LETTERS FROM HOME.--MARGARET LOSES HER FRIEND.--UNSATISFACTORY REPORT OF
ALEC.--DAVID RESOLVES TO GO OUT.--DONALD URGES HIS SISTER AND JANET TO
COME ALSO, AND PREPARES FOR THEIR RECEPTION.--NO TIDINGS CAN BE OBTAINED
OF ALEC.--DAVID'S ARRIVAL.--MR. SKINNER EXPLAINS TO HIM IMPORTANT GOSPEL
TRUTHS.
Donald had frequently written home, and had heard from Margaret and
David in return. Every word from them was of interest to him, and all
kind Janet's sayings and doings were faithfully recorded. She seemed to
work even harder than ever; but as Margaret remarked:--
"She manages to make her purchases at a cheapness that surprises me, and
I often cannot account for the number of articles she brings home for
the money she has to expend. Perhaps she gets more for her yarn than
formerly, or has a hoard with which we are unacquainted. Mrs Galbraith
is as kind as ever, and gives me a number of things which assist me
greatly. Her health is, I fear, however, failing rapidly, and if she is
taken away I shall lose the best friend I ever expect to have, next to
Janet. She hears occasionally from Alec, who is at Montreal, which is,
I suppose, a long way from you, or you would have mentioned him. Mr
Galbraith has much altered; he looks grave and anxious, and is often
irritable with his dear wife. I pray that she may be spared, but I am
very very anxious about her."
The next letter to this acknowledged with pleasure and gratitude the
receipt of the first sum of money Donald was able to send home.
Margaret wrote:--"It has made us rich beyond our most sanguine hope; but
Janet seems unwilling to spend any of it, and says she does not like to
deprive you of your siller; so pray do not send any more unless we
really require it. Mrs Galbraith is kinder than ever, and insists on
giving me everything I can possibly want, saying that I am of so much
service to her that I ought to receive a salary in addition. I, of
course, only do what I can to show my gratitude for her kindness to me
since I was a little girl."
Another letter came from Margaret some months after this, when Donald
had been in the colony upwards of a couple of years. Her kind friend,
Mrs Galbraith, had been taken away, and though she had died with the
hope that Alec would be brought to know the truth, she had been for the
last few months of her life so deeply anxious about his spiritual
welfare, that she could not help speaking on the subject to Margaret,
who had hitherto not been aware of the dangerous notions he had imbibed.
Margaret expressed herself deeply grieved with what she heard, and
promised to unite her prayers with those of her friend for Alec's
conversion.
A few months later Donald again heard from Margaret. Mr Galbraith had
followed his wife to the grave. Her exhortations to him had not been in
vain, and having accepted the truth himself, he was as anxious about his
son as she had been. "I visited him frequently during his illness, as
Mrs Galbraith had entreated me to do," said Margaret, "and though he
was undoubtedly most anxious about Alec's spiritual state, he also, from
what he said, seemed to fear that his worldly prospects were very
different from what he had hoped. The mercantile house with which he is
connected has failed, and I fear that the greater part--if not all--of
Mr Galbraith's property has been lost also, so that Alec will be left
without support unless he can obtain another situation. I need not
suggest to you, my dear brother, to write to your old friend, and
ascertain his position, and if he requires it give him a helping hand.
I must now tell you the determination to which David has come, though he
will write to you himself on the subject. We were not till lately aware
of the assistance we have received from dear Mrs Galbraith and other
friends, from whom we have discovered our kind Janet has been in the
habit of demanding whatever she considered necessary for us. I am sure
that she would not have begged a sixpence for her own support. I am now
thrown more completely than ever on her hands, and though I am anxious
to do anything I can to maintain myself she will not hear of my leaving
her. I would take a situation as a child's governess, or as a companion
to a lady, such as I have been to Mrs Galbraith, or go into service,
but she insists that I must bide at home with her, as she could not
trust me out of her sight, but that I am welcome to ply my needle as
much as I please, and that she doubts not she shall find work for me if
I follow her wishes, which David is anxious that I should do. He cannot
bring himself to draw on her resources, so as to continue his studies
till he can become a minister, which will not be for some years yet. He
has often talked of going out to join you in Canada, and his heart is, I
am sure, set on so doing. He has his doubts as to his fitness for the
ministry, and says that head-learning and book-learning are not
sufficient, and that he is conscious of being destitute of all other
qualifications. He declares he should sink down with nervousness
directly he enters a pulpit, that his voice and memory would fail him,
and that he does not possess that love of souls and desire to win them
to Christ, which he considers the chief qualification for the preacher
of the gospel. I agreed with him when he made the last remark; but
still I trust that he is mistaken about his qualifications. Nothing I
have urged has had any effect in inducing him to alter his
determination. Though he studies as hard as ever, he almost starves
himself in his anxiety not to be a burden to Janet, he will not buy any
fresh books, or spend more money than he can possibly help; indeed, I
must own to you that she would have great difficulty in giving him any,
though she tries to make him believe, as usual, that she has as much as
he can require. I begged you before not to send us home any of your
earnings; but I do not hesitate now to ask you to remit as much as will
be sufficient for David's voyage, if you approve of his going out to
join you."
"The very thing of all others I have been longing for," exclaimed
Donald, as he finished Margaret's letter. "I have ample to enable him
to come out, and I am sure Mr Todd will find employment for him. But
Margaret and Janet must not remain with straitened means; I wish they
would come out also. I will send home sufficient for their voyage, and
use every argument to induce them to come. If they will not they must
spend the money on their own support at home. Margaret will, I am sure,
be perfectly happy out here, though Janet would find the country rather
strange, yet neither of them would mind the rough life they would be
compelled to live, any more than others do, many of whom have been far
more accustomed than they are to the luxuries and refinements of the old
country."
Thus Donald meditated till he persuaded himself that in a few months he
should see his sister and brother and their faithful nurse arrive to
take possession of the log-hut he proposed building for them. He lost
no time in writing a letter, and in arranging with Mr Todd to send home
a considerable portion of the salary due to him. He insisted that
Margaret should receive whatever David did not require for his
passage-money and journey to the township, and should spend it on the
support of Janet and herself, should they decline accompanying David.
He thought it impossible that they could refuse, and forthwith set to
work to build a substantial log-hut on a plot of ground which, by Mr
Todd's advice and assistance, he had purchased not far from Mr
Skinner's location.
Mr Skinner had made inquiries about his family when he heard of his
hopes of being joined by his brother and sister and old nurse. He at
once begged that he would apply to him for whatever he might require for
their comfort and convenience.
"I am a bachelor, and as my personal expenses are trifling, I shall
consider it a privilege to be allowed to be of use to those who are so
well deserving of assistance," he observed. "That old nurse of yours
has excited my warm admiration. Her knowledge may be limited, but from
your account she has lived a practical Christian life, and though you
may justly desire to be independent, and to support yourself by your own
labour, you cannot wish her and your sister to decline whatever aid God
puts it into the hearts of others to offer to them."
Donald warmly thanked his friend; and seeing the justness of his
remarks, without hesitation accepted his offer. His mind was thereby
greatly relieved from any anxiety he might have felt in supporting those
who had become dependent upon him, till he himself should be able to
gain sufficient for the purpose.
He wrote immediately to Alec Galbraith, but some time passed, and no
answer was received to his letter. He then got Mr Todd to make
inquiries of some acquaintances at Montreal, and through them he at last
heard that after the house in which Alec had been engaged had broken up,
the young man having vainly attempted to find employment in other firms,
had left the place without letting anyone know in what direction he had
gone. He had created many enemies by the opinions he publicly expressed
on religious and political subjects, and was looked upon as a disloyal
and dangerous person.
This account greatly grieved Donald, who had not supposed it possible
that the fine manly and talented friend of his youth would be otherwise
than liked, and succeed wherever he might go. "What can possibly have
changed Alec so much?" he asked himself more than once.
Donald mentioned the subject to Mr Skinner.
"What was the foundation of his good qualities?" inquired his friend.
"Were they built on the rock which, when the floods of trial and
temptation came would stand firm, or on the sandy soil, whence they were
sure to be washed away."
Donald considered. "He resided in Germany for some time, and I know
that his religious opinions underwent a change for the worse, and from
some remarks Margaret let drop, that his mother was very anxious about
him."
"That is a sufficient explanation," observed Mr Skinner, with a sigh.
"We must pray that like the prodigal son he may find that he has husks
alone to eat, and be brought back to the loving Father, who, with open
arms, is ever ready to receive those who, having made that important
discovery, return to Him."
The two Christian friends knelt down and offered up their petitions that
the wanderer might be found out and restored.
Few people in the settlement were more busy than Donald Morrison.
Besides building his log house, at which he worked with his own hands,
and superintending the clearing of the ground, he had his official
duties to attend to, which he in no way neglected; and, as the
settlement increased, they became more onerous than at first. "If David
were with me he would find plenty to do," he said, over and over again.
"I wish that he were coming, and I have no doubt Mr Todd would obtain
for him a situation under me."
When Donald wrote home he had begged his brother and sister not to wait
till they could write and announce their intended coming, but if they
could persuade Janet to accompany them, to set off immediately. As each
party of settlers arrived he looked out eagerly, hoping to find those so
dear to him among them. He was destined frequently to be disappointed.
At last, one evening he was seated in his new house, now nearly
completed, busily employed on some plans which he had taken home from
Mr Todd's office, when he was aroused by a knock at the door. On
opening it he saw standing before him a tall slight young man, whom he
knew by his bonnet and tartan coat to be Scotch, "Does one Donald
Morrison live here?" asked the stranger, gazing eagerly at his face.
The moment he spoke Donald knew the voice; it was David's, and the
brothers' hands were clasped together.
"I should not have known you," exclaimed David, scanning Donald's
sunburnt countenance, and sturdy strongly built figure.
"Nor I you, till I heard you speak," answered Donald. "But have you not
brought Margaret and Janet?"
"I am sorry to say no. Janet would not venture across the salt ocean,
and Margaret would not quit her. Janet, indeed, did her utmost to
dissuade me from coming to this land of impenetrable forests, fierce red
men, savage wolves, roaring cataracts, and numberless other dangers,
such as she believes it is, and her dread of exposing Margaret to them,
I suspect, made her more determined to stay at home than had she herself
alone been asked to come, as for our sakes I believe she would have
risked all could she have been satisfied that Margaret would have been
in safety. Finding all my arguments useless, I set off as you wished
me."
"She is a good faithful creature, and we must still hope to overcome her
fears for our dear sister's safety," said Donald. "However, I am
thankful you have come, and I am sure that you will not be
disappointed."
Donald lost no time in placing an abundant supply of bachelor's fare,
prepared by his own hands, on the table. As may be supposed, the
brothers sat up the greater part of the night, talking over the past as
well as their future prospects.
Donald was not disappointed in his hopes of obtaining employment for
David, Mr Todd being glad at once, on his brother's recommendation, to
secure his services. David gave his mind to the work he had undertaken,
and soon became a very efficient assistant to Donald. Though he looked
pale and delicate when he first arrived, and was unable to go through
the physical exertion required of him without fatigue, he rapidly gained
strength, and in a short time became strong and hardy.
Shortly after his arrival Donald took him to call on Mr Skinner, who
welcomed him kindly, and led him to enter freely into conversation, that
he might, as Donald suspected, ascertain his opinions. Donald, when
speaking of his brother, had merely stated that he declined entering the
ministry, and preferred coming out to join him as a settler. Mr
Skinner allowed several days to pass, during which they frequently met,
before he offered any remarks to David on the choice he had made.
"You have abandoned the most important of callings, my young friend, for
one which, though honourable and useful, and which may obtain to you
worldly advantages, is not, in the nature of things, likely to render
spiritual service to your fellow-creatures," he observed.
"Several reasons prompted me to take the course I have pursued,"
answered David. "The principle one, however, was, that I felt myself
unfitted for the ministry, and had a strong desire to come out and join
my brother. I had no spiritual life in myself, and could not impart it
to others."
"Certainly you could not impart to others what you did not possess
yourself," observed Mr Skinner. "But, my dear friend, are you content
to remain without that spiritual life? It is required, not only for
those engaged in the ministry, but for all who rightly bear the name of
Christ, for all who desire to be His subjects, to enter into the kingdom
of heaven. The Holy Spirit alone can impart it to you or to others, but
having it, whether set apart or not for Christ's service, you may be
made the instrument by which many of your fellow-creatures may obtain it
likewise. It should be the object of all Christ's subjects to win souls
for Him. When Christ spoke to Nicodemus and told him that he must be
born again, He addressed a learned man, an expounder of the law of
Moses. If a physician, a merchant, or person of any other calling, had
come to Him He would have said the same. And now I entreat you to ask
yourself the question, which Christ would have put had you gone to Him.
He would have said, as He said to Nicodemus, `Ye must be born again.'
He would not have first inquired whether or not you were intended for
the ministry. He would have said, as He does to all human beings, high
and low, rich and poor, men and women, boys and girls, who desire to
live with Him in heaven for ever and ever. You may be very industrious,
and energetic, and honest, and moral, and well conducted in your secular
calling, but that will not stand you instead of what Christ requires.
The old man must be put off, the new nature be received. I repeat, `You
must be born again.'"
"And how can that be brought about?" exclaimed Donald, much perturbed in
mind.
"Christ says, `the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the
sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth,
so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.' Christ did not leave
Nicodemus with this answer, which might well have perplexed him, as it
has those who have turned aside from it as incomprehensible; but He
shows how man must do his part to bring about that new birth. It is by
_simple faith, by taking God at His word_, by looking to Christ and
trusting to His blood as all-sufficient to wash away sin, to His
sacrifice as being accepted in lieu of our punishment. He explains it
in those most blessed words--that most perfect of all similes--`As Moses
lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be
lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have
eternal life.' Know and feel that you are bitten by sin, dying
eternally from its rank poison, and then look to Jesus as the certain,
the only cure, just as the Israelites, bitten by the fiery serpents,
were commanded to look at the brazen serpent, held up by Moses in the
wilderness, as the only way by which they could be cured. Thus, through
simple faith, is the necessary change brought about. All God demands
from us is faith. He, through the Holy Spirit, does the rest. My dear
young friend read that all-important portion of God's Word with earnest
prayer for enlightenment, and you will understand the simple plan of
salvation, which His loving mercy has formed, far more clearly than you
can by any words I may use. The question is, Do you believe that the
Bible is God's Word, that Jesus Christ, His Son, came into the world to
suffer, the just for the unjust--that the world, through Him, might be
saved? If you do, then hear His words,--`He that believeth on me is not
condemned.' If you do believe, then you are born again, for all who are
not born again remain under condemnation. What you require, what we all
require, is more grace, more faith, more love, more trust. For all
those things we can pray, and wrestle, and strive, and God will not
allow us to pray in vain. Faith may be a strong rope or a thin rope, so
thin that we dread its giving way; but God _forms_ it, _God holds it
fast_. In His hands it will not break. Let us then trust in Him, and
ever seek the aid of the Holy Spirit to hold us up, and we shall find
the thin line increasing in size till it becomes a stout cable, capable
of, ay certain of, holding our wave-tossed bark amid the fiercest
tempest which can break around us."
David returned home rejoicing. He did not regret abandoning his former
intention and coming out to Canada; but he resolved to give himself up
to the study of the Bible, and while following his secular calling, to
assist his friend in spreading the truths of the gospel among the
surrounding population.