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 \
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 A TRUE NARRATIVE. 
 
 BY 
 
 1 
 
 CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH, 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 JOHN S. TAYLOR & Co., 
 
 145 NASSAU ST. 
 
 Opposite the Tract House. 
 
 1842.

 
 PROMISING 
 
 * 
 
 AND 
 
 PERFORMING. 
 
 IN a small town, respectably inhabited, 
 dwelt a carpenter named George Hardy. 
 He was an active, good mechanic ; and be- 
 ing the only person in that place who 
 could undertake the finer sort of work, he 
 had sufficient employment. The articles 
 which his customers ordered were usually 
 made with neatness, but with so little re- 
 gard to punctuality, that the patience of 
 his customers was generally exhausted by 
 repeated delays in the execution of them. 
 If promises had been sufficient, they had 
 them in plenty ; but promising is one thing, 
 and performing is another. Hardy knew 
 it would be more inconvenient to most of 
 his customers to send to the next town,
 
 4 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 than to wait his leisure ; he therefore bore 
 very quietly their complaints and reproach- 
 es, and took his own time in completing 
 their orders ; still ' pacifying' them, as he 
 called it, with positive assurances that they 
 should be performed immediately. Like 
 too many other tradesmen, he accustomed 
 himself to this kind of deceit, until it be- 
 came so settled a habit, that his conscience 
 scarcely reproached him with the falsehood 
 which he daily uttered he paid little re- 
 gard to the word of God, or he would have 
 found that his promises were untruths, his 
 deceits were lies. If Hardy was reminded 
 by his friends of the sinfulness of this prac- 
 tice, he would speak of the trifling nature 
 of the offence, and say that the success of 
 his business depended on keeping his custo- 
 mers in good humor. But there is no 
 such thing as a trifling sin, it is the princi- 
 ple of obedience that God requires of us j 
 and to depart from that, in the smallest de- 
 gree, shows that we are not influenced 
 either by his love or fear. Our Lord Jesus 
 Christ said, ' He that is unjust in the least, 
 is unjust also in much.'
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 5 
 
 As to keeping his employers in good hu- 
 mor, nob6dy likes to be deceived and im- 
 posed upon 5 and if any appeared satisfied, 
 it was only, as the event showed, because 
 they could not help themselves. 
 
 After a long time, another carpenter 
 came to follejjFTiis trade in the neighbor- 
 hood;, he was a young man, who worked 
 neatly and ; with expedition, but never un- 
 dertook to do more than he was sure of fin- 
 ishing within the given time. When asked 
 to take home any thing, and complete it im- 
 mediately, he was used to reply, ' I will do 
 it, Sir, as soon as possible ; but at present I 
 am employed on work for another custom- 
 er, which I must first finish : after that I 
 will execute your orders.' 'But cannot 
 your other customer wait a day longer 1 1 
 am in haste, and this will only occupy you 
 for a few hours.' 
 
 4 No, Sir,' he would say, ' I promised the 
 gentleman that I would attend to his busi- 
 ness alone, till it was quite finished : after- 
 wards I am ready to do the work for you.' 
 
 By these means, William Steele estab-
 
 6 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 lished such a character for punctuality, that 
 if he once promised, his customers were 
 sure that nothing but unforseen accident 
 would prevent his fulfilling his word. 
 
 The gentleman would say, 'It is a pity 
 to see poor Hardy losing all his business, 
 thus ; but when things are wanted it is im- 
 possible not, to prefer a person who will be 
 true to the day and hour that he names, to 
 one who will readily promise for to-rnor- 
 row, and keep you waiting a week or a 
 fortnight.' 
 
 One observed, ' I expected a large party 
 to dinner : a week before they came, I sent 
 for Hardy to repair a table, charging him 
 not to undertake it unless he was certain of 
 finishing his work in good time he prom- 
 ised faithfully, as he called it. The day ap- 
 proached ; I sent frequently, and the reply 
 always was, that it was nearly done, and 
 would shortly be sent home. At last, the 
 very day before I wanted the table, I went 
 myself to his house got a sight of my ta- 
 ble with some difficulty, and found the 
 work was not yet begun ! of course I order- 
 ed it home ; and much trouble I had to
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 7 
 
 make out sufficient accommodation for my 
 guests. Never tell me of such a fellow's 
 misfortunes in losing his trade. I am 
 heartily glad to be no longer dependent up- 
 on him.' 
 
 Another gentleman said, ' In a circum- 
 stance similar to what you mention, I sent 
 for Steele ; he told me, it was doubtful 
 whether he could properly finish the work, 
 within the time named by me ; but that he 
 could so repair the article, as to make it 
 answer for immediate use, and would then 
 take it home, and let me know how soon it 
 might be completed. He did so, and was 
 punctual in returning it. I would wait any 
 time to employ at last so trusty a charac- 
 ter. 
 
 Meanwhile, Hardy only laughed at the 
 success of his rival ; ' A new broom sweeps 
 clean,' he would say : ' this fellow will soon 
 have his hands so full of work, that some 
 must needs be put off; and then they will 
 bring their complaints and their custom to 
 me again.' But he was mistaken: Steele 
 never departed from the rule with which he 
 began ; and became such a general favor-
 
 8 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 ite, that the gentry would have forgotten 
 Hardy altogether, if they had not been 
 obliged sometimes to send for him, when 
 the other was too busily engaged to receive 
 their orders. 
 
 It may be supposed, that Hardy felt like 
 an injured man ; and greatly resented the 
 success of the stranger, which he had him- 
 self chiefly assisted to bring about. Steele 
 was very friendly, and wished to obtain his 
 good will : but Hardy became more sullen 
 and rude to him every day ; and was even 
 heard to utter very bad wishes respecting 
 this industrious young man. The loss of 
 his business fell heavily upon Hardy's 
 young family, and he was already giving 
 way to habits of idleness and dissipation. 
 When his wife reasoned with him upon the 
 subject he would answer, ' You may go 
 preach to Steele, who has taken the bread 
 out of our mouths, and is driving me to 
 ruin.' 
 
 Steele had been strongly advised to take 
 a journeyman, with whose assistance he 
 might have commanded the custom of the 
 whole country round ; but, with a generos-
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 9 
 
 ity very seldom met with in this selfish 
 world, he refused ; saying, that he had 
 none but himself to provide for ; that his 
 own earnings were quite sufficient for him ; 
 and that, by enriching himself at his neigh- 
 bor's expense, he should heap distresses 
 on the family of a man whom he did not 
 wish to injure. 
 
 The minister of the parish, a most bene- 
 volent and religious man, had, from the 
 first, admonished Hardy on the sinfulness of 
 his frequent departures from truth, and the 
 disgrace he would suffer on this account. 
 ' And even though you should still prosper 
 on earth,' he added, ' yet remember, " it is 
 appointed unto men once to die, but after 
 this the judgment," when a strict account 
 must be given of these things which you 
 now regard so lightly, but against which the 
 wrath of God is revealed from heaven, and 
 eternal punishment prepared for the trans- 
 gressors. Depend upon it, Hardy, " a lying 
 lip is but for a moment : and though you 
 should gain the whole world by unjust means, 
 you must give your soul in exchange, and
 
 10 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 the bargain will profit you nothing, hut he a 
 fearful and irretrievable loss.' 
 
 These friendly warnings had no effect: 
 it is the nature of sin, when persisted in, to 
 harden the heart, and to make the con- 
 science insensible, as if seared with a hot 
 iron. Hardy found it so : falsehood became 
 so familiar to him, that he seemed hardly 
 to believe in the real existence of truth : 
 and scoffed at the conscientious dealings 
 of Steele, as if they had been the basest hy- 
 pocrisy, solely calculated to advance his in- 
 terests in the world. 
 
 Hardy forgot, or did not credit the wise 
 adage, that 'honesty is the best policy;' 
 still less did he bear in mind the scriptural 
 declaration, that ' godliness is profitable 
 unto all things ; having the promise of the 
 life that now is, and of that which is to 
 come.' 
 
 Matters were going on thus, when it was 
 reported that a rich nobleman, who had a 
 house in that part of the country, long un- 
 occupied, had determined to spend the sum- 
 mer months there ; and that his son was 
 come down to see it put in order.
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 11 
 
 This event roused Hardy. ' Surely,' said 
 he, ' the young lord will not pass by an old 
 servant of his father's, to employ this up- 
 start, whom nobody knows. I shall take 
 care to put myself in his way.' 
 
 Very soon after, Hardy had an opportu- 
 nity of meeting his lordship, who was walk- 
 ing with a friend j and it so happened, that 
 the gentleman was then advising him to 
 employ Steele, in executing the necessary 
 repairs of the house. Hardy made a low 
 bow, and looked wistfully at them as he 
 passed. 
 
 The young nobleman called him back ; 
 and it may be supposed, that he obeyed 
 with no small joy ; and when asked whether 
 he would engage to perform some work at 
 the castle, within a given time, he was as 
 ready as ever with his promises of dispatch 
 and punctuality. 
 
 * This is not what I want,' said his lord- 
 ship ' you are engaging to do more than I 
 can reasonably expect, and such hasty pro- 
 mises generally lead to disappointment. 
 There is occasion for much work in your 
 line at the castle j and I mean to employ
 
 12 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 both you and the other carpenter. I shall 
 then judge of your respective abilities and 
 application.' 
 
 Hardy was not particularly pleased at 
 hearing this : he had hoped to have the 
 sole superintendence of the men employed ; 
 but, relying on his own skill and sagacity, 
 he doubted not but that ultimately he would 
 triumph over Steele. 
 
 Returning home, he told his wife how af- 
 fably the young lord had spoken to him ; and 
 prepared to brighten his rusty tools. 
 
 ' What a grand thing a lord must be !' 
 exclaimed one of the children : ' what is he 
 like, father 1' 
 
 ' Like any other gentleman, as far as I can 
 see ; he is a fine young man, with a mild, 
 good-tempered look.' 
 
 ' But are you not afraid to speak to him, 
 father V 
 
 ' Not a hit, child : he has no pride, no- 
 thing like vanity about him ; he dresses as 
 any respectable gentleman ought to do ; 
 and speaks to a poor man as if he was made 
 of the same earth with himself.' 
 
 Hardy was right in his observation : the
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 13 
 
 yoxing lord was a truly Christian character ; 
 and in him the dignity of high birth was 
 tempered by the humility of unaffected 
 piety. He had the habit of recollecting, that 
 every person to whom he spoke possessed 
 an immortal soul ; and to do good to that 
 soul was a principal object with him. To 
 effect this, the condescending kindness of 
 his manner led the way ; and all who ad- 
 dressed him, felt that they were speaking to 
 a friend. 
 
 On the following day, Hardy repaired to 
 the castle in the best spirits ; and Steele 
 soon joined him. They settled their plans 
 of proceeding, and Hardy gave himself no 
 small airs of superiority; hinting that his 
 interest with the family had been the means 
 of getting Steele employed at the castle. 
 To such shameless falsehood are they led 
 who wander from the straight path of sin- 
 cerity and truth ! 
 
 But Steele treated him with great civili- 
 ty, observing the respect due to an older 
 and more experienced person. They went 
 on well together ; and Hardy's tools not be- 
 ing in very good condition, the other press-
 
 14 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 ed him to make use of his. Hardy gave 
 him no credit for any disinterested good 
 will ; he thought that Steele was flattering 
 him, as a means of being noticed by the no- 
 ble family, of whose patronage he himself 
 boasted immoderately. 
 
 By degrees Steele led Hardy to converse 
 on other subjects ; and he, having got into 
 tolerable good humor, was less reserved. 
 One day, when they were working together, 
 Steele, being at a loss, was set right by his 
 companion, for which he expressed his 
 thanks. 
 
 1 Why, truly, partner,' said Hardy, ' I 
 don't see any great difference among us as 
 to workmanship. Certainly I know as much 
 as you do.' 
 
 ' A great deal more,' said Steele ; ' you 
 have had longer practice, and have a very 
 quick eye, and a correct hand.' 
 
 ' But not enough to satisfy the gentry 
 down yonder,' replied Hardy, rather bitter- 
 ly, and nodding his head towards the town. 
 
 ' Ah ! neighbor,' exclaimed Steele, ' I wish 
 you would allow me to speak to you on that 
 subject.'
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 15 
 
 * I cannot hinder you,' said Hardy, sul- 
 lenly ; ' they laugh that win, and I suppose 
 they may talk too.' 
 
 ' I came to this town,' continued Steele, 
 'because I understood there was work 
 enough for a second person, without en- 
 croaching on you.' 
 . * So there was.' 
 
 ' Well I never intended or wished to do 
 it : the preference given to me was both un- 
 expected and unwelcome, since it was a 
 clear loss to a brother tradesman ; but if 
 you will listen to the advice of a sincere 
 well-wisher, I think I can show you how to 
 retrieve what is lost.' 
 
 ' With the help of his lordship's interest,' 
 said Hardy, giving him a sly look. 
 
 'His lordship's interest,' said Steele, 
 ' can not do away with the objections that I 
 have heard against you ; and if those were 
 removed, your own abilities would bring 
 you on without such help ; but I want you 
 to enjoy the interests of one much higher 
 and more powerful than the lord of this 
 castle.' 
 
 ' What ! I suppose you will send me with
 
 16 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 a letter of recommendation to another part 
 of the country,' said Hardy, laughing scorn- 
 fully. 
 
 ' By no means,' said Steele, ' I would not 
 have you quit this spot ; and I assure you 
 there is nothing unfair or self-interested in 
 my motives.' 
 
 ' Oh, I dare say not ; but as my lord's 
 good will is enough for mej I don't need 
 your help. May be you will find a little of 
 mine useful to you before long.' 
 
 Seeing him determined not to listen, 
 Steele was obliged to leave off; secretly 
 praying that the prejudices of his compan- 
 ion might be removed, and his ear open to 
 wholesome reproof. 
 
 Shortly after this unsuccessful attempt of 
 Steele's, he became so seriously ill, in con- 
 sequence of a severe cold, that he could not 
 leave his bed. Hardy exerted himself to the 
 utmost in his partner's absence, hoping to 
 prove that he could alone accomplish all 
 the required task ; and when his lordship 
 saw what progress was made, he expressed 
 perfect satisfaction. 
 
 Hardy mentioned the illness of Steele in
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 17 
 
 a way that showed how little regret he felt 
 at the circumstance ; adding his readiness 
 to undertake the superintendence of what 
 remained to be done. 
 
 His lordship asked when he had seen 
 Steele. 
 
 ' Not since he was here, my lord.' 
 
 ' What ! is he not your neighbor 1' 
 
 ' He is, please your lordship ; but I have 
 little reason to rejoice in that. When he 
 came here, I was in a prosperous trade, and 
 comfortably supporting my family : but this 
 stranger, by his wheedling, flattering ways, 
 drew the best of my customers from me, 
 and injured me so much, that I have been 
 in very great distress for some time past.' 
 
 'And had your employers no other cause 
 for discontinuing to deal with you V 
 
 'None, my lord. I have always borne 
 the character of an industrious, and, I hope, 
 an honest man. As to my work, your 
 Lordship will please to judge by what is be- 
 fore you.' 
 
 His lordship then said, ' Has any quar- 
 rel taken place between you and Steele V 
 
 ' No, my lord : if he has given himself
 
 18 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 some airs, it is no more than might be ex- 
 pected after such sudden success 5 and I 
 am not quarrelsome.' 
 
 ' Did any one tell you that he endeavor- 
 ed to injure you V 
 
 ' His conduct speaks for itself, my lord.' 
 
 ' It does, indeed,' said the young noble- 
 man, thoughtfully ; then after a pause he 
 added, ' I have heard a very different ac 
 count of this matter, Hardy. I was told 
 that your want of punctuality, and neglect 
 of your employers had become quite insup- 
 portable : that Steele's conduct being the 
 very reverse, he was therefore preferred 5 
 that he has always behaved to you with lib- 
 erality and Christian kindness ; and that 
 many of your old friends would employ 
 you, if you would fulfill the promises that 
 you are so ready to make. Is this true V 
 
 1 Your lordship knows that, when I had 
 all the custom of the country, I could not 
 do every one's work as fast as he required 
 it.' 
 
 'Yet, by your own account, Steele has 
 now that extensive custom ; but I hear of 
 no complaints concerning him.'
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 19 
 
 Hardy was silent and wished the conver- 
 sation at an end ; his lordship went on. 
 
 ' I must tell you, Hardy, that, in conse- 
 quence of these reports, I determined to 
 employ Steele, and sent for him : he imme- 
 diately requested that the preference might 
 be given to you. I objected ; he pleaded 
 your large family, your industry, ability, 
 and so forth. I consented to employ you 
 with him ; he assured me that you were 
 competent to undertake the whole, alone ; 
 and it was not until I threatened to send for 
 a man from another place, and pass you 
 both by, that he agreed to my terms.' 
 
 Hardy felt exceedingly confused and 
 ashamed ; he recollected his boasts to 
 Steele, which the young man must have 
 known to be so grossly false. ' A lying 
 lip,' thought he, ' is indeed but for a mo- 
 ment.' 
 
 His lordship continued, 'I think your 
 sick comrade now deserves some attention 
 from you. Do not let him know that I 
 have mentioned these circumstances ; but 
 consider whether you are not far more 
 blameable in this case than you wish to be-
 
 SO PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 lieve yourself : and add not to other faults, 
 that of unmerited ill-will against a fair and 
 generous competitor. There is a depth of 
 iniquity in the human heart, which God 
 alone can enable us to discover. I fear 
 you have not sought his help in the task of 
 examining yourself. Delay it no longer ; 
 for these seeming trifles are the sparks by 
 which an unquenchable flame may be kind- 
 led to consume you.' His Lordship depart- 
 ed, and Hardy remained under no very en- 
 viable feelings. 
 
 To avoid visiting Steele was now impos- 
 sible, unless he could make up his mind to 
 offend the young nobleman, and to confirm 
 all the unfavorable reports respecting him- 
 self : on the other hand, he felt more shy 
 than ever of Steele ; since he must appear 
 so very contemptible in his eyes, from his 
 vain and ridiculous boasting. As he pro- 
 ceeded in the evening to his neighbor's 
 abode, these things crowded upon his 
 mind ; and the longer he considered them, 
 the more was he puzzled to account for 
 Steele's conduct, in pleading for him with 
 the young nobleman so strongly ' Surely,'
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 21 
 
 thought he, ' this strange fellow could not 
 do it to recommend himself by a seeming 
 act of generosity he has custom enough, 
 it is true ; but if he offended my lord, h* 
 would lose half of it. Did he really sup- 
 pose my interest there was so great, that I 
 could cast him out, if he got into favor 
 without my help 1 It is a difficult matter 
 to understand either he must be the most 
 cunning, or the most foolish young man 
 that ever I met with.' 
 
 It never entered Hardy's mind to ac- 
 count for Steele's conduct on the simple 
 Christian principle of loving his neighbor 
 as himself, and doing unto others as he 
 wished them to do unto him ; though Har- 
 dy knew that these things were command- 
 ed in the Bible. Had he seen any one act- 
 ing against the laws of the land, he would 
 have been ready enough to deliver him up 
 to justice ; but keeping God's law, was to 
 him an unaccountable piece of folly, nor 
 did he seem aware that judgment must 
 overtake those who break it. 
 
 Arriving at Steele's cottage, and desiring 
 to see him, he was immediately shown into
 
 22 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 his room, and cordially welcomed by the 
 sick man. ' This is kind indeed, neighbor,' 
 said Steele, stretching out his hand ; ' take 
 a seat, and let me hear how you are going 
 on.' 
 
 Hardy had much rough good nature in 
 his disposition, and was really sorry to see 
 the young man so very much altered ; he 
 sat down by him, and replied, ' Nay, let me 
 first hear how you go on ; for I am afraid 
 you are very ill indeed.' 
 
 ' I am rather better,' said Steele, ' but 
 have had a severe attack of fever.' 
 
 ' It was a bad time, too, to fall sick, com- 
 rade.' 
 
 ' It was as the Lord saw right, Hardy. 
 He chooses times and seasons better than 
 we could do ; and, like a loving father, he 
 sends chastisement when we need it if it 
 came not till we desired it, we should have 
 but little, I believe.' 
 
 * Why, that is true ; and it must be a 
 comfort to make such sensible reflections 
 when one is laid up, at a busy and gainful 
 time.' 
 
 ' How do you go on at the castle, Hardy 1
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 23 
 
 1 Pretty well : the young lord was there 
 to-day, and seemed quite satisfied.' 
 
 ' He is an excellent young man,' said 
 Steele. 
 
 4 Yes, he seems well enough ; but is it 
 not odd for a nobleman like him to do what 
 his father's steward would be a more fit per- 
 son to manage V 
 
 ' It seems so to many, but I have heard 
 that he takes every opportunity of studying 
 the characters, even of the very poorest ; 
 that he may better know how to supply 
 their wants, both temporal and spiritual.' 
 
 ' What do you mean by spiritual wants V 
 asked Hardy Steele paused he seemed 
 at that moment to be praying, and so, no 
 doubt, he was, for help in answering a ques- 
 tion so important ; and, before he could 
 well reply, the clergyman entered. 
 
 After kindly speaking to Steele, he turn- 
 ed to Hardy, and expressed great satisfac- 
 tion at seeing him there. 
 
 ' Now,' said Steele, ' I will ask Mr. Nor- 
 ton to answer your last question.' 
 
 ' No, no,' replied Hardy, confused, ' don't 
 trouble him with such nonsense.'
 
 24 PROMISING AND PERFORMING;. 
 
 ' Speak out,' said Mr. Norton, who knew 
 that no nonsense would interest Steele at 
 such a moment the question was immedi- 
 ately stated to him. 
 
 'A most important inquiry, my friends,' 
 said the old clergyman. ' Sit down, Hardy, 
 and with the Lord's help I will endeavor to 
 answer it, in some measure ; tell me what 
 you conceive to be our chief bodily wants 1' 
 
 After some consideration, Hardy replied, 
 ' Air to breathe, food to eat, clothes to 
 wear, and a shelter from the weather.' 
 
 ' Right : and under these heads we may 
 also arrange our spiritual necessities. 
 
 'You know it is said, "The Lord God 
 formed man out of the dust of the ground, 
 and breathed into his nostrils the breath of 
 life ; and man became a living soul." The 
 life thus bestowed was twofold ; that natural 
 existence which we enjoy in common with 
 all animals, and the spiritual life with which 
 man alone, of all creatures on the earth, 
 was gifted. It was the power and the will 
 to love and serve God, and to enjoy com- 
 munion with him in prayer and praise, as- 
 cending from the inmost heart. When
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 25 
 
 Adam disobeyed, by eating of the forbidden 
 tree, he incurred the penalty " in the day 
 that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely 
 die :" this spiritual life was extinguished by 
 sin } and eternal death was the sentence 
 under which Adam laid himself and all his 
 posterity. 
 
 ' Now, God, by giving his own Son to 
 suffer in the flesh for our sins, opened a 
 way of escape from this terrible doom. 
 The believer in Jesus Christ is raised from 
 the state of death in which his soul lies 
 until quickened by divine grace ; and by the 
 power of his Redeemer, he is raised to 
 walk in newness of life.' 
 
 ' You mean at the resurrection, Sir V said 
 Hardy. 
 
 ' No the resurrection of the body is an 
 event that shall happen to all; I speak of 
 the new birth, without which, our Savior 
 says, a man cannot see the kingdom of 
 God. He who while living, partakes not 
 in this spiritual resurrection, shall indeed 
 be raised up at the last day ; but it must be 
 to shame and everlasting contempt. So 
 you see, Hardy, we want breath, a new ex-
 
 26 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 istence, and power to continue it, for our 
 souls no less than for our bodies.' 
 
 ' It seems so indeed, Sir, but all this is 
 very new to me.' 
 
 ' Surely I have told you the same thing 
 from the pulpit, times without number.' 
 
 ' Perhaps you have, Sir ; but I confess I 
 did not understand it as I now do.' 
 
 ' The next thing we want,' said Mr. Nor- 
 ton, ' is " food to eat," food that a man may 
 eat of, and live for ever. I have told you 
 that it is by the death of Jesus Christ alone, 
 we can recover the life of the soul, which 
 Adam lost : He who gives us a new being 
 must also support it : the means by which 
 He does this are, his written word, his ap- 
 pointed ordinances and sacraments j and, 
 above all, his own flesh and blood.' 
 
 'Please to explain that, Sir.' 
 
 ' By the flesh and blood of our blessed 
 Lord, is understood His incarnation His 
 appearing in a mortal body to suffer for our 
 sins. On this great mystery of " God mani- 
 fest in the flesh," we must feed by faith we 
 must make it our own, by receiving Him as
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 27 
 
 given for us, and see that He dwell in us, 
 or we have no part in His salvation.' 
 
 ' But, Sir,' said Hardy, ' how can I know 
 that Christ dwells in me V 
 
 ' By the fruits of the Spirit which will be 
 produced from such a root by feeling that 
 you hate sin, love holiness, and are zealous 
 that God should be glorified in your body 
 and your spirit, which are His : by finding 
 your sinful inclinatious weakened, and your 
 endeavors after true piety strengthened, in 
 answer to the persevering prayer that the 
 Lord teaches His children to live in. You 
 will love all mankind for His sake, particu- 
 lar^ those, who you know, love Him you 
 will rejoice to do good unto all men, es- 
 pecially unto them of the household of 
 faith.' 
 
 Hardy looked down, shook his head im- 
 patiently, and it was plain he could not find 
 the original of this picture within. 
 
 ' I must be more brief in noticing what 
 remains,' said Mr. Norton. ' We need 
 " clothing and shelter :" in our natural 
 state, the soul is as naked as the body ; and 
 all we can do to render it otherwise, is but
 
 28 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 half hiding it under " filthy rags," that can 
 never find admittance to God's presence. 
 We need a better righteousness than we 
 can furnish ; and He who feeds, must also 
 clothe the soul, in raiment clean and white, 
 such as He can look upon with complacen- 
 cy. For shelter alas ! what a fearful 
 storm of wrath must burst on the de- 
 fenceless head of the impenitent sinner ! 
 Let us hasten to the Rock where alone we 
 can find a refuge and defence. Jesus Christ 
 is that Rock, that sure foundation, on which 
 we may build a house that shall stand the 
 shock of the wind and waters, and endure 
 for ever and ever.' 
 
 After having kneeled down to pray be 
 side the sick man's bed, Mr. Norton left the 
 house. To Hardy all was strange, and so 
 new, that he seemed to have entered into 
 a different world : but he was not inclined 
 to talk ; nor did Steele urge him to do so j 
 after a few kind words he took his leave. 
 
 Mr. Norton was lingering near the house, 
 and, as Hardy passed, he said, ' Hardy, read 
 your Bible : pray to God to enlighten your 
 understanding ; and search into these things
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 29 
 
 of which you confess yourself so ignorant j 
 for on them depends your salvation.' 
 
 .Returning home, Hardy had very little to 
 say : the recollection of what he had heard 
 made him feel unsettled and uncomfortable. 
 At one time he was inclined actually to get 
 his Bible, and begin to read the New Testa- 
 ment with attention but he did not imme- 
 diately, neither did he pray. Like a morn- 
 ing cloud, did all the good impressions that 
 he had received melt away ; and he rose 
 the next day with a determination to be 
 more friendly to Steele, but not to puzzle 
 himself any farther about things that were 
 very suitable for a sick bed ; but, as he 
 foolishly and wickedly reasoned, quite out 
 of season with a man in perfect health, who 
 had his way to make, and a family to pro- 
 vide for, in the world. 
 
 Desiring his wife to call and see Steele 
 before dinner, he went to the castle as 
 usual. At night his wife told him, with 
 breathless eagerness, that the strangest 
 thing had happened for, while she was sit- 
 ting with Steele, the young nobleman him- 
 self had come into his room. ' Impossible !'
 
 30 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 exclaimed Hardy. ' Nay, it is true ; and 
 Steele was so much confounded at it, 
 that I thought he never would have got 
 voice enough to speak: so his lordship 
 turned to me, and asked me how he did. I 
 am sure I courtsied down to the ground, 
 and told his honor that I had not been long 
 there ; but had come by my husband's de- 
 sire. Then Steele spoke out, and said, 
 " Hardy is her husband, and he is very at- 
 tentive to me." ' 
 
 ' Did Steele say that V 
 
 1 Indeed did he ; and told how you sat by 
 him yesterday, and listened to Mr. Norton's 
 discourses.' 
 
 ' What did his lordship say 1' 
 
 * Why, he smiled as sweet as mortal 
 man could do ; and spoke to Steele about 
 the Lord Jesus Christ, till it seemed to me 
 that I am no better than a heathen, to think 
 BO little of Him who died for sinners.' 
 
 ' Aye, wife, they have an odd way of 
 talking better not perplex ourselves with 
 such things we have the children to look 
 after.' 
 
 * Yes ; and his lordship spoke of them,
 
 FBOMIS1NO AND PERFORMING. 31 
 
 and how they must be brought up either for 
 heaven or hell; till I was scared at the 
 charge that he said God laid upon me.' 
 
 1 You see it all comes to that it makes 
 us uncomfortable ; think no more of it.' 
 
 ' But I shall, though. If they say true, 
 we are quite in the wrong, and the children, 
 poor things ! will go on in our way ; so I 
 am resolved to consider it for their sakes.' 
 
 ' Do as you like : you will soon be 
 tired.' 
 
 ' I shall pray to God not to let me be 
 tired, if I am to get any good by going on. 
 I fancy you would gain little if you were to 
 lay down your tools as soon as you felt fa- 
 tigued, and leave off work.' 
 
 Hardy laughed : but the remark was not 
 altogether lost upon him. 
 
 * Is it not strange,' said he, ' that a noble- 
 man should visit a poor carpenter V 
 
 ' Steele said something like that, and he 
 directly answered, " If you call that condes- 
 cending, let us turn our view to the grace 
 of Him, the Lord of heaven, who deigned 
 to become poor for our sakes." Those 
 were his words I shall never forget them *
 
 32 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 4 Pho !' said Hardy, ' you are taken with 
 the young lord's find manners and title, so 
 you listen to him : you never minded those 
 things when old Mr. Norton said them.' 
 
 * True enough, George ; I never minded 
 them before, the more is my sin and sor- 
 row : but I will mind them now, and follow 
 the good advice that I have got.' 
 
 She did so she read the Bible with 
 prayer ; and received the blessing promised 
 to those who search the Scriptures that 
 they may do the will of God. 
 
 In the mean time Steele recovered slow- 
 ly ; Hardy worked diligently, and received 
 a handsome recompense when the noble 
 family took possession of the castle. Sev- 
 eral also of the neighboring gentlemen 
 again employed him, being very much urg- 
 ed by Steele to do so ; and it was impossi- 
 ble for Hardy to deny, even in thought, 
 that the young man really acted from a 
 most benevolent and kind feeling towards 
 him they became very intimate, and at 
 length at the recommendation of the young 
 nobleman, entered into a partnership, on
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 33 
 
 condition that Hardy made no promises but 
 what his friend would sanction. 
 
 Not long after, while cutting a board 
 carelessly, Hardy got a dreadful wound in 
 the leg, which laid him up in a state of 
 great suffering, totally incapable of any ex 
 ertion. This occurred too at the com- 
 mencement of a severe winter, and just af- 
 ter the young nobleman, whose health was 
 very delicate, had set out on a tour through 
 the Southern parts of France and Italy. 
 
 Steele worked early and late ; he sup- 
 ported the family, and was to them as a 
 brother born for adversity ; while all his 
 leisure time was passed in more earnestly 
 pressing on the attention of his suffering 
 partner those truths which he had so wan- 
 tonly banished from his thoughts in the 
 hour of prosperity, as only suited to a sea- 
 son of affliction ; but Hardy found that 
 comfort was not to be had at his own plea- 
 sure. 
 
 A deep gloom overspread his mind ; he 
 felt conscious of being a very great sinner, 
 but at the same time was unable to mourn 
 for his sin as he ought to do. In vain
 
 34 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 were the penitential Psalms, and similar 
 passages of Scripture read to him ; in vain 
 were confessions poured forth by those 
 who knew the language of a contrite heart : 
 Hardy repeated after them whatever they 
 said, but secretly felt he was mocking God 
 with words in which his Spirit bore no part. 
 Believing that he could be sorry whenever 
 he pleased, the unhappy man had paid no 
 regard to the declaration that Jesus Christ 
 is exalted to give repentance, as well as re- 
 mission of sins ; and not seeking that gift 
 in due time, he was left to feel that godly 
 sorrow can only be excited through the in- 
 fluence of the Holy Spirit, who, like the 
 wind which bloweth where it listeth, is free 
 in His operations, and not to be made obe- 
 dient to the caprice of men. 
 
 One day, when Hardy's wife was trying 
 to speak comfort to him, he suddenly ex- 
 claimed, ' I wish I was a Roman Catholic !' 
 In the evening she repeated the remark to 
 Steele, who asked him the reason of so 
 strange a wish ; ' because,' said Hardy, ' I 
 could then confess to a priest, say some 
 prayers, do some penances, pay for a mass or
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 35 
 
 two, and have my mind set at rest by the 
 absolution of the church.' 
 
 ' You are like a man wandering in a dan- 
 gerous wood,' said Steele, ' with very little 
 light glimmering to direct him, but enough 
 to show a path that will lead out of this 
 maze ; and because the light does not in- 
 crease so fast as you desire, you want to be 
 struck blind, and fall into a pit, rather than 
 make any further attempt to extricate your- 
 self.' 
 
 * How do you make that out V 
 
 'Why,' replied Steele, 'you are in a 
 state of sin, and in great peril of eternal 
 death ; but the light of the Gospel shines 
 sufficiently to show you the misery and 
 danger ; and the same light reveals a way 
 of escape you want to turn from this sure, 
 though seemingly distant deliverance ; to 
 avoid the task of seeking, and praying, and 
 waiting the Lord's time ; and you would 
 delude your soul with the inventions of 
 man which cannot profit, but only render 
 you insensible to the destruction to which 
 they lead.' 
 
 ' But,' said Hardy, ' if I really believed in
 
 36 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 these things, and acted to the best of my 
 knowledge in doing them, surely I should 
 be saved V 
 
 ' Surely not,' said Steele ; ' we are not 
 left to grope about, and find for ourselves a 
 way to heaven. The one way provided by 
 the Lord, is revealed to us. If we do not 
 seek to know and to follow the directions 
 which He has given us in his word, on our 
 heads is the sin, and the inevitable destruc- 
 tion that must follow it. Suppose you had 
 to pass a very deep and rapid river, over 
 which one safe bridge was built by the king 
 of the country; who sent forth a proclama- 
 tion that no one else should attempt to 
 make a passage across the river, and that 
 the bridge he had laid would bear them 
 safely to the opposite side suppose you 
 must pass this stream, and while one man 
 read to you the proclamation, another said, 
 ' I will lay a plank from side to side, and 
 you can walk over it ;' then if you turned 
 away from the king's law, and ventured 
 upon the rotten plank, and were swept to 
 destruction in the sight of those who were
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 37 
 
 safely walking over the bridge, would you 
 deserve their pity 1' 
 
 ' Indeed,' replied Hardy, ' I should not be 
 such a fool as to make the experiment.' 
 
 * Well the bridge is the path of life ap- 
 pointed for those who would escape eternal 
 ruin : the Bible is the proclamation that de- 
 clares it alone to be the safe road, and for- 
 bids all others. The devil is he who 
 tempts you to disregard God's word, and 
 trust yourself to such planks as he can lay, 
 that he may rejoice in your fall.* 
 
 ' Now suppose,' Hardy replied again, 
 1 that a man puts the proclamation in his 
 pocket, and will not let me read it V 
 
 ' Then he is a rebel and a traitor to his 
 sovereign ; and, as such, unworthy of your 
 regard. Besides, there are copies of the 
 Bible to be had in every place, thanks be to 
 God ; and who has a right to debar you from 
 using what your King, the King of heaven, 
 gives, and commands you to attend to, as 
 the revelation of His will 1 whether we 
 read it or not, we shall be judged by it at 
 last.
 
 38 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 4 Then you consider the Roman Catholic 
 religion one of the planks V 
 
 1 Every thing,' replied Steele, ' that differs 
 from the way pointed out by the Lord, is a 
 delusion of Satan ; and that the Roman 
 Catholic religion does so differ, we have 
 proof enough, even in the conduct of its 
 teachers, who dread the introduction of the 
 Bible among their people, as the first step 
 to their leaving that church. While God 
 clearly reveals and declares that there is 
 no other salvation than that brought to us 
 by the Gospel no other name under heav- 
 en given among men whereby we may be 
 saved, but that of his Son the Roman 
 Catholic religion bids us rely on our own 
 works, prayers, penances, and the merits 
 and intercession of fellow-sinners, who had 
 no help in themselves when living, and who 
 certainly cannot help us now they are dead. 
 God says, " Cursed be the man that trusteth 
 in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and 
 whose heart departeth from the Lord ;" yet 
 you will find the Church of Rome selling 
 pardons for the most dreadful departures 
 from God's law, and teaching its followers
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 39 
 
 that to eat meat when their priests com- 
 mand them to eat fish, is a more deadly sin 
 than to blaspheme the name of Christ, and 
 to do all manner of evil to his people. Our 
 unhappy Roman Catholic brethren have in- 
 deed forsaken the fountain of living waters, 
 and hewed to themselves cisterns, broken 
 cisterns, that can hold no water. But, 
 whatever you call yourself, if you are seek- 
 ing salvation by any other means than by 
 the blood and merits of Jesus Christ alone, 
 you are venturing upon a path that must 
 end in destruction.' 
 
 ' Neighbor,' said Hardy, ' I will put ano- 
 ther case, suppose the bridge is shut, and I 
 cannot get over it V 
 
 * That is supposing that God can change, 
 which is impossible. The entrance of this 
 bridge is narrow, but none were ever re- 
 fused admittance who sought, and asked, 
 and knocked according to the command of 
 our Savior. If you turn away in impa- 
 tience, it is a proof you do notJbelieve, that 
 no other passage can be found.' 
 
 Hardy was silent ; he could not deny the 
 truth of what his friend said, and felt that
 
 40 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 to be told by men he was in the right path 
 would no more avail him, than being told 
 that his leg was healed would enable him 
 to get up and walk, if it was untrue. Com- 
 pelled, therefore, to look to God alone for 
 help and peace, he prayed incessantly for 
 the assistance of the Holy Spirit, and lis 
 tened eagerly to every consolation held 
 forth in the Gospel. 
 
 One evening, Steele came in with a sum of 
 money, the payment of a long and hard 
 piece of work which he had done ; he gave 
 it all to Mrs. Hardy, reserving only his sub- 
 scription to the Bible Society, which noth- 
 ing ever induced him to encroach upon. 
 
 Hardy saw the gold given to his wife 
 tears stood in his eyes, as he held out his 
 hand to this generous friend. ' I have been 
 thinking, Steele,' said he, ' that only for 
 your noble conduct to me, I should now be 
 perishing with all these about me ; starving, 
 from the consequences of my sinful habit 
 of telling falsehoods.' 
 
 * It is of the Lord's mercies that we are 
 not all consumed for our sins,' replied 
 Steele. ' I was the means of injuring your
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 41 
 
 trade, though I hope it was over-ruled to 
 your true benefit ; and it is right that I 
 should make some amends.' 
 
 c Aye, but Steele, I am sure the people 
 would not have borne with me much long 
 er : some other workmen would have been 
 sent for by them : and the punishment 
 would have fallen without one drop of kind- 
 ness to sweeten it.' 
 
 * Then ought you not to be most deeply 
 thankful to the Lord V 
 
 ' Yes I wish I was as I ought to be : but 
 tell me, Steele, how you escaped the temp- 
 tation that almost all tradesmen fall into V 
 
 'Every state,' replied Steele, 'has its 
 own particular snares ; and every man a sin 
 that besets him more constantly than oth- 
 ers. Knowing this, I was enabled to watch 
 against what I had reason to apprehend 
 most danger from. I always wished to ap- 
 pear a moral character, even before I thought 
 any thing of religion as the main business 
 of life ; and pride kept me from telling an 
 untruth ; but this pride itself is sin, in God's 
 sight ; and he who indulges one evil feel- 
 ing at the expense of another, obtains no
 
 42 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 victory over himself: it is only wearing 
 the same badge on a different coat. The 
 change in our general appearance does not 
 render us less the servants of sin ; nor pre- 
 vent our receiving its sure wages, eternal 
 death.' 
 
 ' But how did you get over your pride V 
 asked Hardy. ' So far as that is conquer- 
 ed,' replied Steele, ' the work is the work 
 of God ; not mine. He enabled me to see 
 myself a sinner exposed to his wrath ; and 
 in trying to overcome my evil propensities, 
 I found so much to make me abhor myself 
 and to humble me entirely at the foot of the 
 cross, where alone, I could look for par- 
 don and acceptance, that it was not possi- 
 ble for such a self-convicted offender to con- 
 tinue proud. When I understood to what 
 my iniquities had exposed the Lamb of 
 God ; and considered the mockery, the an- 
 guish, and shameful death endured by Him, 
 to save such as me from perdition, I was abas- 
 ed in the very dust of the earth, and could on- 
 ly cry, " God be merciful to me a sinner." 
 Encouraged to believe that in Him I have 
 indeed found mercy, and endeavoring to
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 43 
 
 persevere in a life of holiness, I feel my- 
 self so constantly opposed by the snares in- 
 to which I am often too ready to fall, and by 
 daily experience so convinced, " that in me, 
 that is my flesh, dwelleth no good thing," 
 that it is enough just to look at the law of 
 God, and then at myself, to preserve me 
 free from pride in my miserable attempts 
 to be a faithful servant. If we could of- 
 tener consider what duties we have neglect- 
 ed, as well as what actual sins we have com- 
 mitted, it would help to keep us and self- 
 righteousness at a wide distance.' 
 
 ' But you kept your rule of telling the 
 truth, though you could no longer glory in 
 it,' observed Mrs. Hardy. 
 
 ' Yes ; feeling my own weakness, I relied 
 more and more upon the strength of the 
 Lord ; and strove after what meet to 
 adorn the doctrine which I profess. Indeed, 
 since I have renounced self-dependence, and 
 lived more by faith, I must say, wordly 
 temptations have not so much power over 
 me, as I feared they would always have. I 
 believe that the Lord has given me a new 
 heart, because I can say his law is my de-
 
 44 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 light : and because I hate sin, as that which 
 He hates, and which dishonors Him, as well 
 as being what would destroy my soul.' 
 
 ' I used to think,' said Hardy, ' that when 
 you sat reading your Bible, and refused to 
 join in the idle follies of those about you, 
 and saved your money for religious socie- 
 ties, that you were choosing a very hard 
 path to heaven ; and punishing yourself on 
 earth that you might be sure of getting 
 there at last.' 
 
 Steele smiled ; * If you knew what plea- 
 sure the Bible affords me : you would own 
 I was seeking my own gratification, instead 
 of punishing myself, when I meditate upon 
 its pages. As to the amusements, of which 
 you talk, they are worse than nothing to 
 me : they steal from me the treasure of 
 time, for the use of which I must give ac- 
 count : and they unfit me for the enjoy- 
 ment of the truest pleasures communion 
 with God, in His word, and in prayer. 
 This would be the case, if there was noth- 
 ing of what the world calls harm in them : 
 but judge you whether it is so, when you 
 consider to how much mischief they lead.
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 45 
 
 Profane and immoral conversation, drink- 
 ing, quarrelling, and every excess ; besides 
 squandering the money that we ought to 
 expend on our families. When I have been 
 compelled to look on a party of dissipated 
 mechanics, thus employed during their lei- 
 sure, or still worse on the Sunday, I have 
 sadly asked, myself if these could be a 
 part of that great multitude, who shall stand 
 before the throne of God, in white robes, 
 with palms in their hands if these were 
 the disciples of Christ, a peculiar people, 
 purified, and zealous of good works, whose 
 names are written in the book of life ; and, 
 alas ! we know that all whose names are 
 not written there, shall be cast into the 
 lake of fire.' 
 
 ' Steele,' said Hardy, ' I never thought 
 thus on these things before.' 
 
 * Because you have not known either 
 God or yourself. The Bible, which show- 
 ed them to me in so awful a light, is reveal- 
 ing them also to you; and its lessons, I 
 trust, will be blessed to the saving of your 
 soul. Can you wonder that I delight to add 
 my little contribution to the stock out of
 
 46 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 God's book, the written message of his mer- 
 cy to fallen man, is sent forth into so many 
 poor habitations, " to give light to them 
 that sit in darkness, and the shadow of 
 death : and to guide their feet in the way 
 of peace." ' 
 
 ' It is against this God that I have been 
 sinning all my life,' said Hardy ; ' and what 
 a base, unthankful wretch am I !' He now 
 loathed himself for his iniquities ; he griev- 
 ed over the rebellion of his heart, and, 
 drawn by the cords of love, followed the 
 the Savior, who had not only redeemed his 
 soul from death, but crowned him with such 
 tender mercies, and loving-kindness, by 
 means the most unexpected and providen- 
 tial. 
 
 Hardy now could pour forth the confes- 
 sions of a soul deeply troubled, to Him who 
 invites the sinner's approach ; he found con- 
 solation in every page of Scripture, and re- 
 joiced in the assurance of pardon and ever- 
 lasting salvation. The tranquil state of his 
 mind promoted his bodily health : and 
 though wasted and weakened by long con- 
 finement, he got about again, and worked
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 47 
 
 very hard, to release his benevolent friend 
 from the burden of supporting the family. 
 
 One day Hardy was returning from a 
 gentleman's house, where he had been to 
 receive some orders, when at a little dis- 
 tance before him he saw one whom he im- 
 mediately knew to be the young nobleman. 
 He ran forward, then drew back, and again, 
 impelled by feelings which he could not 
 overcome, placed himself in his sight ; bow 
 ing low, but not able at once to speak. 
 
 'Hardy!' exclaimed his lordship, 'is it 
 you 1 How are you going on V 
 
 Hardy replied, that by the blessing of 
 God, he was doing well in every respect. 
 
 ' That includes a great deal,' observed 
 his lordship, ' are you aware of it V 
 
 ' Yes, my lord it includes all the mer- 
 cies granted through Jesus Christ to the 
 vilest of sinners.' 
 
 ' Thanks be to God, for His unspeakable 
 gift ! you rejoice me, Hardy. Had Steele 
 any part in this good work V 
 
 Hardy replied by relating with the high- 
 est animation, the whole of Steele's gener- 
 ous conduct to him.
 
 48 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 His lordship was much moved by the re- 
 cital ; but he only observed, ' If God so lov- 
 ed us, we ought also to love one another.' 
 
 But he did not forget the two carpenters ; 
 finding on inquiry that Hardy was become, 
 in every respect a changed character ; that 
 his adherence to truth and sincerity was as 
 marked as his deviations had formerly been ; 
 and that no man could be more patient, 
 steady, and industrious, or bring up his 
 children more carefully in the nurture and 
 admonition of the Lord ; he made it his 
 care to watch over the interests of the fa- 
 mily, and befriended them materially. 
 
 Often was Hardy painfully reminded of 
 his former evil courses ; and frequent occa- 
 sion had he to mourn over the remaining 
 corruptions of a nature that he could never 
 wholly subdue. As might be expected, 
 those who before laughed at, or excused 
 his transgressions, when he did evil without 
 restraint, now watched for every little slip 
 in his daily conduct, and brought it forward 
 as a heavy charge against the religion which' 
 he professed. Lamenting one day to Steele 
 that it was so, the latter replied, * We shall
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 49 
 
 always find it thus ; and surely these mis- 
 taken friends pay a great and justly merited, 
 though perhaps unintentional, tribute to the 
 perfect purity of the faith to which they ob- 
 ject. While we lived in the ways of the 
 world, all our vices were looked on as mat- 
 ters of course, and called by the gentlest 
 names. Now, that we profess to be led by 
 the Spirit of God, the slightest appearance 
 of evil, a hasty word, or a mistaken opinion, 
 is laid hold of as a proof that we do not 
 truly belong to that number among whom 
 we enrol ourselves. Nay, our former sins, 
 once so lightly regarded, are now called up 
 to mind, and exhibited as proofs that our 
 present profession must be hypocrisy. Do 
 such seek to prove that Christian purity is 
 unattainable, or do they hope to excuse 
 themselves, in their gross transgressions, by 
 the comparative falling short of others 1 
 Alas! they little know how deeply we af- 
 flict ourselves for what they so harshly cen- 
 sure or how anxiously we press towards 
 the mark for the prize of our high calling, in 
 proportion as we feel our spiritual enemies 
 active in casting hinderances, and spreading
 
 50 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 snares in our way. Weak, wavering, and 
 fearful in ourselves, we are obliged to peti- 
 tion more earnestly for Divine help, and to 
 feel that " in the Lord alone we have right- 
 eousness and strength." ' 
 
 Reader, have you, like Hardy, cast God's 
 righteous law behind you, and allowed your- 
 self in what your conscience condemns 1 
 
 If so, I beseech you, pause for a moment, 
 and reflect what must be the end of these 
 things. Satan, who is called by our Lord 
 the prince of this world, may allure you 
 with the expectation of those advantages to 
 which you now attach great importance ; 
 but, in the hour of death, at the day of judg- 
 ment, what will they avail you 1 When 
 the earth, with all its works, is burnt up, 
 where is the fruit, the profit of those things, 
 whereof, even now, you must be often in 
 your hearts ashamed 1 The fruits of them 
 you must reap to your eternal confusion ; 
 for the wages of sin is death, and those wa- 
 ges will undoubtedly be paid, if you obtain 
 not deliverance from the curse of the law, 
 which now speaks condemnation against 
 you. Mercy is freely offered in Christ Je-
 
 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 51 
 
 sus ; but delay not to accept it such pre- 
 sumptuous indifference will only add to the 
 weight of your fatal sentence : you have 
 been told of one who, by signal mercies, 
 was led to lay hold of the hope set before 
 him in the Gospel ; but consider how very 
 many are swept off into darkness and de 
 spair, while neglecting this great salvation. 
 While you live in sin, you are the enemy of 
 God, and confederate with Satan. Can you 
 rest satisfied in so awful a state 1 I hope 
 not. Listen to the voice of gracious invi- 
 tation : ' Let the wicked forsake his way, 
 and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and 
 let him return unto the Lord, for He will 
 have mercy upon him ; and unto our God, 
 for He will abundantly pardon :' ' Christ 
 Jesus came into the world to save sinners ;' 
 and was sent to bless us, by turning away 
 every one of us from our iniquities, and en- 
 abling us to glorify His Father, by bearing 
 much fruit of righteousness and true holi- 
 ness all the days of our life.
 
 52 PROMISING AND PERFORMING. 
 
 bless the Lord, my soul, and own 
 What wondrous mercy he hath shown : 
 Not as our sins demand he gives; 
 Behold, the pardoned rebel lives! 
 
 Then let me shun the hateful road, 
 Where walk the impious foes of God ; 
 Abhor the place where sinners meet, 
 Nor loiter near the scorner's seat. 
 
 A band there is, by Jesus prized, 
 By Satan feared, by man despised, 
 Who turn them from terrestrial toys, 
 To meditate on endless joys. 
 
 ' Come thou with us,' they cry, ' and view 
 The glorious land we journey to ; 
 To us and ours that land is given, 
 A heritage reserved in heaven.' 
 
 ' Come, and partake the gift divine ; 
 Believe, and all its wealth is thine.' 
 Bid me, Lord, the call obey, 
 And join them in the heavenward way.
 
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