The Little Gleaner, Vol. X.: A Monthly Magazine for the YoungVarious
Religion
The Little Gleaner, Vol. X.: A Monthly Magazine for the Young
Various
Christian literature for children -- Periodicals
Some few years after, the lad, now a young man, was again gazing with
wide open eyes, and laying up all he saw in his mind. This time it was
not through a shop window that he looked. It was from a seat in the
Royal Society's lecture-room that he witnessed Sir Humphrey Davey making
some beautiful chemical experiments.
The youth did not know which most to admire--the beautiful apparatus,
the wonderful experiments, or the eloquent lecture. All was so new to
him--so interesting. But the lecturer himself was, above all the rest,
the object of his admiration. Our youth, having been a reader, knew that
Sir Humphrey Davey was not born of rich parents, though his kindred and
his breeding were virtuous and respectable. In the remote town of
Penzance, in Cornwall, from the most western extremity in England, the
great man had come. He had taught himself nearly all he knew; and now
the youth saw him standing before the mighty and the noble of the land,
the light of genius in his flashing eyes, the words of wisdom on his
eloquent lips. "Oh, if I could but follow the steps of such a master!"
was the involuntary wish of the youthful hearer.
This thought soon produced action. Promptness was a leading part of the
young man's character, so he resolved to write to the great chemist,
and state that he wished to follow some other trade than that to which
he had been apprenticed; that he loved science, and would think himself
happy to be employed in any way in the laboratory of so great a man. It
was a bold step, but the request, though urgent, was full of the noble
humility of real worth. His letter was not neglected. Inquiries were
made. The good master had no wish to prevent the youth entering on a
career for which his talents and studious habits fitted him. The
electrical apparatus was another aid to him, so the wish of his heart
was granted. He entered the laboratory of the great man, and had ample
opportunity to study and to improve. There is no need to say he did not
waste his time or neglect his opportunities.
Sir Humphrey Davey died, leaving a name dear to the philanthropist, as
well as the man of science; but his place was not long vacant. Who
filled it? He whose youth we have feebly sketched; he whose lectures at
the Royal Institution were listened to by the Prince Consort and the
Prince of Wales--the celebrated and much-beloved Professor Faraday.
"Seest thou the man that is diligent in business? he shall stand before
kings."
Professor Faraday was not only one of the greatest scientific
authorities that ever lived, but he was a companion of humble-minded
Christians. His weekdays he devoted to science, but on the Sunday he
might be heard telling the story of redeeming love to delighted
listeners.
CHRIST'S time was largely taken up in making people happy. We do well to
remember that, and to do our best in ministering to the happiness of all
around us.
OUR BIBLE CLASS.
GOD'S INDEPENDENCE OF ALL, AND HIS DECLARED NEED OF SOME OF HIS
CREATURES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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