THE KEY TO THE HEART. Be calm and rest-would he descend to speak To prattling babes, or hear the infant lisp Or call them blessed whose wandering thoughts were filled Sweet and enticing was his gracious smile! Such works were His! rejoicing all who came 335 THE KEY TO THE HEART. THE circumstance which we are about to relate occurred several years ago, and is narrated without embellishment or exaggeration, as corroborative of the sentiment that there is a key to every man's heart, which properly used will open it. Often, indeed, the infatuated transgressor, after locking his heart, has thrown the key away, and long and painful search may be requisite to its recovery; but blessed is he that finds it-blessed in all silent hours of thoughtful retrospect-blessed on earth and among the stars, now and for ever blessed is he that saves a soul from death. To save a soul is better than to create one. In the one case immortal existence is given instead of non-existence; in the other immortal misery is exchanged for immortal joy. In the city of in the fall of 18-, lived a young man (Barnet, we shall call him), of pro fligate habits but of respectable origin and training, but whom an expensive viciousness and acquaintanceship had reduced to the necessity of becoming a sharper in order to sustain himself and keep up appearances, or else to reform, shake off his associates, and labor for an honest living. He chose the former course. For a year or two he appears to have earned the character of a regular chevalier d'industrie, and on several occasions barely escaped the clutches of the law. Finding himself suspected and watched in his then residence, he resolved to change the field of his operation. A highly favorable opportunity soon occurred. Mr. G., the junior partner of a house in that city, engaged in an extensive business in the west and south, was about to make a collecting tour. By some means Barnet made himself acquainted with the details of Mr. G.'s business, and the points at which he proposed stopping, and deter- A tion he remembered that at a town about thirty The his horse was capable he discharged his errand, returned, replaced the money, resumed his watching by the sick man's bed, and in a short time rejoiced to see him able to continue his journey. Barnet's means were now exhausted. Without mentioning his situation to his companion, who now resumed his route, he gave some feigned reason for changing his own course, and the travellers parted. B set his face towards home and reached it, by working on the way, weeks after his companion had returned in renewed health from his successful tour. Poor B. found himself at home without credit, without friends, and without employment. None knew him but to scoff at him. His situation was desperate. The recollection of the crime of which he had commenced the execution, haunted him like a fiend. He could neither unbosom himself to any one, nor find relief from the sting of conscience. It was then that he resolved to do something that should expose him to imprisonment and afterwards suffer himself to be taken. With this view he committed a robbery, was taken by the police, and condemned to the state prison, and to solitary confinement for three years. Here, within this gloomy and frowning enclosure, conscience held her solemn inquisition upon his conduct and his heart, and smote with scorpion whip the trembling and self-condemned culprit. Mysterious and awful power that men call conscience! Wo to him who has incurred its curse! Like a thief in the night, silently and suddenly it shall steal upon him and demand, Pay me that thou owest," and show to him the loathsome depths of his polution and degradation. In this state of mind Barnet continued months after the prison had received him. The one idea of his degraded and guilty character filled his mind and wrought it into agony. Hope and comfort for him he seems not to have dreamed possible. In this situation he was found by one of the directors of the prison, a pious man, who was accustomed to feel a warm interest in the spiritual condition of the prisoners, and who was happily gifted with that winning manner, and that manifest benevolence of character, that are so important in such labors. He inquired judiciously and kindly into the state of Barnet's mind whom he found at first indisposed to be communicative, but after awhile he evidently gained upon his confidence. At the next interview he completely succeeded, and then, for the first time to any human being, the wretched man disclosed his whole history. His statement was so extraor |