CHAPTER X.

COLONEL RICHARD FORRESTER.

"The man that's resolute and just,
Firm to his principles and trust,

Nor hopes, nor fears can bind."

Colonel Forrester was a very decided man, and a very decided Christian. When he made a profession of religion, he understood what he was doing. He had counted the cost, and had resolutely made up his mind to consecrate soul and body to his Lord and RedeemAs previous to his conversion he had been a very diligent and faithful servant of the devil, so after it he determined, grace assisting him, to be equally diligent and faithful in the

er.

service of his God.

Colonel Forrester did not act from the mere impulse of feeling, but conscientiously adopted his line of duty, and then scrupulously acted up to it, whether he felt like it or not. Under whatever circumstances he might be

placed, whether at home or abroad, he deemed it his duty and privilege to act upon Christian principle.

In his domestic relations, he endeavored at all times to set such an example before his family as would lead them to believe that his religion was something more than a profession. He governed his household well, having his children in obedience, as all Christians should; and manifested not only for them, but for all who might reside under his roof, a kind and tender Christian interest. All the members of his family respected him as a servant of Christ, because his light was constantly shining in his own house. They did not regard his religion as a sort of outside garment, which he put on when going out of his house, and invariably took off on his return.

As soon as his heart was given to God, the family altar was erected in his house; and neither worldly company, nor the hurry of business, nor anything else, would prevent his offering upon that altar the morning and evening sacrifice. Neither would he allow anything to interrupt his private devotions, nor abridge that time which he had set apart for daily com munion with God.

He made it a point always to converse with his impenitent friends upon the subject of religion, whenever suitable opportunities occurred; and he was one of those who found many of these suitable opportunities.

In the conference meeting he never declined taking a part, for he considered it the duty of every Christian to speak and pray in such meetings.

In his business transactions he never succumbed to anything underhanded and small to gain the advantage, but conducted them all with the most rigid regard to integrity; declaring "that he would give up business if he could not do it on Christian principle.' He said "he believed the reason why so many Christian merchants failed was, because they conducted their business too much like the men of the world. The Missionary, Education, Bible, Seamens', Temperance, Antislavery, Moral Reform, and every other good

*Some professed Christians say "that it is impos sible to do business on Christian principles-that they must succumb to the tricks of the trade or fail." This is not true, as many eminent Christian merchants besides Colonel Forrester can testify.

cause, found in him a firm and uncompromising friend. Though a man of high standing and much repute in the community, he was not ashamed to have it known that he was a TEACHER in the Sabbath school; nor did he consider it beneath his dignity to distribute tracts with his own hand. He was not a stranger to the "fatherless and widow," nor to those "that were ready to perish;" but their "blessing came upon him," as he "withheld not his bread" from them, and "warmed them with the fleece of his sheep."

He felt that it was his duty and privilege strictly to observe the fourth commandment, and therefore would never ride out, nor eat sumptuous dinners,* nor visit, nor read a political newspaper, nor write letters, nor talk about worldly matters on the Sabbath. He believed that it was the Christian's duty to be decided for his Master abroad as well as at home, and therefore would never, like unde

*The Colonel would not allow cooking in his house on the Sabbath. He said "that he had no right to keep his help from the house of God, by compelling them to stay at home to provide great dinners."

cided Christians, when journeying, travel on the Lord's day to save time. He occasionally spent a few weeks at Saratoga Springs with his family; but he was not among those Christians who act inconsistently while there, and cause the ministers of that village to regard their coming as a curse instead of a blessing. He was as regular at the sanctuary while there, as at home, and attended the weekly prayer meetings, when he would bear his testimony to the honor of his Redeemer.

He was once in Paris, and while there was strongly solicited to attend the theatre and opera. He answered, "It is against my principles."

He was then urged to go, on the ground that being away from home, his example could do no harm, as it could not be felt across the waves of the broad Atlantic. He still refused. He was then told "that many American Christians, and some Ainerican MINISTERS had visited these places when in Paris," and then was urged to go, on the ground that he need not be more scrupulous than they were. But it was in vain! His resolution was not to be shaken, and he answered, "Such as I am, by