Chapter M: A. Chaplin

_Galleywood, Chelmsford._

ANSWER TO BIBLE ENIGMA.

(_Page 255._)

"_Peace be unto you._"--JOHN xx. 19.

P ekah 2 Kings xv. 25. E glon Judges iii. 14. A masa 2 Samuel xvii. 25. C ush 1 Chronicles i. 8. E uphrates Deuteronomy i. 7.

B enjamin Genesis xxxv. 24. E lah 1 Kings xvi. 8.

U rijah 2 Kings xvi. 10. N ahor Genesis xi. 26. T opaz Exodus xxxix. 10. O g Psalm cxxxvi. 20.

Y oke Jeremiah xxvii. 8. O badiah 1 Kings xviii. 3. U nicorn Numbers xxiii. 22.

ANN PICKWORTH
(Aged 11 years).

_Sydney House, Sleaford._

BUNYAN'S DEATH.

It was on the 31st of August, 1688, that John Bunyan left the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Doubting Castle, Vanity Fair, and all those other stages of the progress of a soul in its efforts to find rest and peace, to cross the dark river that, in his immortal dream, flowed under the walls of the Celestial City. This is how Mr. Froude describes the closing scene of his great life:--

"His end was characteristic. It was brought on by exposure when he was engaged in an act of charity. A quarrel had broken out in a family at Reading with which Bunyan had some acquaintance. A father had taken offence at his son, and threatened to disinherit him. Bunyan undertook a journey on horseback from Bedford to Reading, in the hope of reconciling them. He succeeded, but at the cost of his life. Returning by London, he was overtaken on the road by a storm of rain, and was wetted through before he could find shelter. The chill, falling on a constitution already weakened by illness, brought on fever. He was able to reach the house of Mr. Strudwick, one of his London friends, but he never left his bed afterwards. In ten days he was dead."

Mr. Froude thinks that the exact date is uncertain; but Southey and other biographers generally fix it upon the 31st of August. He was buried in a vault belonging to the Strudwick family, in the famous old Nonconformist burial ground of Bunhill Fields, where his monument--restored of late years by admiring and appreciative friends--may be seen any day by the passer-by, on which runs this inscription--"Mr. John Bunyan, Author of 'The Pilgrim's Progress,' ob. 31st August, 1688, aet. 60."

John Bunyan wrote sixty books, and lived sixty years. His chief work, "The Pilgrim's Progress," has been translated into seventy-two distinct languages and dialects, and thus has had a wider circulation and been more read than any book next to the Scriptures. More than fifty years ago Macaulay spoke of it as "the only book of its kind that possesses a strong human interest--that, while other allegories only amuse the fancy, this has been read by thousands with tears." What was true then is no less true now.

EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF THE SEA.

A Queenstown correspondent telegraphs that the National Line steamer _Spain_, from New York, which arrived at Queenstown recently, brings intelligence that an aged gentleman, named Murtagh, residing in Brooklyn, received a letter on October 11th, from one of the uninhabited islands of the South Sea group, Ojee, written by a friend of his, named Captain Green, who was supposed to have been lost at sea in 1858, in a vessel commanded by him, called the _Confederation_. She sailed from New York, in February of that year, for Australia, and not having been heard of afterwards, it was presumed that she had foundered with all on board, numbering sixteen, including two women. The letter, written on a soiled leaf of a ship's log, was dated July, 1887, and had been put aboard a whaling barque which passed near the island about that time. The writer observes that no doubt all hands aboard the _Confederation_ had been given up as lost. He then relates how the vessel foundered in a gale after being nine weeks at sea, and how her crew, including himself and two women, having taken to the boats, after forty days, landed on the coral reefs of the Island of Ojee, there being no signs of habitation, but an abundance of game, fish, fruits, and water. No vessel came near the place until one evening in December, 1862, when eight of the crew put off in a boat to intercept her. The weather being very stormy, they never returned to the island, and Captain Green thinks they were lost. He further states that the women became the wives of two of the remaining castaways, and that although there had been several deaths on the island, the population at the time he wrote consisted of twelve persons, who felt quite contented. They were, however, badly in need of clothing. During thirty years, they had communicated from the island with only three vessels, and this letter had been four years written and ready to be sent by some ship. Captain Green adds that he is sixty-eight years of age, and in good health.

PLEADING.

(RUTH i. 16.)

"Intreat me not to leave Thee," Lord;
What is this world to me?
No happiness can it afford,
O God, apart from Thee.

Thou art the joy of my delights;
The Life of life to me;
The comfort of my darkest nights;
Yea, All in all to me.

Dark were this world without Thee, Lord,
But, lighted with Thy love,
Thy watchfulness, Thy tender care,
More fully here I prove.

More subject for my song above
I gather day by day;
Deeper experience of that love
Which guides my pilgrim way.

Oh, give me grace to serve Thee, Lord,
Each swiftly-passing day,
That I the approving word, "Well done,"
At last may hear Thee say.

A SOWER.

THE ANTI-ROMISH BOOK.

During the reign of that Popish King, James II., the law in Scotland was, that no clergyman might preach, and that no bookseller might sell, any book that reflected on the Romish Church.

One of the Royal messengers entered a bookseller's shop in Edinburgh.

"Had he any books in stock written against the Roman Catholic Church?"

"Yes, he had a Book that reflected very severely indeed against that Church. Might he sell it?"

"Let me see it," said the messenger.

The old bookseller went to his shelves and took down a volume--a Book which does certainly speak very emphatically against Romanism--the Bible!

BIBLE ENIGMA.

My 1, 11, 7, 6, 9, 5, a governor of the Jews. My 2, 10, 5, 14, 6, the father of Joanna. My 3, 13, a king of Bashan. My 4, 6, 14, 10, 9, 11, a disobedient queen. My 5, 8, 11, a priest. My 6, 4, 11, 9, 10, the city of Hadad. My 7, 3, 9, 6, 12, the brother of Timna. My 8, 5, 4, 11, one of the twelve tribes. My 9, 3, 7, 6, a son of Issachar. My 10, 5, 12, the son of Zephaniah. My 11, 14, 2, 6, 5, 8, the surname of Jacob. My 12, 3, 1, 10, a city threatened with a plague. My 13, 11, 10, 3, 12, a river of Eden. My 14, 11, 4, 6, 12, a Jewish month.

My whole is a precept given by an Apostle to a Christian Church.

THOMAS TYLER
(Aged 13 years).

_Potton, Beds._

HOP PICKING.--THE LAST POLE.

(_Frontispiece to Volume._)

The LITTLE GLEANER no doubt is read and welcomed as well by the aged and middle-aged as the young, for whom it is especially intended. In the southern counties, the readers of the LITTLE GLEANER, of all ages, are more or less familiar with "the last pole." In the counties more north, where we hope the LITTLE GLEANER is read with equal interest, many dear children have never seen that lovely and charming sight of Nature in cultivation, the hop garden. To us who, by the hand of Providence, are located in these hop-growing districts, the hop gardens in the months of August and September are always interesting, and share largely in our love and admiration for the products of Nature and industry combined.

For the information of those not so familiar as ourselves with the hop plant under cultivation, we would say that many hundreds of poor people find employment for a few weeks in the autumn at hop picking, by which they are able to earn a little money, which is useful in helping them to pay their rent and provide the necessaries of life. This time is looked forward to, year by year, with deep interest by such.

Among the customs and ceremonies of the hop gardens, at the time of picking, or gathering, there is generally a little ceremony in pulling and picking the last pole. In September, 1886, the writer of these lines was one of the pickers in a very lovely hop garden in Kent, and witnessed the pulling down of many thousands of these heavily-laden hop poles, in all their fresh and lively beauty. But lo and behold! it came not only to the last day, and the last hill (or stool of three poles), but to the last pole, which was selected beforehand, and remained standing until all the others were picked. Then comes the master himself, and takes down this last pole, amid the waving of hats, and shouts of "Hurrah! Hurrah!" But was this all? No, no! There were sad hearts that sighed as they remembered the days of adversity endured by them, and as they wondered what was to be their next employment, and how their table was to be supplied during the coming winter, should it not be their turn to be gathered in like the poles that had passed under their hands. But one poor, trembling heart among the rest could not help thinking of that last great day, when the last stone of that great temple not made with hands should be carried up with shouts of "Grace, grace unto it!" and the following lines came softly into the mind--

"The moon and stars shall lose their light;
The sun shall sink in endless night;
Both heaven and earth shall pass away;
The works of Nature all decay.

"But they who in the Lord confide,
And shelter in His wounded side,
Shall see the danger overpast,
Stand every storm, and live at last."

What! those poor bruised reeds who fear that they shall never hold up their heads again--shall they outlive the moon? Shall they outshine the sun?

However, let us return to our subject--the last pole--and reflect.

"We, like the crowded poles, all stand,
And all are sure to fall;
The dog and hook[13] are in God's hand,
And soon will reach us all."

[13] In hop gardens these are instruments used by those who lift
the poles.--ED.

Yes, my dear young readers, whatever may be those delightsome games of which you are so fond, the last game will soon come. Yea, how soon will be the end of all our earthly pleasures none of us can tell. If we look forward to any day or time of some kind of pleasure, it may seem to approach us very slowly, but how soon do we look behind us, and say, "Alas! that too has gone, never, never more to return."

In like manner also we miss a dear brother or dear sister, a friend, schoolmate, or teacher; perhaps a dear, loving mother or father. "Ah!" we say, "they will never return again." Sometimes we reflect with sorrow upon some unkind words or actions towards them--some pain and grief that we caused them. Perhaps we were too proud or too stubborn to ask their forgiveness while they were with us, so we let the sun go down upon our wrath, and now we can never forgive ourselves. Though they are gone, we see them still--

"We see their smiles, we see their tears;
The grave can never hide them;
A few more days, or months, or years,
A few more sighs, a few more tears,
And we shall lie beside them."

Seeing that it is quite uncertain which of us will be the next to have our earthly ties cut, and all our bloom and beauty stripped off, may I ask my dear young friends what are their thoughts on the subject? Whether it is passed over with indifference, presuming you shall be as well off in the end as other people, or are there moments when thoughts arise like these--"Oh, if death should overtake me as I am--so careless, so unconcerned, so thoughtless, and yet unpardoned! Oh, if my name should be left out--and how can I expect anything else--so prayerless as I am, for the most part, and my performance so unlike prayer when I do make the attempt? Oh, if I could but know that the dear Lord had a favour towards me! Why, if all the world were mine, I would lay it all down this minute to be sure that Jesus died for me"? And is there sometimes a little thought stealing from thine heart, and a tear like a drop of the morning dew trickling from thine eye, which says, "Oh, if ever I should be able to say, 'Bless the Lord, O my soul,' how I should leap for joy to be thus quite sure of being the Lord's"? Then, if this is your feeling after Christ Jesus, I will tell you how it will be with you some day. The Lord, who has said, "Seek, and ye shall find," will give you the desire of your heart, even pardon and peace through faith in His blood, and at last--

"When shivering in the arms of death,
When friends shall watch thy parting breath,
Though then thy lips can no more speak,
Though deathly paleness clads thy cheek,
Glory shall fill thy soul."

T. G.

OUR BIBLE CLASS.

GLEANINGS FROM THE BOOK OF RUTH.

The Book of Ruth is supposed to have been written in the reign of her great-grandson, perhaps by his own pen. It is a beautifully interesting story. As a fragment of history, it is connected with the birth of David and of David's Lord. As a record of God's providence, it shows how "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

The two chief personages in this Book, the hero and heroine of the narrative, are Boaz, the near kinsman of Naomi, "the mighty man of wealth" in Bethlehem, and Ruth, the Moabitess, the stranger and foreigner, who left her own people and her father's false gods, and came to put her trust beneath the shadow of Jehovah's wings.

We will look at the hero first, because, though the Book is called by Ruth's name, all her honour was derived from her connection with Israel, the chosen nation, to which Boaz naturally belonged, and because, as we think of his riches, his faithfulness, and his kindness, we cannot help exclaiming, "Surely a Greater than Boaz is here!" He was the near kinsman of Naomi's husband, and the same Hebrew word is called "redeemer" (Job xix. 25). And how often we speak of Jesus as "the Redeemer," who "gave Himself a Ransom for many." The ancient "goel," or "near kinsman," had many important rights and responsibilities. Abraham was nearly related to Lot, and when the latter was taken prisoner, his uncle took all his servants with him and went to the rescue, because he was his near kinsman, and he redeemed him by conquest, through the help of God, in whom he trusted (Gen. xiv.).

If a man of Israel died, leaving no children to take his property, his "near kinsman," if unmarried, was expected to marry the widow, and the children that they might have afterwards were to be called by the name and take the lands of the first husband.

If a Hebrew became poor, and sold his land--or, still worse, sold himself for a slave--his kinsman was expected to redeem him and his possessions if he could (Lev. xxv. 25, 47-49).

Thus Boaz, as Naomi's kinsman, redeemed her inheritance, and married the childless widow of her son Chilion, the woman who was no longer to be called a stranger and a foreigner, but a fellow-subject of Israel's God and King.

So Jesus--who redeemed His Church, His bride, His people, and secured to them the rich inheritance they had lost by sin--was, and is, the Near Kinsman of His beloved ones. They were, and always will be, "a people near unto Him" (Psa. cxlviii. 14). His own kindred He called them when He came to redeem them (Matt. xii. 50). His Father loved them, and He loved them also, and the kindness of God the Saviour was shown when He came down from heaven for their sakes. "Kindness!" Sweet word! It means the act of a kinsman, and God's kindness is "loving-kindness," the sweetest description we can possibly have of the tender pity and grace of the Lord.

But the kindness shown by Boaz was only a dim shadow of the love of the "Great Redeemer from above." He did not make much sacrifice apparently when he purchased Naomi's inheritance and made Ruth his wife, but "ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich."

And more, far more, than this--He suffered scorn, and shame, and death itself--the bitterest of deaths. He gave Himself--He laid down the life that was so dear to Himself, so precious to His Father--that He might redeem, buy them back to God by His blood. He endured their punishment, He paid their debts, and then, since Satan had made them his slaves, like Abraham, Jesus fought for His kindred, only He fought alone. He conquered the strong one, and set the captives free, and Satan still must yield up his prey at Christ's command. The Redeemer ever proves Himself "mighty to save" those for whom He died.

Then Ruth furnishes us with a striking picture of one who is seeking Jesus.

She was not a native of the promised land--not born of Israelitish parents. She reminds us of what Paul says--we all are, as sinners, "children of disobedience," "children of wrath," "far from God by wicked works." But a change came over her mind and spirit. "The Lord opened her heart to attend unto the things spoken" by Naomi. A new, a heavenly light dawned upon her, and she saw the evil of idolatry and sin--the beauty of holiness and God--so that, like Moses, she "chose rather to suffer affliction with His people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." She would sooner "lodge" with Naomi in poverty, than dwell in comfort among her former companions; and before she thought of being enriched and made happy by Boaz, she had "chosen that good part" which shall never be taken away from those who seek and find it.

The diligent shall be made prosperous, and Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz before she knew anything of the relationship he bore to her late husband's family. She was not ashamed to labour as a poor and needy woman, and she gained a good supply of corn from her work by the special favour of Boaz.

There is a remarkable little word connected with her choice of that field. It was her "hap" to light upon it--a word not very often found in the Bible, which always traces everything, great or small, to the will and permission of God. Yet this syllable of three letters came "of purpose" into the record, and teaches us that all the "accidents" of our lives, pleasant as well as painful, are directed and overruled by the Lord. Things "come to pass," and we are filled with wonder, but it is because "He doeth all things well."

About thirty years ago, one Sabbath morning, a group of youths were starting from Clerkenwell, intending to spend the day gathering blackberries in Highgate Woods. It so happened that a dispute arose just outside the chapel where my late dear Pastor preached, and one lad refused to go any further with his companions. To while away the time he peeped into the chapel just as the hymn, "When Thou, my righteous Judge, shalt come," was being given out, and he ventured to slip into a seat in the gallery. He was so much impressed by what he heard that he came again, was savingly converted to God, was baptized, and remained for many years an honourable member of the Church. His "hap was to light upon" a field of Gospel corn, and he received a rich blessing, but his steps, like Ruth's, were directed by the Lord.[14]

[14] From the "Memoir of the late Mr. John Hazelton."

And we learn the benefit of wise, Christian counsel. Ruth needed Naomi very much, poor and lonely though she was. From her she learned the good news of the rich man's kinship; from her she received instructions how to act so as to ensure his protection and care. Her conduct, strange as it would be to-day, was in those early times quite in harmony with the behaviour of a virtuous, modest woman, but it has its chief charm when we see in it a picture of one who is seeking Jesus.

Some dear Christian friend, like Naomi, encourages and instructs the youthful seeker by telling of the love and grace of the Saviour, and saying, as a beloved minister once said to a young person, "I cannot give you the blessing; _He_ can." Naomi wanted the help of Boaz as well as Ruth, and all God's people, old or young, strong or weak, need and crave the loving care of Jesus, but it is a privilege and joy to commend one another to Him, and tell of His goodness and grace "who is rich unto all that call upon Him."

In seeking Ruth's happiness Naomi found her own great joy (see chap. iv. 14). In dutiful consideration for Naomi, Ruth obtained a hundred-fold more than she could ever have hoped to find, as an honoured wife and mother favoured with both earthly and heavenly prosperity. Those who honour God He will honour. Those who water others shall be watered themselves. May we receive from the Lord that spirit of love which seeks the welfare of others, and the glory of God, as well as our own happiness.

Our next subject will be, Isaiah xxxv. 8--_The King's Highway, and its Travellers._

Your affectionate friend,
H. S. L.

THE EDITOR'S CLOSING ADDRESS TO HIS YOUNG FRIENDS.

Dear young friends,--We are nearing the close of another year, and we may be nearer the close of our mortal career than we think. What a mercy if we belong to Christ! If so, we are blessed indeed, for those who are His are forgiven their iniquity, are justified from all unrighteousness, are reconciled to God, and made "accepted in the Beloved." Oh, that you, dear reader, may enjoy that blessed portion! Then, come poverty or wealth, sickness or health, life or death, all will be well with you. All such are the children of God, and none besides. To those who love Him, He will say, "Come, ye blessed of My Father"; but to those who are "without Christ" He will say, "Depart, ye cursed!" Which will be your lot? God grant that you may be taught to flee as sinners to Him who "died for the ungodly," and who has said, "Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out." We trust you will never find rest and peace only in coming to Christ. If our feeble labours in sending forth the GLEANER are but blessed to this end, we shall be amply rewarded, and we wish the Lord to have all the glory.

Dear young friends, we do not ask you to join the "Salvation Army," so called, but we hope you may be an army yourselves, seeking to spread abroad good reading among both young and old; and we believe that the GLEANER and SOWER will be found most acceptable and adapted for such a purpose, therefore we ask you to join the "Try Army," and shall be glad to receive the names of any who are willing to enlist, to whom we will send sixteen Magazines, post free, monthly, for one shilling and twopence. The postage rate, however, will not allow us to send a less number at a reduction, but a larger number can be sent in proportion, for schools. The Almanacks are nicely got up, and will be found useful to put on walls in bed-rooms, &c. We hope that you will get orders for as many as possible. We will send fifteen for one shilling, post free; no less number can be sent at a reduction. This we do to encourage our readers to obtain subscribers, and to spread abroad the Magazines. The Yearly Volumes are very nice books for presents. GLEANER, picture boards, very attractive, three volumes, four shillings; GLEANER, cloth, also SOWER, cloth, three volumes, five shillings, post free.

Now, dear young friends, we hope you will become a "Try Army," and that we shall see pleasing results arise from your efforts. We hope, too, if spared, shortly to greet you again with "A Happy New Year," and may the Lord bless you each and all with the best of all blessings, that we and you may rejoice together in His mercy, and live to show forth His praise.

Trusting you will not forget us, and that we may still be helped to pray and labour for your good, we remain,

Your affectionate friend,
THE EDITOR.

P.S.--Scatter abroad our _Friendly Words_, 1s. 6d. per hundred, post free. All are pleased to receive them.

AN EXPLANATION.

In inserting the article, "The Fish that Swallowed Jonah," in last month's GLEANER, we had no idea of controverting the testimony of Scripture, but merely to show that the quibbles raised by sceptics, as to the truth of a whale being able to do so, are at least very silly. God could very easily prepare a whale for such a purpose. But, as sharks are included in the term used in the original by Christ, the word "fish," as in Jonah, would be quite as correct.

THE EDITOR.

PRIZE ESSAY.

THE DISOBEDIENCE OF OUR FIRST PARENTS, AND ITS RESULTS.

In the Bible it is said that Adam was formed before Eve, and that they were both placed in Eden, where there was one tree of which God said they might not eat. It is also said that Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, was first in the transgression (1 Tim. ii. 13, 14).

Probably the woman was by herself when the tempter came to her in the likeness of a serpent, and told her that she would not die if she partook of the fruit which God had commanded her not to eat; but if they took of it they would be as gods, knowing good and evil. With this saying the tempter succeeded in getting the woman to take the fruit of the tree of which God told her not to eat, for she looked upon it as "a tree good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise" (Gen. iii. 6), and she wanted to be as God. All this was instilled into the heart of the woman by the tempter, and God being left out of her thoughts, she now takes of the fruit of the tree, eats of it, and gives to her husband, and he also eats of it.

Such was the fact of disobedience, which was most heinous in the sight of God. Thus they both fell from that happy state by this one act of disobedience, and were no longer allowed to remain in paradise. Their life was forfeited. Man became dead in sin, and was placed at a great distance from God, no more in paradise, but under the power of the prince and ruler of this world. The result of this act of disobedience has filled the earth with pride, self-will, and violence; for all the vice and misery that have ever been known in this world, have been the result of disobedience. All that descend from Adam are born in his fallen image, are sinners against God, and judgment has come upon all men to condemnation. But "where sin abounded, grace has much more abounded," since Christ, the Seed of the woman, has come, as God said, and has bruised the serpent's head, that as "sin has reigned unto death, even so might grace reign, through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. v. 20, 21), who hath abolished death, and "brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel" (2 Tim. i. 10); and by His act of obedience unto death, even the death of the cross, believers are made righteous in Him--"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ" (Rom. v. 17).

JAMES HERBERT COLLINS
(Aged 11 years).

_Commissariat Office, Cork._

[Very good Essays have also been received from Ada Cannings, Leonard Lucock, Bessie Hills, E. B. Knocker, W. E. Cray, W. A. Tooke, and R. A. Stevens.]

[The writer of the above Essay receives a copy of "The Loss of All Things for Christ."

The subject for February will be, "Why was Saul Rejected of God?" and the prize to be given for the best Essay on that subject, a copy of "The Life of John Newton." All competitors must give a guarantee that they are under fifteen years of age, and that the Essay is their own composition, or the papers will be passed over, as the Editor cannot undertake to write for this necessary information. Papers must be sent direct to the Editor, Mr. T. Hull, 117, High Street, Hastings, by the first of January.]

IF aught good thou canst not say
Of thy brother, foe, or friend,
Take thou, then, the silent way,
Lest in word thou shouldst offend.

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