his
duty the worse, only because he knew it the better?" "No, perhaps
not." "Now, the whole extent of learning which we intend to give the
poor, is only to enable them to read the Bible; a book which brings
to us the glad tidings of salvation, in which every duty is
explained, every doctrine brought into practice, and the highest
truths made level to the meanest understanding. The knowledge of
that book, and its practical influence on the heart, is the best
security you can have, both for the industry and obedience of your
servants. Now, can you think any man will be the worse servant for
being a good Christian?" "Perhaps not." "Are not the duties of
children, of servants, and the poor, individually and expressly set
forth in the Bible?" "Yes." "Do you think any duties are likely to
be as well performed from any human motives, such as fear or
prudence, as from those religious motives which are backed with the
sanction of rewards and punishments, of heaven or hell? Even upon
your own principles of worldly policy, do you think a poor man is
not less likely to steal a sheep or a horse, who was taught when a
boy that it was a sin, that it was breaking a commandment, to rob a
hen-roost, or an orchard, than one who has been bred in ignorance of
God's law? Will your property be secured so effectually by the
stocks on the green, as by teaching the boys in the school, that
_for all these things God will bring them in to judgment_? Is a poor
fellow who can read his Bible, so likely to sleep or to drink away
his few hours of leisure, as one who _can not_ read? He may, and he
often does, make a bad use of his reading; but I doubt he would have
been as bad without it; and the hours spent in learning to read will
always have been among the most harmless ones of his life."

"Well, madam," said the farmer, "if you do not think that religion
will spoil my young servants, I do not care if you do put me down
for half a guinea. What has farmer Dobson given?" "Half a guinea,"
said Mrs. Jones. "Well," cried the farmer, "it shall never be said I
do not give more than he, who is only a renter. Dobson half a
guinea! Why, he wears his coat as threadbare as a laborer."
"Perhaps," replied Mrs. Jones, "that is one reason why he gives so
much." "Well, put me down a guinea," cried the farmer; "as scarce as
guineas are just now, I'll never be put upon the same footing with
Dobson, neither." "Yes, and you must exert yourself beside, in
insisting that