Admiral Hope and the Swearer.
Admiral Hope's Christian firmness in rebuking swearing and improper language when uttered in his presence is familiar to many. Not many years back a gentleman in a London omnibus was using very violent language, swearing and taking the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in vain, when he was quietly rebuked and requested to desist by an elderly gentleman sitting opposite. The first named having resented the interference, the old officer added, "Well, sir, I am extremely sorry you resent my words, simply requesting you to forbear insulting a very dear and precious name which I honor and love; and I can only say that if you are dead to all feeling or consideration of common courtesy, and will persist in using the language you have used, you will compel me to do that which I shall be sorry to be obliged to do." Upon this the angry man broke out afresh and defied him, when the Admiral stopped the omnibus and got out, the other watching him, expecting he would call a policeman; but seeing him walk quietly away, he remarked to another passenger about his impertinence, when the person whom he addressed asked if he knew who it was that had been induced to remonstrate with him. He replied, "No; nor do I care, except he was very impertinent for threatening me in that way." The other remarked that he was mistaken, for there had been no threat, but a meek and courteous remonstrance; that the man was a most kind and benevolent man and a gallant officer, who was quite incapable of any mean act. "What right had he to threaten me? Did he not say he would do something if I did not desist?" said the other. "Yes," replied the gentleman; "but that was no idle threat, and he did what he said he would be obliged to do." "And what was that?" asked the angry man. "Why, get out and walk, which his age and infirmities would hardly allow him to do, for he spends a great part of his income in succoring the afflicted and the destitute, and he would not like to throw away even a six-pence." "You don't mean to say that was what he meant?" asked the angry man. "What is his name?" "I am quite positive it was all he meant," replied the other; "and his name is Admiral Hope—a true-hearted Christian man." The angry man looked puzzled, then thoughtful, and at last cried out, "God forgive me! What a fool I have been! Give me his address, in case I should miss him." He stopped the omnibus and jumped out to seek his faithful reprover, adding that he hoped it would make a new man of him, for he never should forget the lesson to the last day of his life. This anecdote was related by the gentleman himself, who became a humble follower of the Lord Jesus, but who has since gone to his rest, trusting only in that blessed name which he had so blasphemed and lightly spoken of.—S. S. Visitor.