world for a great purpose,—­that no man must live wholly for himself, but, partaking of the spirit of the Saviour, labour for the good of others.  The counsel given long before to the shoemaker’s boy, when he met him in the church-yard at M——­, has already proved that he was one who had admitted the truth into his heart, and the root it had taken there had only been deepened by the passage of time.  And now, as he sat bringing form after form into beauty from the lifeless canvas, his mind was no less busy than his hand.  How could he serve the interests of true religion by interesting himself in the fortunes of the orphan boy?  And little Ned Graham,—­he, too, was a desolate child.  Would William always remain firm in his integrity, when, growing to manhood and left unrestrained, he should have full liberty to do as he pleased?  He had acknowledged how easy it was to become used to sin; that, but for the influence exerted by the pious old watchman, he might at this time have been far advanced in the road to ruin.  Thomas Burton was old; many things might occur to separate William from that Christian companionship, and then, could he continue pure in such an atmosphere as he should be exposed to?  And little Ned, was he not rapidly learning the manners and habits of a street boy?  Such were his thoughts; and with that charity which is expansive in its exercise, and never faileth in the heart in which it hath taken root, but always delights in doing good, he resolved to be the helper of these two orphan boys.  But, with the prudence which ought ever to characterize every Christian effort, he began his task with caution, lest the endeavour to do good might only be productive of harm.

Little Ned and his good old grandmother were at once cared for; a commodious dwelling was provided, a physician called in, and the suffering invalid restored to comfortable health.  Mrs. Stewart gave her suitable employment; and honest Mrs. Bradley, now that she was within a more convenient distance, did also a Christian’s part, ministering to her constantly in some good deed.  Ned was no longer suffered to run in the streets gathering chips, or asking pennies from strangers, but placed at school, where, we are happy to say, he made such progress as to give great satisfaction to his generous guardian.

It was not quite so easy for the Stewarts to dispose of William; and many were the consultations between Professor Stewart and his son as to how he could best be served.  Believing that Mr. Walters was a most unsuitable person to have the rule of a boy like William, and pitying the ignorance in which he was being brought up, he yet hesitated whether it was his duty to interfere, as he had been given into Walters’ care by his mother.  He feared, too, that in exciting wishes toward other pursuits, he might create a new disgust toward the humble but respectable trade, the “gentle craft,” as shoemaking has been termed, and which has furnished so many remarkable men; for our readers are not ignorant that many distinguished as patriots, men of letters, and useful members of society, have come from the shoemaker’s bench.