41 RELIGION AND LABOUR. "The Lord working with them."-MARK xvi. 20. The law of labour was MAN was intended to be a labourer. revealed ere ever it was necessary to toil for bread. Even in innocence it was a duty to work. It was necessary to the proper cultivation of human powers, physical, intellectual, and moral. It was a beneficent arrangement of God. Much more is it incumbent on the race now. Ever since sin entered into the world, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" is the divine rule. Throughout all this dispensation that law shall remain. Industry is made essential to life. But it is not a mean thing to labour with the hand. There is a dignity in every duty, and especially in this. Since the CARPENTER of Nazareth toiled at his bench and made tools for Galilean peasants, labour has had a dignity, and artisans an elevation, and workshops a consecration. After this, the lantern-making of King Eropus, the shipbuilding of the Czar Peter, or the watch-making of the Emperor Charles V., could do little to exalt it. It is in every respect an honourable calling, and each man by attending to his work does one part of his duty to God and to his brother. It is a precept of the New Testament, "that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands." It is essential to well-doing, to family maintenance and comfort. It should, therefore, be practised in a right spirit and with a single eye. Re ligion must not be divorced from labour, nor can it be right to say, "Our better mind Is as a Sunday's garment, then put on When we have nought to do; but at our work We wear a worse for thrift." There must not be a shifting off religion to Sabbath-days and sanctuaries, nor the toleration of a lax principle through the week along with a strict profession on the Lord's day. Religion is consistent with work, and can sanctify its exercise and solace its sorrows. It has not unfrequently received some of its most beautiful illustrations in the most toil-worn men. They "adorned the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things." They laboured for their daily bread and laboured for Christ. They spent their long hours to earn a subsistence for themselves and their families, and gave their evenings to works of usefulness. They evidenced the power of a living religion in a workshop of scoffers and drunkards. They were bold for Christ in the den of the lion. They won souls amidst opposition, chiefly by the sustained consistency of a holy life. Or, moving from place to place in search of work, they have, like Aquila of old, been Christian missionaries, leaving a hallowed impression and a clearer light around those with whom they met. Christian workman, be encouraged! Let the story of others' toils stimulate you. Be not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Be a torch-bearer wherever you go and among whomsoever you work. What has been done may be done again. The following examples are but specimens of what you may be and do. Labour is life! 'tis the still water faileth Idleness ever despaireth, bewaileth; Keep the watch wound, for the dark night assaileth,— Labour is glory! the flying cloud lightens ; Only the waving wing changes and brightens: Play the sweet keys, wouldst thou keep them in tune! Labour is rest from the sorrows that greet us,- Work, and pure slumbers shall wait on thy pillow! Droop not, tho' shame, sin, and anguish are round thee! Bravely fling off the cold chain that hath bound thee! Look to yon pure heaven smiling beyond thee, Rest not content in thy darkness-a clod! Work for some good, be it ever so slowly! Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly! Labour! True labour is noble and holy; Let labour follow thy prayers to thy God! CHAPTER I. THOMAS CRANFIELD, THE TAILOR. "Poor, yet making many rich."-2 COR. vi. 10. Go, labour on! spend and be spent, Thy joy to do thy Father's will; It is the way the Master went, Should not the servant tread it still? THE calling of a working man is an active life. Day after day, from dawn to eve, he prosecutes his task, that he may obtain a living and provide for his house. Leisure in any of the ten daily hours is loss. It is his endeavour to be constantly employed, that he may not want. But along with this fatiguing labour he enjoys a periodic rest, for meals and sleep, for domestic and social fellowship. These intervals, brightened by refreshment and happy intercourse, make the labour lighter and life more sweet. They oil the wheels of life and make them move more softly. They tune the temper and smooth the character. They make better workers and worthier citizens. Still more influentially does the grace of God bless and make a blessing. There is no lot, however humble, but it can sanctify; and none, however busy, but it can render useful to the church of Christ. "Example is better than precept." We shall, therefore, present the portrait of a life spent for Christ and made useful to others amidst the earnest endeavours of working for bread : THOMAS CRANFIELD was born in 1758, in Southwark, and at fourteen was apprenticed to a tailor in London. He was a wild, reckless, and godless youth. He first. absconded from his master, then engaged with another, and before his term was finished, began "to whip the cat," as jobbing at houses is styled by tailors. He then enlisted in the army, and served at Gibraltar when it was besieged by the Spaniards; but was discharged at his own request in 1783. During his absence his father had been awakened by the ministry of Mr. Romaine, and the son was caught in the gospel net by the same fisher of men. No sooner was he converted to Christ than he "felt an ardent desire for the salvation of others." He began a prayer-meeting in his house, and, amidst trials of poverty, lack of employment, and domestic affliction, was cheered by being made the instrument of winning souls to Christ. Impressed with the ignorant and wicked state of the brickmakers in Kingsland, he established a prayer-meeting among them, which was held every morning at five o'clock. "Notwithstanding the difficulties that beset him," says his biographer," Mr. C. was every morning, busily employed at the prayer-meeting among the brickmakers; and, in the midst of frost and snow, he was accustomed to go round and knock up his friends, that the place might be full." What singular and self-denying devotedness! How few would take such trouble about the souls of their fellow-men! Yet Cranfield persevered, and the Lord blessed his labours. The house was soon too small for the company; but a larger one was obtained, and regular preaching established. When distress, too, came among the brickmakers, Mr. Cranfield raised subscriptions, procured provisions, coals, and clothing, which were sold at a cheap rate to the poor, and did much to relieve their wants. While at his work, his Bible was his constant companion. He meditated upon it while "plying needle and thread," |