Gathering Jewels | Page 6

he was
meekness itself; his spirit of patience never failing him in instances
where "to wait was gain," either for God, the Church, or himself.
His acquiescence in the decision of his brethren, when they at last
decided upon changing the location of their place of worship, was
secured at the price of sacrificing his own preferences in the
matter--and all for the sake of peace, harmony, and continued brotherly
love. In this he was a "light shining upon a hill-top."
The interest he always displayed and the anxiety he expressed for the
continued welfare of the Church, manifesting the same in the labors
performed or duties undertaken, was always profound, as it embraced
among other items of care the temporal welfare and spiritual prosperity
of the various clergymen with whom he had labored.
In his demeanor he was never in a hurry to do to-day what he should
have done yesterday, because having no faith in procrastination, he left
nothing undone to-day to be performed on the morrow, if by any means
it could be accomplished, or the duty performed at once. In going to the
House of God, he left all worry about the world on the outside of it, the
moment he entered the porch; the drudgery of every-day life did not go
with him into the pew; the prejudices of an ambiguous man troubled
him not, while the disposition to "take things easy," while others bore

the burden, was never fostered by him.
But he did carry something into the house every time he entered! He
took in with him his Bible, his sweetest temper, his most charitable
disposition, a vigorous condition of soul-life, a sensible care of the
temporal body, and also the continued desire to be always walking with
God, as well as the desire for larger acquisitions of intuitive spiritual
knowledge--very proper things to take into the House of God with you
at all times; and our departed brother had enough of these, and to spare.
But to cease from reflection, we close this chapter with one of our
friend's favorite little gems of poetry, believing that when you have
read it, you will agree with us that James Knowles was a man to be
beloved, indeed; for through these few lines his spirit breathes back
again to us from the great beyond:
If you cannot be a leader In the crowd that pours along, Raise the fallen,
lying prostrate Under foot, amid the throng.
Though your work be never mentioned, Though your name may not
appear, Speak one word for "Jesus only," And the Lord, at least, will
hear.
CHAPTER II.
CORRESPONDENCE AND COVENANTS.
The following letter was written to his mother while an apprentice as a
printer in the city of Belfast, Ireland:
BELFAST, January 15, 1829.
DEAR MOTHER:--I write this letter to you for the purpose of letting
you know how I am doing. I am devoting the most of my leisure hours
to reading and improving my mind, some way or other. Indeed, it is not
much time I have to devote to things of that nature; but all the time I
have I am busy. I meet with a good many advantages in every respect,
where I am now. I have the advantage of having a room to apply my

time to whatever study I resolve to persevere in. If I had time, I would
give you a more correct account of my transactions through the day;
but if I have time to meditate a little, I hope I will be enabled to give
you some account of the sermons that I hear, as I think it would be
greatly to my own interest, for if I pry into that part of information,
there is no danger but that I will have success in whatever situation I
am placed in life. I may be thankful that I have a room to read my Bible
in on Sabbath days. I have none to speak to me or give me annoyance
of any sort whatever. I hope the next letter I write you, that it will be in
a more correct sense. I hope you will write me by Johnny, when he is
coming back to town, and let me know how you are succeeding in work,
and how Jane is succeeding in the business of the shop. I send my love
to all my friends (everyone in particular), I hope you will let me know
how they are all doing; but I have nothing more to say at present. But I
trust you will write me in the beginning of the week. I must conclude,
as it is now too late for me to say anything more. All here are well, but
Mrs. L----, who is in a bad state of