h success. Good Christians, who are trying to subdue
their own faults, can hardly believe that the ungodly have a sort of
savage satisfaction in trying, by indulgence of their own evil
tempers, to lessen the happiness of those with whom they have to do.
Need we look any further for a proof of our own corrupt nature, when
we see mankind delight in sins which have neither the temptations of
profit or the allurement of pleasure, such as plaguing, vexing, or
abusing each other.

Hester was the eldest of their five children; she was a sharp
sensible girl, but at fourteen years old she could not tell a
letter, nor had she ever been taught to bow her knee to Him who made
her, for John's or rather Rebecca's house, had seldom the name of
God pronounced in it, except to be blasphemed.

It was just about this time, if I mistake not, that Mrs. Jones set
up her Sunday School, of which Mrs. Betty Crew was appointed
mistress, as has been before related. Mrs. Jones finding that none
of the Wilmots were sent to school, took a walk to Rebecca's house,
and civilly told her, she called to let her know that a school was
opened to which she desired her to send her children on Sunday
following, especially her oldest daughter Hester. "Well," said
Rebecca, "and what will you give her if I do?" "Give her!" replied
Mrs. Jones, "that is rather a rude question, and asked in a rude
manner: however, as a soft answer turneth away wrath, I assure you
that I will give her the best of learning; I will teach her to _fear
God and keep his commandments_." "I would rather you would teach
her to fear me, and keep my house clean," said this wicked woman.
"She sha'n't come, however, unless you will pay her for it." "Pay
her for it!" said the lady; "will it not be reward enough that she
will be taught to read the word of God without any expense to you?
For though many gifts both of books and clothing will be given the
children, yet you are not to consider these gifts so much in the
light of payment as an expression of good will in your benefactors."
"I say," interrupted Rebecca, "that Hester sha'n't go to school.
Religion is of no use that I know of, but to make people hate their
own flesh and blood; and I see no good in learning but to make folks
proud, and lazy, and dirty. I can not tell a letter myself, and,
though I say it, that should not say it, there is not a notabler
woman in the parish." "Pray," said Mrs. Jones mildly, "do you think
that young people