Ruth Clayton; Or, the Contrast (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 edition. Excerpt: ...sort of man for a long time yet." "Only till you are well and strong again. Tou have always worked hard, father; and it may be that God sees you need a little rest." And now he mended rapidly. By the early spring he was allowed to resume business. Mr. Barton had engaged a temporary clerk, but he was too anxious to retain the valuable services of Mr. Clayton to give his situation to another. And Ruth could now continue her schoolduties with a thankful heart, and with an activity and zeal which had, through the winter, been much impaired and retarded by nightwatchings and daily fatigue and anxiety. Her first aim had been to secure the affections of her pupils; and this done, all the rest was comparatively easy. Her own thorough knowledge of all she attempted to teach gave her a wonderful aptness in explaining to others. Her cheerfulness and kindness furnished her with agreeable methods of imparting instruction. Her lessons on politeness were always based on the simplest and most beautiful of all rules given by our blessed Saviour. This was the model by which she endeavoured to form her own manners because it begins at the mainspring of all action--The Heaet. And there can be little doubt that if this single precept of the Bible were fully carried out in all the intercourse of society, the mind and taste being at the same time properly cultivated, there would not be much need for polishing the manners after prescribed modes, in order to produce true refinement and even elegance of manners. Ruth's school-room was a cheerful place. Her pupils loved it, and, in consequence, progressed rapidly in their studies. The school soon became exceedingly popular, and increased so much in size that she was obliged to remove to a larger and more...