CHAPTER I. JOHN LAST, THE FARMER. "And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord And they answered him, The Lord bless thee."-RUTH fi. 4. be with you. Be useful when thou livest, that they may Both want and wish thy pleasing presence still. BIOGRAPHY has not been much enriched by rural life, but many have lived for Christ in most secluded abodes. It is not the notorious, but the useful in the church on earth, that attain to most fame in the kingdom of heaven. The life of faith is the same though the theatres of its action be varied; and labours of love are essentially alike, whether done in sunshine, where they are universally seen, or in the shade, where they are beheld by few. In agricultural districts the sphere of usefulness is not so large as in populous cities; but it is as interesting, and valuable, and productive-as worthy of faith, and prayer, and pains. In our day, especially, do rural districts present a strong claim on Christian sympathy and enterprise. They are not what once they were-filled with the devout and exemplary in faith and practice, in domestic religion and public worship. Worldliness and ungodlinessneglect of family prayer, of Sabbath worship and Sabbathkeeping-characterize very largely both farmers and labour ers. To correct these evils, and stir up many to usefulness amongst our believing brethren in farms, the portrait of a CHRISTIAN FARMER is now presented. JOHN LAST was born in 1779, in a farm where his forefathers had long resided, in the parish of Otley, Suffolk. Of his early life we are told nothing in the memoir lately published by his affectionate and excellent pastor. It is the record of his life to God that is given to the world. This much may be inferred, that he was addicted to the vice of intemperance -so common and degrading and soul-ruining in these times of ours. But the gospel, which he embraced, delivered him not merely from the guilt in which he lay before God, but also from intemperance before men. His soul had deep convictions and sore struggles ere he found the " peace that passeth all understanding." He was in earnest, and as the conflict reached its climax, John Last spent at one time seven hours upon his knees in fervent supplication for his soul. But he gained the victory by the conflict, and as he refused to let the Angel of the Covenant go until He blessed him, so, like another Israel, he, as a prince, had power with God, and prevailed." 66 Prayer then became his element. "The rooms of his house were hallowed by prayer. There were retired spots also about his fields, where, though he took care that none should approach him, it is evident that he betook himself for communion with God." He retired every afternoon for devotion, and committed his thoughts on particular texts to writing, which breathe much piety, and evince great acquaintance with the Scripture. The following is a specimen : "And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed."-1 Sam. xv. 14, 15. "How prone are we to do a very trifling part of our duty, and pride ourselves upon it, and almost think we have made God our debtor, when we have left undone those things which we were peculiarly called upon to perform! We do not mind putting away some of our sins, some of the most trifling, those that are not so dear to us; but if called upon to part with a hand or an eye, we cling to it as Saul to his spoil; the meanest he destroyed, but the richest, those things that gratified his pride or covetousness, he retained. Thus do we retain our dearest lusts, unless compelled by grace, irresistible grace, as Lot was compelled to depart from Sodom. The one thing needful is to prize the Lord Jesus Christ above all created good,-to suffer nothing to enter into competition with him; to have him to reign in us and over us; to be all in all our salvation, the pearl of great price, which having found, we are willing to part with everything else. May this be my blessedness in the highest degree that a child of God can enjoy, for Jesus' sake! Amen.” Having come to Christ, he gradually became Christ-like. The graces of the Spirit adorned his character and influenced all his business. He made his house a Bethel, and his household a church. Family worship was observed twice a-day. Every person in the house who could read, joined in the reading of the word. He had a godly housekeeper-he was not married-who was a beautiful instance of the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. He endeavoured to maintain order, and sobriety, and godliness on his farm. Oaths were unknown in his presence. His harvest-field was like that of Boaz at Bethlehem-judah. Mr. Storr thus describes it: "Can I ever forget the yearly scene in Mr. Last's harvestfield? On the ripe and golden grain telling that it was time to put in the sickle, intimation was given me that on such a morning, at such an hour, if God permitted, my presence was requested in the harvest-field. I attended at the time named, and found myself in a group of twelve or fifteen men and lads, with their master at their head, waiting to commence the gathering in of the harvest But on that farm the Lord of the harvest must first be honoured, ere any sickle be put in. All heads were uncovered as the hymn was given out; and we raised our united voices, emulative of the lark who was carolling on high, in praise to Him who had covered the valleys so thick with corn that they laughed and sang. Prayer was then offered that God might strengthen the hands of the reapers, and preserve them from all evil, both of body and soul. On rising from our knees, the sickle was presented to me. I first put it into the corn; and then in every direction they spread, and busily bent to their task, going forth in the name of the Lord." A harvest thus begun could not end in a harvest-home of debauch. John Last was an abstainer from all intoxicating drink, "and dreaded any approach to the sin which did once so easily beset him." How few scenes like this are beheld on farms throughout the land! How many harvests begin and end in drunkenness, and are carried on amidst lascivious talk! Intemperance prevails largely among farmers, many of whom never buy or sell except over a glass. These things ought not so to be. FARMERS! you can do much to amend the evil. Had we more of the spirit of John Last, and of the Earl of Albemarle, who is interesting himself in the habits of rural life, how much good might be accomplished! Let each abstain himself, and make an effort in his sphere. Mr. Last also gave up smoking, because it is " an incentive to, or at least an accompaniment of, drinking." The labourers on a farm demand much care and attention. Mr. Last was particularly anxious that all who tilled his land might be well paid for their work, and be encouraged in well-doing. He did not cast them off in illness, but showed them kindness. John Last's piety made him a useful parishioner. His life was exemplary, and was a standing counsel. But he joined endeavour to example. Instead of loitering about the church door, to talk of the week's news, the prospects of crops, and farming work, as is so common in rural districts, Mr. Last established a meeting for prayer and reading the Scriptures, in a cottage beside the church, and there did much to benefit souls. People went from the cottage to the church, solemn in spirit, ready to worship and hear the word of instruction. This is a practice that should be extensively copied in country districts throughout the land. This "Christian farmer" sowed seed to everlasting life. He sought to save souls, and many an anxious inquirer did he point to the Saviour and mention to his minister. Thus did he hold up the hands of the servant of Christ, and prove a valuable helper in the work of the Lord. Ready at all times to aid, yet never obtruding himself, he was just the man to encourage the minister in his pastoral work. In certain rivers where salmon are fished, it is the custom of one or more persons to stand on the bridges and other eminences, and point out to those who drag the net the direction the fish is taking, that thus he might be caught. If Christians were thus to observe the circumstances of souls, and guide the minister to them, how useful might each member be in the church! The sick received his visits and his aid. In him was realized anew the testimony of Job-"The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused tho |