GEORGE,

THE AUSTRALIAN EMIGRANT.

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George first became known to the writer just after he had left school, where he had not derived all the advantages of daily instruction, in consequence of deafness. gentleman who felt interested in the lad asked the writer to allow him to go to her for an hour on the Sabbath to be further instructed in reading. George was the eldest son of a plasterer, who could have supported his family very respectably, but his intemperance ruined them. George spent some hours every Sabbath with his instructress, and much pleased she was with the amiable dispositions of her pupil. He made rapid progress in reading, and he was very persevering in acquiring such information as came within his power. Lending him on one occasion a book containing a piece of poetry called "Europe," of twenty-seven stanzas, George committed them to memory very correctly. He had no money to spend in purchasing paper or books; and his contrivance, as well as industry, was shown in securing the advantage of retaining in his possession such information as particularly interested him, by transcribing it. Calling at his father's one day, the writer went into his work room, and a deal board quite covered with writing met her eye. On examining it, she discovered the stanzas on Europe in pencil. A Temperance Society had been established in Chichester, the city where George lived; and both he and his father joined it. But although now a sober man, the father had lost the opportunity of gaining a livelihood; and he and his family in the year 1840 emigrated to Adelaide, in South Australia. George was now in his fifteenth year. His first letter gave a very pleasant and intelligent account of the voyage, and of the way in which he past his time. He described the pleasure he felt in reading; specifying particularly the Bible and a small book called "The Cabin Boy." On his arrival in the colony he was greatly shocked to witness the awful extent to which intemperance was practised; and resolved to use all his efforts to get, if possible, a Teetotal Society established in Adelaide. In his second letter, dated

April, 1841, he says, I regret to hear of the little success in the Chichester Temperance Society; yet, notwithstanding, this society has been blessed of God; for I think had it not been for that society there would have been no such here. But blessed be God, there are thirty reclaimed drunkards.” He then gives an account of the anniversary in Adelaide. It appears he was made Secretary and took part in the meeting, when 190 persons signed the pledge; many of these were probably not intemperate, but such as had watched the benefit of the practice of total abstinence in the cases of drunkenness previously mentioned. In his letter he says, "I have reason to thank God for sending me here, for I see no prospect of better times in England than when we left it. We have a God to look to in time of need. Both my father and I are teachers in a Sunday school. Once more allow me to return you my sincere thanks for your kindness towards me when in England, for I bless God it was the little book called Bob the Cabin Boy' which you gave me, that first led me to feel that I was a sinner. The way you spoke to me on his prayer deeply affected my mind, and I went home with a heavy heart, full of horror and distress at my past sins; but now I bless God he has broken my rocky heart in pieces by the hammer of his Word." In another letter, dated 1842, George speaks of some of the books he had read, amongst which he mentions "Evidences of Christianity," "Hill's Dialogues,' "Cobbett's Grammar," also the Histories of Rome and Greece; but above all-"my Bible." "I have also read Samuel Hick the Village Shoemaker.' This little book shows what true piety is, and while I am reading these books I find I receive knowledge; and you know, the soul without knowledge is not good. I think I shall remember the little book, the 'Cabin Boy' through the ages of eternity. I never knew how to pray before I read that book; and through your kind exhortation, with the operation of the Holy Spirit, I was taught how to pray, and what to pray for. You recollect, when I came to the place where the boy was asked if he could pray, he answered 'No,' but said, my mother taught me the Lord's prayer.' Here you stopped me and asked if saying the Lord's prayer was prayer. I answered 'Yes,' but you said 'it was not.'

I went on reading the Cabin Boy's prayer for his master, and at the same time you remarked' That was prayer.' These words pierced my heart sharper than any two-edged sword. I was then convinced I was a sinner, and was led to fly to the arms of the crucified Redeemer." In his next

letter he informs the writer that he had been able to in

crease the number of his books. "My little library" says he, "has increased to nearly 60 volumes. I have lately purchased the whole of Paley's works in one volume. The Temperance Society has not been gaining much lately, but we had on Monday evening a Tea meeting, the best we have had in the Colony. At the close 18 men signed. The number of members is about 200. On the Sabbath my time is taken up in the Sunday school, of which I have the management at present. My sister is also teacher in it." In a letter dated January, 1844, George writes, "I am sure it will grieve you to hear the state religion is in, or, rather the professors of religion." He then gives a painful description of the absence of brotherly love and vital Christianity, hoping, by the grace of God, he might be able to hold on his way in faithful obedience to his Divine Master. "I trust," he continues, "ever to obey your kind advice, listening to the still small voice, the inward speaking of the Spirit of God, for it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. The Temperance Society is about the same as when I last wrote. We hold meetings occa-.

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sionally. We have formed a Branch Society in the district of Happy Valley, and it is in a flourishing condition. With regard to work, we have suffered from the times; but we must not complain. The Lord has supplied us with the bread that perishes; while many, I fear, have been starving from want of it." The next letter is from his father. it he speaks of himself as endeavouring to live to the glory of his Maker, no longer the slave of sin; and gratefully acknowledging the mercy of the Saviour in plucking him as a brand from the burning. He speaks of his son as having been made a great blessing to him; and his parental and affectionate feelings are forcibly expressed. He mentions the intended marriage of his son with a pious and agreeable young woman. Of this circumstance, George in his next letter informs the writer, November, 1846, "I was married”

he says, "in February, 1845, and I bless God for it. My dear wife is a great help-meet, and we are going hand in hand to Heaven. The Lord has blest us with a dear little girl, whom we have named Jessie; and may the Lord grant us grace to train her up in His fear." He remarks in the same letter, that, "The cause of religion is not prosperous here; there is a want of love amongst the different denominations of Christians. But as regards Teetotalism, that is reviving again, and great good is being done. We have public meetings every fortnight in Adelaide, but I am sorry to say I am almost the only speaker. The 4th company of the 11th regiment stationed here, when they came, were an awful drunken set; but now there is scarcely a drunken man among them. About 50 of the company have signed the pledge; and, as a token of their gratitude, they gave us an excellent entertainment at the great Barrack room. This may be traced to the instrumentality of the Chichester Temperance Society. My wife is almost the only teetotal female in Adelaide. We have had some excellent meetings in town, the management of which falls upon her; but she does it cheerfully. With regard to worldly matters, silver and gold have I none; neither do I covet them, but we have bread enough and to spare. The house that we live in is my own. I have abundance of work, and at present have men working for me. With regard to my friends, my father and step-mother are travelling towards the kingdom. We have a small plot of ground and grow My father works at his business and is doing well, and my brothers and sisters are a great comfort to me. My wife is fond of poetry, and the pieces you gave me are all preserved. She is a good singer, and makes the place ring, singing 'I am glad I ever saw the day,' &c., which is from the little book you sent. Dear Madam, we shall not meet again on earth, but I trust we shall in heaven. pray for me that my faith fail not, and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you is the prayer of "Your most humble Servant,

corn.

0!

G. C."

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ADVICE TO

SOLDIERS.

BY SIR CHARLES NAPIER.

Given to the 96th regiment when he reviewed it at Calcutta. It is as applicable to men in civil life as to soldiery.

We have both (he said) been a great deal about the world since we were last together, and I am very glad to hear such a good account of the regiment. Your colonel tells me you are not only in good health, but that you are good in conduct that you have very few men in hospital. Now this is all right, and I hope you will continue to bear a good character. But let me give you a bit of advicethat is, don't drink. I know young men do not think much about advice from old men. They put their tongue in their cheek, and think they know a good deal better than the old cove that is giving them advice. But let me tell you, that you are come to a country where, if you drink, you're dead men. If you be sober and steady, you'll get on well; but if you drink, you're done for. You will be either invalided or die. I knew two regiments in this country-one drank, the other did'nt drink. The one that did'nt drink is one of the finest regiments, and has got on as well as any regiment in existence. The one that did drink has been all but destroyed. For any regiment for which I have a respect (and there is not one of the British regiments whom I don't respect), I should always try and persuade them to keep from drinking. I know there are some men who will drink in spite of the devil and their officers; but such men will soon be in hospital, and very few that go in in this country ever come out again. I wish the 96th regiment every success, and am very glad to see it in the state it is.