +commander, riding down the line of his troops, said: "Remember, there +is no retreat from here, men; you must die where you stand". + +"Ay, ay, Sir Colin, we'll do that," came the ready response. Now, it +was usual, in preparing to receive a cavalry charge, for soldiers to +be formed in a hollow square; but on this occasion Sir Colin ranged +his men, two deep, in a _thin red line_, which has become memorable in +the annals of the British army. The Russian cavalry were advancing, +but, instead of the masses which were expected to make the attack, +only about 400 came on. + +Sir Colin's men, fierce and eager for the onset, would have dashed +from behind the hillock where they were stationed, but for the stern +voice commanding them to stand firm in their ranks. + +The Russians hardly waited for their fire. Startled by the red-coated +Britishers rising up at the word of their leader, they broke and fled; +and the men of the 93rd, who, but a little before, had made up their +minds to die where they stood, saw as in a dream their enemies +scattered and broken; and the cloud of horsemen which had threatened +to engulf and annihilate them, make no effort to snatch the victory +which seemed within their grasp. + +Before the Crimean war was over, Sir Colin resigned his command, and +returned to England, as a protest against an affront he had received. + +Honoured by the Queen with a command to attend her at Windsor, he was +asked by her Majesty to return to the Crimea; and the veteran assented +at once, declaring he would serve under a corporal if she wished it. + +The Russian war was soon concluded; and Sir Colin thought that at +length he had finished soldiering. But it was not to be. In the summer +of 1857 the Indian Mutiny broke out, and on 11th July he was asked how +soon he could start for India. The old soldier of sixty-five replied +that he could go the same evening; and on the very next day, Sunday, +he was on his way to take command of the British army in India. + +As the Mutiny is alluded to briefly in the story of Havelock, I will +only state that Sir Colin's vigorous, cautious, skilful policy ere +long brought this fearful rebellion to a close. + +For his able conduct of the war he was warmly thanked by the Queen; +and at its conclusion was raised to the peerage, under the title +of Lord Clyde. Colin Campbell was an admirable soldier, firm in +discipline, setting a good example, ever thoughtful for the comfort +and well-being of his men, sharing in all the hardships and perils +they passed through. It is, therefore, not surprising that his men +loved him. + +Not that he was by any means a perfect man. He had a temper--a very +hasty and passionate temper too, and one that troubled him a good +deal; but he was on the watch for that to see it did not get the +better of him. + +Here is an entry from his diary of 5th March, 1846, showing something +of the character of the man. "Anniversary of Barossa. An old story +thirty years ago. Thank God for all His goodness to me'! Although I +have suffered much from ill health, and in many ways, I am still as +active as any man in the regiment, and quite as able as the youngest +to go through fatigue." + +Let us just glance at the way this victor in a hundred fights regarded +the approach of death. + +He prepared for his end with a humility as worthy of example as his +deeds in the army had been. "Mind this," he said to his old friend +General Eyre, "I die at peace with all the world." + +He frequently asked Mrs. Eyre to pray with him, and to read the Bible +aloud. + +"Oh! for the pure air of Heaven," he once exclaimed, "that I might be +laid at rest and peace on the lap of the Almighty!" + +He suffered a good deal in his last illness, and at times would jump +up as if he heard the bugle, and exclaim:-- + +"I am ready!" + +And so; when he passed away on the 14th August, 1863, in his +seventy-first year, "lamented by the Queen, the army, and the people," +he was quite ready to meet that last enemy, death, whom he had faced +so often on the field of battle. + + + + +A SAILOR BOLD AND TRUE. + + +STORIES OF LORD COCHRANE. + +All who, forgetful of self, have striven to render their country free +and glorious are true heroes. Of those who have been ready to lay down +their lives for the welfare of Great Britain the number is legion. +From them let us select one as a type of thousands of brave men who +have helped to make Britain mistress of the ocean. + +Thomas Cochrane, son of Lord Dundonald, took to the sea as a duck +takes to the water. When he first went on board ship the lieutenant +cared neither that he was Lord Cochrane nor that he was related to the +captain of the ship. He did not spare him one jot; but made him do all +kinds of work, just as if he had been plain Tom Smith. And so it came +to pass that he got a thorough training, and, being a smart youth, was +soon promoted. + +Cochrane had the good fortune on one occasion to meet Lord Nelson, who +in course of conversation said to him, "Never mind manoeuvres; always +go at them". + +This advice he certainly followed throughout his life; and he began +pretty early too. For being in command of a sloop of 158 tons, called +the _Speedy_, with fourteen small guns and fifty-one men, he happened +to come across a good-sized Spanish vessel, with thirty-two big guns, +and over 300 men. The Spaniard, of course, was going to seize on the +little English ship, and, so to speak, gobble it up. But Cochrane, +instead of waiting to be attacked, made for the Spaniard, and, after +receiving the fire of all her guns, without delivering a shot, got +right under the side of the _Gamo_ (so the vessel was called), and +battered into her with might and main. The Spaniards did not relish +this, and were going to board the tiny English craft, but again they +were forestalled; for Cochrane with all his men took the _Gamo_ by +storm, killed some, and frightened others; and ere long a marvellous +sight was witnessed at Minorca, the great _Gamo_ was brought by the +_Speedy_ into the harbour, with over 263 men on board, hale and +hearty, whilst Cochrane never had a fifth of that number! + +Ship after ship he took, till his name became a terror to the +Spaniards and French; for he was so audacious, that no matter how big +was the vessel he came across, nor how small his own, he "went at +them," as Nelson had told him to do; and many a stately prize brought +he home as the result of his daring and bravery. + +One of the most gallant deeds he did was in connection with the +defence of Rosas. Times had changed since the events related above, +and Great Britain was now helping Spain in her struggle against +France. + +When he got to Rosas the place was within an ace of surrender. The +French had pounded the defences into a deplorable condition. + +Fort Trinidad, an important position, was about to be assaulted, the +walls having been well-nigh beaten down by the fire of the enemy. + +Cochrane however, with an immense quantity of sandbags, palisades, and +barrels, made it pretty secure. But he did a cleverer thing even than +this. There was a piece of steep rock, up which the besiegers would +have to climb. This he covered with grease, so as to make it difficult +to get a foothold, and planks with barbed hooks were placed ready to +catch those who were rash enough to seek their aid. + +The assault was delivered--up the rock came the French, and--down they +tumbled in dozens and hundreds. Those who caught hold of the planks +were hooked; and, to crown all, a heavy fire was poured into them by +the British. + +During the siege the Spanish flag was shot away whilst a heavy +cannonade was going on; but Cochrane, though the bullets were +whistling about in every direction, calmly stepped down into the +ditch, and rescued the flag. + +[Illustration: LORD COCHRANE RESCUING THE FLAG.] + +When he was not fighting his country's battles at sea, he was +besieging Parliament to bring about reforms in the Navy. This +naturally brought him a good many enemies amongst rich and powerful +people, who were making plenty of money out of the Government, and +doing nothing for it. So, when these persons had a chance of bringing +a charge of conspiracy against him, they were right glad of the +opportunity; and in the end Cochrane was sent to prison. + +Some there were who believed in his honour and uprightness. His wife +was in all his trials a very tower of strength to him. The electors +of Westminster, who had sent him to Parliament, never ceased to have +faith in his truth and honour, and re-elected him when still in +prison. Yet, for all this, it was between forty and fifty years before +his innocence was completely proved! + +In 1847, however, he was restored to his honours by her Majesty the +Queen; and in 1854 he was made a Rear Admiral of England. + + + + +A ROUGH DIAMOND THAT WAS POLISHED. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN CASSELL. + +"I were summat ruff afore I went to Lunnon," said John Cassell. + +He had called to see his friend Thomas Whittaker, who was staying at +Nottingham, and John was announced as "the Manchester carpenter". + +He was dressed on the occasion in a suit of clothes which a Quaker +friend had given him; but Cassell being tall and thin, and the Quaker +short and stout, they did not altogether fit! + +The trousers were too short, and the hat too big; accordingly, John's +legs came a long way through the trousers, and his head went a good +way in at the top. "It was something like taking a tin saucepan with +the bottom out and using it as a scabbard for a broad sword," remarked +one who knew him. He had on an old overcoat, and a basket of tools +was thrown over his shoulder with which to earn his food in case +temperance lecturing failed. + +When John remarked that he was "summat ruff," the gentleman at whose +house Mr. Whittaker was staying nearly had a fit; and after he had at +length recovered his gravity he ejaculated, "Well, I would have given +a guinea to have seen you before you did go". + +Yet John Cassell was a diamond--though at that time the roughest +specimen one could come across from the pit's mouth to the Isle of +Dogs. His ideas were clear cut; he had confidence in himself, he meant +to make a name in the world,--and he _did_. + +John Cassell was born in Manchester in 1817. His father, the +bread-winner of the family, had the misfortune to meet with an injury +which entirely disabled him, and from the effects of which he died +when John was quite young. His mother worked hard for her own and her +son's support, and had little time left to look very particularly to +the education of her boy. He, however, grew up strong and hardy. + +It is true that when he ought to have been at school he was often at +play, or seeing something of the world, its sights and festivities, +on his own account. True, also, that he tumbled into the river, and +nearly ended his career at a very early age. Still he survived his +river catastrophe; and, though he gained little book learning, +possessed such a good and retentive memory, and was so observant, +that his mind became stored with vivid impressions of the scenes and +surroundings of his youth, which he related with great effect in +after-life. + +He had, of course, to begin work at an early age. First of all, he +went into a cotton factory, and later to a velveteen factory; then, +having a taste for carpentering, he took to it as a trade, though he +was at best but a rough unskilled workman, tramping about the country, +and doing odd jobs wherever he could get them. + +One day John Cassell was working at the Manchester Exchange when he +was persuaded to go and hear Dr. Grindrod lecture on temperance. The +lecture seems to have bitten itself into John's mind; for a little +later on, in July, 1835, after hearing Mr. Swindlehurst lecture, he +signed the pledge. That was the unsuspected turning-point of carpenter +John's life. + +After this he attended meetings and took an active part on the +platform, and became known as "the boy lecturer". Though he was +dressed in fustian, and wore a workman's apron, he spoke effectively, +and his words went to the hearts of his hearers. His originality of +style, too, pleased the audiences of working people whom he addressed. + +In 1836 John Cassell made his first move towards London. + +He worked his way to town, and lectured on the road. He carried a +bell, and with that brought together his audiences. + +At times he was very roughly handled by the crowd; yet this had no +effect upon him, except to make him the more determined. + +His clothes became threadbare, his boots worn out, his general +appearance dilapidated; but he got help from a few good people, who +saw the hero beneath his rags. + +He was three weeks accomplishing the journey; and when he arrived +in London spent the first day in search of work, which he failed to +obtain. + +In the evening, seeing that a temperance meeting was to be held in a +hall off the Westminster Road, he went to it; and asked to be allowed +to speak. Some of those on the platform viewed with distrust the +gaunt, shabby, travel-stained applicant. But he would take no denial, +and soon won cheers from the audience. When he stopped short, after a +brief address, someone shouted "Go on". "How can a chap go on when he +has nothing to say?" came the ready reply. That night he had no money +in his pocket to pay for a bed; so he walked the streets of London +through the weary hours till dawn of day. + +Other temperance meetings he addressed; for his heart and mind were +full of that subject. After one of the meetings a gentleman questioned +him as to his means; and, finding the straits he was in, asked if he +were not disheartened. + +"No," replied John; "it is true I carry all my wealth in my little +wallet, and have only a few pence in my pocket; but I have faith in +God I shall yet succeed." + +Struck by his manifest sincerity, the gentleman introduced him next +day to a friend who took a warm interest in the temperance cause. + +"Which wouldst thou prefer, carpentering or trying to persuade thy +fellow-men to give up drinking, and to become teetotalers?" he asked. + +Without hesitation John Cassell replied:-- + +"The work of teetotalism." + +"Then thou shalt have an opportunity, and I will stand thy friend." + +John Cassell now went forth as a disciple of the temperance cause. +Remembering his experiences on the way to London he furnished himself +with a watchman's rattle, with which he used to call together the +people of the villages he visited. + +A temperance paper thus speaks of him in 1837:-- + +"John Cassell, the Manchester carpenter, has been labouring, amidst +many privations, with great success in the county of Norfolk. He is +passing through Essex--(where he addressed the people, among other +places, from the steps leading up to the pulpit of the Baptist chapel, +with his carpenter's apron twisted round his waist)--on his way to +London. He carries his watchman's rattle--an excellent accompaniment +of temperance labour." + +Cassell had a great regard for Thomas Whittaker. It was an address +given by this gentleman which had first made him wish to become a +public man. + +When he called on Mr. Whittaker in Nottingham, as already related, +after some conversation had taken place, he remarked:-- + +"I should like to hear thee again, Tom". + +"Well," remarked Whittaker as a joke, "you can if you go with me to +Derby." + +John accepted the invitation forthwith, much to his friend's chagrin, +who was bothered to know what to do with him; for he was under the +impression that some members of the family where he expected to lodge +would not give a very hearty welcome to this rough fellow. + +This is Mr. Whittaker's narrative of the sequel:-- + +"We walked together to Derby that day. At the meeting he spoke a +little, and pleased the people. When the meeting was over, he said:-- + +"'Can't I sleep with you?' + +"'Well,' I said, 'I have no objection; but, you know, _I_ am only a +lodger.' + +"However, go with me he _would_, and _did_. That was the man. When +John made up his mind to do a thing he did it; and to that feature in +his character, no doubt, much of his future success may be attributed. +The gentleman at whose house he met me at Nottingham, and who was +ashamed of him, subsequently became his servant, and touched his hat +to him; and John has pulled up at my own door in his carriage, with a +liveried servant, when I lived near to him in London." + +John Cassell was now in the thick of the fight. In those days the +opposition to the Gospel of Temperance was keen and bitter. Sometimes +there were great disturbances at the meetings, sometimes he was pelted +with rubbish, at times he did not know where to turn for a night's +lodging. It was, on the whole, a fierce conflict; but John was nothing +daunted. + +It is, of course, impossible to sum up the amount of a man's +influence. John Cassell scattered the seed of temperance liberally. +Here is a case showing how one of the grains took root, and grew up to +bear important fruit. + +The Rev. Charles Garrett, the celebrated teetotal President of the +Wesleyan Conference, writing several years after John Cassell's death, +says:-- + +"I signed the pledge of total abstinence in 1840, after hearing a +lecture on the subject by the late John Cassell. I have therefore +tried it for more than thirty years. It has been a blessing to me, and +has made me a blessing to others." + +How to cure the curse of drink, what to give in its place when the +pleasures of the glass were taken away--that was the problem which +many have tried to solve. None more successfully than John Cassell. + +At a meeting in Exeter Hall he suddenly put a new view before his +audience. "I have it!" he exclaimed. + +"The remedy is education. Educate the working men and women, and you +have a remedy for the crying evil of the country. Give the people +mental food, and they will not thirst after the abominable drink which +is poisoning them." + +He had hitherto been doing something to assist the temperance cause +by the sale of tea and coffee, and he now turned his attention to the +issue of publications calculated to benefit the cause. + +Having, at the age of twenty-four, married Mary Abbott, he became +possessed of additional means for carrying out his publishing schemes. + +Cheap illustrated periodicals began to issue from the press under his +superintendence, and copies were multiplied by the hundred thousand. + +He never forgot that he had been a working man, and one of the first +publications he started was called _The Working Man's Friend_. + +It is not necessary to say more. Though John Cassell died +comparatively young--he was only forty-eight when his death took place +in 1865--he had done a grand life's work; and the soundness of his +judgment is shown by the fact that works which he planned retain their +hold upon the people to this day. + +John Cassell had his ambitions, but they were of a very simple kind. + +"I started in life with one ambition," he said, "and that was to have +a clean shirt every day of my life; this I have accomplished now for +some years; but I have a second ambition, and that is to be an MAP., +and represent the people's cause; then I shall be public property, +and you may do what you like with me." This latter desire he would +doubtless have realised but for his early decease. + + + + +"A BRAVE, FEARLESS SORT OF LASS." + + +THE STORY OF GRACE DARLING. + +She was not much of a scholar, she could not spell as well as a girl +in the third standard, she lived a quiet life quite out of the busy +world; and yet Grace Darling's name is now a household word. + +Let us see how that has come about. + +William Darling, Grace's father, was keeper of the Longstone +Lighthouse on the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland. +Longstone is a desolate rock, swept by the northern gales; and woe +betide the ship driven on its pitiless shores! + +Mr. Darling and his family had saved the lives of many persons who had +been shipwrecked ere that memorable day of which I will tell you. + +On the night of the 5th September, 1838, the steamer _Forfarshire_, +bound from Hull to Dundee, was caught in a terrific storm off the +Farne Islands. Her machinery became damaged and all but useless, and +the vessel drifted till the sound of the breakers told sixty-three +persons composing the passengers and crew that death was near at hand. + +[Illustration: Longstone Lighthouse.] + +The captain made every effort to run the ship in between the Islands +and the mainland, but in vain; and about three o'clock on the morning +of the 6th September the vessel struck on the rock with a sickening +crash. + +A boat was lowered, into which nine of the passengers got safely, +whilst others lost their lives in attempting to do so. These nine were +saved during the day by a passing vessel. + +The _Forfarshire_ meantime was the sport of the waves, which +threatened every minute to smash her in pieces. + +Before long, indeed, one wave mightier than the rest lifted her bodily +on to the sharp rocks and broke her in two. Her after-part was swept +away, and the captain, his wife, and those who were in that portion of +the vessel, were drowned. The fore-part meantime remained fast on the +rocks, lashed by the furious billows. + +That morning Grace was awakened by the sound of voices in distress, +and dressing quickly she sought her father. + +They listened, and soon their worst fears were confirmed. Near at +hand, but still quite beyond reach of help, could be heard the +despairing shrieks of the shipwrecked crew. + +To attempt to rescue them seemed quite out of the question. That was +apparent at once to William Darling, skilful boatman though he was, +and brave as a lion. + +The sea was so terrific that it was ten chances to one against a boat +being able to keep afloat. + +But Grace entreated: "Father, we must not let them perish. I will go +with you in the boat, and God will give us success." + +In vain Mrs. Darling urged that the attempt was too perilous to be +justified, and reproached Grace for endeavouring to persuade her +father to run such unwarrantable risks. + +William Darling saw plainly how many were the chances against success. +Even if the boat was not at once swamped, two persons alone, and one +of them only a girl, were insufficient for the work; for, supposing +they reached the wreck, they would probably be too exhausted to get +back. + +No, duty did not demand such an act; and for a time he declined to put +out. + +But Grace was quite firm. This girl of three and twenty, never very +robust, had marvellous strength of will; and, her mind being set on +attempting the rescue, she prevailed over both her father's judgment +and her mother's entreaties; and into that awful sea the boat was at +length launched. Though every billow threatened to engulf the frail +craft, yet it nevertheless rode through the mountainous waves and drew +near the rock where the helpless men and women were standing face to +face with death. When it was sufficiently close to the shore William +Darling sprang out to help the weary perishing creatures, whilst Grace +was left to manage the boat unaided. + +It was now that her courage was put to the severest test. At this +critical moment the lives of her father and all the survivors depended +upon her judgment and skill. + +Well did her past experience and cool nerve then serve her. Alone and +unaided she kept the boat in a favourable position in the teeth of +that pitiless gale; and as soon as her father signalled to her she +waited for an opportune moment and rowed in. Ere long, in spite of +the fury of wind and wave, they had got all aboard, and rowed back in +safety to the lighthouse. + +The passengers who were rescued told the story of Grace's courage; and +soon the tale was in every newspaper. + +George Darling, Grace's brother, speaking of this deed fifty years +after, says: "She always considered, as indeed we all did, that far +too much was made of what she did. She only did what was her duty in +the circumstances, brought up among boats, so to speak, and used to +the sea as she was. Still she was always a brave, fearless sort of +lass, and very religious too--there's no doubting that. But it was +never her wish that people should make so much of what she did." + +A great deal was made of the deed certainly, but surely not too much. +A subscription was set on foot, and L700 presented to her, besides +innumerable presents. + +Four years later Grace died, much lamented by all who knew her. + +Doubtless many a time, before and since, faith as strong, and bravery +as heroic, have been shown, and have passed unrecorded and unnoticed +by men. But duty performed in simple faith and without expectation +of reward brings inward peace and joy greater than any outward +recognition can give. + + * * * * * + +GRACE DARLING THE SECOND. + +Whilst these pages were passing through the press the news came of the +bravery of another Grace Darling in a far-off land.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See letter of Rev. Ellis of Rangoon in _Times_ of 25th +May, 1894.] + +Miss Darling was head mistress of the Diocesan School at Amherst near +Rangoon, and her pupils were bathing in the sea when one of them was +bitten in the leg by a shark or alligator. Alarmed by this terrible +shock she lost her balance and was being carried away by the tide when +her sister and the head mistress both went to the rescue. Miss Grace +Darling had succeeded in getting hold of her when she too was bitten +and disappeared under the water. The sister behind cried out for help, +at the same time seizing the head mistress and vainly endeavouring to +keep her head above water. In the end some native sailors came to the +rescue and dragged all three out, but Grace Darling and the favourite +pupil whom she had endeavoured to save were both dead. + + + + +A FRIEND OF LEPERS. + + +THE STORY OF FATHER DAMIEN. + +Of all forms of disease leprosy is perhaps the most terrible. The +lepers of whom we read in the Bible were obliged to dwell alone +outside the camp; and even king Uzziah, when smitten with leprosy, +mighty monarch though he was, had to give up his throne and dwell by +himself to the end of his days. + +In the far-off Sandwich (or Hawaiian) Islands in the Pacific Ocean +there are many lepers; but the leprosy from which they suffer is of a +more fatal kind than that which is spoken of in the Bible. + +So as to prevent the spread of the disease, the lepers are sent to one +of the smaller islands, where there is a leper village, in which those +who are afflicted remain until their death. + +When a shipload of these poor creatures leaves Honolulu for the little +Isle of Molokai there is great wailing by the relatives of those sent +away, for they know the parting is final. + +The disease is not slow in running its course. After about four years +it usually attacks some vital organ, and the leper dies. + +Until the year 1873 the lot of the lepers on their help them, that all +hearts were turned in love towards him. + +He first made the discovery when he had been at Molokai about ten +years. He happened to drop some boiling water on his foot, and it gave +him no pain. Then he knew he had the leprosy. + +Yet he was not cast down when he became aware of the fact, for he had +anticipated it. + +"People pity me and think me unfortunate," he remarked; "but I think +myself the happiest of missionaries." + +In 1889, sixteen years after landing at Molokai, Father Damien died. + +When he was nearing his end, he wrote of the disease as a +"providential agent to detach the heart from all earthly affection, +prompting much the desire of a Christian soul to be united--the sooner +the better--with Him who is her only life". + +During his last illness he suffered at times intensely; yet was +patient, brave, and full of thoughtfulness for his people through it +all, and looked forward with firm hope to spending Easter with his +Maker. He died on the 15th April, 1889. "A happier death," wrote the +brother who nursed him in his illness, "I never saw." + +There, far away amongst those for whom he gave his life, lie the +remains of one of the world's great examples, whose name will ever be +whispered with reverence, and who possessed to a wonderful extent "the +peace which the world cannot give". + + + + +A GREAT ARCTIC EXPLORER. + + +THE STORY OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. + +The passage to the North Pole is barred by ice fields and guarded by +frost and snow more securely than Cerberus guarded the approach to the +kingdom of Pluto. + +For three centuries and more the brave and daring of all nations have +tried to pass these barriers. Hundreds of men have been frozen to +death, hundreds have died of starvation; and yet men continue to +hazard their lives to find out this secret of Nature. + +One of the bravest arctic explorers was Sir John Franklin, who, after +many wonderful adventures, finally died with his companions amid the +frozen seas of the north. + +As a little boy, "life on the ocean wave" was to John Franklin a +delightful day-dream. Once when at school he walked twelve miles to +get a sight of the sea and a taste of the salt air; and such was his +desire for a seafaring career that although his father was at first +very much opposed to the idea, yet when he found how strongly Franklin +had set his heart upon a sailor's life, he got him a place on a +war-ship where John took part in the battle of Copenhagen. + +Then he was shipwrecked on the coast of Australia, did some fighting +in the Straits of Malacca, and was present at the great battle of +Trafalgar. + +After this he had his first taste of Arctic adventure, having received +a commission from the Government to explore the Coppermine, one of the +great rivers of Canada, which discharges its waters into the Arctic +Ocean. Down this river sailed Franklin and his companions. They +encountered rapids and falls, and all kinds of obstacles, and met with +many dangers and disasters. + +The first winter they were nearly starved to death. They stayed at +Fort Enterprise; but, long before the spring returned, they found +their food was all but finished, and the nearest place to get more was +five hundred miles away, over a trackless desert of snow. One of their +number, however, tramped the whole weary way, and brought back food to +his starving leader and companions. + +Next summer, Franklin descended the river to its mouth, and embarking +in canoes he and his followers made towards Behring Strait, from which +they were ere long driven back by their old dread enemy--starvation. +For many days on their return journey they had nothing to live upon +but rock moss, which barely kept them alive. They became so worn and +ill that they could only cover a few miles a day, and Franklin fainted +from exhaustion. + +For eight days they waited on the banks of a river which it was +necessary to pass, but which they had no means of crossing. One of the +men tried to swim across and was nearly drowned, and despair seized on +the party, for they thought the end had come. But there was one man +among them who could not believe God would leave them to perish, +and spurred on by this thought he gathered rock moss in sufficient +quantities to preserve their lives; and, hope springing up again, they +made a light raft on which they passed over to the other side. + +Then Franklin set off with eight men to get assistance, whilst others +remained to care for the sick. He and three companions only arrived at +Fort Enterprise. They had to endure a fearful journey, during +which they ate their very boots to preserve life. To their bitter +disappointment when they got there they found the place deserted! Then +they attempted to go to the next settlement; but Franklin utterly +broke down on the way, and was with difficulty got back to Fort +Enterprise. Here they were joined by two of the party who had been +left behind, the others having perished on the way. + +The night of their reunion, the six survivors had a grand feast. A +partridge had been shot, and for the first time during an entire month +these men tasted flesh food. Later on, sitting round the fire they had +kindled, words of hope and comfort were read from the Bible, and the +men joined heartily together in prayer and thanksgiving. Shortly +after, friendly Indians arrived with supplies of food, and Franklin +with the survivors of his party returned safely to England. + +After this, Franklin made other expeditions, gaining fame and honour +by his explorations, and was for seven years Lieutenant-Governor of +Tasmania. + +Then in 1845, when he was in his sixtieth year, he went out in the +service of the Admiralty to attempt the passage through the Arctic +Ocean. Leaving England in May, 1845, in command of the _Erebus_ and +_Terror_, with a body of the most staunch and experienced seamen, he +sailed into the Arctic Seas. They were last seen by a whaler on the +26th of July that year, and then for years no word of their fate +reached Great Britain. + +Not that England waited all this time before she sent to discover +what had befallen them. The Government was stirred into action by +the pleadings of Lady Franklin. Expedition after expedition left our +shores. America and France joined in the search. Five years later was +discovered the place in which the _Erebus_ and _Terror_ had first +wintered; but it was left for Dr. John Rae to find out from the +Esquimaux in 1854 that the ships had been crushed in the ice, and that +Franklin and his companions had died of fatigue and starvation. + +The final relics of the Franklin Expedition were discovered by +McClintock and a party of volunteers. Starting from England in a +little vessel called _The Fox_ he and his crew passed through a +hundred dangers from shipwreck, icebergs, and other perils. But at +length, in April, 1858, they found on King William's Island the record +which told plainly and fully the fate of Franklin and his companions. + +[Illustration: RELICS OF THE FRANKLIN EXPEDITION. 1. Loaded Gun. 2. +Fragment of Ensign. 3. Anvil Block. 4. Portable Cooking Stove. 5. +Chronometers from _Erebus_ and _Terror_. 6. Medicine Chest. 7. +Testament 8. Dipping Needle.] + +The document contained two statements, one written in 1846, mentioning +that Sir John Franklin and all were well; and a second, written in +1848, to say that they had been obliged to abandon the _Erebus_ and +_Terror_, that Sir John Franklin had died in June, 1847, and that they +had already lost nine officers and fifteen men. + +Other traces of the sad end which overtook the expedition were also +found. In a boat were discovered two skeletons; and amongst other +books a Bible, numerous passages in which were underlined, showing +that these gallant men in their last hours had the comfort of God's +Word to support them when earthly hopes had passed away. + +The object for which Sir John Franklin had sailed, viz., the discovery +of the North West passage, had been attained, but no single man of the +expedition, alas, lived to enjoy the fruits of the discovery. + + + + +A SAVIOUR OF SIX + + +THE STORY OF FIREMAN FORD. + +In the waiting room at the head quarters of the London Fire Brigade, +in Southwark Street, London, is an oak board on which are fixed a +number of brass tablets, bearing the names of men who are entitled to +a place on this "Roll of Honour". + +From amongst these let us take one, and tell briefly what befell him. +It will serve as a sample of the dangers which beset the fireman daily +in the pursuit of his duty. + +"Joseph Andrew Ford," so runs the official record, "lost his life at a +fire which occurred at 98 Gray's Inn Road, at about 2 a.m. on the 7th +of October, 1871. + +"Ford was on duty with the fire escape stationed at Bedford Row, and +he was called to the fire a few minutes before 2 a.m., and proceeded +there with the utmost speed. + +"Before he reached the fire, three persons had been rescued by the +police, who took them down from the second-floor window by means of a +builder's ladder; and, on his arrival, there were seven persons in the +third floor, six in the left-hand window, and one in the right-hand +window. + +"He pitched his escape to the left-hand window, and with great +difficulty and much exertion and skill succeeded in getting the six +persons out safely (the woman in the right-hand window being in the +meanwhile rescued by the next escape that arrived, in charge of +fireman W. Attwood); and Ford was in the act of coming down himself +when he became enveloped in flame and smoke, which burst out of the +first-floor window; and, after some struggling in the wire netting, he +fell to the pavement. + +"Ford was evidently coming down the shoot when his axe handle or some +of his accoutrements became entangled in the wire netting; so that, to +clear himself, he had to break through, and, while struggling to do +so, he got so severely burned that his recovery was hopeless. + +"It was a work of no ordinary skill and difficulty to save so many +persons in the few moments available for the purpose; and, when it +is mentioned that some of them were very old and crippled, it is no +exaggeration to say that it would be impossible to praise too highly +Ford's conduct on this occasion, which has resulted so disastrously to +himself. + +"He was thirty-one years of age when he met his death, and he left a +wife and two children to mourn his loss." + +That's all the official record says--simple, calm, +straightforward--like Joseph Ford's conduct on that night. + +I suppose that next morning two pairs of bright little eyes were on +the watch for Joseph Ford; and perchance four pattering feet ran to +the door when the knock came; and that two little minds dimly realised +that father had been called to a far-off country, where some day they +would see him. And it may be that a brave woman, into whose life the +sunlight had shined, was stricken with grief and bowed down. But all I +know for certain is, that Joseph Ford died in the performance of his +duty. He did a brave night's work. Six lives saved from the angry +flames--old and crippled some of the terror-stricken folk were--and he +took them down so carefully, so tenderly, and landed them all safely +below. + +His work was over. He had saved every life he could; and glad of +heart, if weary of limb, he turned with a thankful mind to do just the +simplest thing in the world--viz., to descend the escape he had been +down so many times before. + +He was young and strong; safety was only thirty feet or so below; and +the people were waiting to welcome and cheer the victor. + +Only thirty feet between him and safety! Yet the man was "fairly +roasted" in the escape. + +Men have been burnt at the stake and tortured, and limbs have been +stretched on the rack, and people have been maimed by thumbscrews +and bootscrews, and put inside iron figures with nails that tear and +pierce. All this have they suffered in pursuit of duty, or at the +bidding of conscience; and of such and of brave Joseph Ford there +comes to us across the ages--a saying spoken long ago, to the effect +that "he that loseth his life shall save it": and we need to remember +that saying in such cases as that of Fireman Ford. + + + + +A BLIND HELPER OF THE BLIND. + + +THE STORY OF ELIZABETH GILBERT. + +"A fine handsome child, with flashing black eyes!" Thus was Elizabeth +Gilbert described at her birth in 1826; but at the age of three an +attack of scarlet fever deprived her of eyesight; and thenceforth, for +upwards of fifty years, the beautiful things in the world were seen by +her no more. + +Her parents were most anxious that she should take part in all that +was going on in the household, in order that she should feel her +misfortune as little as possible. So she lived in the midst of the +family circle, sharing in their sports, their meals, and their +entertainments, and being treated just as one of the others; yet with +a special care and devotion by her father, Dr. Gilbert, whose heart +went out in deep love towards his little sightless daughter. + +Bessie was fond of romping games, and preferred by far getting a few +knocks and bumps to being helped or guided by others when she was at +play. She was by nature passionate, yet she gradually subdued this +failing. She was a general favourite; and, when any petition had to be +asked of father, it was always Bessie who was put forward to do it, as +the children knew how good were her chances of being successful in her +mission. + +She was educated just like other girls, except that her lessons were +read to her. She made great progress, and was a very apt pupil in +French, German, and other subjects; but arithmetic she cordially +disliked. Imagine for an instant the drudgery of working a long +division sum with leaden type and raised, figures; think of all the +difficulty of placing the figures, and the chances of doing the sum +wrong; and then it will not cause surprise that the blind girl could +never enjoy arithmetic, although in mental calculation she showed +herself later on to be very clever. + +When she was about ten years old, the Duchess of Kent and the Princess +Victoria visited Oxford, where Bessie then lived with her parents. +On her return home Bessie exclaimed: "Oh, mamma, I have _seen_ the +Duchess of Kent, and she had on a brown silk dress". Indeed, the child +had such a vivid imagination that she saw mentally the scenes and +people described to her. + +And, so though no glimmer of light from the sun reached her, the child +was not dull or unhappy. She listened to the birds with delight, and +knew their songs; she loved flowers and liked people to describe them +to her; and she was fond of making expeditions to the fields and +meadows. + +But as Bessie grew up she began to feel some of the sadness and +loneliness natural to her lot. Her sisters could no longer be +constantly with her as in the nursery days; and though she made no +complaint, nor spoke of it to those around her, yet she felt it none +the less keenly. + +By this time her father had become Bishop of Chichester. + +When Bessie was twenty-seven years old an idea was suggested which +was the means of giving her an object in life, and affording her an +opportunity of doing a great work for the blind. + +It was her sister Mary who first spoke about it, having seen with +sorrow how changed the once happy blind sister had become, and longing +to lighten her burden. + +Bessie listened to the facts which were set before her of the need +that existed for some one to give a helping hand to the blind in +London. She made many inquiries into the condition of the sightless, +and then thought out a scheme for helping them. + +Some of her friends considered it a great mistake for her to undertake +such a mission. "Don't work yourself to death," said one of her +acquaintances. + +"Work to death!" she replied with a happy laugh. "I am working to +life." + +But if a few were opposed, her parents, brothers, sisters, and the +majority of those she loved, were in hearty sympathy. + +So in May, 1854, Bessie commenced her life work. Seven blind men were +given employment at their own homes in London; materials were supplied +to them at cost price, they manufactured them, and received the full +price that the articles were sold for. + +This, of course, entailed a loss; but Bessie had been left a legacy +by her godmother, which gave her an income of her own, and a large +portion of this she continued to devote throughout her life to helping +the blind. + +A cellar was rented in New Turnstile Street, Holborn, at a charge of +eighteenpence a week. A manager, named Levy, was engaged at a salary +of half a crown a week and a commission on sales. He was a blind man +himself, and a blind carpenter was engaged to assist in making the +storehouse presentable. + +It was a small beginning, certainly, but it was not long ere Levy's +wages were largely increased, and trade began to grow in response to +Miss Gilbert's efforts. From the cellar in Holborn a move was made to +a better room, costing half a crown a week; and then, within little +more than a year from the commencement, a house and shop were taken at +a rent of L26 a year. + +The increase in expenses as the scheme developed rendered it necessary +to ask for public assistance. By the bishop's advice a committee was +formed, and money collected. + +By 1856, Miss Gilbert thought her work far enough advanced to bring it +under the notice of Her Majesty, who, having asked for and received +full particulars, sent a very kind letter of encouragement with a +donation of L50. + +This gracious acknowledgment of the work in which Miss Gilbert was +engaged not only gave sincere pleasure to the blind lady herself, but +helped on her scheme immensely. And the Queen did more than contribute +money: orders for work were sent from Windsor Castle, Osborne and +Balmoral; and the blind people delighted in saying that they were +making brooms for the Queen. The benefit to the blind was not confined +to what Miss Gilbert was doing herself, but general interest in their +welfare was excited in all parts of the kingdom. + +Naturally, many difficulties had to be encountered. Blind people +applied for work who wished for alms instead; and arrangements +necessary for carrying out so large a scheme entailed a good deal of +labour on Miss Gilbert's part. Yet she was very happy in her mission, +which attracted numerous friends occupying positions of eminence. + +Miss Gilbert herself gave L2000 to the Association as an endowment +fund, and others contributed liberally too. One day a strange old lady +came to see her, and left with her L500 in bank notes. She did not +even give her name; and a further gift of L500 was received the same +year from a gentleman who felt interested in the work. + +Up to the close of her life, which ended in 1885, Elizabeth +Gilbert continued to take an active interest in the affairs of the +Association. Notwithstanding her own weak and failing health she +laboured on, winning the love and gratitude of the blind, and +accomplishing a great work of which any one might feel justly proud. + + + + +A GREAT TRAVELLER IN THE AIR. + + +SOME ANECDOTES OF JAMES GLAISHER. + +For many years past men of science have been engaged in ascending +far up amongst the clouds for the purpose of finding out as much as +possible about the various currents of air, the electrical state of +the atmosphere, the different kinds of clouds, sound, temperature and +such matters. + +One of the most eminent balloonists of modern times, Mr. James +Glaisher, was many times in danger of losing his life whilst in +pursuit of knowledge miles above the earth. + +His first ascent was made from Wolverhampton on the 17th of July, +1862. It was very stormy at the time of starting. Before he and Mr. +Coxwell got fairly off they very nearly came to grief; for the balloon +did not rise properly, but dragged the car along near the ground, so +that if they had come against any chimney or high building they would +probably have been killed. + +However, fortunately, they got clear and were soon high up above the +clouds, with a beautiful blue sky, and the air so pleasantly warm that +they needed no extra clothing, as is usually the case when in the +upper region of the atmosphere. When they were about four miles high +Mr. Glaisher found the beating of his heart become very distinct, his +hands and lips turned to a dark bluish colour, and he could hardly +read the instruments. Between four and five miles high he felt a kind +of sea sickness. + +Mr. Coxwell began to think they might be getting too near the Wash for +safety, and they therefore came down quickly, and reached the earth +with such force that the scientific instruments were nearly all +broken. In their descent they passed through a cloud 8000 feet (or +over a mile and a half) thick! + +On the 5th of September, 1862, Mr. Glaisher and Mr. Coxwell made one +of the most remarkable ascents in the history of ballooning. It nearly +proved fatal to both. + +Up to the time they reached the fifth mile Mr. Glaisher felt pretty +well. What happened afterwards is best described by himself. + +"When at the height of 26,000 feet I could not see the fine column of +the mercury in the tube; then the fine divisions on the scale of the +instrument became invisible. At that time I asked Mr. Coxwell to help +me to read the instruments, as I experienced a difficulty in seeing +them. In consequence of the rotary motion of the balloon, which had +continued without ceasing since the earth was left, the valve line had +become twisted, and he had to leave the car, and to mount into the +ring above to adjust it. At that time I had no suspicion of other than +temporary inconvenience in seeing. Shortly afterwards I laid my arm +upon the table, possessed of its full vigour but directly after, being +desirous of using it, I found it powerless. It must have lost its +power momentarily. I then tried to move the other arm, but found it +powerless also. I next tried to shake myself, and succeeded in shaking +my body. I seemed to have no legs. I could only shake my body. I then +looked at the barometer, and whilst I was doing so my head fell on my +left shoulder. I struggled, and shook my body again, but could not +move my arms. I got my head upright, but for an instant only, when it +fell on my right shoulder; and then I fell backwards, my back resting +against the side of the car, and my head on its edge. In that position +my eyes were directed towards Mr. Coxwell in the ring. When I shook +my body I seemed to have full power over the muscles of the back, and +considerable power over those of the neck, but none over my limbs....I +dimly saw Mr. Coxwell in the ring, and endeavoured to speak, but could +not do so; when in an instant black darkness came over me, and the +optic nerve lost power suddenly. I was still conscious, with as active +a brain as whilst writing this. I thought I had been seized with +asphyxia, and that I should experience no more, as death would come +unless we speedily descended. Other thoughts were actively entering my +mind when I suddenly became unconscious, as though going to sleep. +I could not tell anything about the sense of hearing; the perfect +stillness of the regions six miles from the earth--and at that time we +were between six and seven miles high--is such that no sound reaches +the ear. My last observation was made at 29,000 feet.... Whilst +powerless I heard the words 'temperature' and 'observation,' and I +knew Mr. Coxwell was in the car, speaking to me, and endeavouring to +rouse me; and therefore consciousness and hearing had returned. I then +heard him speak more emphatically, but I could not speak or move. Then +I heard him say, 'Do try; now do!' Then I saw the instruments dimly, +next Mr. Coxwell, and very shortly I saw clearly. I rose in my seat +and looked round, as though waking from sleep, and said to Mr. +Coxwell, 'I have been insensible'. He said, 'Yes; and I too very +nearly ...'. Mr. Coxwell informed me that he had lost the use of his +hands, which were black, and I poured brandy over them." + +When Mr. Coxwell saw that Mr. Glaisher was insensible he tried to go +to him but could not, and he then felt insensibility coming over him. +He became anxious to open the valve, but having lost the use of his +hands he could not, and ultimately he did so by seizing the cord with +his teeth and dipping his head two or three times. + +During the journey they got to a height of 36,000 or 37,000 +feet--about seven miles--that is to say, two miles higher than Mount +Everest, the loftiest mountain in the world. + +The year following Mr. Glaisher had a narrow escape from drowning. + +He and Mr. Coxwell started from the Crystal Palace at a little past +one o'clock on the 18th of April, 1863, and in an hour and thirteen +minutes after starting were 24,000 feet high. Then they thought it +would be just as well to see where they were, so they opened the valve +to let out the gas, and came down a mile in three minutes. When, at a +quarter to three, they were still 10,000 feet high Mr. Coxwell caught +sight of Beachy Head and exclaimed: "What's that?" On looking over the +car Mr. Glaisher found that they seemed to be overhanging the sea! + +Not a moment was to be lost. They both clung on to the valve-line, +rending the balloon in two places. Down, down, down at a tremendous +speed they went; the earth appeared to be coming up to them with awful +swiftness; and a minute or two later with a resounding crash they +struck the ground at Newhaven close to the sea. The balloon had +been so damaged that it did not drag along, and though most of the +instruments were smashed their lives were saved. + +Much valuable scientific information has been obtained by Mr. +Glaisher, and by those who, like him, have made perilous journeys into +cloudland. + + + + +THE SOLDIER WITH THE MAGIC WAND. + + +THE STORY OF GENERAL GORDON. + +"That great man and gallant soldier and true Christian, Charles +Gordon."--THE PRINCE OF WALES. + +Charles George Gordon was born at Woolwich on the 28th of January, +1833. + +In early life he was delicate, and of all professions that of a +soldier seemed least suitable for him. At school he made no mark in +learning. + +He was a fearless lad, with a strong will of his own. When he was only +nine years old, and was yet unable to swim, he would throw himself +into deep water, trusting to some older boy to get him out. He was +threatened on one occasion that he should not go on a pleasure +excursion because of some offence he had committed; and when +afterwards he was given permission he stubbornly refused the +treat--circus though it was, dear to the heart of a lad. + +After passing through the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich he +obtained in 1852 a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Engineers, and +was sent out to the Crimea in December, 1854, with instructions to put +up wooden huts for our soldiers, who were dying from cold in that icy +land. + +On his way he wrote from Marseilles to his mother; and, after telling +her of the sights and scenes he has witnessed, mentions that he will +leave Marseilles "D.V. on Monday for Constantinople". + +Whilst in the Crimea he worked in the trenches twenty hours at a +stretch times without number. + +Once when he was leading a party at night he was fired at by his own +sentries. On another occasion he was wounded in the forehead, and +continued his work without showing any concern. He found it dull when +no fighting was going on, but when there were bullets flying then it +was exciting enough. + +He was mentioned in the official despatches, and received from the +French Government the Cross of the Legion of Honour. + +Five years later Gordon was fighting with the English and French +armies in China. Shortly after he was made commander of a force that +was commissioned by the Emperor of China to put down a rebellion +of the Taipings, of so dangerous a character that it threatened to +overturn the monarchy. + +Gordon had only about 3000 men, chiefly Chinese; and, notwithstanding +the fact that when he took over the force it had just been demoralised +by defeat, he soon proved himself more than a match for the rebel +hordes. From one victory to another he led his men on, and cities fell +in quick succession before him. His name ere long began to have the +weight of an army in the mind of the rebels. Major Gordon, in fact, +had made a great mark in the Chinese Empire. + +On the 30th April Gordon was before the city of Taitsan, where three +months before the same army which was now under his command had been +defeated. + +Three times his men rushed into the breach which the big guns had +made. Twice they were hurled back; but for a third time Gordon urged +them on, and their confidence in his leadership was such that they +went readily; and this time, after a swift, sharp conflict, the city +was won. + +Europeans were fighting both with him and with the rebels. In the +breach at Taitsan he came across two of the men he formerly had under +his command. One was shot during the assault; the other cried out, +"Mr. Gordon! Mr. Gordon! you will not let me be killed". "Take +him down to the river and shoot him," said Gordon aloud. Aside he +whispered, "Put him in my boat, let the doctor attend him, and send +him down to Shanghai". He was stern and resolute enough where it was +necessary, but underneath all was a heart full of love and pity. + +During this war the only weapon Gordon carried was a cane; and men +grew to regard this stick as a kind of magic wand, and Gordon as a man +whom nothing could harm. + +On one occasion when he was wounded he refused to retire till he was +forcibly carried off the field by the doctor's orders. + +After he had put an end to the rebellion the Emperor of China wanted +to give him a large sum of money; but Gordon, whose only object in +fighting was to benefit the people, refused it, and left China as poor +as he had entered it. He had various distinctions conferred upon him +by the emperor, and the English people gave him the title of "Chinese +Gordon". + +A gold medal was presented to him by the emperor. Gordon, obliterating +the inscription, sent it anonymously to the Coventry relief fund. Of +this incident he wrote at a later period: "Never shall I forget what +I got when I scored out the inscription on the gold medal. How I have +been repaid a millionfold! There is now not one thing I value in +the world. Its honours, they are false; its knicknacks, they are +perishable and useless; whilst I live I value God's blessing--health; +and if you have that, as far as this world goes, you are rich." + +He returned to England and settled down at Gravesend, living quite +simply, and working in his spare moments amongst the poor. To the boys +he was a hero indeed. That was but natural, seeing he not only taught +them to read and write, and tried to get them situations, but treated +them as his friends. + +In his sitting-room was a map of the world, with pins stuck in it +marking the probable positions of the ships in which his "kings" (as +he called his boys) were to be found in various parts of the world. +Thus, as they moved from place to place, he followed them in his +thoughts, and was able to point out their whereabouts to inquiring +friends. + +It is no wonder then that the urchins scrawled upon the walls of the +town, "C.G. is a jolly good feller". "God bless the Kernel." + +He visited the hospitals and workhouses, and all the money he received +he expended on the poor; for he believed that having given his heart +to God he had no right to keep anything for himself. He comforted the +sick and dying, he taught in the Ragged and Sunday Schools. He lived +on the plainest food himself, thus "enduring hardness". He even gave +up his garden, turning it into a kind of allotment for the needy. + +He had one object in life--to do good. His views were utterly +unworldly and opposed to those generally held, but they were in the +main right. + +In 1874 Gordon went to Egypt, and at the request of the Khedive +undertook the position of Governor-General of the Soudan, in the hope +of being able to put down the slave trade. + +He was beset with difficulties, and "worn to a shadow" by incessant +work and ceaseless anxiety; but he would not give up. + +In all his trials he felt the presence of God. As he watched his men +hauling the boats up the rapids he "_prayed them up_ as he used to do +the troops when they wavered in the breaches in China". + +Once his men failed in their attack on an offending tribe; and, +believing they had been misled by the Sheik, wanted to punish him; +but Gordon saw the other side of the man's character--"He was a brave +patriotic man," he said; "and I shall let him go". + +Here was his hope. "With terrific exertion," he writes, "in two +or three years' time I may with God's administration make a good +province--with a good army and a fair revenue and peace, and an +increased trade,--also have suppressed slave raids." He felt it was a +weary work before him, for he adds: "Then I will come home and go to +bed, and never get up till noon every day, and never walk more than a +mile". No wonder he was worn and tired, for he moved about the Soudan +like a whirlwind. He travelled on camelback thousands of miles. In +four months' time he had put down a dangerous rebellion that would +have taken the Egyptians as many years--if, indeed, they could ever +have done it at all. + +This is the kind of way in which he won his victories. On one occasion +with a few troops he arrived at a place called Dara. That great slave +trader Suleiman, who had given Sir Samuel Baker so much trouble, was +there at the head of 6000 men. Gordon rode into the place nearly +alone, and told the commander to come and talk with him. Utterly +taken aback the man did as he was requested, and afterwards promised +obedience. + +It is true he did not keep his promise; but after fighting several +battles Suleiman was at length taken prisoner by Gordon's lieutenant; +and so many were the crimes and cruelties that he had committed that +he was condemned to death, and thus the slaves of Africa became rid of +one of their worst oppressors. + +[ILLUSTRATION: GORDON STATUE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE.] + +The work begun by Baker was continued with great success by Gordon. He +estimated that in nine months he liberated 2000 slaves. The suffering +these poor creatures had gone through was appalling. Some of them when +set free had been four or five days without water in the terrible heat +of that hot country. Every caravan route showed signs of the horrible +trade, by the bones of those who had fallen and died from exhaustion, +unable to keep their ranks in the gang. + +So great was the effect which the thought and sight of these +sufferings produced on Gordon that he wrote in March, 1879: "I declare +if I could stop this traffic I would willingly be shot this night". + +Later on he was to give his life for these people; but the hour was +not yet. + +When Gordon was in Abyssinia King John took him prisoner. Brought +before his Majesty, Gordon fairly took away the breath of the monarch +by going up to him, placing his own chair beside the king's, and +telling him that he would only talk to him as an equal. + +"Do you know, Gordon Pasha," said the king, "that I could kill you on +the spot if I liked?" + +"I am perfectly aware of it," replied Gordon calmly; "so do it, if it +is your royal pleasure." + +"What! ready to be killed?" asked the king incredulously. + +"Certainly. I am always ready to die," answered the pasha; "and so far +from fearing your putting me to death you would confer a favour on me +by so doing." + +Upon this his Majesty gave up the idea of frightening him. + +At the end of 1879 Gordon was free from the Soudan for the second +time. In 1876 he had left it, as he thought, for good; but, as it +turned out, it was only for a few weeks' holiday in England, and then +back to quell the rebellion. + +Even now it was destined that he should soon return once again and +finally. But during the breathing time that now came to him, so far +from leading an easy life or "never getting up till noon," he was in +all parts of the world, from China to the Cape, from Ireland to India, +still on the old mission of endeavouring to do a little good wherever +he was. + +Leopold II., King of the Belgians, who had a profound regard for +Gordon, greatly desired that he should go out to the Congo; and in +January, 1884, he was just preparing to start in his Majesty's service +when on the 17th of that month a telegram from Lord Wolseley arrived, +asking him to return to England. + +At six o'clock next morning he was in London; and the same day, having +received instructions from the Government, he was on his way for the +last time to Khartoum. + +The Egyptian garrisons of the Soudan towns were sore beset by the +legions which were gathering beneath the banners of the Mahdi, who, +flushed with victory, was threatening an eruption into Lower Egypt +itself. + +To extricate these garrisons without bloodshed if possible was +Gordon's object. It was a forlorn hope; still if any one man could +accomplish it Charles Gordon was that man. + +But ere long it was found even beyond his powers; for after sending +off a portion of the Khartoum population in safety down the river, the +Mahdi's legions closed in upon him, and Khartoum was in a state of +siege. + +For nearly a year he held the city against all the forces of the +enemy; and meantime Great Britain was stirred with a vehement desire +to save the life of this devoted man. + +In the autumn of 1884 a force under the command of Lord Wolseley was +sent out to relieve Khartoum. + +Whilst the British troops were slowly forcing their way up the river +and across the desert, Khartoum was enduring a death agony. + +By January, 1885, the city had been reduced to starvation. Donkeys, +dogs, rats, everything indeed in the way of flesh, had been consumed; +even boot leather, the straps of native bedsteads, and mimosa gum did +not come amiss to the sorely-tried garrison. + +Famine had produced lack of discipline on the part of some of the +troops; and Gordon foresaw well what the end must be, though without a +fear for himself. + +You can read for yourself from the reproduction of the last page of +his diary, written on the 14th December, 1884, his own estimate of the +length of time he could hold out; and, though he managed to keep back +the enemy for another month, yet on the 26th January, 1885, whilst yet +Sir Charles Wilson and the British troops were fighting their way up +the river Nile to his relief, Khartoum fell. + +In the early dawn of that day the Mahdi assaulted the town in +overwhelming force--whether helped by treachery is not exactly known; +and before his well-fed, well-trained hosts, the feeble worn-out +garrison gave way, the walls were scaled, the city taken, and the hero +who had won the affection of many nations fell amidst the people he +had come to save. + +[ILLUSTRATION: REDUCED FACSIMILE OF THE LAST PAGE OF GORDON'S DIARY AT +KHARTOUM.] + +It was on the whole a happy and fitting end. The mind cannot conceive +Gordon rusting out; and the man lived so much in the presence of God +that death was a welcome visitor. + +"Like Lawrence," he wrote, "I have tried to do my duty"; and England +confessed that right nobly he had done it. + +Let those who wish to testify their love and veneration for this great +man remember the Gordon Home for Boys at Chobham, which was founded to +perpetuate his name. It is situated in the midst of Surrey; and here +are to be found over two hundred boys rescued from the streets of our +great cities. + +The bracing life they lead in their country home soon brings the +colour to their cheeks, and the training they receive fits them for +becoming useful citizens and valuable servants of the State. Most of +them join the army, and the Gordon boys are now to be found serving +the Queen in every land. + + + + +"VALIANT AND TRUE." + + +THE STORY OF SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE. + +One of the most glorious of the many battles of the British navy was +fought on the 10th and 11th September, 1591, by Vice-Admiral Sir +Richard Grenville, in his ship _The Revenge_, against a great fleet +of Spanish vessels. The fight was described by the gallant Sir Walter +Raleigh, from whose account (published in November, 1591) the facts +given in the following narrative are taken. + +If the story seems somewhat out of place amongst nineteenth century +records, it is, nevertheless, such a unique display of stubborn +heroism "under fire" that I have not hesitated to include it. + +On the 10th of September, 1591 (31st August, old style), Lord Thomas +Howard, with six of her Majesty's ships, five victualling ships, a +barque and two or three pinnaces, was at anchor near Flores, one of +the westerly islands of the Azores, when Captain Middleton brought the +news that the Spanish fleet was approaching. + +He had no sooner delivered his message than the Spaniards came in +sight. The few ships at Lord Howard's command were in a very unready +state for fighting. Many of the seamen were ill. Some of the ships' +companies were procuring ballast, others getting in water. + +Being so unprepared for the contest, and so greatly outnumbered, the +British ships weighed their anchors and set sail. The last ship to get +under weigh was _The Revenge_, as Sir Richard waited for the men left +on the island, who would have otherwise been captured. + +The master of the ship wanted him to "cut his mainsail and cast about, +and to trust to the sailing of his ship"; but Sir Richard utterly +refused to turn from the enemy, saying that he would rather choose to +die than dishonour himself, his country, and her Majesty's ship, and +informed his company that he would pass through the two squadrons in +spite of them. He might possibly have been able to carry out his plan; +but the huge _San Philip_, an immense vessel of 1500 tons, coming +towards him as he was engaging other ships of the fleet, becalmed +his sails and then boarded him. Whilst thus entangled with the _San +Philip_, four other ships also boarded _The Revenge_. + +"The fight thus beginning at three of the clocke in the after noone," +says Sir Walter Raleigh, "continued verie terrible all that evening." + +Before long, the _San Philip_, having received the fire of _The +Revenge_ at close quarters, "shifted herself with all diligence, +utterly misliking her first entertainment". + +The Spanish ships had a great number of soldiers on board, in some +cases two hundred, in others five, and in some even eight hundred; +whilst on _The Revenge_ there were in all only one hundred and ninety +persons, of whom ninety were sick. + +After discharging their guns the Spanish ships endeavoured to board +_The Revenge_; but, notwithstanding the multitude of their armed men, +they were repulsed again and again, and driven back either into their +ships or into the sea. + +After the battle had lasted well into the night many of the British +were slain or wounded, whilst two Spanish ships had been sunk. An hour +before midnight Sir Richard Grenville was shot in the body, and a +little later was wounded in the head, whilst the doctor who was +attending him was killed. + +The company on board _The Revenge_ was gradually getting less and +less; the Spanish ships, meanwhile, as they received a sufficient +evidence of _The Revenge's_ powers of destruction, dropped off, and +their places were taken by others; and thus it happened that ere the +morning fifteen ships had been engaged, and all were so little pleased +with the entertainment provided that they were far more willing to +listen to proposals for an honourable arrangement than to make any +more assaults. + +As Lord Tennyson writes:-- + + And the sun went down, and the stars came out far over the summer sea, + But never a moment ceased the fight of the one and the fifty-three. + Ship after ship the whole night long their high-built galleons came, + + Ship after ship, the whole night long, with her battle-thunder and + flame; + Ship after ship, the whole night long, drew back with her dead and her + shame. + For some were sunk and many were shatter'd, and so could fight us no + more-- + God of battles, was ever a battle like this in the world before? + +_The Revenge_ had by this time spent her last barrel of gunpowder; all +her pikes were broken, forty of her best men slain, and most of the +remainder wounded. For her brave defenders there was now no hope,--no +powder, no weapons, the masts all beaten overboard, all her tackle cut +asunder, her decks battered, nothing left overhead for flight or below +for defence. + +Sir Richard, finding himself in this condition after fifteen hours' +hard fighting, and having received about eight hundred shots from +great guns, besides various assaults from the enemy, and seeing, +moreover, no way by which he might prevent his ship falling into the +hands of the Spanish, commanded the master gunner, whom he knew was +a most resolute man, to split and sink the ship. He did this that +thereby nothing might remain of glory or victory to the Spaniards: +seeing that in so many hours' fight, and with so great a navy, they +were not able to take her, though they had fifteen hours in which +to do so; and moreover had 15,000 men and fifty-three ships of war +against his single vessel of five hundred tons. + +He endeavoured to persuade his men to yield themselves to God, and to +the mercy of none else; that, as they had repulsed so many enemies, +they should not shorten the honour of their nation by prolonging their +lives by a few hours or days. + +The captain and master could not, however, see the matter in this +light, and besought Sir Richard to have a care of them, declaring that +the Spaniards would be ready to treat with them; and that, as there +were a number of gallant men yet living whose wounds were not mortal, +they might do their country and prince acceptable service hereafter. +They also pointed out that as _The Revenge_ had six feet of water in +the hold and three shots under water, but weakly stopped, she must +needs sink in the first heavy sea; which indeed happened a few days +later. But Sir Richard refused to be guided by such counsels. + +Whilst, however, the dispute was going on, the master of _The Revenge_ +opened communication with the Spaniards and concluded an arrangement +fully honourable to the British, by which it was agreed that those on +board _The Revenge_ should be sent to England in due course; those of +the better sort to pay a reasonable ransom, and meantime no one was +to be imprisoned. The commander of the Spanish fleet agreed to this +readily, not only because (knowing the disposition of his adversary) +he feared further loss to his own side by prolonging the fight, but +because he greatly admired the valour of Sir Richard Grenville, and +desired to save his life. The master gunner, finding Sir Richard and +himself alone in their way of thinking, would have slain himself +rather than fall into the hands of the enemy, but was forcibly +prevented from carrying out his intention and locked in his cabin. + +Being sent for by Don Alfonso Bassan, the Spanish commander, Sir +Richard made no objection to going, answering that he might do as he +pleased with his body, for he esteemed it not. As he was being carried +out of the ship he swooned, and reviving again desired the company to +pray for him. + +Though the Spaniards treated Sir Richard with every care and +consideration, he died the second or third day after the fight, deeply +lamented both by, the enemy and by his own men. + +"Here die I, Richard Grenville," said he, "with a joyful and quiet +mind; for that I have ended my life as a true soldier ought to do, +that hath fought for his country, queen, religion and honour. Whereby +my soul most joyfully departeth out of this body, and shall always +leave behind it an everlasting fame of a valiant and true soldier, +that hath done his duty as he was bound to do." + +The reason the other British ships did not take part in the contest +was that it was altogether hopeless; and that, had the admiral ordered +it, the entire fleet would probably have fallen into the hands of the +Spaniards, seeing that they so greatly outnumbered the British ships. + +Six small ships ill supplied with fighting men against fifty-three +bigger ones filled with soldiers was too great a disparity of force to +give even a hope of victory. + +And, although Lord Howard would himself have gone into battle even +against such odds as that, yet the other commanders were greatly +opposed to so rash an enterprise; and the master of his own ship said +he would rather jump into the sea than conduct her Majesty's ship and +the rest to be a prey to the enemy. + +Hence it was that _The Revenge_ fought alone on that September day the +entire Spanish fleet, and has given us one of the most glorious pages +in the annals of our national history. + + + + +ONE WHO LEFT ALL. + + +THE STORY OF BISHOP HANNINGTON. + +Fancy Hannington, of all persons in the world, turning missionary, and +going out to preach the Gospel to the blacks! + +It is well-nigh incredible at first thought that such a light-hearted, +rollicking, jovial fellow could have given up _everything_ for such a +work as that! + +He had plenty of money, hosts of friends, wife, children, any amount +of useful work to do at home,--everything, in fact, that can make life +worth living. + +What could possibly make such a man as that go into the wilds of +Africa to be tormented, tortured, and slain by savages? + +I will try and show briefly how it came about. + +At school Hannington was the veriest pickle, and was nicknamed "Mad +Jim". + +On one occasion he lit a bonfire in his dormitory, he pelted the +German master with rejected examination papers, and in a single day +was caned over a dozen times. Yet he fought the bullies, and kept his +word; he was brave, honest and manly, and was a great favourite. + +When about fifteen years old he was put into his father's business +at Brighton. His life there was certainly not hard or trying. He was +allowed to travel a great deal, and thus went over a considerable part +of Europe, enjoying himself immensely when so doing. Still, he had no +taste for the counting-house; and after six years gave it up to become +a clergyman, and forthwith proceeded to Oxford. + +Both at Oxford and at Martinhoe, in North Devon, where he spent some +time during the vacations, Hannington preserved his reputation for +fun and love of adventure. At Oxford he took part in practical jokes +innumerable; at Martinhoe cliff-climbing and adventurous scrambles +occupied some little of his time. + +One day he went with two companions to explore a cave called "The +Eyes". Adjoining this they discovered a narrow hole leading to a +further cave, which was below high-water mark. Into this with great +exertion Jim managed to squeeze himself. It was quite dark inside, and +whilst he was describing it to his companions they suddenly noticed +that the tide was fast coming in, and implored him to get out of his +perilous position at once. + +Easier said than done. The difficulty he had found in getting in was a +trifle compared with the passage out. He tried head first, then feet +first, and whilst his friends tugged he squeezed. It was of no use. +The sea had almost reached him, and drowning seemed certain. + +Then, quite hopeless of escape, he bade his companions good-bye. All +at once it occurred to him to try taking off his clothes. This made +just the difference required, and with a tremendous effort he got out +of his prison-house in the very nick of time. + +A little later comes an important entry in his diary: "---- opened a +correspondence with me to-day, which I speak of as delightful; it led +to my conversion". + +Thereafter followed a change in Hannington's life--he prayed more. + +It seems that about this time a college friend began to think much +of him, and to pray earnestly for him; and finally wrote to him a +serious, simple, earnest letter, which had much effect on Hannington. + +The letter was unanswered for over a year; but coming at a time when +the man of twenty-five was beginning to find that there were better +things to be done in life than cliff-climbing in the country, or +giving pleasant parties at Oxford, it wrought its purpose, and formed +the first step towards the new life. + +Having spent some time in study, Hannington went up for his ordination +examination. He did very well the first day; the second he was ill and +could do nothing; the third the same; and when he was dismissed by the +bishop he was in a state akin to despair. + +The next examination was better, but he was nervous, and found his +mind at times a hopeless blank. He passed, but not in such a way as he +desired. At the examination for priest's orders he came out at the top +of the list. + +The first portion of his life as a curate did not seem to point to his +making any mark upon his Devonshire flock. His audiences were sleepy, +and paid little attention to his sermons. + +One day he got lost on Exmoor in trying to make a short cut to a place +where he was to conduct service. He was consequently late in arriving, +and found the congregation waiting. On explaining why he was late to +the clerk:-- + +"Iss," said that official, "we reckoned you was lost, but now you are +here go and put on your surples and be short, for we all want to get +back to dinner". Truly he was no Wesley in those days! + +But to him, as to every true-hearted seeker, light came at last. Not +long afterwards he could write, "I know now that Jesus Christ died for +me, and that He is mine and I am His". + +After little more than a year in Devonshire, Hannington was appointed +curate in charge of St. George's, Hurstpierpoint, near Brighton. By +his earnestness he roused the people to a fuller faith and to better +works. Finding much drunkenness in the place he turned teetotaler, and +persuaded many to sign the pledge. He started Bible classes, prayer +meetings, and mothers' meetings. Not only was he a shining light in +his own parish, but he also went about the country and assisted at +revival missions, showing himself everywhere a bright and helpful +minister of the Gospel. + +In the year 1878 Hannington heard of the violent deaths which had +befallen Lieut. Shergold Smith and Mr. O'Neil in Central Africa. From +this time he became drawn towards mission work in that district. + +It was not, however, till the year 1882 that he finally entered into +arrangements with the Church Missionary Society to go to Africa. + +Their high estimation of his capacities may be gathered from the fact +that he was appointed as leader of the expedition which was being sent +out. + +It was a horrible wrench at last to leave wife and children. "My most +bitter trial," he writes--"an agony that still cleaves to me--was +saying good-bye to the little ones. Thank God the pain was all on one +side. 'Come back soon, papa!' they cried." His wife had resolutely +made up her mind to give him to God, and was brave to the last. + +"When at length the ship left England I watched and watched the +retreating tow-boat," he continues, "until I could see it no longer, +and then hurried down below. Indeed, I felt for the moment as one +paralysed. Now is the time for reaction--to 'cast all your care upon +Him'." + +Strangely enough, both his missionary journeys in Africa failed in +their original aim, which was to reach the kingdom of Uganda. + +In the first journey the expedition started from the coast at the end +of June, 1882. After two months' difficult marching into the interior, +amidst the constant difficulties which beset the African traveller, he +writes on 1st August: "I am very happy. Fever is trying, but it does +not take away the joy of the Lord, and keeps one low in the right +place". + +On, on they went. Fever was so heavy upon him that his temperature +reached 110 degrees; but still he struggled forward, insisting upon +placing a weary companion on the beast which he ought himself to have +ridden. + +By 4th September they reached Uyui, a place which was still far +distant from Lake Victoria (or Victoria Nyanza); and now he was at +death's door. So intense was the pain he suffered that he asked to be +left alone that he might scream, as that seemed to bring some relief. + +Notwithstanding this suffering, the expedition started forward again +on 16th October, Hannington being placed in a hammock. They reached +Lake Victoria, but the leader could go no further. He was utterly +broken down by continued fever; and, though the thought of returning +to England without accomplishing his mission was bitter to him, it was +a necessity. + +By June, 1883, he was again in London. How favourable was the +impression Hannington had already made upon the Missionary Society is +apparent from the fact that the bishopric of East Equatorial Africa +was offered him. He was consecrated in June, 1884; and, after visiting +Palestine to confirm the churches there, he arrived in Frere Town on +the west coast of Africa in January, 1885, and spent several months of +useful work in organising. By July, 1885, he was ready to attempt the +second time to reach the kingdom of Uganda. + +He determined to try a different route from that taken before, in +order to avoid the fevers from which the previous expedition had +suffered so terribly. + +After surmounting many difficulties in his passage through Masai Land +he had by October reached within a few days' journey of Uganda; but +there, on the outskirts of the kingdom he sought to enter, a martyr's +death crowned his brief but earnest mission life. + +On 21st October, 1885, the bishop had started from his tent to get a +view of the river Nile when about twenty of the natives set upon him, +robbed him, and hurried him off to prison. He was violently dragged +along, some trying to force him one way, some another, dashing him +against trees in their hurry, and bruising and wounding him without +thought or consideration. Although the bishop believed he was to be +thrown over a precipice or murdered at once, he could still say, +"Lord, I put myself in Thy hands; I look to Thee alone," and sing, +"Safe in the arms of Jesus". + +At length, after a journey of about five miles, he was pushed into +a hut, and there kept prisoner. Whilst in this place he endured all +kinds of horrors. Laughed at in his sufferings by the savages, almost +suffocated by the bad smells about the hut, taken out at times to be +the sport of his captors, unable to eat, full of aches and pains, he +was yet able to look up and say, "Let the Lord do as He sees fit," and +to read his Bible and feel refreshed. + +On 27th October he writes: "I am very low, and cry to God for +release". On the 28th fever developed rapidly. Word was brought that +messengers had arrived from Mwanga, King of Uganda. Three soldiers +from this monarch had indeed arrived; but, instead of bringing orders +for his release, doubtless conveyed instructions that the bishop +should be put to death. + +It seems that Mwanga had some fear of invasion from the East; and +acting on his suspicions, without taking any trouble to ascertain the +facts of the case, had sent the fatal command. + +On the day of the bishop's release, the 29th, he was held up by Psalm +xxx., which came with great power. As he was led forth to execution he +sang hymns nearly all the way. When his captors hesitated to launch +their spears at him, he spake gently to them and pointed to his gun. +So, either by gunshot or spear wounds, died another of that glorious +band of martyrs who have, century after century, fearlessly laid down +their lives to advance the Kingdom of God. + +Mrs. Hannington has kindly made a tracing of the page in the bishop's +little pocket diary for 28th October, the day before his martyrdom +took place. I am very glad to be able to give a reproduction of so +interesting a memento. + +[Illustration: diary entry] + +_Seventh day's prison. Wednesday, 28th October_. A terrible night, 1st +with noisy, drunken guard, and 2nd with vermin which have found out my +tent and swarm. I don't think I got one sound hour's sleep, and woke +with fever fast developing. O Lord, do have mercy upon me and release +me. I am quite broken down and brought low. Comforted by reading 27th +Psalm. + +In an hour or two's time fever developing rapidly. My tent was so +stifling I was obliged to go inside the filthy hut, and soon was +delirious. + +Evening: fever passed away. Word came that Mwanga had sent 3 soldiers, +but what news they bring they will not yet let me know. + +Much comforted by 28th Psalm. + + + + +A MAN WHO CONQUERED DISAPPOINTMENTS. + + +THE STORY OF SIR HENRY HAVELOCK. + +He was nicknamed "Phlos"--short for philosopher--even when at school. +Havelock and a few companions at Charterhouse met together for +devotion, and of course came in for a large amount of jeering from +some of the other boys. But it was useless to call him "Methodist" and +"hypocrite"; he had learnt from his mother the value of Bible reading, +and possessed sufficient character to care little what his companions +said. + +He knew the right, and did it--thus early he was a philosopher in a +small way. + +It had been intended that Havelock should follow the law as a +profession; and he was studying with this end in view when his father +stopped the necessary supplies of money, and he had to turn to some +other occupation for a living. + +He had always had a leaning towards a military life, and by his +brother's aid obtained a commission as second lieutenant in 1815, +being then twenty years old. + +Unlike Colin Campbell, who was in the thick of the fight within a few +months of joining his regiment, it was some years before Havelock had +a chance of distinguishing himself; but meantime he set to work to +study military history and tactics both ancient and modern. + +Not content with this, he learnt Persian and Hindostanee; and thus +when he went to India in 1823 he was equipped as few young men of his +day were. + +Havelock's faith, strong though it was, had to undergo a time of +severe trial. Doubts arose in his mind, and made him miserable while +they lasted. But on board ship he came across Lieut. Gardner, to whom, +with others, he was giving lessons in languages; and as a result of +his intercourse with this man he became again the same simple loving +believer that he had been when he learnt to read the Bible at his +mother's knee, or braved the taunts of his school-fellows. + +During the two months he was at Calcutta he held religious meetings, +to which the soldiers were invited. At these, not only did he preach +the Gospel of Christ, but he made a point of telling the men the +blessings of temperance; and it was by his influence that later on +a society was formed in the regiment, and various attractions were +placed before the men to keep them from intemperance. + +Now came the chance of active service for which he had been longing. +An expedition was planned against the Burmese, and Havelock was one of +the members. But a great disappointment was in store for him. The ship +in which he sailed was delayed, and did not arrive at Rangoon till the +town was taken. Still, though there was no glory to be gained, there +was much good work to be done in looking after his men's comfort and +well-being; and this he did to the utmost of his power. He also held +simple services, such as the men could appreciate, in one of the +Buddhist temples. + +Though there was not a great deal of fighting to do, there were great +losses of men through disease; and Havelock himself was ere long so +ill that he was told a voyage to England was the only thing to save +his life. + +This, however, he objected to; and after a stay at Bombay he was +sufficiently restored to rejoin his regiment. + +During this war a night attack was made by the enemy on an outpost; +and the men ordered to repulse it were not ready when summoned. + +"Then call out Havelock's saints," said the commander-in-chief. "They +are always sober, and can be depended upon, and Havelock himself is +always ready." And, surely enough, "Havelock's saints" were among the +enemy in double quick time, and soon gave them as much steel and lead +as they had any wish for! + +"Every inch a soldier, and every inch a Christian,"--that was an exact +description of this man. + +Even the day he got married to Hannah Marshman, the missionary's +daughter, he showed that he was a soldier before all else. For, having +been suddenly summoned to attend a military court of inquiry at twelve +o'clock on his wedding day, he got married at an earlier hour than he +had previously arranged, took a quick boat to Calcutta, returning to +his bride when his business of the day was finished. + +Time passed on, and the leader of "the saints" was still but a junior +lieutenant, though he had been seventeen years in the army. +Thrice were his hopes of promotion raised, and thrice doomed to +disappointment. + +Still he murmured not. "I have only two wishes," he would say. "I +pray that in life and death I may glorify God, and that my wife and +children may be provided for." + +Heavy trials befel him. Death laid its hand on his little boy Ettrick, +and another child was so burnt in a fire that happened at their +bungalow that he died also, whilst his beloved wife narrowly escaped +the same fate. Yet he bore all this with patience. + +Stern commander though he was, his men loved him so much that they +wanted to give him a month of their pay to assist him in the loss of +means occasioned by the fire. + +Though their offer was refused, yet Havelock could not but be thankful +for the kind feeling which prompted it. + +At length, after over twenty years' service, he became a captain. + +In the Afghan war Havelock was with General Sale at Jellalabad at the +time that Dr. Brydon brought the news of the massacre of our men by +the Afghans; and during the anxious time that followed he was able to +render good service in the field and at the council table. + +He fought in the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshah, and Sobraon. At +the first-named he had two horses shot under him; and in all he +distinguished himself by coolness and bravery. + +When the terrible mutiny broke out in India in the year 1857, the +hour of dire emergency had come, and with it had come the man. "Your +excellency," said Sir Patrick Grant, presenting Havelock to Lord +Canning, "I have brought the man." + +That was on 17th June, 1857. + +Two days later Havelock was appointed to the command of the little +army. His instructions were that, "after quelling all disturbances +at Allahabad, he should not lose a moment in supporting Sir Henry +Lawrence at Lucknow, and Sir Hugh Wheeler at Cawnpore; and that he +should take prompt measures for dispersing and utterly destroying all +mutineers and insurgents". + +A large order that to tell a commander with 2000 men, to take a dozen +fortified places defended by ten times the number of his own force! + +Not a moment was to be lost, for both cities were in deadly peril. + +Alas! Early on the 1st July came news of the terrible massacre of +the Cawnpore garrison,--men, women and children slain in one wanton, +heartless slaughter, which still makes the blood run cold to read +about. + +Out of the 2000 men under Havelock's command 1400 only were British +soldiers. But in that force every man was a hero. Notwithstanding the +scorching heat of an Indian summer,--in spite, too, of the fact that +a number of the men were obliged to march in heavy garments utterly +unsuited to the climate; though death, disease, and a thousand perils +lay in front of them,--not a man of Havelock's "Ironsides" but was +impatient to push onward to death or victory. + +The general himself was full of humble trust in the Lord, and was in +good spirits notwithstanding--perhaps because of--the perils before +him. For it is written of him that "he was always as sour as if he had +swallowed a pint of vinegar except when he was being shot at,--and +then he was as blithe as a schoolboy out for a holiday". + +Sour he was _not_, but he kept splendid discipline among his troops. + +"Soldiers," he said as they set out, "there is work before us. We are +bound on an expedition whose object is the supremacy of British rule, +and to avenge the fate of British men and women." + +The first battle fought was at Futtehpore. Writing to his wife on the +same night, Havelock said: "One of the prayers oft repeated throughout +my life has been answered, and I have lived to command in a general +action.... We fought, and in ten minutes' time the affair was +decided.... But away with vain glory! Thanks to God Almighty, who gave +me the victory." + +Day, after day, the men fought and marched--marched and fought. Battle +after battle was won against foes of reckless daring, carefully +entrenched, amply supplied with big guns, and infinitely superior in +numbers. + +His men were often half famished. For two whole days they had but one +meal, consisting of a few biscuits and porter! + +Hearing that some of the women and children were still alive, having +escaped the massacre of 27th June, Havelock pressed on with his +wearied little army. "With God's help," said he, "we shall save them, +or every man die in the attempt." + +Nana Sahib himself barred the way to Cawnpore. His 5000 men were well +placed in good positions; but they were driven from post to post +before the onset of the British. + +"Now, Highlanders!" shouted Havelock, as the men halted to re-form +after one of their irresistible onslaughts; "another charge like the +last wins the day!" + +And again the Scots scattered the enemy, at the bayonet's point. + +The sun was far towards the western horizon before the battle was +finally over. The mutineers were brave men; and, though beaten, +retreated, reformed, and fought again. + +The enemy had rallied at a village; and Havelock's men, after their +day's fight, lagged a little when, having gone over ploughed fields +and swamps, they came again under fire. + +[Illustration: THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW.] + +But their general rode out under fire of the guns, and, smiling as a +cannon ball just missed him by a hairsbreadth, said:-- + +"Come, who is to take that village--the Highlanders or the 64th?" + +That was enough: pell-mell went both regiments upon the enemy, who had +a bad quarter of an hour between the two. + +Cawnpore was won; but, alas! the women and children had been slain +whilst their countrymen had been fighting for their deliverance. And +Lucknow was not yet to be relieved. + +For after advancing into Oude Havelock found that constant fighting, +cholera, sunstroke and illness had so reduced his numbers that to go +on would risk the extermination of his force. + +He therefore returned to await reinforcements. By the time these +arrived, Sir James Outram had been appointed general of the forces in +India; but he generously refused to accept the command till Lucknow +had been relieved, saying that, Havelock having made such noble +exertions, it was only right he should have the honour of leading the +troops till this had been done. + +So he accompanied the army as a volunteer; and again the men fought +their way, this time right through the mutineers, accomplishing their +object by the first relief of Lucknow. + +On the evening of 28th September, the soldiers reached the Residency, +where the British had been shut up for so long face to face with +death. The last piece of fighting was the worst they had had to face. +Fired at from roof and window by concealed foes, they marched on with +unwavering courage, and those who reached the Residency had a reward +such as can come to few in this life. + +As the women and children frantic with joy rushed to welcome their +rescuers the stern-set faces of the Highlanders changed to joy and +gladness; hunger, thirst, wounds, weariness--all were forgotten as +they clasped hands with those for whom they had fought and bled. + +"God bless you," they exclaimed; "why, we expected to have found only +your bones!" + +"And the children living too!" + +Women and children, civilians and soldiers, gave themselves up to pure +gladness of heart, and in that meeting all thought of past woes and +dangers faded away. + +After a series of the most thrilling incidents the world has known, +Lucknow was finally relieved by Sir Colin Campbell. + +When Havelock came from the Residency to meet the troops the men +flocked round him cheering, and their enthusiasm brought tears to the +veteran's eyes. + +On the 17th November Lucknow was relieved, and on the 24th Havelock +died. "I have," he said to Outram in his last illness, "for forty +years so ruled my life that when death came I might face it without +fear." + + + +A FRIEND OF PRISONERS. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN HOWARD. + +In St. Paul's Cathedral there stands a monument representing a man +with a key in his right hand and a scroll in his left, whilst on the +pedestal from which he looks down are pictured relics of the prison +life of the past. The man is John Howard, who travelled tens of +thousands of miles, and spent many years in visiting gaols all over +England and the Continent, and in endeavouring to render prison life +less degrading and brutalising. Wherever he went prison doors were +unlocked as if he possessed a magic key; and by his life and books he +did more to help prisoners than any other man. + +It is only just over a hundred years since John Howard died; yet in +his day persons could be put to death for stealing a horse or a sheep, +for robbing dwellings, for defrauding creditors, for forgery, for +wounding deer, for killing or maiming cattle, for stealing goods to +the value of five shillings, or even for cutting a band in a hop +plantation. And many persons who were innocent of any offence would +lie in dungeons for years! + +At his father's death John Howard came into possession of a good +property; and, marrying a lady some years older than himself, settled +down on his estate and passed three years of quiet happiness. + +Then a great grief came to him. His wife died, and Howard was bowed +down with sorrow. + +But the distress brought with it a longing to be a comfort to others; +and he set out for Lisbon, which had just been visited by the great +earthquake of 1755, with the hope of assisting the homeless and +suffering. + +France and England were then at war, and on his way thither he was +captured by a French vessel and thrown into prison. He was placed in +a dark, damp, filthy dungeon, and was half starved. For two months he +was kept a prisoner, and as soon as he was free he set about obtaining +the release of his fellow captives. + +Some years later he became a sheriff of Bedford, and began visiting +the prisoners in the gaol where John Bunyan wrote the _Pilgrim's +Progress_. + +From the inquiries he made during the course of his visitations he was +astonished to find that the gaolers received no salary, and that they +lived on what they could make out of the prisoners. As a result it +often happened that those who had been acquitted at their trial were +kept in prison long afterwards, because they were unable to pay the +fees which the gaoler demanded. + +Horrified at the state in which he found the prison and at the abuses +of justice that prevailed, John Howard determined to find out what +was done in other parts of the kingdom, and visited a number of gaols +throughout the country. And fearful places he found them to be! Boys +who were taken to gaol for the first time were put with old and +hardened criminals; the prisons were dirty and ill-smelling; the +dungeons were dark and unhealthy; and, unless prisoners could afford +to pay for comforts, they were obliged to sleep on cold bare floors, +even delicate women not being exempted from such cruel treatment. + +At Exeter he found two sailors in gaol, having been fined one shilling +each for some trifling offence, and owing L1 15s. 8d. for fees to the +gaolers and clerk of the peace. When he visited Cardiff he heard a man +had just died in prison after having been there ten years for a debt +of seven pounds. At Plymouth he found that three men had been shut up +in a little dark room only five and a half feet high, so that they +could neither breathe freely nor stand upright. + +Hundreds of cases as bad or worse than these did he discover and bring +before public notice. + +He gave evidence before the House of Commons of what he had seen. Then +Acts of Parliament were passed, providing that gaolers should be paid +out of the rates, that prisoners who were found not guilty should be +set at liberty at once, that the prisons should be kept clean and +healthy, and the prisoners properly clothed and attended to. + +Determined that these Acts should not remain a dead letter, he went +about the country seeing that what Parliament required was actually +carried out. + +Not contented with what he had already done, he travelled abroad, +inspecting the prisons of France, Russia, Holland, Switzerland, +Germany, and other countries, in order to see how they compared with +those in Great Britain. + +Strange to say, he discovered that in a number of cases they were in +many ways better; and the prisoners, unlike their fellows in Britain, +were generally employed in some useful manner. + +When he was in London on one occasion he heard that there had been a +revolt in the military prison in the Savoy. Two of the gaolers had +been killed, and the rioters held possession of the building. Howard +set off for the prison, though he was warned that his life would not +be safe if he ventured inside. Nothing daunted, he went amongst +the prisoners, and soon persuaded them to go back to their cells +peaceably, promising to bring their grievances before the authorities. + +At Paris he was unable for a long time to get into that great prison +house which then existed called the Bastille. Try as he would, he +could gain no admittance. One day when he was passing he went to the +gate of the prison, rang the bell and marched in. After passing the +sentry he stopped and took a good look at the building, then he had to +beat a hasty retreat, and narrowly escaped capture; but by that time +he had partly accomplished his object. + +When Howard was in Russia the empress sent a message saying she +desired to see him; but he returned an answer that he was devoting +his time to inspecting prisons, and had no leisure for visiting the +palaces of rulers. + +At Rome, however, he was prevailed on to go and see the Pope, on +the express understanding that he should not be obliged to kiss his +holiness's toe; and he came away with a very pleasant remembrance of +the Holy Father. + +At Vienna the Emperor Joseph II. specially requested an interview. +Howard refused at first to meet the emperor's wishes; but, on the +English ambassador representing good might come of the visit, +Howard went to see his majesty, and remained with him two hours in +conversation, during which time he made the emperor acquainted with +the bad state of some of the Austrian prisons. Once or twice the +emperor was angered by Howard's plainness of speech, but told the +ambassador afterwards that he liked the prison reformer all the better +for his honesty. + +Having made up his mind to see the quarantine establishment at +Marseilles, Howard made his way through France, though he was so +feared and disliked by the Government that he was warned if he were +caught in that country he would be thrown into the Bastille. + +He disguised himself as a doctor, and after some narrow escapes +arrived at Marseilles and visited the Lazaretto (or place of detention +for the infected), though even Frenchmen were forbidden to do so. He +took drawings of the place, and then went on a tour to many southern +cities. He was at Smyrna while fever was raging with fury, and went +amongst the sick and fever-stricken, fearless of the consequences. + +In the course of his travels the ship in which he was a passenger was +attacked by pirates, and John Howard showed himself as brave in actual +battle as he was in fighting abuses; for he loaded the big gun with +which the ship was armed nearly up to the muzzle with nails and +spikes, and fired it into the pirate crew just in time to save himself +and his companions from destruction. The books in which he gave an +account of his experiences were eagerly read by the public, and +produced a profound effect. + +His last journey was to Russia. At Cherson he received an urgent +request to visit a lady who had the fever. The place where she lived +was many miles off, and no good horses were to be obtained. But he +was determined not to disappoint her; so he procured a dray horse and +started for his destination on a wintry night, with rain falling in +torrents. As a result of this journey he was stricken down by the +fever, and died 20th January, 1790. + +Howard was a very hard worker, and a man of most frugal habits. He was +often up by two o'clock in the morning writing and doing business till +seven, when he breakfasted. He ate no flesh food, and drank no wine +or spirits. He had a great dislike to any fuss being made about him +personally; and, though L1500 was subscribed during his life to erect +a memorial, it was, at his earnest desire, either returned to the +subscribers or spent in assisting poor debtors. + +But after his death a memorial was put up in St. Paul's, and quite +recently a monument has been erected at Bedford, where he first began +his labours on behalf of the prisoners. + + + + +A HERO OF THE VICTORIA CROSS. + + +THE STORY OF KAVANAGH. + +It was the time of the Indian Mutiny. Lucknow was in the hands of the +rebels. Within the Residency Sir James Outram, Sir Henry Havelock, +and their troops, were fast shut up, around them a vast multitude of +mutineers. But now near at hand was Sir Colin Campbell with the army +of relief. + +It was difficult, nay, almost impossible, to get a trusty messenger +through that multitude of fierce and bloodthirsty foes; and yet it was +of the utmost importance that Sir Colin should have some one to tell +him what was passing within the Residency, and show him the best route +by which his troops could approach. + +If any man tried to get through and failed, death--or perhaps worse +still, horrible torture--was his certain fate. But there was one man +who determined to do it, or die in the attempt. His name was Kavanagh. +It was so dangerous a matter that when Sir James Outram heard of his +proposal he declared he would not have asked one of his officers +to attempt the passage. But in the end he accepted the offer, and +Kavanagh prepared for the journey. + +Dressing himself as a native soldier, and covering his face and hands +with lampblack, he was so altered in appearance that even his friends +failed to recognise him. Thus disguised, and accompanied by a +native spy named Kunoujee Lal to guide him, he set out. The night, +fortunately, was dark and favoured their design. The first thing they +did was to ford the Goomtee, a river about a hundred yards wide, and +four or five feet deep. Taking off their garments they waded across; +but whilst in the water Kavanagh's courage reached a low ebb, and he +wished himself back again. However, they got to the opposite bank in +safety, and crouching up a ditch found a grove of trees, where they +dressed. + +Kavanagh's confidence had now returned, and he felt so sure of his +disguise that he even exchanged a few words with a matchlock-man whom +they met. After going on for about half a mile they reached the iron +bridge over the river, and here they were challenged by a native +officer. Kavanagh kept judiciously in the shade whilst the guide +advanced and answered the questions put to him satisfactorily, and +they were allowed to proceed. A little further they passed through a +number of Sepoys, but these let them go by without inquiry. Having +had the good fortune to get unperceived past a sentry who was closely +questioning a native, they came into the principal street of Lucknow, +jostling against the armed rebels, who would have killed them in a +moment had their suspicion been aroused. But no mishap occurred, and +after being challenged by a watchman they at last found themselves to +their great relief out in the open country. + +They were now in the best of spirits, and went along for a few miles +in a state of great gladness. Then came a rude shock. They had taken +the wrong direction, and were returning into the midst of the rebels. +It was an awful awakening for Kavanagh. Suppose the spy after all were +playing him false. It seemed an extraordinary mistake to have made. +Happily it was stupidity not treason that had caused the disastrous +loss of time, and the guide was full of sorrow for his error. + +There was nothing now to be done but to return as quickly as possible; +but they were for a while in an awkward fix, as they could get no one +to direct them. + +A man whom they asked declared he was too old to guide them, another +on being commanded to lead them ran off shouting and alarmed the +village. It was now midnight, so there was no time to be lost. They +made for the canal, into which Kavanagh fell several times, for his +shoes were wet and slippery, and he was footsore and weary. By this +time the shoes he wore had rubbed the skin off his toes and cut into +the flesh above the heels. + +About two o'clock in the morning they came across a picket of Sepoys, +and, thinking it safer not to try and avoid them, went up and asked +the way. Having answered the inquiries put to them without exciting +suspicion, they were directed aright. + +They now made for Sir Colin's camp, which the spy told him was +situated at a village called Bunnee, about eighteen miles from +Lucknow. The moon had risen by this time, and they could now see their +way clearly. About three o'clock a villager observing them approach +called out a Sepoy guard of twenty-five men, who asked them all kinds +of questions. Kunoujee Lal now got frightened, for the first time; and +threw away the letter he had received, for fear of being taken, but +Kavanagh kept his in his turban. At last they satisfied the guard that +they were poor men travelling to the village of Umroola to inform a +friend of the death of his brother, and they were directed on their +perilous road. + +Hardly had they got through one difficulty than they were into +another. For now they found themselves in a swamp, where they waded +for two hours up to their waists in water. This might have proved the +worst accident of all, for in forcing his way through the weeds nearly +all the black was washed off Kavanagh's hands. Had they after this +been seen by the enemy there would have been little chance of either +of them reaching the British lines alive. + +Much against the spy's advice, Kavanagh now insisted on a quarter of +an hour's rest, for he was about worn out. After this they passed +between two of the enemy's pickets who, happily for them, had no +sentries thrown out, and reached a grove of trees. Here he asked +Kunoujee Lal to see if there was any one who could tell them where +they were. Before they had gone far, however, they heard with joy +the English challenge, "Who goes there?" They had reached a British +cavalry outpost, and Kavanagh's eyes filled with tears as he shook the +officer's hand. They took him into a tent, gave him some dry clothes +and refreshment; and he thanked God for having preserved him through +the perils of that awful night. + +All through the British camp spread the tale of Kavanagh's brave deed; +and the enthusiasm of officers and men alike knew no bounds. + +The information he was able to give proved of the greatest assistance; +and a little later he had the honour of conducting Sir James Outram +and Sir Henry Havelock into the presence of Sir Colin Campbell, and +witnessed the meeting of these three great commanders. + +When the army of relief forced its way into Lucknow, Kavanagh was +always near the commander-in-chief; and, when at length they drew near +to the besieged, he was one of the first at the Residency, and as he +approached a loud cheer burst forth from his old associates. "It is +Kavanagh!" they shouted. "He is the first to relieve us. Three cheers +for him!" + +In consideration of his gallant services he received the Victoria +Cross, and was afterwards made Assistant-Commissioner of Oude. + + + + +THE MAN WHO BRAVED THE FLOOD. + + +THE STORY ON CAPTAIN LENDY'S BRAVE DEED. + +In the autumn of 1893 a police force of forty men, under the command +of Captain E.A.W. Lendy, Inspector-General of Police, in Sierra Leone, +was sent to open a road to Koinadugu, which, owing to the war with the +Sofas, had been closed. + +It was no easy task to perform. The men had to cut their way through a +dense jungle. This was heavy and tiring work, and, owing to the fact +that for a month past they had been obliged to exist on a small +quantity of rice, they were not in the best condition to undertake +such labour. + +However, so as to get the road finished as quickly as possible they +worked from sunrise to sunset. Even the night slid not bring them rest +and peace; for the rain descended in such a manner as to add to the +discomfort of their situation. + +On the 4th of November the force arrived at the Sell or Roquelle +river. The stream was eighty yards wide. There was no bridge over it, +but only a creeper rope tied across from bank to bank. + +The river was very full, and a swift current was running; two hundred +yards below, the noise of falls sounded a warning note, and it was +known that alligators infested the district. + +No wonder, then, that the natives were terrified at the idea of +attempting to swim across. + +Yet the river lay between Captain Lendy's force and the food and rest +it needed. So, though owing to the privations the men had endured +their vital powers were at a low ebb, yet, with starvation staring +them in the face they must make the passage--alligators and falls +notwithstanding. + +The first to cross were two policemen, who, after a difficult journey, +got safe to the other side. + +Then followed a scene of excitement and danger. Private Momo Bangura +and Sergeant Smith were the next pair to start. Hardly had they +reached midstream when Bangura's rifle band, slipping over his arms, +pinned them to his side. + +Smith gallantly went to the rescue; but it was difficult enough for +him to get along alone; and, with Bangura to support, he quickly +became exhausted. After shouting for help, he and his companion +disappeared from view beneath the waters. + +At once two other men went to Bangura's assistance, giving Smith an +opportunity of looking to his own safety. + +But it seemed a hopeless struggle. Worn by their previous exertions, +the men were unable to give any permanent help to Bangura, and were in +their turn dragged under several times in their efforts to afford him +assistance. Indeed, it now seemed that, in spite of all the bravery +shown, Bangura's fate was sealed, if not that of his would-be rescuers +also. + +It was a terrible predicament. Four men were struggling in the +seething waters in deadly danger. Too brave and resolute to leave +their comrade-in-arms, too feeble to procure his safety, they were +wearing out their strength in futile though heroic efforts, whilst the +object of their solicitude was at his last gasp. + +At this moment their brave commander came to the rescue, and at once +changed the aspect of affairs. + +Diving into the stream he soon reached the drowning man; and the +others, released from their burden, were now able to give their +undivided attention to self-preservation. + +The supreme moment had arrived. Would Captain Lendy's efforts end as +the others had done? If so, it is probable that all would have found +a watery grave in the Roquelle; for, exhausted though they were, the +three other men were far too fond of their commander to have left him +to perish alone. + +It was for a time a stern fight with death. But Lendy was cool, calm, +resourceful. Yard by yard the distance between the further shore was +lessened, notwithstanding the race of the waters toward the falls. +Foot by foot he drew nearer to safety, though the man lay like a log +in the grasp of his rescuer, unable to assist in the struggle that was +going on. + +At length the shadow of death was dissipated; for the gallant soldier +managed to land his burden on the further shore, which the others had +already reached. + +The end of the stern combat with the waters was particularly +gratifying, as several men had previously lost their lives in crossing +the same river. + +The silver medal of the Royal Geographical Society was awarded to +Captain Lendy, and a bronze medal given to his brave followers. + +But, alas! Lendy did not live to receive his medal. Ere it could reach +him he had fallen in a night attack which the French made by mistake +upon our forces, supposing them to be natives whom they were seeking +to punish. Ere the error was discovered the loss on both sides was +serious, and in the conflict her Majesty was deprived of the services +of a devoted and faithful servant by the death of heroic Captain +E.A.W. Lendy. + +The little block in this page is a reproduction of Momo Bangura's +statement forwarded to the Colonial Office, duly witnessed by his +companions' signatures. + + Pte Momo. Bangurah's Statement. + + My name is Pte Momo Bangurah. I am a private in the Frontier + Police Force. On the 4th instant I tried to cross over the Seli + River. I slung my rifle across my shoulder half way across, the + sling slipped and so I could not use my arms. I sank but Sergeant + Smith caught me. I dragged him down twice and called out for help. + Corporal Sambah and Parkins then kept me up but the stream was so + strong, that we were taken under several times. I thought my last + moment had come. I remember Captain Lendy seizing me and then I + forgot everything till I found myself being rubbed on shore. If it + had not been for Captain Lendy Sergeant Smith Corporals Samba and + Parkins, I know I should have been drowned and I thank them for + their assistance. + + (sd) Momo Bangur + + his mark. + + Witnesses + + (sd) Benoni Johnson Sub Inspr. F.P. + " R.W. Sawyer Sergt + " S. Jenkins Coker Sergt + " Emanuel R. Palmer Sergt + + + + +A TEMPERANCE LEADER. + + +THE STORY OF JOSEPH LIVESEY. + +The leader of the great temperance movement in England--Joseph +Livesey, of Preston--had a very bad start in life. + +He was quite poor; he lost both father and mother from consumption +when he reached his eighth year; he was frail and delicate; his +brothers and sisters all died young; so that he seemed ill fitted to +make any headway in the race of life. + +His grandfather, who adopted him, failed in business; and Joseph +Livesey commenced his career by doing the work of a domestic servant, +as well as toiling at the loom. + +"As we were too poor to keep a servant," he says, "and having no +female help except to wash the clothes and occasionally clean up, I +may be said to have been the housekeeper." + +But, whilst he was weaving in the cellar where his grandfather and +uncle also worked, he was at the same time gaining knowledge day by +day. + +When his pocket money of a penny a week was increased to threepence, +he felt himself on the high road to wealth, and ere long he was the +possessor of a Bible and a grammar, which he set himself to study +whenever he could get a spare moment. + +One can scarcely realise the difficulties that lay in the way of a +studious boy in those days. A newspaper cost sevenpence; there were no +national schools or Sunday schools, no penny publications, no penny +postage, no railways, no gas, and no free libraries, and no free +education! Yet so resolute was he in his desire for education that, +though he was not even allowed a candle after the elders went to bed, +he would sit up till late at night reading by the glow of the embers. + +It is sad enough to see the number of families that are ruined by +drink at the present time; but in Livesey's early days people suffered +even more from drunkenness than they do now. + +The weavers used to keep Monday as a day of leisure; and the +public-houses were crowded from morning till night with men and women, +who drank away their earnings to the last penny. + +In the church to which Joseph Livesey belonged the ringers and singers +were hard drinkers, the gravedigger was a drunkard, and the parish +clerk was often intoxicated! + +Living amidst so much sin and misery, this frail lad determined to +strive his hardest to assist others. He found Sunday a day of rest and +rejoicing to him "a feast of good things," and became a Sunday-school +teacher and preacher. + +So far as worldly matters went he was not at all successful in early +life. Weaving was so badly paid that he tried several other trades, +but only to meet with failure. + +At the age of twenty he received a legacy of a few pounds; and soon +after, having saved a little money, married a good and true woman, who +helped him much throughout life. + +"Our cottage," says Mr. Livesey in his autobiography, "though small, +was like a palace; for none could excel my Jenny for cleanliness and +order. I renovated the garden, and made it a pleasant place to walk +in. On the loom I was most industrious, working from early in the +morning often till ten, and sometimes later, at night; and she +not only did all the house work, but wound the bobbins for three +weavers--myself, uncle, and grandfather; and yet, with all this +apparently hard lot, these were happy days." + +But it was not all sunshine at first. He fell ill, and the doctor +ordered him better living than he had been getting; and where the +money was to come from to get more nourishing food Livesey knew not. + +He had been ordered to take some cheese in the forenoon, so he bought +a piece at about eightpence a pound; and as he munched it came this +thought: cheese wholesale cost but fivepence per pound; would it not +be possible to buy a piece wholesale and sell it to his friends, so +that he too might have the benefit of getting it at this low price? + +No sooner thought of than done. But, when he had finished weighing out +the cheese to his friends, he found he had made, quite unexpectedly, +a profit of eighteenpence, and that it was more than he could have +gained by a great deal of weaving. + +So he changed his trade: weaving gave place to cheese mongering; and, +after some very hard work and persevering efforts, he placed himself +beyond the reach of poverty. + +Now came the important moment of his life. One day in settling a +bargain he drank a glass of whisky. It was, he said, the best he ever +drank, because it was the last. For the sensation it produced made him +resolve he would never again taste a drop of intoxicating liquor. + +Finding himself the better for this course, he soon tried to get +others to join him. His first convert to _total abstinence_ was a man +named John King; Livesey and he signed together; and on 1st September, +1832, at a meeting held at Preston, seven men--"the Seven Men of +Preston," as they are called--signed the pledge, of which the +following is a facsimile:-- + + [Handwritten: We agree to _abstain_ from all Liquors of an + _Intoxicating Quality_, whether ale porter Wine, or Ardent + Spirits, except as Medicine. + + John Gratix + Edw'd Dickinson + Jno: Broadbelt + Jno: Smith + Joseph Livesey + David Anderson + Jno: Ring.] + +It was a terrible struggle for these men at first. They were laughed +at, they were abused, they were persecuted; but the more people +tried to put them down the harder they fought; and soon hundreds and +thousands had joined their ranks, and the movement spread throughout +the kingdom. + +"There is more food in a pennyworth of bread," said Livesey, "than in +a gallon of ale"; and he proved it. He lectured far and wide; and, +though he met with much opposition, facts in the end prevailed. + +He was not only a temperance advocate, but an earnest worker for the +good of others in various directions. He visited the sick, and helped +them. When the railways came he started cheap trips to the seaside for +working people, and was never happier than when he was helping the +poor and unfortunate. + +Joseph Livesey is a striking example of the benefits to health derived +from teetotalism, as he lived to the good old age of ninety. + + + + +A GREAT MISSIONARY EXPLORER. + + +THE STORY OF DAVID LIVINGSTONE. + +It is past ten o'clock at night. A little boy fond of going about the +country in search of plants has returned home. Finding the door of his +father's house locked, and fearing to awaken his parents, he settles +down contentedly on the step to spend the night there. Then a woman's +hand quietly unbolts the door and receives the little wanderer back. +The boy is David Livingstone. Now-a-days we know him as one of the +greatest missionary explorers of our times. + +A stern father, a loving mother, both godly and upright people--such +were the parents of David; and he respected and loved them with a true +and constant affection. + +The boy was fond of learning--so fond indeed that when he was at +the factory he would keep his book open before him on the spinning +machine. Most people think "one thing at a time" is a very good +maxim--David thought two things at a time was even better. + +At home he was ever ready to lend a hand at house work to save his +mother. "If you bar the door, mother," he would say, "I'll wash the +floor;" and wash the floor he did, times without number! + +In later life he used to say he was glad he had thus toiled; and that, +if it were possible to begin life again, he would like to go through +just the same hard training. + +He got on quickly at lessons, and became, like his father, a total +abstainer for life. He was fond of serious books; and, reading the +lives of Christian missionaries, he began to wish to be one himself. +Ere long he journeyed from Blantyre near Glasgow (where he had been +working as a factory hand) to London, to prepare for going abroad as a +missionary. + +His first address was not very promising. He gave out his text, and +then was obliged to confess that his sermon had quite gone out of his +mind. + +In the year 1840 David Livingstone, being then just over twenty-seven +years old, went out to South Africa as a missionary. He made his way +up country to the furthest district in which the London Missionary +Society then had a station. There he taught the Hottentots, and his +heart was ere long rejoiced by the change which took place in them. + +Before leaving home he had studied medicine, and passed his +examination satisfactorily; and this knowledge of healing he found +most useful. His patients, the poor African blacks, would walk a +hundred miles to seek his advice, and his waggon was followed by a +great crowd of sick folk anxious to be healed. + +He studied the language of the tribes amongst whom he was ministering; +and soon the people were able to sing in their own tongue, "There is a +fountain filled with blood," "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun," and +other beautiful hymns which delight the hearts of those in our own +land. + +Whilst he was gaining the affection of the natives, he did not forget +his loved ones at home; and out of his scanty salary of about L100 a +year he sent L20 to his parents. + +Before he had been long in Africa he had an adventure which nearly +cost him his life. In the parts where he was teaching, the lions were +very troublesome, and would come by night and seize cattle. Sometimes +even they would venture into the gardens and carry off women and +children. So the people got together an expedition to go and hunt the +lions, and Livingstone joined them. After they had been on the track +for some time, and several lions had escaped owing to the fright of +the natives, Livingstone saw one sitting on a rock about thirty yards +off. He took careful aim and fired both barrels of his gun, wounding +it badly. + +The people thought it was, dead, and were going towards it, but +Livingstone made them keep back and began reloading. Before he had +finished, the lion sprang upon him, caught him by the shoulder, and +began shaking and tearing him so badly that he was utterly overcome. +Two persons who tried to help him were bitten by the lion. But just +when it looked as if the missionary's life had reached its last day, +the lion suddenly fell down dead from the effect of the bullets which +he had fired into it. + +Four years after he had been in Africa he married Mary Moffat, the +missionary's daughter. She was a true helpmate, and in the trials and +difficulties which beset him his way was made clearer and brighter by +this good and loving woman. + +[Illustration: LIVINGSTONE ATTACKED BY THE LION] + +He could not always take his wife with him, as the districts he +explored were so wild and savage. He ran risks of death by thirst, by +hostile tribes and disease, and went through terrible places where no +woman could have lived. But on many a long and perilous journey +she went with him. "When I took her," writes Livingstone, "on two +occasions to Lake Ngami and far beyond, she endured more than some who +have written large books of travel." + +One of Livingstone's first mission stations was Mabotsa, where he +stayed a year, and in that short time gained the love of the people. +When he thought it well to move on farther north the natives offered +to build him a new house, schools, anything he wished if he would only +stay. + +But he had made up his mind that it was best to go to fresh districts +rather than stay in places where there were already teachers, and +therefore proceeded forty miles further on to Chonuane. Here he met +with almost immediate success. The chief, Sechele by name, became a +convert and was able in a few weeks to read the Bible. Isaiah was his +favourite book. "He was a fine man, that Isaiah," remarked Sechele; +"he knew how to speak." + +This chief would have been willing to help Livingstone to convert his +tribe at a great pace, only his method was not to the missionary's +liking. + +"Do you think," said Sechele, "you can make my people believe by +talking to them? I can make them do nothing except by thrashing +them, and if you like I shall call my headman, and with our whips of +rhinoceros hide we will soon make them all believe together!" + +Like all missionaries, Livingstone was doomed to suffer +disappointments. Thus after labouring at Kolobeng for ten years the +Boers, annoyed with him for endeavouring to teach them that the +natives should be treated with kindness and consideration, made an +attack on his house when he was absent. They slaughtered a number of +the men and women, carried away 200 children into slavery, and burnt +down the mission station. Livingstone was deeply grieved about the +capture of the children, but as to his own loss he merely says: "The +Boers by taking possession of all my goods have saved me the trouble +of making a will". + +Still on, on into the dark continent went Livingstone. Not dark to +him, for he loved the natives and possessed such powers of attraction +that wherever he settled he won their affections. + +After taking leave of Sechele he travelled several hundred miles to +the territory of Sebituane. + +On the road Livingstone and his family had a terribly anxious time. +The water in the waggons was all but finished, they were passing +through a desert land, their guide had left them. The children were +suffering from thirst; his wife, though not uttering a word of +reproach, was in an agony of anxiety for her little ones, and +Livingstone was fearful lest they should perish in this desert +country. When hope had nearly vanished some of the party who had gone +out searching for water returned with a supply. They were soon after +welcomed by Sebituane, the greatest chief in Central Africa, who gave +them food to eat, soft skins to lie upon, and made much of them. + +After the death of Sebituane his son Sekeletu was equally friendly, as +may be gathered from this page of Livingstone's diary, which, by the +kindness of his daughter, Mrs. Bruce, I am permitted to reproduce. + +[Illustration: REDUCED FACSIMILE OF A PAGE FROM LIVINGSTONE'S DIARY. +THE ORIGINAL IS WRITTEN ON PAPER 7 INCHES BY 4-3/8 INCHES.] + +This entry in his diary was written on the eve of Livingstone's great +journey to the West Coast. Having sent his wife and family to England, +he determined to find a way from the centre of Africa to the West +Coast. It was a forlorn hope; but, says Livingstone, "Cannot the love +of Christ carry the missionary where the slave trade carries the +trader? I shall open up a path to the interior or perish." + +On the 11th of November, 1853, he left Linyante, having overcome +Sekeletu's objection to let him go, and arrived at Loando, on the West +Coast, on 31st May, 1854, after a variety of adventures, and being +reduced by fever to a mere skeleton. + +The sight of the sea, which gladdened Livingstone's heart, astonished +his native escort beyond description. "We were marching along with our +father," they said, "believing that what the ancients had told us was +true--that the world had no end; but all at once the world said to us, +'I am finished, there is no more of me'." + +At Loando friends tried to persuade Livingstone to go to England +by sea, but he had promised Sekeletu to return with the men who +accompanied him on his great journey, and would not be turned from his +purpose. And he arrived at Linyante on the return journey with every +one of the 27 men he had taken with him safe and sound! + +After this followed the journey to the East Coast ending at Quilemane. + +Besides discovering several large lakes, Livingstone was the first to +see the Falls of the Zambesi, which he named the Victoria Falls, +after her Majesty the Queen. The water at these falls dashes down in +torrents, a sheer depth of 320 feet, the spray rises mountains high +and can be seen many miles away, whilst its sound is like the noise of +thunder. + +Numerous were the expeditions he made. In the course of these he +traversed thousands of miles of country before untrodden by the feet +of Europeans. His fame had now spread to the four quarters of the +globe, and he had published several volumes giving an account of his +explorations. + +In January, 1873, he started on his last journey. In April, after +suffering intensely from constant illness, he got to a place near Lake +Bemba; and here he told his followers to build a hut for him to die +in. On the 27th April he wrote the last entry in his diary, viz., +"Knocked up quite, and remain--recover--sent to buy milch cows. We are +on the banks of the Molilamo." When on the 1st May his followers +went into the hut they found the great explorer kneeling by his +bedside--dead. + +Great was their grief and great was the sorrow of all in this country +when the news reached Britain of his decease. + +But the little factory boy had done such a great work that no place +was good enough for his remains but Westminster Abbey. + + + + +FROM FARM LAD TO MERCHANT PRINCE. + + +THE STORY OF GEORGE MOORE. + +George Moore was born in Cumberland in 1807. His father was a small +farmer. He had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was six years +old; but his father was a good and pious man, whose example had a +great effect upon him. + +The lad was shrewd and earnest, and showed a power of thinking and +acting for himself. + +At one time he worked for his brother in return for his board and +lodging; but wishing to make some money for himself he asked the +neighbouring farmers to give him some extra work to do, for which he +got wages. + +By the time he was ten years old he was able to earn as much as +eighteenpence a day, and at twelve years old did the work and earned +the wages of a full-grown man. + +He had had but little schooling, and his master was one of those +persons who thought the best way to get learning implanted in a boy's +mind was by forcing it into him at the point of the ruler. He beat his +boys much, but taught them little. + +To finish his education his father sent George for one quarter to a +better school. The cost was only eight shillings, but the boy then got +an idea for the first time of the value of learning. + +He determined not to return to farm life, believing he could do better +for himself in a town. So at about thirteen years of age George Moore +began his business life as apprentice to a draper at Wigton. + +He did not make at all a pleasant or successful start. His work was +very hard. He had to light fires, clean windows, groom horses, and +make himself generally useful. His master was fond of drink, and +George had to get his meals at a public-house. One of his duties was +to serve out spirits to customers who made good purchases. + +All things considered, it is perhaps not surprising that he got into +bad habits himself. He began to gamble at cards, sitting up often +nearly all night, and losing or winning considerable sums of money. + +At last a change came in a rather unexpected manner. George lodged at +his master's house, and when he went out to play was accustomed to +leave a window unfastened so that he could let himself in without +rousing the household. Somehow or other his master found out this +plan, and determined to put a stop to it. So one night when George had +gone out he nailed down the window, and when the apprentice returned +home in the early hours of the morning he found himself locked out. +Nothing daunted he climbed on to the roof and managed to get in +through his bedroom window. + +But he narrowly escaped being discharged, and on thinking the matter +over he saw how great was his folly. So he determined, with God's +help, to give up his evil ways, and was enabled to lead a better life +in future. + +As soon as his apprenticeship was up George Moore resolved to try his +fortune in London. At first everything went against him. He tramped +the streets of the city from morn till eve, calling here, there and +everywhere, seeking for employment, and finding no one to give him a +trial. At last he made up his mind to go to America. One day, however, +he received from a Cumberland man engaged in the drapery trade a +request to call upon him. To his intense delight he was engaged, +receiving a salary of thirty pounds a year. + +George had now got his foot on the first round of the ladder, and made +up his mind to climb higher. So he at once took lessons at a night +school, and worked hard at self-education. + +Then he got a better place; but, for a time, had to bear much abuse +from his master, who declared that, although he had come across many +blockheads from Cumberland, George was the stupidest one of all! Still +he bore the reproaches of his employer good-naturedly, and before long +made his mark. He was offered the position of town traveller, and soon +proved himself to be one of the cleverest business men of the time. + +Before this, however, George had made up his mind about marriage. +Seeing his master's little daughter come into the shop he was much +struck by her appearance, and remarked that, if he were ever able to +marry, that girl should be his wife. His companions laughed at him +heartily; but, as a matter of fact, he did marry that girl, though she +refused him the first time he asked. + +From this it will be seen that George Moore was no ordinary youth; and +before he had been travelling for his firm long, they discovered his +value. So did another firm, which found he was taking away their +business, and offered him L500 a year to travel for them. But George +told them nothing less than a partnership would satisfy him; and as +they were determined to secure his services they gave it him, and at +the age of twenty-three George Moore became junior partner in the +famous house of Groucock & Copestake, to which the name of Moore was +then added. + +His fortune was thus early made, and his business life was one +continued series of successes. He had an immense capacity for work, +and boasted that for twelve years he laboured sixteen hours a day. + +Yet his energies were not confined to business. After a time, when +he no longer needed to work so hard for himself, he took up various +charitable schemes, and by his intense vigour soon obtained for them +remarkable support. The Commercial Travellers' Schools was one of the +institutions in which he took great interest. These schools were built +at a cost of about L25,000, the greater portion of which he obtained. + +In his native county, in his house of business; everywhere George +Moore became famed for his liberal gifts. He spent L15,000 in building +a church in one of the poorest districts of London. He visited Paris +just after the siege to assist in the distribution of the funds +subscribed in England; and to many charitable schemes he subscribed +with a generous hand. + +In November, 1876, he was knocked down in the streets of Carlisle by a +runaway horse, and carried into the hospital to die. He had expressed +a wish when he was in good health to be told when he was dying; so his +wife said to him, "We have often talked about heaven. Perhaps Jesus is +going to take you home. You are willing to go with Him, are you not?" + +"Yes," he replied; "I fear no evil ... He will never leave me, nor +forsake me." + + + + +A MAN WHO ASKED AND RECEIVED. + + +THE STORY OF GEORGE MUeLLER. + +In the year 1805 was born in Prussia George Mueller, whose orphanages +at Ashley Down, Bristol, may be regarded as one of the modern wonders +of the world. + +His father intended that George should become a minister, but the lad +in his early days showed no signs of a desire to set apart his life +to good works. He had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was +fourteen years old, and though he was confirmed in 1820 no deep +impression had been made by God's grace in his heart. + +When he was sixteen he went to Brunswick, and putting up at an hotel +lived expensively, and had to part with his best clothes to pay the +bill. Later on, for leaving an hotel without paying, he was put in +prison, and had to stay there till the money was sent for his release. + +He had, indeed, grown so hardened that he could tell lies without +blushing. He pretended to lose some money which had been sent to him, +and his friends gave him more to replace it. He got into debt, and +pawned his clothes in order to procure the means to go to taverns and +places of amusement. + +But the hand of God was upon him, and he did not do these things +without suffering in his mind. About this time too he began to study +the Bible earnestly. + +At the age of twenty the great change came. He attended a prayer +meeting, and there his eyes became opened, and he saw there was no +hope for him but in Christ. He read the Bible anew, and from that time +commenced leading a _new life_. + +When he was about twenty-four years old Mueller came over to England, +and settled at Teignmouth as pastor of a small church. He refused to +have any regular salary or to receive pew rents, taking only such +offerings as his congregation wished to give him. Sometimes he had +no money left at all; at others he had only just enough food for one +meal, and knew not where the means were coming from for the next. Yet +he trusted entirely in God, and was never left in want. + +After this he went to Bristol, and seeing many poor children uncared +for laid the matter before God; and, believing it to be His will that +he should try to provide some place of rest for these little ones, he +took a house large enough to contain thirty girls. + +Rather a remarkable thing happened in connection with the opening of +the Home. The money had been supplied, and preparations had been made +to receive the children, but none sought admission! + +Mueller cast about in his mind as to why this should be so, and he +discovered that whilst he had asked God for money to open the Home and +for helpers, he had forgotten to pray that the children might be sent; +and to this he attributed such a strange occurrence. + +Still, the omission was soon rectified, and the Home ere long teemed +with children. + +This was in 1834. From such a small beginning the great Orphan Homes +on Ashley Down sprang. Every need connected with the progress of the +work was made the subject of prayer by George Mueller and his earnest +band of workers. + +Again and again he has not known where to turn for the next meal for +his orphans; but, as if by a miracle, supplies have been _always_ +forthcoming. Though often in great straits Mr. Mueller has never asked +for help except of God, and _never_ has that help been denied. + +The following extract from his journal will show the trials to which +Mr. Mueller has been subjected: "Never were we so reduced in funds as +to-day. There was not a single halfpenny in hand between the matrons +of the three orphan houses. There was a good dinner, and by managing +to help one another by bread, etc., there was a prospect of getting +over the day also; but for none of the houses had we the prospect of +being able to take in bread. When I left the brethren and sisters at +one o'clock after prayer I told them that we must wait for help, and +see how the Lord would deliver us this time." About twenty yards from +his home he met a person interested in the Homes who gave him L20. +This is but a sample of many occasions upon which, having waited upon +God in simple faith, help has arrived at the very hour it has been +needed. + +Some paragraphs in Mueller's yearly reports read almost like a fairy +story, only they are far more beautiful, being a record of _facts_. +Thus in May, 1892, when the financial year of the institution began, +they had in hand for their School, Bible, Missionary and Tract funds +only L17 8s. 5-1/2 d. + +In June of that year a packet was found at Hereford Railway Station +containing eleven sovereigns, addressed to Mr. Mueller, with nothing +but these words inside, "From a Cheerful Giver, Bristol, for Jesus' +Sake". In the same month came L100, "from two servants of the Lord +Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seek to lay up treasure +in Heaven". + +A Newcastle man wrote that though finances were low he doubled the sum +usually sent to the institution, "in faith and also with much joy". +A sick missionary in the wilds of Africa sent L44 17s. 5d., being +apparently all the money he possessed. + +"Again and again," writes Mr. Mueller, "I have had cheques amounting +even to L5000, from individuals whose names I knew not before +receiving their donations." + +Other paragraphs in the report read thus: "Received anonymously five +large cheeses; received a box of dessert knives and forks, a cruet, a +silver soup ladle and a silver cup; from Clifton, twelve tons house +coals; from Bedminster, a monster loaf, 200 lbs. in weight, and ten +feet long and twenty-one inches broad". + +On 1st August L82 5s. came "from a Christian gentleman in Devon, who +for more than forty-five years has from time to time helped us, though +I have never seen him". + +"To-day," writes Mueller on 7th September, "our income altogether was +about L300--a plain proof that we do not wait on the Lord in vain; for +every donation we receive is a direct answer to prayer, because we +never ask a single human being for anything." On 29th October Mr. +Mueller writes: "For several days very little has come in for the +support of the various objects of the institution. To-day, again, only +about L15 was received by the first four deliveries of letters; at +5:45 I had for the third time that day prayer with my dear wife, +entreating God to help us, and a little after 6 p.m. came a cheque for +L200 by the fifth delivery, from Edinburgh." + +A gold chain and watch-key, two gold brooches, and a pair of earrings +were sent to Mr. Mueller, with the following comment: "My wife and I +having, through the exceeding riches of God's grace, been brought to +the Lord Jesus, wish to lay aside the perishing gold of the world +for the unsearchable riches of Christ, and send the enclosed for the +support of the orphans". + +The above are from a single yearly report--that for 1893. Scores of +similar donations in money and kind are recounted in the same annual +statement. In that year Mr. Mueller was able to speak of his conversion +as having taken place nearly sixty-eight years ago. The work has been +wonderfully blessed. In the report mentioned Mr. Mueller stated that +the total amount he had received by prayer and faith for the various +objects of his institutions, since 5th March, 1834, had been +L1,309,627; that no fewer than 8727 children had been under his care; +and that he had room at his Homes for 2050 orphans. + + + + +A LABOURER IN THE VINEYARD. + + +THE STORY OF ROBERT MOFFAT. + +"Oh, mother! ask what you will, and I shall do it." + +So said Robert Moffat as he stood with his mother on the Firth of +Forth waiting for the boat to ferry him across. + +He was sixteen years old, and having got a good situation as gardener +in Cheshire was bidding farewell that day to home and parents, and +about to face the world alone. + +His mother had begged him to promise to do whatsoever she asked, and +he had hesitated, wishing to know first what it was that she wanted. +At last, however, remembering how good and loving she had always been, +he had consented. Her request was a very simple one, but it was very +far reaching. + +"I only ask whether you will read a chapter in the Bible every morning +and another every evening." + +"Mother," he replied, "you know I read my Bible." + +"I know you do," was her answer; "but you do not read it regularly, or +as a duty you owe to God, its Author." + +"Now I shall return home," she observed when his word had been +pledged, "with a happy heart, inasmuch as you have promised to +read the Scriptures daily. O Robert, my son, read much in the New +Testament! Read much in the Gospels--the blessed Gospels! Then you +cannot well go astray. If you pray, the Lord Himself will teach you." + +Thus they parted--he starting on his life's journey with her earnest +pleadings ringing in his ears. + +Travelling in those days (1813) was so slow that it took him a full +month to get to High Leigh in Cheshire; and on the way he narrowly +escaped being captured by the pressgang and made to serve on a British +man-of-war, which was short of hands. The vessel in which he was going +south was indeed boarded, and one man seized; but Robert says, "I +happened to be in bed, and keep it there as long as they were on +deck". + +He kept manfully the promise he had made his mother. Notwithstanding +the difficulty he experienced in his busy life of setting aside the +necessary time for reading two chapters a day from his Bible, he +nevertheless faithfully did it. + +At first this practice seemed to bring him trouble. It made him feel +that he was a sinner, but how to get grace he knew not. + +Ere long, however, his fears rolled away. He perceived that being +justified by faith he had peace with Christ, and rejoiced in the grace +and power of the Lord. + +Some good Wesleyans took an interest in the young gardener, and he +attended their meetings, which he found very helpful. + +When a little later on he was offered a much better situation on the +condition that he gave up Methodism he refused it, preferring, as he +says, "his God to white and yellow ore". + +One day he went to Warrington, and whilst there saw a placard +announcing a missionary meeting, at which the Rev. William Roby was to +speak. The sight of this reminded him of the descriptions his mother +used to read of mission work in Greenland, and the subject became +fixed in his mind. + +A little later he had the opportunity of hearing Mr. Roby, and +determined to call upon him and offer himself for mission work. + +So great was his dread of making this call that he asked a companion +to accompany him, and be present at the interview, but could only +induce his friend to wait for him outside. + +When he got to Mr. Roby's door his courage failed him; he looked +longingly at his friend and began to retreat. However, his conscience +would not allow him to surrender; and back again he went to the house, +but still feared to knock. + +At length after walking up and down the street in a state of painful +indecision he returned and ventured to knock. A terrible moment +followed. He would have given anything to run away, and hoped with all +his heart Mr. Roby would be out. + +This, however, was not the case; and, brought face to face with the +mission preacher, he told his story simply and effectively, and Mr. +Roby promised to write to the Missionary Society about him. + +At first the offer of his services was declined, but later on it was +accepted; and on 30th September, 1816, he was ordained at Surrey +Chapel. Amongst others set apart at the same time was John Williams, +the martyr of Erromanga. + +It was at first proposed that Williams and Moffat should go together +to Polynesia; but Mr. Waugh remarked that "thae twa lads were ower +young to gang together," so they were separated. + +At the age of twenty-one Moffat sailed for South Africa. The ship +reached Cape Town, after a voyage of eighty-six days, on 13th January, +1817; and forthwith he started on his career in receipt of a salary of +twenty-five pounds per year. + +On his journey into the interior he stopped one evening at a Dutch +farmer's, where he was warmly welcomed, and was requested to conduct +family worship. + +Before commencing he asked for the servants. The farmer, roused to +indignation by such a request, said he would call in the dogs and +baboons if Moffat wanted a congregation of that sort! + +But the missionary was not to be denied. In reading the Bible he +selected the story of the Syrophoenician woman. Before many minutes +had passed the farmer stopped him, saying he would have the servants +in. + +When the service was over the old man said to Moffat, "My friend, you +took a hard hammer, and you have broken a hard head". + +[Illustration: MOFFAT PREACHING TO THE BOERS.] + +His early missionary efforts were crowned with success. He visited +the renowned chief Afrikaner in Namaqualand. This man had given much +trouble to the Government, and L100 had been offered for his head. He +became, however, sincerely attached to Moffat, and after a time he +went to Cape Town with him. The authorities could hardly believe that +this notorious robber had become so altered; but right glad were they +at the change, and, when Afrikaner returned home, he took with him +numerous presents from the Government. + +In December, 1819, Moffat was married to Mary Smith at St. George's +Church, Cape Town. She had been engaged to him before he left England, +and had given up home and parents to go out to Africa and become a +missionary's wife. No truer helper could Moffat have found, for +she loved the work, and experienced great happiness in her life, +notwithstanding all its toils and danger. + +Shortly after, Mr. and Mrs. Moffat started for Bechuanaland. They went +through many privations, and suffered much from hunger and thirst; but +the Gospel was preached to the tribes. Moffat in those days was not +only teacher and preacher, but carpenter, smith, cooper, tailor, +shoemaker, miller, baker and gardener! + +For some years Moffat laboured without seeing much result. One day he +said to his wife, "This is hard work, Mary". "It _is_ hard work." she +replied; "but you must remember the Gospel has never yet been preached +to them _in their own tongue_." + +Moffat had hitherto taught the natives through an interpreter. He now +determined not only to master their language, but to get to know all +about their habits and customs, so as to be able to lay hold of them +more forcibly. He not only preached the Word in their native tongue, +but set up in type and printed the Gospel of St. Luke and some hymns. +Then he followed on with the other Gospels and also the Epistles, till +the entire of the New Testament was translated into their language. + +It must not be thought that a missionary's only cares are those +connected with preaching. Far from it. To Mrs. Moffat, who tried to +teach the women to be cleanly in their habits, they would say, "Ra +Mary, your customs may be good enough for you, but we don't see that +they fill the stomach". + +The difficulty of getting sufficient food to eat was very real. The +soil in the neighbourhood of the station was light and needed plenty +of water, but the stream which supplied them with the necessary +moisture for their vegetables was diverted from its channel by the +natives, so that the missionary's garden was nearly burnt up by the +hot sun. + +On one occasion Mrs. Moffat asked a native woman to move out of her +kitchen, as she wanted to close it before she went to church. For +answer the woman hurled a log of wood at her; and she, fearful lest +her babe should be hurt, departed, leaving the savage woman in +possession of her home. + +Whilst Mrs. Moffat had difficulties at home, her husband encountered +many dangers abroad. Once whilst going in search of game he came upon +a tiger, which seemed as if it were preparing to spring upon him. With +the greatest caution he retired slowly from the place, and was just +congratulating himself that he was out of danger when he trod on a +cobra. The reptile twisted itself about Moffat's leg, and was about +to bite him when he managed to level his gun at it and kill it. The +poison of this snake is so deadly that had he been bitten his death +would have almost instantly followed. + +Though he was ready to lay down his life for their good, it was long +ere the natives understood how firm a friend he was. At a time of +great drought the native "rain-makers" declared that the bell of the +chapel frightened away the clouds. So a number of people came to the +missionary, and told him they were determined that he must go. But +Moffat was not to be awed by the threats of the warriors. He told them +that they might kill him, but he should certainly not be driven away. +Then the chief and his followers gave up the contest and retired, full +of wonder and admiration at his dauntless determination. + +Once, whilst Moffat was away on a visit to a neighbouring tribe, his +wife was aroused in the night by the report that a hostile tribe had +invaded their territory and was close upon them. So Mrs. Moffat had to +prepare for flight, but ere she had finished her preparations the good +news came that the tribe had gone off in another direction. Yet even +then she was in fear for her husband's life. But three weeks later, +after enduring terrible anxiety, her husband returned in safety, +having managed to escape the enemy. + +Gradually a great and wonderful change came over the people amongst +whom Robert and Mary Moffat lived. From utter disregard of teaching +they began to exhibit signs of spiritual life, and a number were +baptised and received into the Church. + +[Illustration: Letter] + +In 1871 Robert and Mary Moffat, after living in Africa for upwards of +half a century, returned home. From the letter to Mr. G. Unwin, which +is here reproduced in facsimile, it will be seen that Robert Moffat's +labours were not even then finished; for up to the last he took the +greatest interest in the missionary cause. + +[Illustration: Reduced Facsimile letter from Moffat.] + + +His useful life came to an end in August, 1883, when he was in his +eighty-eighth year. + + + + +"THE LADY WITH THE LAMP." + + +THE STORY OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. + + "Lo! in that house of misery + A lady with a lamp I see + Pass through the glimmering gloom, + And flit from room to room." + +LONGFELLOW. + + +"She would speak to one and another, and nod and smile to many +more, but she could not do it to all, you know, for we lay there by +hundreds; but we could kiss her shadow as it fell, and lay our heads +on our pillows again, content." + +So wrote one of the soldiers from the hospital at Scutari of Florence +Nightingale, the soldier's nurse, and the soldier's friend. + +Let us see how it happened that Florence Nightingale was able to do so +much for the British soldiers who fought in the Crimea, and why she +has left her mark on the history of our times. + +Miss Nightingale was born in the city of Florence in the year 1820, +and it is from that beautiful Italian town that she derives her +Christian name. + +Her father was a good and wealthy man, who took great interest in the +poor; and her mother was ever seeking to do them some kindness. + +Thus Florence saw no little of cottage folk. She took them dainties +when they were ailing, and delighted to nurse them when ill. + +She loved all dumb animals, and they seemed to know by instinct +that she was their friend. One day she came across her father's old +shepherd, looking as miserable as could be; and, on inquiring the +cause, found that a mischievous boy had thrown a stone at his +favourite dog, which had broken its leg, and he was afraid it would +have to be killed. + +Going together to the shepherd's home they found the dog very excited +and angry; but, on Florence speaking to it in her gentle voice, it +came and lay down at her feet, and allowed her to examine the damaged +limb. + +Happily, she discovered it was only bruised; and she attended to it so +skilfully that the dog was soon running about in the field again. A +few days later she met the shepherd,--he was simply beaming, for the +dog had recovered and was with him. + +When Florence spoke to the man the dog wagged its tail as much as to +say, "I'm mighty glad to see _you_ again"; whereupon the shepherd +remarked: "Do look at the dog, miss, he be so pleased to hear your +voice". + +The fact that even her dolls were properly bandaged when their limbs +became broken, or the sawdust began to run out of their bodies, will +show that even then she was a thoughtful, kindly little person. + +When she grew up she wished very much to learn how to nurse the sick. + +But in those days it was not considered at all a ladylike thing to do; +and, after trying one or two nursing institutions at home, she went +to Germany, and afterwards to Paris, in order to make a study of the +subject, and to get practical experience in cities abroad. + +Miss Nightingale thus learnt nursing very thoroughly, and when she +came back to England turned her knowledge to account by taking charge +of an institution in London. By good management, tact and skill, the +institution became a great success; but she was too forgetful of self, +and after a time the hard work told upon her health, and she was +obliged to take a rest from her labours. + +The time came when the Russian war broke out and Great Britain and +France sent their armies into the Crimea. Our men fought like heroes. +But it was found out ere many months had passed that those brave +fellows, who were laying down their lives for the sake of their +country, were being so badly nursed when they were sick and wounded +that more were being slain by neglect than by the guns of the enemy. + +Then there arose a great cry in Britain; and every one demanded that +something should be done to remedy this state of things. But nobody +knew quite what to do or how to do it, except one woman,--and that +woman was Florence Nightingale. + +Mr. Sidney Herbert, the War Minister, was one of the very few people +who knew anything about her great powers of organisation; and happily +he did know how thoroughly fit she was for the task of properly +directing the nursing of the sick soldiers. + +So, on the 15th October, 1854, he asked her to go to the Crimea to +take entire charge of the nursing arrangements; and in less than a +week she started with about forty nurses for Scutari, the town where +the great hospital was situated. + +All Britain was stirred with admiration at her heroism; for it was +well known how difficult was the task she was undertaking. But the +quiet gentle woman herself feared neither death, disease nor hard +work; the only thing she did not like was the fuss the people made +about her. + +Scutari, whither she went, is situated on the eastern side of the +Bosphorus, opposite Constantinople. Thither the sick and wounded +soldiers were being brought by hundreds. It took four or five days to +get them from the field of battle to the hospital, their wounds during +that tame being generally unattended to. When they arrived at Scutari, +it was difficult to land them; after that there was a steep hill up +which they had to be carried to the hospital, so that by the time they +arrived they were generally in a sad condition. But their trials were +not over then. The hospital was dirty and dismal. There was no proper +provision for the supply of suitable food, everything was in dire +disorder, and the poor fellows died of fever in enormous numbers. + +But "the lady with the lamp" soon brought about a revolution; and the +soldiers knew to their joy what it was to have proper nursing. No +wonder the men kissed her shadow! Wherever the worst cases were to be +found there was Florence Nightingale. Day and night she watched and +waited, worked and prayed. Her very presence was medicine and food and +light to the soldiers. + +Gradually disorder disappeared, and deaths became fewer day by day. +Good nursing; care and cleanliness; nourishing food, and--perhaps +beyond and above all--love and tenderness, wrought wonders. The oath +in the soldier's mouth turned to a prayer at her appearance. + +Though the beds extended over a space equal to four miles, yet each +man knew that all that human strength could do to forward his recovery +was being done. + +Before her task was finished Miss Nightingale had taken the fever +herself, but her life was mercifully spared. + +Since those days, Florence Nightingale has done many kindly and +noble deeds. She has always lived as much out of the public sight as +possible, though her work has rendered her dear to all hearts. + +Though she has had much ill health herself, she has been able to +accomplish a splendid life's work, and to advance the study of nursing +in all parts of the globe. + + + + +FOR ENGLAND, HOME, AND DUTY. + + +THE DEATH OF NELSON. + +It was the 21st October, 1805. The English fleet had been for many +days lying off the coast of Spain, eagerly waiting for the navies of +France and Spain to leave their shelter in Cadiz harbour. At length, +to his joy, Lord Nelson received the signal that they had put out to +sea; and he now prepared to attack the combined fleet (which consisted +of forty vessels) with his thirty-one ships. Yet, though the enemy +not only had more vessels, but they were larger than his own, Nelson +confidently expected victory, and told Captain Blackwood he would +not be satisfied unless he captured twenty ships. Having made all +arrangements, Nelson went down to his cabin and wrote this prayer:-- + +"May the great God whom I worship grant to my country, and for the +benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may no +misconduct in any one tarnish it, and may humanity after victory be +the predominant feature in the British fleet! For myself individually, +I commit my life to Him that made me, and may His blessing alight +on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully! To Him I resign +myself, and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. +Amen. Amen." + +Before the battle began Nelson made the signal which stirred every +heart in the fleet on that day, and has since remained a watchword of +the nation:-- + +"England expects every man will do his duty". + +It was received with an outburst of cheering. + +Nelson wore, as usual, his admiral's frock-coat. On his breast +glittered four stars of the different orders which had been given him. +He was in good spirits, and eager for the fray. + +His officers represented to him how desirable it was that he should +keep out of the battle as long as possible; and, knowing the truth of +this, he signalled to the other ships to go in front. Yet his desire +to be in the forefront of the attack was so great that he would not +take in any sail on The Victory, and thus rendered it impossible for +the other vessels to obey his orders. + +At ten minutes to twelve the battle began; by four minutes past twelve +fifty men on board Nelson's ship _The Victory_ had been killed or +wounded, and many of her sails shot away. + +The fire of the enemy was so heavy that Nelson, smiling, said, "This +is too warm work, Hardy, to last long". Up to that time not a shot had +been fired from _The Victory_; and Nelson declared that never in all +his battles had he seen anything which surpassed the cool courage of +his crew. Then, however, when they had come to close quarters with the +enemy, from both sides of _The Victory_ flashed forth the fire of the +guns, carrying swift destruction among the foe. + +[Illustration: Nelson's Tomb in St. Paul's Cathedral.] + +The French ship next which they were lying, _The Redoutable_, having +ceased firing her great guns, Nelson twice gave instructions to stop +firing into her, with the humane desire of avoiding unnecessary +slaughter. Strange to say, that from this ship at a quarter past one +was fired a shot which struck him in the left shoulder, and proved +fatal. + +Within twenty minutes after the fatal shot had been fired from _The +Redoutable_ that ship was captured, the man who killed Nelson having +himself been shot by a midshipman on board _The Victory_. + +When he had been taken down to the cockpit he insisted that the +surgeon should leave him and attend to others; "for," said he, "you +can do nothing for me". + +At this time his sufferings were very great, but he was cheered by the +news which they brought him from time to time. At half-past two Hardy +could report "ten ships have struck". An hour later he came with the +news that fourteen or fifteen had struck. "That's well," cried Nelson, +"but I bargained for twenty." + +A little later he said, "Kiss me, Hardy". Hardy knelt down, and Nelson +said, "Now I am satisfied. Thank God I have done my duty". After that +it became difficult for him to speak, but he several times repeated +the words, "Thank God I have done my duty". And these were the last +words he uttered before he died. At half-past four o'clock he expired. + +Thus Nelson died in the hour of victory. He had won a battle which +once and for all broke the naval power of France and Spain, and +delivered Great Britain from all fear of attack by the great Napoleon. + + + + +A WOMAN WHO SUCCEEDED BY FAILURE. + + +THE STORY OF HARRIET NEWELL. + +This is rather an exceptional chapter: for it tells of a very little +life judged by length of days, a very sad life judged by some of +its incidents, a very futile life considered by what it actually +accomplished,--but a very wonderful life regarded in the light of the +results which followed. + +Harriet Attwood was born in Massachusetts, America, in the year 1793. + +Even in her girlhood she looked forward to assisting in making the +Gospel known in distant lands. Long before any movement sprang up in +America for sending out female missionaries to the heathen, the day +dream of this little girl was to devote herself to the mission cause. + +Not that she dreamed away her life in longing, and neglected her +every-day duties. She was remarkable for her intelligence and dutiful +conduct; and from the age of ten felt deep religious convictions, and +was constant in her daily prayers and Bible reading. + +Her life was brightened by her belief, and she ever kept in view what +she believed to be her mission in life. "What can I do," she writes, +"that the light of the Gospel may shine upon the heathen? They are +perishing for lack of knowledge, while I enjoy the glorious privileges +of a Christian land." + +The means of accomplishing her desire soon came. A young missionary, +named Newell, who was going out to India, asked her to become his +wife. + +Her decision was not taken without earnest prayer; and had her parents +opposed her wishes she would have been prepared to give them up, but, +gaining their consent, she accepted Mr. Newell's offer. She was fully +aware that the difficulties in the way would be very great; for up to +that time no female missionary had gone from America to the mission +field. + +At first her friends tried in every way to dissuade her from leaving +home, and, as they termed it, "throwing herself away on the heathen". + +But her simplicity of belief and earnestness of purpose soon changed +their thoughts on the subject and when, early in the year 1812, Mr. +and Mrs. Newell sailed for Calcutta, many came together to wish them +God-speed on their perilous journey. + +On his arrival in Calcutta Mr. Newell, in accordance with the +regulation of the East India Company at that time, reported himself at +the police office; and to his sorrow found that the Company would not +allow any missionaries to work in their dominions! + +Here was a disappointing beginning for these earnest young people! At +first it seemed quite probable they would not even be allowed to land; +and though permission was after a time obtained, yet in six weeks they +were told they must go elsewhere, as they would not be permitted to +settle. + +A few days later, however, the prospect brightened. "We have obtained +leave," writes Mrs. Newell, "to go to the Isle of France (Mauritius). +We hear that the English Governor there favours missions; that a large +field of usefulness is there opened--18,000 inhabitants ignorant of +Jesus. Is not this the station that Providence has designed for us? A +door is open wide. Shall we not enter and help the glorious work?" + +But it was by her influence alone that she was permitted to engage +in the work her heart longed for. On the journey to Mauritius rapid +consumption set in, and day by day she became weaker. + +Although she felt at first a natural disappointment that she would not +be allowed to labour in the mission field, she was able to look upward +in her hour of trial and to say: "Tell my friends I never regretted +leaving my native land for the cause of Christ. God has called me away +before we have entered on the work of the mission, but the case of +David affords me comfort. I have it in my heart to do what I can for +the heathen, and I hope God will accept me." + +On the 30th November, 1812, at the early age of nineteen, Harriet +Newell passed away. + +Might not many a one justly ask, was not her life a failure? And the +answer, based on the experience and results of what her life and death +accomplished, is No--emphatically No! + +For her example produced a wave of religious life and missionary +enthusiasm in America, the like of which has hardly ever been known. + +The very fact of this whole-hearted girl giving up her life for the +cause of Christ, and the pathos of her untimely end, did more to touch +the hearts of multitudes than perhaps the most apparently successful +accomplishment of her mission would have done. + + + + +A MARTYR OF THE SOUTH SEAS. + + +THE MORNING AND EVENING OF BISHOP PATTESON'S LIFE. + +John Coleridge Patteson was born in April, 1827. He was blessed with +an upright and good father, and a loving and gentle mother; and thus +his early training was calculated to make him the earnest Christian +man he afterwards became. + +Here is an extract from a letter written from school at the age of +nine, which shows that he had faults and failings to overcome just +like all other boys:-- + +"My dear papa, I am very sorry for having told so many falsehoods, +which Uncle Frank has told mama of. I am very sorry for having done so +many bad things--I mean falsehoods--and I heartily beg your pardon; +and Uncle Frank says that he thinks if I stay, in a month's time Mr. +Cornish will be able to trust me again.... He told me that if I ever +told another falsehood he should that instant march me into the school +and ask Mr. Cornish to strip and birch me ... but I will not catch the +birching." + +And he did not. He was so frank, so ready to see his own faults, that +he was always a favourite. Uncle Frank remarked of him at this same +time: "He wins one's heart in a moment". + +Perhaps one ought to call him a Queen's missionary, for her Majesty +saved him from a serious accident in a rather remarkable manner. + +In 1838 when the Queen was driving in her carriage the crowd was so +dense that Patteson, then at school at Eton, became entangled in the +wheel of the carriage and would have been thrown underneath and run +over had it not been for the young Queen's quick perception. Seeing +the danger she gave her hand to the boy, who readily seized it, and +was thus able to get on his feet again and avoid the threatened peril. + +He was a boy who, when he had done wrong, always blamed himself--not +any one else. Thus, when he was twelve, having spent a good deal of +his time one term at Eton enjoying cricket and boating, he found his +tutor was not at all satisfied with his progress. "I am ashamed to +say," he remarked in writing home, "that I can offer not the slightest +excuse: my conduct on this occasion has been very bad. I expect a +severe reproof from you, and pray do not send me any money. But from +this time I am determined I will not lose a moment." + +In 1841 came the first indication of what his future career might be. + +Bishop Selwyn of New Zealand was preaching, and the boy says of the +sermon: "It was beautiful when he talked of his going out to found a +church, and then to die neglected and forgotten". + +How deep had been the influence on his mind of his mother's example +may be gathered from the letter he wrote at the time of her death in +1842, when he was fifteen years old: "It is a very dreadful loss for +us all, but we have been taught by that dear mother who has now been +taken from us that it is not fit to grieve for those who die in the +Lord, 'for they rest from their labours'.... She said once, 'I wonder +I wish to leave you, my dearest John, and the children and this sweet +place, but yet I do wish it'; so lovely was her faith." + +In 1854 Bishop Selwyn returned to England. During the time that had +elapsed since his previous visit, Patteson had been ordained. The +bishop stayed with his father a few days, and during that time the +feelings which the boy of fourteen had experienced were revived in +the man of twenty-seven; and with his father's consent John Coleridge +Patteson entered upon his life work, sailing with Bishop Selwyn for +the South Seas in March, 1855. + +There he laboured with such energy and success that in 1861 he was +consecrated bishop. Many thousands of miles were traversed by him in +the mission ship _The Southern Cross_, visiting the numerous islands +of the Pacific known as Polynesia or Melanesia. + +Of the dangers that abounded he knew ample to try his courage. On +arriving at Erromanga (the scene of Williams' martyrdom) on one +occasion he found that Mr. Gordon, the missionary, and his wife had +recently both been treacherously slain by the natives. At another +island, as he returned to the boat, he saw one of the natives draw a +bow with the apparent intention of shooting him, and then unbend it at +the entreaty of his comrades. "But," remarks the bishop in recording +this, "we must try to effect more frequent landings." + +And thus full of faith he laboured on, telling the people of these +scattered islands, which besprinkle the southern ocean like stars in +the milky way, of the love of Christ. + +He was still ready to condemn himself just as he did in his early +days. From Norfolk Island, in 1870, he wrote to his sister when he was +holding an ordination: "At such times as these, when one is specially +engaged in solemn work, there is much heart searching; and I cannot +tell you how my conscience accuses me of such systematic selfishness +during many long years--I mean I see how I was all along making self +the centre, and neglecting all kinds of duties--social and others--in +consequence". + +He was much grieved by the accounts which reached him of the terrible +war which was being fought between France and Germany in 1870. "What +can I say," he writes, "to my Melanesians about it? Do these nations +believe in the gospel of peace and goodwill? Is the sermon on the +mount a reality or not?" + +Yet he had troubles closer at home than this even. The trading ships +were coming in numbers to the islands, and carrying off the natives +either by guile or by force to Fiji and other places where labourers +were wanted. + +Notwithstanding the anxieties which beset him on this account, the +good bishop continued to work as hard as ever, and very happy he was +about his people. + +On Christmas Eve, 1870, he writes: "Seven new communicants to-morrow +morning. And all things, God be praised, happy and peaceful about us." +He wrote of the large "family" of 145 Melanesian natives he had around +him; at another time he spoke of his sleeping on a table with some +twelve or more fellows about him; and people coming and going all day +long both in and out of school hours! + +In August, 1871, he baptised 248 persons, twenty-five of them adults, +all in a little more than a month, and he rejoiced in the thought that +a blessed change was going on in the hearts of these people. + +He had never experienced such cheering success before, and, though his +friends were endeavouring to persuade him to take rest and change for +his health's sake, he determined to labour on while there was so much +need for his exertion and such blessed results followed. + +The desire to believe on the part of some of his people was very +touching. One of them said to him: "I don't know how to pray properly, +but I and my wife say, 'God make our hearts light--take away the +darkness. We believe that You love us because You sent Jesus to become +a man and die for us; but we can't understand it all. Make us fit to +be baptised.'" + +Some, of course, were not so enlightened as that. After the kidnapping +traders had been harrying the islands, one of the chiefs said that, if +the bishop would only bring a man-of-war and get him vengeance on his +adversaries, he would be exalted like his Father above. + +There was indeed serious cause for the anger of the natives. One of +them related how he had been out to a vessel with his companions, +and a white man had come down into the canoe and presently upset it, +seizing him by the belt. Happily this broke, and he swam under the +side of the canoe and finally got on shore, but the other three were +killed--their heads were cut off and taken on board, and their bodies +thrown to the sharks. The assailants were men-stealers, who killed +ruthlessly that they might present heads to the chiefs. + +Five natives from the same island were also killed or carried off, +and thus when the bishop visited them they were in a state of sullen +wrath. + +On the 20th of September, 1871, Bishop Patteson came to Nukapu. The +island is difficult of approach at low water, and the little ship, +_The Southern Cross_, could not get close in. So the bishop went off +to the shore in a boat and got into one of the canoes, leaving his +four pupils to await his return. They saw him land, and he was then +lost to sight. + +About half an hour later the natives in the canoes, without the least +warning, began shooting their arrows at the poor fellows in the boat, +and ere it could be taken out of bowshot one of them was pierced with +six arrows, and two of the others were also wounded. + +They were full of fears about the bishop, and, notwithstanding the +danger, determined to seek for him. They had no arms except one pistol +which the mate possessed. + +As they made their way towards shore a canoe drifted out, and lying in +it, wrapped in a native mat, was the body of Bishop Patteson. + +A sweet calm smile was on his face, a palm leaf was fastened upon his +breast, and upon the body were five wounds--the exact number of the +natives who had been kidnapped or killed. + +So the good bishop died for the misdeeds of others. The natives but +followed their traditions in exacting blood for blood, and their poor +dark minds could not distinguish between the good and the bad white +men. + +Two of those who were with the bishop in the boat, and had received +arrow wounds, died within a week, after much suffering. + +One of them, Mr. Atkins, writing of the occurrence on the day of the +martyrdom, says:-- + +"It would be selfish to wish him back. He has gone to his rest, dying, +as he lived, in the Master's service. It seems a shocking way to +die; but I can say from experience it is far more to hear of than to +suffer. There is no sign of fear or pain on his face, just the look +that he used to have when asleep, patient and a little wearied. What +his mission will do without him, God only knows who has taken him +away." + +Three days after, in celebrating the Holy Communion, Mr. Atkins +stumbled in his speech, and then he and his companions knew the poison +in his system was working. "Stephen and I," he said, "are going to +follow the bishop. Don't grieve about it ... It is very good because +God would have it so, because He only looks after us, and He +understands about us, and now He wills to take us too and _it is +well_." + + + + +"K.G. AND COSTER." + + +SOME ANECDOTES ABOUT LORD SHAFTESBURY. + +"And where shall we write to?" asked one of the costermongers. + +"Address your letter to me at Grosvenor Square," replied Lord +Shaftesbury, "and it will probably reach me; but, if after my name you +put 'K.G. and Coster,' there will be no doubt that I shall get it!" + +This conversation took place at the conclusion of a meeting which +had been held by the costermongers. They had met to talk about their +grievances, and Lord Shaftesbury had attended the gathering and +promised to help them, telling them to write to him if they required +further assistance. + +The noble Knight of the Garter was not only interested in the +costermongers themselves, but in their animals too. + +At one time the costers had used their donkeys and ponies shamefully, +had overworked and underfed them; but gradually they were made to see +how much better it was to treat their animals well. With a good Sunday +rest and proper treatment, the donkeys would go thirty miles a day +comfortably; without it, they could not do more than half. + +So, as Lord Shaftesbury had been kind to the costers and taken such +interest in their pursuits, they invited him to a special meeting, at +which they presented him with a splendid donkey. + +Over a thousand costers with their friends were there, when the +donkey, profusely decorated with ribbons, was led to the platform. +Lord Shaftesbury vacated the chair and made way for the new arrival; +and then, putting his arm round the animal's neck, returned thanks in +a short speech in which he said:-- + +"When I have passed away from this life I desire to have no more said +of me than that I have done my duty, as the poor donkey has done +his--with patience and unmurmuring resignation". + +The donkey was then led down the steps of the platform, and Lord +Shaftesbury remarked, "I hope the reporters of the press will state +that, the donkey having vacated the chair, the place was taken by Lord +Shaftesbury". + +Let us turn for a moment to the beginning of his life, and see how it +was that Lord Shaftesbury was induced to devote himself so heartily to +the good of the poor and oppressed. + +Maria Mills, his old nurse, had not a little to do with this. She was +one of those simple-minded humble Christians who, all unknowingly, +plant in many minds the good seed which grows up and brings forth much +fruit. + +[Illustration: Lord Shaftesbury inspecting the Costers' Donkeys.] + +She was very fond of the little boy, and would tell him the "sweet +story of old" in so attractive a manner that a deep impression was +made upon his heart. The prayers she taught him in childhood he not +only used in his youth, but even in old age the words were often upon +his lips. + +When he was a schoolboy at Harrow came the turning point in his life. + +He saw four or five drunken men carrying a coffin containing the +remains of a companion; and such was their state of intoxication that +they dropped it, and then broke out into foul language. + +The effect this had upon the youth was so great that he resolved to +devote his life to helping the poor and friendless. + +There was plenty of work for him to do. Children in factories and +mines required to be protected from the cruelties to which they were +subjected; chimney sweeps needed to be guarded from the dangers +to which they were exposed; the hours of labour in factories were +excessive; thieves required to be shown a way of escape from their +wretched life; ragged schools and other institutions needed support. + +These and numerous other matters kept Lord Shaftesbury hard at +work during the entire of his long life, and by his help many wise +alterations were made in the laws of the country. + +"Do what is right and trust to Providence for the rest," was his +motto; and he stuck to it always. + +Lord Shaftesbury brought before Parliament a scheme for assisting +young thieves to emigrate; and the grown-up burglars and vagabonds, +seeing how much in earnest he was, invited him to a meeting. To this +he went without a moment's hesitation. + +The door was guarded by a detachment of thieves, who watched to see +that none but those of their class went in. + +Lord Shaftesbury was in the chair, and the meeting commenced with +prayer. There were present over two hundred burglars and criminals of +the worst kind, besides a great number of other bad characters. + +First of all the chairman gave an address; then some of the thieves +followed, telling quite plainly and simply how they spent their lives. + +When Lord Shaftesbury urged them to give up their old lives of sin one +of them said, "We must steal or we shall die". + +The city missionary, who was present, urged them to pray, as God could +help them. + +"But," said one of the men, "my Lord and gentlemen of the jury (!), +prayer is very good, but it won't fill an empty stomach." + +It was, indeed, a difficult problem how best to aid the poor fellows; +but Lord Shaftesbury solved it. As a result of the conference three +hundred thieves went abroad to Canada to begin life anew, or were put +into the way of earning an honest living. + +One of the subjects which occupied a great deal of Lord Shaftesbury's +attention was the condition of the young in coal mines and factories. + +At that date children began to work in mines at the age of four or +five, and large numbers of girls and boys were labouring in the pits +by the time they were eight. For twelve or fourteen hours a day these +poor little toilers had to sit in the mines, opening and shutting trap +doors as the coal was pushed along in barrows. All alone, with no one +to speak to, sitting in a damp, stifling atmosphere, the poor children +had to stay day after day; and if they went to sleep they got well +beaten. Rats and mice were their only companions, and Sunday was the +only day on which they were gladdened by the daylight. + +It was a shocking state of existence, nor did it grow better as the +children got older. + +Then they had to drag heavy loads along the floors of the mine. When +the passages were narrow the boys and girls had a girdle fastened +round their waists, a chain was fixed to this, and passed between +their legs and hooked to the carriage. Then, crawling on hands and +knees through the filth and mire, they pulled these trucks as cattle +would drag them, whilst their backs were bruised and wounded by +knocking against the low roof. + +Girls and women were made to carry heavy weights of coal. Children +stood ankle deep in water, pumping hour after hour, and their work was +sometimes prolonged for thirty-six hours continuously; so that it +was no wonder the children died early, that they suffered much from +disease, and led cheerless, wretched lives. + +Against such cruelties Lord Shaftesbury was constantly warring; and +his warfare was not in vain. + +Quite as badly off were the little chimney sweeps. Boys were +kidnapped, and sold to cruel masters, who forced them to climb high +chimneys filled with soot and smoke. If they refused, a fire was +perhaps lighted below, and they would thus be forced to ascend. The +consequence was that many terrible accidents happened, resulting in +the deaths of these poor little fellows, whilst numbers died early +from disease. + +Lord Shaftesbury roused the country to a sense of the wrong that was +being done to the chimney sweeps, and Bills were passed in Parliament +for their protection. + +Not only children, but men and women also, needed to be defended from +wrong and overwork. + +Lord Shaftesbury visited the factories to see how the labourers were +actually treated; and this is one of the things that came under his +notice. + +A young woman whilst working in a mill at Stockport was caught by the +machinery and badly injured. When the accident happened she had not +completed her week's work, so eighteenpence was deducted from her +wages! + +Horrified at such treatment Lord Shaftesbury brought an action against +the owners of the factory, and obtained L100 for the woman. + +For shorter hours and better treatment of factory hands the earl +struggled in and out of Parliament; and, though the battle was long +and fierce, it ended in victory. + +Such labour took up much time, and brought many expenses to the good +earl. It brought him, too, plenty of enemies; for most of his life was +devoted to striving to make the rich and selfish do justice to the +poor and downcast. + +He not only gave his time, but his money too; and oftentimes, though +the eldest son of an earl, and later an earl himself, he hardly knew +where to turn for the means to keep his schemes going. + +One day a lady called on him, and, telling a piteous tale of a Polish +refugee, asked him for help. Lord Shaftesbury had to confess he had no +money he could give; then he suddenly remembered he had five pounds in +the library: he fetched the bank note, which formed his nest egg, and +presented it to her. + +One of Lord Shaftesbury's greatest works was the promotion of ragged +schools. + +To these schools, established in the poorest neighbourhoods of the +metropolis, came the street arabs, the poor and abandoned, and +received kindness and teaching, which comforted and civilised them. +The outcasts who slept in doorways, under arches, and in all kinds of +horrible and unhealthy places, were the objects of this good man's +care; and ways were found of benefiting and starting afresh hundreds +of lads who would otherwise have become thieves or vagabonds in the +great city. + +When he was over eighty years old he was still striving for the good +of others. So much was his heart in the work that he remarked on one +occasion: "When I feel age creeping on me, and know I must soon die--I +hope it is not wrong to say it--but I cannot bear to leave the world +with all the misery in it". + +The dawn came for him in October, 1885, when in his eighty-fifth year +this veteran leader was called to his rest. + +For convenience I have spoken of him throughout as Lord Shaftesbury; +but it may be well to mention that till he was fifty years old he was +known as Lord Ashley. Through the death of his father he became Earl +of Shaftesbury in 1851. + + + + +A STATESMAN WHO HAD NO ENEMIES. + + +THE STORY OF W.H. SMITH. + +It is always well to remember that the man who serves his country as +a good citizen, as a soldier, as a statesman, or in any other walk +of life, deserves our admiration as much as the missionary or the +minister of the Gospel--each and all such are servants of the great +King. + +By far the greater portion of our lives is spent at the desk or the +counter, in the office, shop, or field; so that it is of the first +importance we should keep the strictest watch on our actions in our +work as well as in our leisure moments. + +One of the most successful men in commerce and politics of the century +was Mr. W.H. Smith. Strange to say, the desires of his early days were +entirely opposed to business life. At the age of sixteen he greatly +desired to proceed to one of the universities, and prepare for +becoming a clergyman, but his parents being opposed to such a step he +gave up the idea in deference to their wishes. + +It was a great disappointment to him to do this--yet he was able to +write, "It is my duty to acknowledge an overruling and directing +Providence in all the very minutest things, by being in whatever state +I am therewith content. My conclusion is, then, that I am at present +pursuing the path of duty, however imperfectly; wherever it may lead, +or what it may become, I know not." + +Thus did William Henry Smith see the door of the Church closed upon +him with no vain regrets, but in a spirit of submission to his +father's wishes. Writing of these days many years later, when as +a Minister of the Crown he was in attendance upon her Majesty at +Balmoral, he says: "I thought my life was aimless, purposeless, and I +wanted something else to do; but events compelled me to what promised +to be a dull life and a useless one: the result is that few men have +had more interesting work to do". + +In his earlier years W.H. Smith made a list of subjects for daily +prayer, embracing repentance, faith, love, grace to help, gratitude, +power to pray, constant direction in all things, a right understanding +of the Bible, deliverance from besetting sin, constancy in God's +service, relatives and friends, missionaries, pardon for all ignorance +and sin in prayer, etc., etc.; and it was one of the characteristics +of his nature that he felt prayer both in youth and age to be _a +necessity_. + +It was a busy life in which Smith was launched at the commencement of +his career. + +His father had already laid the foundation of the newsagency business +which is now of world-wide fame. Every week-day morning, summer and +winter, throughout the year, sunshine or rain, fog or snow, father +and son left their home for the business house in the Strand, at four +o'clock. Sometimes, indeed, the younger man was at his post as early +as three o'clock in the morning; and from the time he arrived at the +place of business there was constant work to be done. It was difficult +and anxious work too, and the constant strain told upon the young +man's health. + +The collection and distribution of newspapers, which formed then the +chief part of the business of W.H. Smith & Son, was one that needed +the closest attention and the most untiring energy. + +"First on the road" was old Mr. Smith's motto; and he carried it out. + +Smith's carts were in attendance at all the great newspaper offices, +ready to carry off printed sheets to the Strand house for sorting and +packing; and thence they sped swiftly through the streets in the early +morning to catch the first trains for the country. Occasionally _The +Times_, which was the last printed journal, did not arrive at the +station till the final moment. The whistle would have sounded, the +doors would have all been locked, the guard would have given his +warning signal, when in would come at hurricane speed Smith's cart +bearing its load of "Thunderers". Ready hands would seize the papers, +and the last packet would perchance be thrown in as the train was +already steaming out of the station. + +A great deal of the forwarding of newspapers was in those days done by +coaches. To catch these with the later papers, Smith had light carts +with fast horses. If the coaches had started, Smith's carts would +pursue for many miles, till they caught up the coaches at one of their +stopping places. + +At the death of William IV. Smith made gigantic efforts to distribute +the papers early, and he got them into the country many hours before +the ordinary mails would have taken them. He even hired a special ship +to carry over the papers to Ireland, so that they reached Belfast on +the same day. By such means the fame of Smith grew rapidly, and the +business vastly increased. When Mr. W.H. Smith became a partner in +1846, at the age of twenty-one, it was valued at over L80,000. + +But wear and tear and the anxieties of business life had made old Mr. +Smith often quick-tempered, and difficult to please; and the coming of +Mr. "W.H." into the business was hailed with pleasure by the workmen: +he was so full of tact and sympathy; and sometimes, when his father +had raised a storm of ill-feeling by some hasty expressions, he was +able to bring peace and calm by his pleasant and genial manner. + +Yet he was every inch a man of business, and even more clear-headed +and far-seeing than the senior partner, his father. + +It was he who commenced the railway bookstall business. + +Every one knows the familiar look of Smith's bookstalls, with their +energetic clerks, and their armies of pushing newsboys, and perchance +think they were born with the railways and have grown up with them. + +But such is not the case. It was not till about 1850 that Mr. +W.H. Smith secured the entire bookstall rights on the London and +North-Western Railway, much against his father's advice. The vast +improvement in the selection of books and the service of papers, +however, induced other companies to desire to have a similar +arrangement, till the chief portion of all the English railways came +to be girdled by Smith's bookstalls. + +From this date the business advanced with giant strides. Managers and +clerks had to be engaged, the latter in large numbers. Here the genius +of Smith as a judge of character was abundantly shown. He came to a +determination almost at a glance, and seldom erred in his judgment. + +In 1868 he was returned to Parliament, and in 1874 Mr. Disraeli +selected him for a place in his Ministry. A year later he was made +First Lord of the Admiralty. How serviceable he had been in the former +post may be judged by the remark made by Sir Stafford Northcote when +he lost Smith's assistance on his promotion to the higher position: "I +am troubled to know what to do without my right hand. I don't think he +made a slip in the whole three years." + +Writing to his wife when he was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, +Mr. Smith says: "My patent has come to-day, and I have taken my +seat at the Board, who address me as 'Sir' in every sentence. It is +strange, and makes me shy at first; and I have to do what I hardly +like--to send for them, not to go to them; but I am told they expect +me, as their chief, to require respect." + +He often wrote to his wife whilst the debates were going on in the +House of Commons. "Here I am, sitting listening to Arthur Balfour, who +is answering Mr. J. Morley," he writes; "and I have ears for him and +thoughts for my dear ones at home." + +"Remember me in your prayers" is a request he often makes to his wife +and children. In 1886 the Rt. Hon. W. H. Smith became leader of the +House of Commons, and had thus reached one of the highest positions +any Englishman can occupy. "Old Morality" was the nickname by which he +was known; and this term is one of great honour. No man ever gained +higher respect from all parties, and no man was ever more fully +trusted by the people at large. Thus though Mr. Smith never entered +the Church, and perchance missed a bishopric, yet he was a good +citizen of the world and a humble Christian, devoting his best +energies to the service of his Queen and country. + + + + +"GREATER THAN AN ARCHBISHOP." + + +ANECDOTES ABOUT THE REV. CHARLES SIMEON. + +"As to Simeon," wrote Macaulay, "if you knew what his authority and +influence were, and how they extended from Cambridge to the most +remote corners of England, you would allow that his real sway over the +Church was far greater than that of any primate." + +There is little recorded of Simeon's early life to indicate the +character of the future leader of men; for, to "jump over half a +dozen chairs in succession, and snuff a candle with his feet," is an +ordinary schoolboy accomplishment. Yet there is one incident which +shows he could be in earnest in religious matters, even at that date. + +Whilst he was at Eton, in 1776, a national fast-day was appointed on +account of the war with America, which was then in progress. Simeon, +feeling that, if any one had displeased God more than others, it was +certainly he, spent the day in prayer and fasting. So great was +the ridicule, however, which followed, that he gave up his serious +thoughts for the time, though it is related that he kept an alms-box, +into which he put money whenever his conscience accused him of +wrong-doing. + +It was rather a favourite habit of his to punish himself by fines for +bad behaviour. Later on in life, when he found it difficult to rise +early in the morning, he resolved to give the servant half a crown +every time he played the part of the sluggard. One morning he found +himself reasoning in his own mind, whilst enjoying a warm, comfortable +bed, that, after all, half-crowns were very acceptable to the poor +woman who received them. But he made up his mind to put an end, once +and for all, to such suggestions from the tempter; and resolved +accordingly that, if he got up late again, he would throw a guinea +into the Cam. He did it too. The next time he rose late he walked down +to the river, and threw a hard-earned guinea into the water. It was +worth while, nevertheless; for he never had to punish himself again +for the same fault. + +The turning point in his life came soon after his arrival at +Cambridge. + +The provost sent him a message to say that he would be required to +partake of the Holy Communion at mid-term, then about three weeks +distant. + +The thought of so solemn an occasion weighed heavily on his mind. He +at once set about reading devotional manuals, and sorrowed earnestly +for his past sins. So heavy, indeed, lay the burden of sin upon him +that he envied the very dogs, wishing that he could change places with +them. + +For three months this state of feeling continued. But in Passion Week +the thought came to him that God had provided an Offering for him, on +whose head he could lay his sins, just as the Jewish high priest laid +the sins of the people on the head of the scapegoat. He saw dimly at +first that his sins could be, and were intended to be, transferred to +Christ; and he determined to lay them upon the Saviour, and be rid of +them. + +On Wednesday hope dawned in his heart; on Thursday it increased; on +Friday and Saturday it grew and developed; and on Easter Day, 1778, he +awoke with the words on his lips:-- + +"Jesus Christ is risen to-day, Hallelujah!" and, better still, written +once and for ever in his heart. + +In his twentieth year he had experienced that deep conviction known as +conversion. + +Like every true convert, Simeon, having found the way himself, now +endeavoured to help others to realise the same blessed hope. + +His intimate friends were told of the new joy that had come to him: he +instructed the women who worked at the colleges, and when he went home +induced his relatives to commence family prayers. + +Though the light had dawned upon him he was nevertheless full +of faults. He dressed showily, went to races, spent his Sundays +carelessly. + +But gradually these habits were overcome, and he grew in holiness, +becoming watchful of his conduct, praying more fervently, living +nearer to Christ. + +In 1782 Simeon was ordained deacon in Ely Cathedral, and shortly after +became honorary curate to Mr. Atkinson, vicar of St. Edward's Church, +near King's College. He was already a marked man on account of +his earnest life. He visited the parishioners as Mr. Atkinson's +substitute, and was soon received with pleasure by them. + +The church became so full that the people could hardly find room. It +is related that even the clerk's desk was invaded, and that when Mr. +Atkinson returned after a holiday the clerk met him with the following +strange welcome:-- + +"Oh, sir, I am so glad you are come: Now we shall have some room!" + +On the very first Sunday he took duty he showed the metal of which he +was made; for, in going home after service, he heard voices high +in dispute in one of the houses he passed. Straightway he went in, +reproved the couple who were at strife, and knelt down to pray. Peace +was restored, and Simeon's character for earnestness was confirmed. + +Now came an eventful period in this good man's life. The minister of +Trinity Church, Cambridge, having died, Simeon was appointed by the +bishop. + +The parishioners, however, desired to have as minister the curate; +and, as it was impossible to gratify their wish, they made matters as +unpleasant as possible for Simeon. + +The pew doors were nearly all kept locked, so that the space left for +the congregation was much reduced. + +On the first Sunday there was practically no congregation; but later +on people could not resist his influence, and the church began to +fill. To provide places for those who came, Simeon had seats placed in +various parts of the building. The churchwardens, however, threw them +out into the church-yard! + +It was an uncomfortable beginning; but Simeon persevered. He began +a course of Sunday evening lectures, to which the people flocked in +crowds; but the churchwardens locked the church doors and carried off +the keys. + +Besides beings rude and unmannerly, that was distinctly illegal; but +Simeon put up with the affront for the sake of peace. + +When necessary he could be firm. The young men threw stones at the +church windows and broke them. On one occasion Simeon discovered the +offender, and obliged him to read a public confession of his fault. + +The church was crowded. The young man read the paper which Simeon had +prepared for him, but did so in a voice low and partially inaudible. +Then Simeon himself, taking the paper from him, read the apology in +such tones that none could fail to hear. + +The young men were impressed, and the congregation listened to the +sermon that followed with more than usual attention. + +He was of all men the most humble; yet this did not prevent his +speaking honestly and openly when he considered by so doing he could +be of service. Thus a friend once asked him, after having preached a +showy sermon with which he himself was remarkably satisfied, "How did +I speak this evening?" + +"Why, my dear brother," said Simeon, "I am sure you will pardon me; +you know it is all love, my brother--but, indeed, it was just as if +you were knocking on a warming-pan--tin, tin, tin, tin, without any +intermission!" + +Once a party of undergraduates laid an ambush for Simeon, intending to +assault him. He, however, by accident happened to go home that night +another way. + +Not only had he to put up with active but also with much passive +opposition. But he went on in faith and charity, till his enemies +became his friends--his friends, his ardent and reverent admirers. + +We must pass over without further comment a life of humility, love, +and holiness--a life full of good works at home, and ardently +interested in missions abroad. + +In 1831, when Simeon was seventy-two years old, he preached his last +sermon before the university. The place was crowded. The heads +of houses, the doctors, the masters of art, the bachelors, the +undergraduates, the townsmen, all crowded to hear the venerable +preacher. They hung on his words and listened with the deepest +reverence. + +His closing days were singularly bright and happy. Three weeks before +his death a friend, seeing him look more than usually calm and +peaceful, asked him what he was thinking of. + +"I don't think now," he answered brightly; "I enjoy." + +At another time his friends, believing the end was at hand, gathered +round him. + +"You want to see," he remarked, "what is called a dying scene. That I +abhor.... I wish to be alone with my God, the lowest of the low." + +One evening those watching beside him thought he was unconscious, his +eyes having been closed for some hours. But suddenly he remarked:-- + +"If you want to know what I am doing, go and look in the first chapter +of Ephesians from the third to the fourteenth verse; there you will +see what I am enjoying now." + +On Sunday, 13th November, just as the bells of St. Mary's were calling +together the worshippers to service he passed away. He had accepted +an invitation to preach a course of four sermons, and would have +delivered the second of the course on that very afternoon. I am +permitted, by the kindness of the Rev. H.C.G. Moule, from whose +delightful biography the foregoing sketch has been compiled, to +reproduce a page from this address. + +"Who would ever have thought I should behold such a day as this?" +wrote Simeon. "My parish sweetly harmonious, my whole works +stereotyping in twenty-one volumes, and my ministry not altogether +inefficient at the age of seventy-three.... But I love the valley of +humiliation." + +In that last sentence, perhaps, lies the secret of the man's +far-reaching and undying influence. + + + + +A SOLDIER MISSIONARY. + + +THE STORY OF HEDLEY VICARS. + +It was the 22nd March, 1855, just outside Sebastopol. The night was +dark and gusty. Close to the Russian entrenchments was an advanced +post of the British forces, commanded by Captain Hedley Vicars. +Fifteen thousand Russians under cover of the gloom had come out +from Sebastopol and driven our French allies out of their advanced +trenches. Then a portion of this force stealthily advanced, seeking to +take the British by surprise. + +The first to discover the presence of the enemy was Hedley Vicars. +With great judgment he made his men lie down till the Russians were +within twenty paces. Then, springing to his feet, he shouted:-- + +"Now, 97th, on your pins and charge!" + +His force was about 200, that of the enemy nearly 2000! Wounded in the +breast at the first onset, he still led the charge. "Men of the 97th, +follow me!" rang out his voice above the din of battle, and leaping +the parapet of the entrenchment he charged the enemy down the ravine. +"This way, 97th!" was his last command--still at the head of his +men. His sword had already dealt with two of the foe, and was again +uplifted, when a musket shot, fired at close quarters, severed an +artery; and the work on earth of this gallant man was over. + +Hedley Vicars was a true soldier and earnest Christian. The last words +he wrote, penned the night before he died, were: "I spent the evening +with Cay. I read Isaiah, xli.; and he prayed. We walked together +during the day, and exchanged our thoughts about Jesus." + +He spent a busy time in the Crimea, doing plenty of hard work in the +trenches; and when off duty engaged in hospital visiting, tract and +book distributing, attending prayer meetings and mission services, +constant in his Bible reading, and always endeavouring to do good to +others. + +Here is an entry from his diary on the 4th March, 1855: "Sunday. Had +Divine service in camp. We afterwards met together in a tent. All +present. Then sat on a regimental board, after which I went to the +Guards' camp for Cay; and we then went, laden with tracts, books and +prayers, to the remaining hospitals of the Second Division, where we +distributed all we had. Had service in our hospital tent on my return, +and prayed with one of the sick, particularly, who asked me to do +so... I spoke to him of and directed him to 'look to Jesus' the +Saviour. Service in the tent again in the evening. ... Oh, what a +happy day this has been!... I must now conclude, as I must get ready +for the trenches." + +[Illustration: HEDLEY VICARS LEADING THE 97TH.] + +On 12th January he wrote: "I have just returned from a night in the +trenches, having come off the sick list yesterday morning. Last Sunday +I was unable to leave my tent, but I had happy communion with Jesus +in my solitude, and derived much pleasure from the fourteenth and +fifteenth of St. John. How true is the peace of mind that cleaving to +Christ brings to a man! There is nothing like it in this world." + +Such was Hedley Vicars--a bright, loving, faithful Christian. He knew +what it was to be without peace; for having got into debt when he was +first in the army, and knowing the distress it caused his family at +home, his mind was so troubled that he wrote to his mother: "Oh, what +agony I have endured! What sleepless nights I have passed since the +perusal of that letter! The review of my past life, especially the +retrospect of the last two years, has at last quite startled me, and +at the same time disgusted me." And again: "Oh, that I had the last +two years allotted to me to live over again!" + +His mother's letters stirred him to sorrow for past faults and desires +to live a new life. The sudden death of his fellow-officer, Lieut. +Bindon, made him realise the uncertainty of earthly things. + +In November, 1851, whilst at Halifax, Nova Scotia, he was awaiting the +return of a brother-officer to his room, and idly turning over the +leaves of a Bible that was upon the table. He caught sight of the +words, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin". +The message went home. That night he hardly slept. With the morning +came LIGHT AND LIFE. Like Christian in the _Pilgrim's Progress_ he +looked to the cross, and his burden rolled away. + +Feeling keenly his own weakness he bought a large Bible, and placed it +open on the table in his sitting-room, determined that an open Bible +in the future should be his colours. "It was to speak for me," he +said, "before I was strong enough to speak for myself." The usual +result followed. His friends did not like his "new colours". One +accused him of "turning Methodist," and departed; another warned him +not to become a hypocrite, and remarked, "Bad as you were, I never +thought you would come to this, old fellow!" So for a time he was +nearly deserted. + +But he had got that which was better than any ordinary friendships. +Though he often came under the fire of jeers and taunts--more trying +to most men than the rifle bullets of the enemy--he experienced a new +joy which increased and deepened. + +Later on he would spend four or five hours daily in Bible reading, +meditation and prayer, so that whereas he had written a few months +earlier: "Oh! dear mother, I wish I felt more what I write!" he +was now daily becoming more earnest, patient and watchful, and was +gradually putting on the whole armour of God. + +And so, during those three short years that intervened between his +call to grace and his death at the early age of thirty, he did the +work of a lifetime; and of him it can be truly said (as of many +another alluded to in this book) that "he being dead yet speaketh". + + + + +THE LASS THAT LOVED THE SAILORS. + + +THE STORY OF AGNES WESTON. + +"I was obliged to go to church, but I was determined not to listen, +and oftentimes when the preacher gave out the text I have stopped my +ears and shut my eyes that I might neither see nor hear." + +Thus writes Agnes Weston of the days of her girlhood. There was +therefore a time in the life of this devoted woman when there seemed +no prospect of her doing good to any one--to say nothing of the great +work she has accomplished in giving a helping hand to our sailors in +every part of the world. + +However, she got out of this Slough of Despond, and having become +convinced of God's love she told the good story to the sick in +hospitals, to soldiers and sailors without number, and has done more +for the good of Jack Tar afloat and ashore than perhaps any other man +or woman. + +Her public work commenced at the Bath United Hospital, where in 1868 +she visited the patients. These looked forward so eagerly to her +helpful conversation that in course of time it was arranged she should +give a short Gospel address in each of the men's wards once a week. + +One day a man who had met with a terrible accident was brought into +the hospital whilst she was there. His case was hopeless, and Miss +Weston asked that she might be allowed to speak to him. She whispered +to him the text, "God so loved the world"; and, though he gave no sign +of taking it in, yet presently, when she repeated it, big tears rolled +down his face. The word of comfort had reached him. + +Another day she came across a poor fellow with both legs broken; and +after a little earnest talk he said, "I've been a bad fellow, but I'll +trust Him". + +Others she found who had been already influenced by Miss Marsh; and so +her task of teaching was made easier. + +At the Sunday school she showed so great a genius for taming unruly +boys that the curate handed over to her the very worst of the youths, +that she might "lick them into shape". + +Ere long the boys' class developed into a class for working men, which +grew and grew till it reached an average attendance of a hundred. + +After that followed temperance work. This is how Miss Weston came to +sign the pledge. + +She was working hard at meetings for the promotion of the temperance +cause when a desperate drunkard, a chimney sweep by trade, came to her +at one of the meetings and was going to sign the pledge. + +Pausing suddenly he remarked, "If you please, Miss Weston, be you a +teetotaler?" + +"No," she replied; "I only take a glass of wine occasionally, of +course in strict moderation." Laying down the pen he remarked he +thought he'd do the same. So after this Miss Weston became an +out-and-out teetotaler, duly pledged. + +She had some experience of good work in the army before she took to +the navy. The 2nd Somerset Militia assembled every year for drill; +and for their benefit coffee and reading rooms were started and +entertainments arranged, Miss Weston taking an active part in their +promotion. The soldiers' Bible class which she conducted was well +attended; and altogether, as one of the officers remarked, "the men +were not like the same fellows" after they had been brought under her +influence. + +The way Agnes Weston was first introduced to the sailors was singular. +She had written to a soldier on board the troopship _Crocodile_, and +he showed the letter to a sailor friend, who remarked: "That is good: +we poor fellows have no friend. Do you think she would write to me?" + +"I am sure she will," replied the soldier; "I will write and ask her." + +The good news that there was a kind friend willing to write to them +gradually spread; and sailor after sailor wrote to Miss Weston, and +their correspondence grew so large that at length she had to print her +letters. + +Even in the first year she printed 500 copies a month of her letters +("little bluebacks" the sailors called them, on account of the colour +of their cover); but before many years had passed as many as 21,000 a +month were printed and circulated. + +Then the sailor boys wanted a letter all to themselves, saying they +could not fully understand the men's bluebacks. Miss Weston could not +refuse; so she printed them a letter too; and many a reply she had +from the boys, telling her of their trials and difficulties, and the +help her letters had been to them. + +Before Miss Weston had been long at work she thought it would be +useful if she went on board the vessels, and had a chat about +temperance with the men. + +But there was a good deal of difficulty in the way to begin with. A +man would have been allowed readily enough, but a _woman_ to invade +her Majesty's ships,--it was not to be thought of! + +At length Admiral Sir King Hall became interested in the subject. He +determined to hear what Miss Weston had to say to the men, and, if he +was satisfied that her teaching would benefit them, to assist her in +her object. He got together a meeting of dockyard workmen, and asked +her to speak to them. + +So pleased was he with her address that the word went abroad to all +the ships in the harbour: "Don't be afraid to let Miss Weston come on +board and speak to your ship's company. I'll stand security for her." + +She had some grand audiences on the ships, those she addressed +sometimes numbering as many as 500. + +One day when she went out to the _Vanguard_ that vessel was getting up +steam ready to go away, having received sudden orders to put out to +sea. But, when the captain heard Miss Weston was there to keep an +appointment, he put out the accommodation ladder, took her on board, +had the notice piped that she had come to give an address; and soon +a crowd of sailors was swarming round her in the upper deck battery, +standing, sitting, lying, kneeling--all earnestly listening. + +Then the pledge book was brought out and placed on one of the big +guns, and about forty signed. + +On H.M.S. _Topaze_ the grog tub was used as a table for signing the +pledge book, one sailor remarking (to the tub): "Sixty odd nails in +your coffin to-day, old fellow! If they all hold firm I would not give +much for your life." + +At the present day on board every ship in the service there is a +branch of the Royal Navy Temperance Society, and thus our sailors are +being encouraged to become sober as well as gallant men. + +Having seen to Jack's welfare afloat, the next thing was to look after +him on shore; for though the song says:-- + + If love's the best of all that can a man befall; + Then Jack's the king of all--for they all love Jack; + +yet as a matter of fact there are always sharks on the look-out to +cheat and rob Jack whenever he has money in his pocket. + +Miss Weston took counsel with some officers in the service, and +engaged a room for meetings at Devonport. The first Sunday one boy +alone came, and next Sunday not a solitary lad made his appearance; so +Miss Wintz, in whose house she was staying, offered a kitchen as more +homely, and tea and cake as an attraction. Soon the audience reached +a dozen; then all the chairs were filled, and very soon the meetings +became so large that the kitchen would not contain all who came; and +then a bigger building was provided. + +Of course money was needed to enable Miss Weston to develop her scheme +to such an extent. But she just asked in the right way; and before +long, from one source and another, a sum of nearly L6000 was +subscribed, which bought and fitted up a Sailors' Institute and Rest. + +Great was the rejoicing of Jack ashore to have a place where he could +thoroughly enjoy himself without fear of being plundered or getting +drunk. In fact, so great was the enthusiasm that, the night before the +house was to be opened, three sailors presented themselves, and said +they had asked for special leave to be ashore that night, that they +might be the first to sleep in the building. + +It turned out that they were the right sort of jacks; for, when the +attendant went round to see if all was safe for the night, he found +the three seated together, one of them reading aloud the Bible. + +Not only has this home prospered, but similar homes have been founded +in other places. In Portsmouth Miss Weston's Sailors' Rest is one of +the most noted buildings in the town; whilst the principle that Jack, +who fights our battles at sea, and keeps our country prosperous by his +labours aboard ship, needs to be made happy when he is ashore is far +more fully acknowledged than it used to be. + +Miss Weston's homes are as bright almost as the sunshine. Cheap and +good food, tea and coffee both hot and fresh, plenty of light, lots of +periodicals and games; and, for those who wish it, short meetings for +prayer and praise. + +There is a great deal more to tell about Miss Weston, but my space +is short; those, however, who wish to know more will find plenty of +information in the little book called _Our Blue Jackets_. + + + + +A GREAT COMMANDER ON A FAMOUS BATTLEFIELD + + +THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON AT WATERLOO. + +It was on Sunday, 18th June, 1815, that the famous battle of Waterloo +was fought. The British army of 67,600 men and the French army of +72,000 lay on the open field the night before that memorable struggle. +It had been a wet and stormy night; at dawn the rain was falling +heavily, the ground was saturated, and the troops in the rival armies +were thoroughly drenched. About nine o'clock it cleared up, but on +account of the rainfall no movement was made by the French till +towards twelve o'clock. + +On the night of the 17th the Duke of Wellington made every portion of +his army take up the position it was to occupy on the following day. +He slept a few hours at the village of Waterloo and rose early in the +morning to write letters, giving orders what was to be done in case +the battle was lost: although he felt sure of winning. + +Before leaving the village he saw to the preparation of hospitals for +the wounded, and to the arrangements made for the distribution of +the reserves of ammunition. Then mounting his favourite charger, +Copenhagen, he rode to the positions where his men were posted, and +made a careful and thorough inspection. The farm house of Hougoumont, +where some of the most furious fighting of the day took place, +received his special attention. + +Having thus done all that a commander could do to ensure the success +of the day, he rode back to the high ground from which he could +command a full view of the battle, and with a face calm and serene +waited for the French attack. + +It was this serenity which had so great an effect on his troops. They +knew their great commander, and had confidence in him, and this aided +them during that eventful day in holding their positions with that +stubborn courage which destroyed all the hopes of the Emperor +Napoleon. + +At Waterloo for the first time the two greatest commanders of the age +met face to face. Here across the valley they watched each other in +stern anticipation as the church bells called worshippers together for +prayer. + +At about half-past eleven Napoleon's troops advanced to the attack; +and from this time till six or seven o'clock a series of terrific +charges continued to be made by the French, resisted and defeated by +the steady bravery of the British and Germans. + +The duke was often in the thick of the fight, and in so great danger +that his staff advised him for the good of the army to withdraw to a +somewhat safer position. Passing one of the squares of grenadiers a +shell fell among them, and the duke waited to see the result. Several +soldiers were blown to pieces by the bursting of the shell, but +Wellington seemed quite unmoved either by the terrible sight or his +own danger. + +All day long the duke was cool as if he had been riding among his men +in Hyde Park. Wherever he went a murmur of "Silence! stand to your +front!" was heard, and at his presence men grew steady as on parade. + +Again and again commanders told him of the fearful havoc made in the +ranks of their brigades, and asked either for support or to be allowed +to withdraw their men. They generally received this answer, "It is +impossible; you must hold the ground to the last man". + +When asked by some of his staff what they should do if he fell, he +gave the same answer, "My plan is simply to stand my ground here to +the last man". + +The duke seemed to bear a charmed life. Every member of his staff but +one was during the day either killed or wounded, whilst he escaped +unhurt. Wherever the danger seemed greatest there was the duke to be +found inspiriting his men, restraining them, or putting fresh heart +into them. + +"Hard pounding this, gentlemen!" he remarked to a battalion on which +the French shells were falling with destructive fury; "but we will try +who can pound the longest." "Wait a little longer, my lads," was the +duke's reply to the murmur which reached him from some of his troops +who had suffered heavily from the French fire and were anxious to +charge, "and you shall have your wish." + +Once when the fire was concentrated on the spot where he was with +his staff he told them to separate a little, so as to afford a less +conspicuous mark for the enemy. + +At another time, when some German troops hesitated to advance against +the French, the duke put himself at their head. + +When Napoleon's Old Guard was advancing up the hill, the only sight +they could see was the duke and a few mounted officers, till a voice +was heard, "Up, guards, and at them!" And the best men in the whole +French army, the pick of the bravest of the brave, fell back before +the onset of the British guards. + +At about eight o'clock the duke gave the joyful signal for an advance +all along the line. For nearly nine hours the British had been stormed +at with shot and shell, had been charged again and again, and had +stood firm though impatient. Now they received the signal with a +fierce delight, and dashed forward against the enemy with a fury which +nothing could resist. + +The duke was amongst the first to advance, and spoke joyously to the +men as he rode along. The bullets were whistling around him, and one +of his staff ventured to point out to him the terrible danger he +was running. "Never mind," said the duke, "let them fire away: the +battle's won, and my life is of no consequence now." + +About 15,000 men out of Wellington's army were killed or wounded on +the day of this great battle. But Europe was saved. + +The duke, who appeared so calm and unmoved in battle, thus wrote just +afterwards, when the excitement of the conflict was over: "My heart +is broken at the terrible loss I have sustained in my old friends and +companions and my poor soldiers. Believe me, nothing except a battle +lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won." + + + + +A PRINCE OF PREACHERS. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY. + +"I do intend to be more particularly careful of the soul of this child +that Thou hast so mercifully provided for than ever I have been, that +I may do my endeavour to instil into his mind the principles of Thy +true religion and virtue. Lord, give me grace to do it sincerely and +prudently, and bless my attempts with good success!" + +Thus wrote Susanna Wesley of her son John. The child had been nearly +burned to death when he was about six years old in a fire that broke +out at the Rectory of Epworth, where John and Charles Wesley and a +large family were born. + +Mrs. Wesley devoted herself to the training of her children, taught +them to cry softly even when they were a year old, and conquered their +wills even earlier than that. Her one great object was so to prepare +her little ones for the journey of life that they might be God's +children both in this world and the next. To that end she devoted all +her endeavours. + +Is it wonderful that, with her example before their eyes and her +fervent prayers to help them, the Wesleys made a mark upon the world? + +John Wesley--"the brand plucked out of the burning," as he termed +himself--when a boy was remarkable for his piety. At eight his father +admitted him to the Holy Communion. He had thus early learned the +lesson of self-control; for his mother tells us that having smallpox +at this age he bore his disease bravely, "like a man and indeed like +a Christian, without any complaint, though he seemed angry at the +smallpox when they were sore, as we guessed by his looking sourly at +them". + +At the age of ten John Wesley went to Charterhouse School. For a long +time after he got there he had little to live on but dry bread, as the +elder boys had a habit of taking the little boys' meat; but so far +from this hurting him he said, in after life, that he thought it was +good for his health! + +Although he was not at school remarkable for the piety he had shown +earlier, yet he never gave up reading his Bible daily and saying his +prayers morning and evening. + +At the age of twenty-two he began to think of entering the ministry, +and wrote to his parents about it. He also commenced to regulate the +whole tone of his life. "I set apart," he writes, "an hour or two a +day for religious retirement; I communicated every week; I watched +against all sin, whether in word or deed. I began to aim at and pray +for inward holiness." In September, 1725, when he had just passed his +twenty-second year, he was ordained. + +Thirteen years later John Wesley began that series of journeys to all +parts of the kingdom for the purpose of preaching the Gospel, which +continued for over half a century. + +In that time it is said that he travelled 225,000 miles, and preached +more than 40,000 sermons--an average of more than two for every day of +the year. + +As to the numbers who flocked to hear some of his addresses they can +best be realised by those who have attended an international football +match, when 20,000 persons are actually assembled in one field, or +at a review, when a like number of people are together. It seems +impossible to realise that one voice could reach such a multitude; +yet it is a fact that some of John Wesley's open-air congregations +consisted of over 20,000 persons. + +Those were the early days of Methodism, when Whitefield and Wesley +were preaching the Gospel, and giving it a new meaning to the +multitude. + +Here is Wesley's record of one day's work: "May, 1747, Sunday, 10.--I +preached at Astbury at five, and at seven proclaimed at Congleton +Cross Jesus Christ our wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and +redemption. It rained most of the time that I was speaking; but that +did not hinder abundance of people from quietly attending. Between +twelve and one I preached near Macclesfield, and in the evening at +Woodly-green." + +His addresses were so fervent that they acted at times like an +electric shock. Some would drop down as if thunderstruck, others would +cry aloud, whilst others again would have convulsions. + +People did not understand such a state of things. Bishop Butler, +author of the _Analogy of Religion_, was ill pleased at a style of +preaching so different from that to which the people of the day were +accustomed; and told Wesley so. + +But the mission of John Wesley was to rouse the masses. This he +did, though at great peril to his own life; for his preaching often +produced strong opposition. + +Thus in June, 1743, at Wednesbury the mob assembled at the house where +he was staying, and shouted "Bring out the minister; we will have the +minister!" But Wesley was not a bit frightend. He asked that their +captain might be brought in to him, and after a little talk the man +who came in like a lion went out like a lamb. + +Then Wesley went out to the angry crowd, and standing on a chair +asked, "What do you want with me?" + +"We want you to go with us to the justice!" cried some. + +"That I will, with all my heart," he replied. + +Then he spoke a few words to them; and the people shouted: "The +gentleman is an honest gentleman, and we will spill our blood in his +defence". + +But they changed their minds later on; for they met a Walsall crowd on +their way, who attacked Wesley savagely, and those who had been loud +in their promises to protect him--fled! + +Left to the mercy of the rable, he was dragged to Walsall. One man +hit him in the mouth with such force that the blood streamed from the +wound; another struck him on the breast; a third seized him and tried +to pull him down. + +"Are you willing," cried Wesley, "to hear me?" + +"No, no!" they answered; "knock out his brains, down with him, kill +him at once!" + +"What evil," asked Wesley, "have I done? Which of you all have I +wronged by word or deed?" Then he began to pray; and one of the +ringleaders said to him:-- + +"Sir, I will spend my life for you; follow me, and no one shall hurt a +hair of your head." + +Others took his part also--one, fortunately, being a prizefighter. + +Wesley thus describes the finish of this remarkable adventure:-- + +"A little before ten o'clock God brought me safe to Wednesbury, having +lost only one flap of my waistcoat, and a little skin from one of my +hands. From the beginning to the end I found the same presence of mind +as if I had been sitting in my own study. But I took no thought from +one moment to another; only once it came into my mind that, if they +should throw me into the river, it would spoil the papers that were in +my pocket. For myself I did not doubt but I should swim across, having +but a thin coat and a light pair of shoes." + +At Pensford the rabble made a bull savage, and then tried to make it +attack his congregation; at Whitechapel they drove cows among the +listeners and threw stones, one of which hit Wesley between the eyes; +but after he had wiped away the blood he went on with his address, +telling the people that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear". + +At St. Ives in Cornwall there was a great uproar, but Wesley went +amongst the mob and brought the chief mischiefmaker out. Strange to +say, the preacher received but one blow, and then he reasoned the case +out with the agitator, and the man undertook to quiet his companions. + +Thus Wesley went fearlessly from place to place. He visited Ireland +forty-two times, as well as Scotland and Wales. When he was +eighty-four he crossed over to the Channel Islands in stormy weather; +and there "high and low, rich and poor, received the Word gladly". + +He always went on horseback till quite late in life, when his friends +persuaded him to have a chaise. No weather could stop him from keeping +his engagements. In 1743 he set out from Epworth to Grimsby; but was +told at the ferry he could not cross the Trent owing to the storm. + +But he was determined his Grimsby congregation should not be +disappointed; and he so worked on the boatmen's feelings that they +took him over even at the risk of their lives. + +At Bristol, in 1772, he was told that highwaymen were on the road, +and had robbed all the coaches that passed, some just previously. But +Wesley felt no uneasiness, "knowing," as he writes, "that God would +take care of us; and He did so, for before we came to the spot all the +highwaymen were taken, and so we went on unmolested, and came safe to +Bristol". + +This immense labour had no ill effect upon his health. In June, 1786, +when he was entering his eighty-fourth year, he writes: "I am a wonder +to myself. It is now twelve years since I have felt such a sensation +as weariness. I am never tired either with writing, preaching, or +travelling." + +When Wesley was on his death-bed he wrote to Wilberforce cheering him +in his struggle against the slave trade. + +"Unless God has raised you up for this very thing," writes Wesley, +"you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils, but if God +be for you who can be against you?... Go on in the name of God and in +the power of His might till even American slavery, the vilest that +ever saw the sun, shall vanish away before it." + +Wesley died, at the ripe age of eighty-eight, in the year 1791. He had +saved no money, so had none to leave behind; but he was one of those +"poor" persons who "make many rich". + +Amongst his few small gifts and bequests was "L6 to be divided among +the six poor men named by the assistant who shall carry my body to the +grave; for I particularly desire that there be no hearse, no coach, no +escutcheon, no pomp". + + + + +SOME CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM. + + +Shortly after Mwanga, King of Uganda, came to the throne, reports were +made to that weak-minded monarch that Mr. Mackay, the missionary, was +sending messages to Usoga, a neighbouring State, to collect an army +for the purpose of invading Uganda. His mind having thus become +inflamed with suspicion, he was ready to believe anything against the +missionaries, or to invent something if necessary. Thus he complained +that his pages, who received instruction from the missionaries, had +adopted Jesus as their King, and regarded himself as little better +than a brother. + +Not long after, six boys were sent to prison; and, though every effort +was made to obtain their release, it was for a time of no avail. At +length three were given up, and three were ordered to be executed. + +These latter were first tortured, then their arms were cut off; +afterwards they were placed on a scaffold, under which a fire was +made, and burned to death. + +As they were passing through their agony, they were laughed at by the +people, who asked them if Jesus Christ could do anything to help them. + +But the boys were undaunted; and, in spite of all their pain and +suffering, sang hymns of praise till their tongues could utter no +more. This was one of their hymns:-- + + Daily, daily, sing to Jesus, + Sing my soul His praises due, + All He does deserves our praises, + And our deep devotion too. + +Little wonder that Mr. Mackay should write: "Our hearts are +breaking". Yet what a triumph! One of the executioners, struck by +the extraordinary fortitude of the lads, and their evident faith in +another life, came and asked that he might also be taught to pray. +This martyrdom did not daunt the other Christians. Though Mwanga +threatened to burn alive any who frequented the mission premises, or +adopted the Christian faith, they continued to come; and the lads at +the Court kept their teachers constantly informed of everything that +was going on. Indeed, when the king's prime minister began to make +investigation, he found the place so honey-combed by Christianity that +he had to cease his inquisition, for fear of implicating chiefs, and +upsetting society generally. + + + + +A BOY HERO. + + +THE STORY OF JOHN CLINTON. + + Lives of great men all remind us + We should make our lives sublime, + And departing leave behind us + Footprints on the sands of time. + +So sang Longfellow! Yet how difficult is it for most men and women to +make their lives sublime, and how much more difficult for a child of +ten years! Still it is possible. + +John Clinton was born on the 17th January, 1884, at Greek Street, +Soho. His father is a respectable carman, who, a year after little +Johnnie's birth, moved to 4 Church Terrace, Waterloo Road, Lambeth. +When three years old he was sent to the parish schools of St. John's, +Waterloo Road (Miss Towers being the mistress). While a scholar there +he met with a severe accident on the 27th January, 1890. Playing with +other children in the Waterloo Road, a heavy iron gate fell on him +and fractured his skull terribly. He was taken to the St. Thomas's +Hospital, where he remained for thirteen weeks. At first the doctors +said he would not get over it, then that if he got over it he would be +an idiot; but finally their surgical skill and careful nursing were +rewarded, and he came out well in every respect, except for an awful +scar along one side of his head. In due time he moved into the Boys' +School at St. John's, Waterloo Road (Mr. Davey, headmaster). In July, +1893, a tiny child was playing in the middle of Stamford Street when a +hansom cab came dashing along over the smooth wood paving. Little John +Clinton darted out and gave the child a violent push, at the risk of +being run over himself, and got the little one to the side of the road +in safety. A big brother of the child, not understanding what had +happened, gave John Clinton a blow on the nose for interfering with +the child, whose life John Clinton had saved. The blow was the cause +of this act of bravery becoming known, and the big brother afterwards +apologised for his hasty conduct. How many accidents to children are +caused by the lamentable absence of open spaces and playgrounds! 460 +persons are yearly killed in the streets of London and over 2000 +injured there, many of them being children playing in the only place +they have to play in. + +On Sunday, 26th February, 1893, Johnnie was at home minding the baby. +During his temporary absence from the room the baby set itself on +fire. When he came back and saw the flames, instead of wasting time +calling for help, he rolled the baby on the floor, and succeeded in +putting the flames out. The curtain nearest the cot had also taken +fire. Johnnie then, though badly burnt, pulled the curtains, valance, +and all down on to the floor, and beat out the flames with his hands +and feet. The brave little fellow seriously hurt himself, but saved +the baby's life, and prevented the buildings catching fire, crowded as +they are with other families. + +The family then moved to Walworth, 51 Brandon Street, and the boy +attended the schools of St. John's, Walworth (Mr. Ward, headmaster). +On the 18th July, 1894, he came home from school, had his tea, and +about 5:30 p.m. went out with a companion, Campbell Mortimer, to the +foreshore near London Bridge. Here the two boys took off their shoes +and stockings, and commenced paddling in the stream. Little Mortimer, +unfortunately, got out of his depth, and the tide running strongly he +disappeared in the muddy water. Directly the boy came to the surface, +John Clinton sprang at him, seized him, and, though Mortimer was the +heavier lad of the two, succeeded in landing him safely. In pushing +the boy on shore, John Clinton slipped back, and, being exhausted with +his exertions, the tide caught him and he disappeared beneath the +surface, and was carried down stream a few yards under the pier. The +river police dragged for him, and the lightermen did all they could +for some considerable time, but without success. After fifteen +minutes' fruitless search, a lighterman suggested that the boy must be +under the pier. He rowed his boat to the other end of the stage, and +there saw the boy's hand upright in the water. He soon got the body +out, but life was extinct, and the doctor could only pronounce him +to be dead. Thus died John Clinton, a boy of whom London ought to +be proud, giving his life for his friend. He was buried in a common +grave, at Manor Park Cemetery, after a funeral service in St. John's +Church, Walworth. + +[_For the above account I am indebted to the Rev. Arthur W. Jephson, +M.A., Vicar of St. John's, Walworth_.] + + + + +POSTSCRIPT. + + +For those who desire to learn more of the characters mentioned in this +work let me mention a few volumes. In _Heroes of Every-day Life_ Miss +Laura Lane has told briefly the story of Alice Ayres and other humble +heroes and heroines whose deeds should not be forgotten. Further +particulars of the careers of Sir Colin Campbell, John Cassell, +General Gordon, Sir Henry Havelock, Joseph Livesey, David Livingstone, +Robert Moffat, George Moore, Florence Nightingale, Lord Shaftesbury, +Agnes Weston, and other men and women whose example has benefited the +country, will be found in an attractive series of books issued under +the title of _The World's Workers_. Mr. Archibald Forbes' _Life of Sir +Henry Havelock_ is one of the most fascinating works of its kind; the +Rev. H.C.G. Moule's _Life of the Rev. Charles Simeon_ is delightfully +written and full of interest, and the Rev. J.H. Overton's _Life of +Wesley_ gives an admirable picture in brief of the great revival +preacher. Further particulars of the great and good Father Dainien can +be gathered from Mr. Edward Clifford's work; of Elizabeth Gilbert, +from the Life by Frances Martin; and of George Mueller, from the +shilling autobiography he has written, which is worthy of the deepest +attention. John Howard's life has been well told by Mr. Hepworth +Dixon, Lord Shaftesbury's by Mr. Edwin Hodder, and Mr. Glaisher's +career is set forth at large in _Travels in the Air_. Perhaps the +largest and best collection of narratives of noble lives is contained +in Mr. Edwin Hodder's _Heroes of Britain in Peace and War_, now issued +in two cheap volumes; from this many facts have been gathered. In _The +Memorials of Captain Hedley Vicars_ will be found a thoughtful +picture of that devoted life; whilst in _The Life and Work of James +Hannington_, by E.C. Dawson, a graphic narrative is given of the +martyr bishop of Central Africa. _Ismailia_ affords a vivid picture of +Sir Samuel Baker's life in the Soudan, and few books will give greater +pleasure to the reader than General Butler's _Life of General Gordon_. +A Life of Mr. W.H. Smith, by Sir H. Maxwell, has been recently +published in popular form. _The Lives of Robert and Mary Moffat_, by +J.S. Moffat, will afford much enjoyment, as will Miss Yonge's _Life of +Bishop Patteson_. + + +[Illustration: THE END] + + + + +Selections from Cassell & Company's Publications. + + * * * * * + +Illustrated, Fine-Art, and other Volumes. + +Abbeys and Churches of England and Wales, The: Descriptive, +Historical, Pictorial. Series II. 21s. + +A Blot of Ink. Translated by Q and PAUL FRANCKE. 5s. + +A Book of Absurdities. With 12 Full-Page Funny Pictures. 2s. 6d. + +Adventure, The World of, Fully Illustrated. In Three Vols. 9s. each. + +Africa and its Explorers, The Story of. By DR. ROBERT BROWN, F.L.S. +Illustrated. Vols. I., II. and III., 7s. 6d. each. + +Agrarian Tenures. By the Rt. Hon. G. SHAW-LEFEVRE, M.P. 10s. 6d. + +Allon, Henry, D.D., Pastor and Teacher. By the Rev. W. HARDY HARWOOD. +6s. + +Arabian Nights Entertainments, Cassell's Pictorial. 10s. 6d. + +Architectural Drawing. By R. PHENE SPIERS. Illustrated. 10s.6d. + +Art, The Magazine of. Yearly Vol. With 14 Photogravures or Etchings, a +Series of Full page Plates, and about 400 Illustrations. 21s. + +Artistic Anatomy. By Prof. M. DUVAL. _Cheap Edition_. 3s.6d. + +Astronomy, The Dawn of. A Study of the Temple Worship and Mythology of +the Ancient Egyptians. By Prof. J. NORMAN LOCKYER, C.B., F.R.S., &c. +Illustrated. 21s. + +Atlas, The Universal. A New and Complete General Atlas of the World, +with 119 Pages of Maps, in Colours, and a Complete Index to about +125,00 Names. Cloth, gilt edges, 36s.; or half-morocco, gilt edges, +42s. + +Awkward Squads, The; and Other Ulster Stories. By SHAN F. 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