The Man with the Book Part 9

As it was necessary that the teacher should know where the man lived, he went with him down one of those narrow, dirty streets, where the people live in comfort as regards thieves: as they have nothing to be robbed of, they allow their doors to remain open all night. The man entered one of these open doors, and ascended the stair-case, in thick darkness; his step was evidently known, as a woman came out of the back attic, holding in her hand a blacking bottle, in which was a piece of candle. All doubts as to her being his wife was set at rest, by the rough introducing his new acquaintance in the following elegant language, "'Ere Sarah, 'ere's a gent I've picked up in a beer shop." To the embarra.s.sment of the dirty, ragged woman, the visitor entered the room; and a deplorable room it was,--a drunkard's home. The floor was dirty, without a piece of carpet, and several of the panes of gla.s.s were broken and pasted over with pieces of brown paper, greased to admit a little light. There was only one broken chair, and a sieve-basket, covered with a rusty tea-tray, formed another seat. The table was evidently the safest piece of goods, as the wife invited her visitor to take a seat upon it. There was no bedstead, but an acc.u.mulation of rags in one corner covered two dirty little children. The poor woman had that crushed and wretched expression of face so common among the wives of this cla.s.s of men. A quarter of an hour's conversation set her at ease and secured her good-will. Before leaving, the visitor, who had taken his seat upon the table, opened his Bible and read, while the woman stood with her light in the blacking bottle on one side of him, and her brutal but now subdued husband upon the other.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Back Attic]

A few evenings after, the Missionary, as arranged, entered the room with the spelling-book in his hand, to give the first lesson, and was glad to find the rough at home, and to return, with a pleasant smile, his gruff salutation of, "Thought as how you wasn't a-coming; but thank'ee, guv'nor, for doing on it." He then fairly seized the Primer, and repeated the alphabet so vigorously, that his intention of "being hedicated in no time" was evident, even if he had not said so. The book was left with him, and upon the next lesson-evening his wife told the teacher that "Bill had bin a A-ing, and B-ing, and B A-ing, ever since he com'd up there afore." Lesson succeeded lesson for many weeks, and though the task was distasteful to both parties, the rough got on exceedingly well, and at the end of three months he was able to read easy lesson books. From that time there was evidence of a change pa.s.sing over the family. The understood rule of the London City Mission, that no visit be completed without the reading or repeating of some portion of Holy Scripture, had been observed, and as the result, much of that Word, the entering of which into the soul gives light, had been read to this poor man and his wife. There was a change in their home, for the teacher one evening noticed two new chairs and a piece of carpet; after this, several gaudy pictures and a fender were introduced, and then the rags were removed, and a punch and judy bedstead (a thing that turns up in the corner) set up in its place.

"You are getting on in the world," observed their friend one evening, as he glanced round the room.

The man looked unutterable things at his wife, and said, "Should think we are, sir; and I'll let the cat out of the bag, as they sayes: and this is that ere cat. Arter you had been a-readin' and a-'elpin' me one night I walks out, and as I pa.s.sed the Tom and Jerry where I picked you up, some old pals says, 'Come in and have a little heavy wet!' and in I goes; and then we went into the tother corner, and I stood some gin, as with the tother got into my 'ed; and when I was turned out I seed a Peeler, and wolunteered to fight 'im. So he takes me by the choker and walks me along, and my old woman, as was looking for me, comes up and begged the Peeler not to trot me in, as makes a charge. So, bein' soft 'arted, he gived me to her; and when I got up 'ere I was sober like, and said I, I will be a Christian, like as the gent reads of, what eat pigs'

wittles, and went back to his Father; and I'll be teetotal to-morrow. So in the morning I had a pen'orth of coffee at the total shop, and hopened my mind to the gal what brought it; and she told the guv'nor, and he brings a book, and I put a scratch in it, and I haven't had a drop of the public stuff never since; and we said we'd say nothin' to you till we had been teetotal a month, and it's more than that now."

The man was commended for his resolution, and when the lesson was over, the Book was opened and the parable of the Prodigal Son again read and more fully explained, and then the family altar was set up in that poor room, as the man with his wife and children knelt together in prayer.

Soon after this the man obtained employment in a timber yard, to empty sawdust from the pits, and his improvement, indeed his uprising in the social scale, became rapid. One evening his teacher took a very dear friend to see him,--the talented author of "Our Father's Care," and "Mother's Last Words." Reaching a Bible from the chest of drawers (for they had risen to that dignity), he said, "Do, mum, hear me read, as I does it well like. When I seed that gent in a beer bar I was a-goin' to smash at him, but he has learned me to read first rate." He then read the fifth chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel; and as the lady afterwards remarked, "he read it well, as he seemed to feel the force of every word." After this he gave evidence of a renewed nature, and became a living proof that grace can change a rough into a quiet and peaceable man, and that it is possible to pluck bad men from among the unG.o.dly, as brands from the everlasting burning.

NOTE.--Eleven years have pa.s.sed since Mrs. Sewell's visit to the rough, and we take the opportunity of revising for a new edition, to add that the man and his wife have stood firm to temperance principles. It was long, several years, before he joined a Congregational Church, and like many such he was an un.o.btrusive member, but his life was right. The appearance of his wife became so altered that she obtained work at charing, and their home possessed an appearance of real comfort. The eldest of the children, first seen on the rags, a girl, has obtained a place as nursemaid in a tradesman's family, and the rest bid fair to do well. Renewed proof, this, of the power of the religion of the Lord Jesus to convert the soul, to enforce holy living, and to bless the rising generation. Why then should any be lost for lack of knowledge?

Why should not all the people be instructed in the law of the Lord? each individual receiving the call to repentance, faith, and the blessed hope.

The Book in the Bars:

ITS RECEPTION.

"A time will come, sir,--would that it were come,-- When righteousness shall reign in every home, And the bless'd knowledge of the Lord shall be As the great floods that overflow the sea, And all things hurtful shall be swept away, And earth rejoice in one long Sabbath Day;-- But _this_ is not that time. The serpent stings, The adder biteth, and the drunkard sings In mad carousal, while the British name Grows a by-word for drunkenness and shame.

Oh, sir, dear sir, roll this reproach away, And hasten on the glorious Sabbath Day, When Christ shall reign in righteousness and peace, And all the turmoil of the world shall cease: Think of that time, and, for His glory's sake, This tenfold work of mercy undertake."

_Mrs. Sewell._

CHAPTER IX.

A STRANGE REQUEST--TOUCHING THE SCEPTRE--SUNDAY DRINKING--CLOSED ON SUNDAY--PLEASANT OPPOSITION--GUILTY TONGUES--A SHARP REBUKE--UGLIER THAN A GORILLA--A KNOTTY QUESTION--POTMAN'S LETTER--THE PUGILIST'S RING--THE BEAUTY OF AGE--RESTING IN PEACE.

THE BOOK IN THE BARS:

ITS RECEPTION.

"These were more n.o.ble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the truth with all readiness of mind." ACTS xvii. 11.

Thirteen years of Christian work in public, coffee, and night-houses, during which time 465 Sunday evenings were spent in the bars, taps, and parlours of these places, gave the Missionary thousands of opportunities to reason with men and women about righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come. Incidents of interest were of constant occurrence, and we select a few with the object of showing that the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of G.o.d, is mighty to subdue opposition and prejudice, and to accomplish the great purposes of grace.

THE CROWN AND SCEPTRE.--Upon entering this house one evening, the Missionary found a new landlord behind the bar. As he knew several of the customers, he entered into serious conversation with them, but was stopped by the landlord making the declaration that "it was an abominable thing for a man to talk religion in a public-house;" and then he ordered the intruder to leave. As the man was angry, the visitor went toward the door, merely remarking, "We shall know each other some day, and shall no doubt improve upon acquaintance, as I wish to do you a good turn,--the best thing one man can do for another;" and then he left the house. He had not, however, proceeded far down the street, when two men ran after him, and said that the landlord wished to speak to him.

The visitor felt that mischief was intended, but as an opportunity might be presented to secure the good-will of the man, he boldly re-entered the bar. To his surprise, the landlord, with a smile, offered him a number of handbills, and said, "You want to do me a good turn, do you?

Well, this is how you can manage it. I am told that you go into all the houses about here, and I want you to put one of these papers into each of your tracts, which will advertise me among the right sort of people."

The Missionary read the bills aloud, and could but join in the laughter produced, for they ran thus: "'Crown and Sceptre.' The new landlord begs to inform the public that he has taken this old-established house, and that he sells the best porter at fourpence a quart, and good old Tom at threepence-halfpenny a quartern," etc., etc. The customers considered the request to circulate such bills in religious tracts a good joke, but paused in their merriment to hear the reply of the visitor, who stood with the bills in his hand. That answer was given in the unexpected form of a question addressed to a group of costermongers who were standing at the other side of the bar.

"Do you men over there know what a sceptre is?"

"Never heard nothin' of that 'ere sort of article," was the reply, after some deliberation.

As the question evidently perplexed many of the customers, the visitor smiled, and addressing the landlord, said, "If I can't circulate your bills for you, I will make good use of them by acquainting your customers with the full meaning of your sign. Well, you all know that a crown is a kind of golden cap set with jewels and set upon the head of kings. Now a sceptre is a golden stick, about so long (showing the length with his hands), and is a badge of kingly authority with which to govern and to show mercy. I have seen the Queen's sceptre in the Tower, and its top is richly ornamented and studded with precious stones. In this Book (producing the pocket Bible) there are beautiful things about the sceptre, and if you like I will read you two short pa.s.sages. 'All the king's servants do know, that whosoever shall come unto the King into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the King shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live.' 'And the King held out to Esther the golden sceptre which was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.'" Then closing the Bible, he continued, "And now, landlord, I have to tell you that the crown and sceptre brought me here.

After the Lord Jesus died to save us, He rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. He is there crowned King of kings, and He has the sceptre of righteousness and mercy in His hand. He holds out that golden stick to each of you sinful men. By faith in Him you can touch it and be saved;" and then placing several tracts upon the bar, he stepped towards the door. He however turned back as an Irish labourer, who was standing with several of his countrymen, exclaimed,--

"Och, sure and it's the rail truth; and it's meself that will do it, as I niver did that, and I'm intirely wretched."

This was uttered with deep feeling, and a gesture of prayerful uplooking which showed that the comprehension of the beautiful, that charm of the Irish character, had caused the poor labourer to understand the lovely truth of an enthroned and pardoning Redeemer. He was invited to leave with the visitor, and they stood for some time in the street conversing about the love of G.o.d in Christ Jesus. The man stated that he was from Tipperary, and a good Catholic, but that he had often got drunk and had injured several persons. When ill, by an accident he had met with in his work, he was an inmate of Guy's Hospital for some weeks. When there, a gentleman used to read out of the Bible to a man in the next bed, and the man was very happy, though he did not belong to the true faith, as he was always speaking of Jesus, and never prayed to the saints. Since then he had felt unhappy about his sins, though he often went to ma.s.s and confession. The way of salvation was simply explained to him, and his address was taken, with the promise of a call. A few days after, his room in a rookery called Grey's Buildings, was entered. His wife, who expected the visitor, exclaimed, "In troth and it's your honour; and wasn't it Mick that towld me of your honour, and it's himself that has been praying Jesus to howld out the golden stick to him." While they were speaking Mick came in, and greeted his friend with real Irish feeling; and then they sat before the fire and conversed about the lovingkindness of Him who is mighty to save. As the blessed result, the poor Irishman was led to understand the way of salvation, and by faith to touch the sceptre of Infinite Mercy. Some months pa.s.sed before he had courage to enter a Protestant church, and then he was in company with his friend, whom he met by appointment. He for some minutes lingered outside, and then entered with a rush. After that his attendance was regular; but he found it necessary to leave his lodgings, as his conversion became known to the neighbours, and he received several unpleasant visits from the priest. He had two boys whom he sent to a Protestant school, though opposed by his wife. His acquaintance was kept up for several years, and he used to speak with joy about the golden stick, and the knowledge it gave him of the Saviour.

THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE.--Upon entering the bar-parlour of this house the landlord commenced the following conversation with the Missionary, concerning the evidence he had given before a Committee of the House of Commons: "I have, sir, been reading your evidence in the Blue Book, and while I agree with much that you said, I think that you were mistaken in two particulars. First, when you said that there are more persons in the public-houses of Marylebone upon the evening of the Lord's-day, than there are in all the churches and chapels of that parish. Secondly, your advice for further restrictions upon our Sunday-sale, coupled with your opinion, that a great number of our houses could be entirely closed upon the Lord's-day with benefit to the public and without loss to the publican."

"I am not surprised at your view of my evidence, but the sharp criticism of the trade has convinced me that I spoke the truth temperately. As regards the appalling statement as to the number of persons who frequent your houses upon the Lord's-day evening, you must have observed that I was sharply examined upon the point, and confirmed it with much detail; when I had finished, the chief Inspector of Police and other important persons were examined upon the matter, and confirmed my statement; after which the Committee reported it to Parliament as unquestionably true. It is then a terrible fact, certainly true, of all the poor neighbourhoods of London. As regards the closing on Sundays, and its effect upon the trade, I merely gave an opinion; but that opinion was arrived at after conversation with several hundred members of your trade. As you know, forty-seven publicans in this parish signed a pet.i.tion, praying Parliament to close you upon the whole of Sunday. Few men have a larger acquaintance with the trade than myself, and I am convinced that a strong feeling against Sabbath labour, and other evils of this business, is growing up among you. For instance, several of your neighbours now close their houses upon the whole of the Lord's-day, others close their tap-rooms, and many refrain from lighting the glaring lamps outside.

This shows a desire to use the great moral power you possess for the good of the people. And then as regards the loss resulting from Sunday closing, I am convinced that the saying of the Book is true: 'That in keeping His commandments there is great reward.' I am, however, content to reason the point with you from a trade point of view. It is a fact that all who close bear the loss lightly, if loss there be. One house at Sh.o.r.editch has been established more than a hundred years, though, for all that time, the following 'rules' have been printed over the bar:--

"'1. No person served a second time.

"'2. No person served if in the least intoxicated.

"'3. No swearing or improper language allowed.

"'4. Smoking not permitted.

"'5. When you enter a place of business, transact your business, and go about your business.

"'CLOSED ON SUNDAY.'"

"The landlord told me that after the experience of a century they had no wish to alter the rules. Twenty-six other Sunday-closing publicans, with whom I conversed, told me that the loss is really small. They lend bottles of various sizes to their customers upon the payment of a small deposit, which increases the Sat.u.r.day's returns; and as they save one-seventh of wear and tear and gas, the cost of obtaining a Sabbath of rest is to many small indeed. But be this as it may, the old question remains, put by Him who alone knew the value of the world He made and of the soul He created,--for all souls are His: 'What will it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?' You, and many of my friends in the trade, give a practical answer to this question by suppressing drunkenness, though much to your money loss (for I never saw a person the worse for liquor in your house); extend that answer by observing the Sabbath-day to keep it holy."

A few weeks after this conversation the Missionary entered the house again, in company with a clergyman from the Isle of Wight. The landlord asked them into the bar-parlour, and called his wife. He then produced a board, and said, "Since our last conversation, sir, I have considered the cost, and have had this board printed, and intend to put it outside next Monday morning. It will no doubt increase my trade difficulties, but with G.o.d's help I shall hope still to get on." The writing upon the board was: "NOTICE. On and after Sunday next, this house will be closed during the whole of the Lord's-day." They were commended for the good resolution, and the clergyman, at parting, observed, "You said wisely, that you hoped with G.o.d's help to succeed: that help can only be obtained in answer to prayer. Would it not therefore be well for us to seek the required blessing?" Upon this the landlady rose and locked the door, and while the barmaid was supplying the customers, her employers were kneeling with the Missionary, while the clergyman engaged in prayer.

The board was placed outside the house, and caused quite a sensation in the neighbourhood, and much jesting in the bar. The resolution was, however, kept; and after a year's Sunday closing, the landlord expressed his determination to continue in the right way, as he had found it possible to conduct the business upon Christian principles.

THE MOGUL.--A dirty little beer-shop, entirely supported by low and depraved persons. The taproom was built in the yard beside a skittle ground, and was approached through a long pa.s.sage. Upon entering it one evening the Missionary found a crowd of at least forty juvenile thieves, vagrants, and bullies. As the noise was great, the only hope of doing good was an effort to enter into conversation with one or two individuals. This, however, was prevented, as many of them knew the visitor, and hit upon a device to get rid of him. A song was started by one of the men, and the chorus was taken up by the full company, who repeated with deafening effect the words, "He's a jolly good fellow." As the song proceeded the repet.i.tion became so boisterous that the visitor divined their intention to sing him out. He at once saw the difficulty of his position, as, if they had succeeded, the same practice would have been adopted in other taprooms to the hindrance of his usefulness. He, therefore, instead of leaving, took a seat in their midst in a most unconcerned manner. The chorus was kept up until many of the vocalists had bawled themselves hoa.r.s.e; and as the yelling became feeble the visitor sprang to his feet, and said vehemently, "And they were good fellows, but the magistrates commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely; who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks."

The words changed the current of feeling. Nearly all in the room had been in prison, and those who had not had a deep sympathy with such.

"Who was they?" "Where was it?" and "What a shame!" were the general exclamations.

After a pause, which produced absolute silence, the speaker continued: "And at midnight they sang praises unto G.o.d." And then opening his Bible, he in a solemn, earnest tone, read the narrative of the imprisonment of Paul and Silas. When he came to the words, "He set meat before them and rejoiced, believing in G.o.d, with all his house," the reader closed the Book, and in a few telling sentences explained the nature of saving faith in Christ, and the result of that faith,--being made "new creatures." After this visit the work was easy in that taproom, and in the family of the landlord.

THE KING'S HEAD.--One afternoon, while the visitor was speaking with several respectable men in this bar, the barman addressed him with the exclamation, "Blessed are your lips." He was so surprised at the words that he approached the young man, and inquired what he meant. "Well, sir," he replied, "I hear cursing and swearing all day long, up till twelve o'clock at night, and you are the only man who speaks really good words. Why, we have some tradesmen come in here for lunch who are known religious men, and they talk politics and all sorts of things, but they haven't a word to say about religion. It's as if they were ashamed to acknowledge G.o.d when they get in here: now, you condemn sinning and swearing, and I, therefore, made the remark 'Blessed are your lips.'"

"I am glad you are at leisure," was the reply, "as you have started a subject upon which I want the help of the trade, both master and man.

This habit of profane swearing among the people is a crying evil, and you are the victims of its pollution more than any other cla.s.s of tradesmen, which need not and ought not to be the case. In this part of London the habit is too general; but the abomination is still worse at the East end. I have with me a copy of the _Church and State Review_, in which a gentleman gives an account of his visits the other night with a detective. He writes: 'We stopped before one house in which all the crusts that are begged in the streets are turned into gin. Everybody blasphemed at intervals, except the women, who never stopped at all.

There were old men and old women--everything that is made after the image of G.o.d, down to the little child--and the foulness of all was equal. It was fearful to hear the words that rolled from the lips of the crone, who was full of years and spirits; but it was agony to hear the curses stream from the baby-mouths, when midnight had pa.s.sed and it was far away in the morning.' Now, we have a Missionary who visits the houses there, and he was deeply grieved at the pollutions that met his ears; so he had a card about a foot square printed, and illuminated with a double blue border containing four mottoes between: 'Be sober;' 'Swear not at all;' 'Be sure your sin will find you out;' 'Thou G.o.d seest me.'

The requisition in the centre is printed in scarlet characters, forming a pretty contrast to the border, and is as follows: 'It is respectfully requested that persons attending this house will refrain from using improper language.' He took them round to the landlords, and to their credit, nearly four hundred placed them in their bars and taps; and many joined heartily in the effort to suppress the evil. Though scarcely a year has pa.s.sed, the result is most satisfactory; and I should like to introduce the cards into this part of London: the trade and myself can work together in this matter and I trust that your master will allow one to be placed in this bar."

"I am sure that he will," was the reply; "and I will ask him, and all the barmen I know, to a.s.sist in the good effort."

A card was placed in that bar, and many of the neighbouring bars, taps, and parlours, were ornamented with them; and as "the rules of the house," an effective check was given to guilty tongues. Another good of great importance sprang from the conversation with the barman. The peculiar temptations of the cla.s.s were considered, and a special effort was made for their spiritual good. A pocket Testament was given to three hundred of them, with suitable remarks as to the value of the good Book, and the duty of daily reading it. The attention of many publicans was for the time directed to the Book, and many purchased larger copies.

A distribution was then commenced among those publicans and coffee-house keepers who let lodgings, and hundreds of Bibles were placed in their sleeping rooms; the movement extended to the hotels (the Books having their signs in gilt letters upon the covers), and terminated by an arrangement with the managers of the Great Western Hotel, by which nearly a hundred copies of the Scriptures were placed in their bedrooms.