1.In the city of Bath,not many years since,lived a barber whmade a practice of following his ordinary occupation on the Lord's day. As he was on the way this morning's employment,he happened tlook intsome place of worship just as the minister was giving out his text-"Remember the Sabbath day,tkeep it holy." He listened long enough tbe convinced that he was constantly breaking the laws of God and man by shaving and dressing his customers on the Lord's day. He became uneasy,and went with a heavy heart this Sabbath task.
2.At length he took courage,and opened his mind this minister,whadvised him tgive up Sabbath work,and worship God. He replied that beggary would be the consequence. He had a flourishing trade,but it would almost all be lost. At length,after many a sleepless night spent in weeping and praying,he was determined tcast all his care upon God,as the more he reflected,the more his duty became apparent1.
3.He discontinued his Sabbath work,went constantly and early tthe public services of religion,and soon enjoyed that satisfaction of mind which is one of the rewards of doing our duty,and that peace which the world can neither give nor take away. The consequences he foresaw actually followed. His genteel2 customers left him,and he was nicknamed "Puritan" or "Methodist." He was obliged tgive up1Apparent,clear,plain.2Genteel,fashionable,elegant.his fashionable shop,and,in the course of years,became sreduced1 as ttake a cellar under the old market house and shave the poorer people.
4.One Saturday evening,between light and dark,a stranger from one of the coaches,asking for a barber,was directed by the hostler tthe cellar opposite. Coming in hastily,he requested tbe shaved quickly,while they changed horses,as he did not like tviolate2 the Sabbath.This was touching the barber on a tender chord. He burst inttears;asked the stranger tlend him a half-penny tbuy a candle,as it was not light enough tshave him with safety. He did so,revolving in his mind the extreme poverty twhich the poor man must be reduced.
5.When shaved,he said,"There must be something extraordinary in your history,which I have not now time thear. Here is half a crown for you. When I return,I will call and investigate3 your case. What is your name?" "William Reed," said the astonished barber. "William Reed?" echoed the stranger: "William Reed? by your dialect4 you are from the West." "Yes,sir,from Kingston,near Taunton." "William Reed from Kingston,near Taunton? What was your father's name?" "Thomas." "Had he any brother?" "Yes,sir,one,after whom I was named;but he went tthe Indies,and,as we never heard from him,we supposed him tbe dead."
6."Come along,follow me," said the stranger,"I am going tsee a person whsays his name is William Reed,of Kingston,near Taunton. Come and confront5 him. If you prove tbe indeed he whyou say you are,I have glorious news for you. Your uncle is dead,and has left an immense fortune,which I will put you in possession of when all legal doubts are removed."1Reduced,brought tpoverty. 2Violate,tbreak,tprofane.3 Investigate,tinquire intwith care. 4 Dialect,a local form of speech.5Confront,tface,tstand before.
7.They went by the coach;saw the pretended William Reed,and proved him tbe an impostor. The stranger,whwas a pious attorney1,was soon legally satisfied of the barber's identity2,and told him that he had advertised him in vain. Providence had now thrown him in his way in a most extraordinary manner,and he had great pleasure in transferring3 a great many thousand pounds ta worthy man,the rightful heir of the property. Thus was man's extremity4 God's opportunity5. Had the poor barber possessed one half-penny,or even had credit for a candle,he might have remained unknown for years;but he trusted God,whnever said,"Seek ye my face," in vain.1Attorney,a lawyer.2Identity,the condition of being the same as something claimed. 3Transferring,making over the possession of.4Extremity,greatest need.