which all that are in their gravesshall hear the voice of the Son of Man, and shall come forth; thefollowers of Christ to enter into heaven, and his enemies to be castinto hell."
After his mother's death, Orrin went to live with a kind uncle, abrother of Mrs. Pierce, who lived a great distance off, so that Orrinwent there in a ship. Then God raised up a friend for this orphan-boy.His uncle had a little daughter much younger than Orrin, whose name wasJane. As he never had a sister, it was very pleasant to have such alittle companion as Jane. His aunt was very kind and affectionate tohim, but no one was like his mother. Though he was very sad for a longtime, he tried to overcome such feelings, and, by dutiful conduct, toshow his kind uncle and aunt that he was grateful to them.
Jane had not received as much instruction as Orrin had, and he was veryhappy to tell her some of the things he had heard from his mother. Oneday, he and Jane were walking in the garden, and they stopped by thebee-hives to watch the bees go out to gather their stores, and returnladen with sweets.
Orrin told Jane many curious facts about bees, which instructed hervery much. He told her that they were always busy, and would notallow an idler to live in the hive. Orrin and Jane also attendedSunday-school together.
Jane used to walk and play in her father's garden, but she did nothave one of her own. Her father used to tell her she might look at theflowers, but that she must not pick them, as she would injure them. Butwhen Orrin came he gave Jane a garden by herself in which her cousinworked, and they both kept it in order, and it was a great pleasureto her to pick flowers whenever she liked. She used often to gather apretty nosegay for her mother. Orrin used to say when he looked at herflowers, why even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one ofthese.
Many boys who have been taught by pious mothers to pray to God inchildhood, when they become older forsake the law of their mother. Theybegin to think it is well enough for children, but not needful for men;but this was not the case with Orrin. He remembered what Solomon saysof a mother's counsel: "When thou goest it shall lead thee; when thousleepest it shall keep thee; and when thou wakest it shall talk tothee." Orrin read his Bible daily, and continued to pray to the God ofhis mother, and he kept in mind her instructions and always tried toact as he supposed his mother would wish.
From the time he was old enough to behave properly, Orrin went toSunday-school. He was in a room where only the little scholarsattended, and they were taught by a very kind lady. She taught themfrom Scripture-cards, and they could say and sing many beautiful littlehymns. He could also answer all the questions in a simple catechism.When he could read well, he went into the larger school, and was putinto a class with some boys larger than himself. Some of them did notbehave as well as Orrin did.
Orrin's mother loved to see her little boy play at proper times. Shedid not always require him to be studying, or reading books. When hewent to play she was careful that his mates should be good boys who didnot take the name of God in vain, or use coarse and vulgar language,or quarrel and fight. She told him always to treat his mates kindly,to be just and fair in his sports, and at all times to "do unto othersas he would wish others to do unto him." She reminded him that "even achild is known by his ways," and that "cheating play never prospers."
Wherever there is a library of useful books, a young person can gaina store of knowledge. Orrin was very fond of reading, and his unclegave him the liberty of reading in his study, whenever he wished to doso. There Orrin spent many hours, gaining useful knowledge; and as hehad a very good memory, he found, many years after, much use for theinstruction he received in this way. Solomon says, "Get wisdom, getunderstanding, take fast hold of instruction, let her not go, keep her,for she is thy life."
Those who have read the history of this good boy, will like to hearsomething of him as a man. He became not only a respectable, but auseful and pious man. He was a kind friend; he warned and reprovedthose he found doing wrong. When a man, he was as fearless inreproving sin as he was when a boy. If he saw a young man profaning theSabbath day, he kindly warned him of his evil way and would invite himto go with him to the house of God. His example was, also, a silentteacher of all.
You will not be surprised to hear that Orrin became a Sunday-schoolteacher, nor that he knew how to teach in a way to profit his scholars.They all loved him very much, and never were absent from school unlessthey were sick. Here he is, just returning from Sunday-school. Two ofhis scholars are with him; they have their library-books in theirhands. How orderly they walk by his side, talking with him about thelesson. It is a great blessing to have such a teacher.
This picture may remind us of Orrin, for we may think of him aswalking by the water-side with a friend. Perhaps he is speaking of theoccupation of Christ's disciples, when he called them to preach thegospel. They left their ships and followed him. He is pointing tothe church amid the trees, and says "I too would preach the gospel."No doubt he would make a useful minister of the gospel, for from hisyouth he has known the Scriptures, which are able to make him wise untosalvation. He may be thinking of Christ's words, Go ye unto all theworld, and preach the gospel to every creature.
After much thought upon the subject, and having taken the advice offriends, Orrin determined to be a missionary. He went to bid farewellto the scenes of his childhood. He visited the cottage where he wasborn. He stood by the sea-side, where he had gathered shells, andlistened to his mother's instructions; he walked in the fields wherehe had seen the lambs. And as he stood thinking over his days ofchildhood tears fell from his eyes, but they were tears of gratitude toGod, for having given him a mother who taught him to love the serviceof God.
He at length goes to make known the way of salvation to those whonever heard of a Saviour; to poor ignorant pagans, who worship idols,the work of their own hands. Many, like him, have gone to tell theperishing heathen of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.May all such reap a rich reward, and turn many to righteousness. MayGod incline the heathen to cast away their senseless idols, which haveeyes that see not, and ears that hear not, and enter upon the serviceof Him who is worthy of all their love.
History of Orrin Pierce Page 2