A Biographical Incident.
By G. W. Amadon
OR IMPROVING OUR TALENTS.
The all-wise Creator has kindly bestowed on his creatures, talents few or many. And it is wholly at our disposal whether we make a wise use of these gifts or not. The Saviour, in one of his parables (see Matt. 25:14-30), speaks of our various abilities under the figure of the “talents;” and we there learn that a reckoning time is coming, when every one must give an account for the talents which the Lord has lent him. How awfully solemn will that time be when assembled creation shall be required to give an account for their talents! Some, having wholly and totally perverted the gracious gifts of their Maker, in neglecting to cultivate their talents, will, for it, be cast into “outer darkness;” while others, having made a good use of their abilities, will have the privilege of entering into the “joy of their Lord.” I have lately read the memoir of a young lady (Miss Elizabeth Smith), who, not under circumstances very favorable, greatly enriched her mind with stores of useful knowledge, thus placing herself in a position where she was a far greater blessing to mankind. It is here presented, hoping it may lead some of the clear-minded, youthful readers of this paper, to thus early consecrate their faculties and powers to the Lord who has made them. In so doing, a right use will be made of their talents. Here is the sketch referred to: “Miss Elizabeth Smith was born in December, 1776, in the county of Durham, England, where her parents then lived in affluence. She was remarkable, in her early years, for a thirst after knowledge, for regularity, and reflection. During her youth she did not seem to have enjoyed any peculiar advantages, except in the instruction of her mother, who appears, from some of her letters, to have possessed an elegant and cultivated understanding. In 1785, Mr. and Mrs. Smith removed to Piercefield, a celebrated and romantic seat on the Wye, where, in the summer of 1789, Elizabeth became acquainted with the lady who published her life. In 1793, a bank in which Mr. Smith was engaged, failed; and this unexpected stroke at once reduced Elizabeth and her family from affluence to very narrow circumstances. “From that time till the summer of 1801, Miss Smith had no certain home. Some part of that period she passed with Mrs. H. Bowdler, at Bath; several years were spent in Ireland, where Mr. Smith was quartered, amidst the inconveniences and distractions of military cantonments: and the rest, at the houses of friends, or in a hired house on the banks of the Ullswater. During these years, and under such disadvantages, Miss Smith acquired that variety and depth of erudition, which justly rendered her an object of admiration to all who know her. After the year 1801, Miss Smith principally resided at a small farm and mansion seated among the lakes; where, in the summer of 1805, she caught a cold, which, though at first it seemed trifling, terminated her life on the 7th of August, 1806, at the age of twenty-nine. “Her person and manners were extremely pleasing, with a pensive softness of countenance that indicated deep reflection; but her extreme timidity concealed the most extraordinary talents. With scarcely any assistance, she taught herself the French, Italian, Spanish, German, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages. She had no inconsiderable knowledge of Arabic and Persic. She was well acquainted with geometry, algebra, and other branches of the mathematics. She was a very fine musician. She drew landscapes from nature extremely well, and was a mistress of perspective. She showed an early taste for poetry. With all these acquirements she was perfectly feminine in her disposition; elegant, modest, gentle, and affectionate; nothing was neglected which a woman ought to know; nor was any duty omitted which her situation in life required her to perform. The only monuments of her talents which survive her, are a translation of the book of Job from the original, a translation of the Life of Klopstock, and Fragments. “Although Miss Smith shone pre-eminently as a literary character, yet she appeared most brilliant and endearing when viewed through her exalted piety and sincere religion. It was this that raised her above the world, and taught her, at sixteen years of age, to resign its riches and its privileges almost without regret, and to support with dignity a very unexpected change of situation. It taught her seriousness and humility, kindness, resignation, and contentment. It sustained her through the trials of life, and cheered her dying hours.” Life of Miss Elizabeth Smith, by Mrs. Bowdler. Dear youth, may you all store your minds with useful knowledge. Christ will soon come. Our time to do is brief. But many who read this paper have not yet given their hearts to Christ. This is the first step. Such should “redeem the time.” We must work while the day lasts. Yes, as the poet says, “There is work to do for Jesus,
And the harvesters are few.” Who will use his talents aright? Who will be a blessing to others? Who will lead precious souls to Jesus? Who will gain eternal life?