Mildred Norman, the Nazarene ... By a Working Man

Preface

. In writing this work, I have taken my materials from the lowest strata of society, from that which has been called the " mud " of modern London social life. Very much has been said and written respecting the positive evil inflicted upon all other classes by the existence of this one ; it may be that a few additional words, suggesting ideas of the good that is lost, that might and should, but does not exist, will not be unworthy of regard. I have endeavoured to sketch from life — there is no ima ginary character throughout the work. The consequences which followed one crime are faithfully, though feebly, portrayed in the life and death of the Missionary ; but those scenes would not have found a place in these pages, had not the hearts that mourned over him long since ceased to be moved by earthly joys or sorrow's. The narrative of the earlier religious exjieriences of Reli gious Jem may perhaps need a remark. It is possible the lesson there humbly submitted for the consideration of ministers of the Gospel — those who have taken such awful a

PREFACE.

. responsibility upon themselves — may be seen by one or more of them, and be productive of some good to a class severely tempted and tried — religious working-men. I imagine all that see the portrait will recognise the young English savage, and possibly consider it as a matter of course, scarcely worth notice ; but surely, rightly considered, there can be few subjects more important ; and that states man will deserve the gratitude of his country, who shall initiate a course of wise preventive legislation for the rescue and benefit of " anybody's child." With reference to the principal character in the work, in the delineation of which I have sought to picture true reli gion as exhibited in a life of earnest, active benevolence, I cannot but feel that I have failed to reproduce my own con ception ; and this I greatly regret, knowing that there can be no argument so unassailable as the record of a well-spent life.

I can only remark in palliation of many faults of style and evidences of hasty composition, that the work has been written after my usual employment has terminated : that I have never taken even one hour from my daily occupation to devote to my book. Let me add that I have found the keenest enjoyment in thus occupying my leisure hours. CONTENTS. Chapter page I. '■ The wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee " • 1 II. " Whether they will hear or whether they will forbear " .10 II L '■ They shall go to confusion .... that are makers of idols " . 13 IV. " Ye shall keep my sabbaths " 29 V. " He came unto his own, and his own received him not " . 42 VI. " Train up a child in the way he should go " . . . 5a VII. " So man Heth down and riseth not up, till the heavens be no more " . . . . • • .62 VIII.

" Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? " . 7i> IX. " Neither. do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more " . . S3 X. " My spirit shall not always strive with man " . .99 XI. " I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul " . . . ■ ■ • .114 XII. " Whose shall these things be, that thou hast provided? " .126 X CONTENTS. Chapter page XIII. "And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone in the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done " . . . . .142 XIV. " Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? " . . . . . . .158 XV. '• His blood will I require at the watchman's hand " . .174 XVI. " That great and wide sea " . . . . .191 XVII. " Without shedding of blood is no remission " . . . 203 XVIII.

" Suddenly destroyed, and that without remedy " . . 214 XIX. " A thief in the night " . . . . . . 229 XX. " The Sabbath of the Lord "... . 242 XXI. " Was lost, and is found " . t MILDRED NORMAN, j THE NAZARENE.