“April 22. Wrote in the evening, and completed the plan and foundation of a new book that I intend to write.”
“April 29. At six o’clock this morning I went to Marlborough Chapel and took my first lesson in phonography. The class is quite large, and commences under good auspices. In the evening I studied phonography and practised music.”
For a few weeks after this, he takes a phonographic lesson every morning, and divides his evenings between phonography and music.
“May 23. Spent the evening with the rest of the boarders, in the room of Mr. and Mrs. F. I took my melodeon with me, and on the whole we had a very pleasant time.”
“June 2. This morning I treated myself to a new notion, and took a lesson in French! My phonographic lessons continue through this week; and if I attend the French lessons, I shall be obliged to lose three of the phonographic. But I did not regret this much, as Mr. Boyle told us last Friday morning that we then had all the principles of the science, and all the future lessons would be practice, which, owing to my near-sightedness, I can pursue to better advantage at home.”
And now, in the midst of music, French, and phonography, this young man assumes the editorial charge of the “Christian Reflector,” a religious weekly, for the purpose of enabling Rev. Mr. Graves, the editor, to take a voyage to the South. And, therefore, in addition to the usual reading, writing, French, music, phonography, interviews of friendship and religious meetings, we read of mornings and evenings devoted partly to “writing editorials.”
“July 1. Tuesday. And the strangest July I ever experienced. I arose at six this morning, dreading for some time to get up, it was so cold! I dressed, and then wrapped myself in my cloak, and sat down and studied French until breakfast-time. When I got to the office, the first thing I did was to make some fire. It has been unpleasant, and rained some, and the wind is east. Thus much for the weather. To-day the new post-office law goes into effect. It is one of the best reforms of the day. In the evening I finished reading ‘Headley’s Letters from Italy,’ a very entertaining book, which came to me by virtue of my office as editor, pro tem., of the ‘Christian Reflector;’ which office, by the way, I am thankful I shall soon lose. I have had the whole responsibility of the paper.”
The columns of the “Reflector” during Mr. Graves’ absence give no token that they are in young and untried hands. Indeed, the articles, in dignity, variety, judiciousness, interest, and power, would do credit to a veteran in the profession; and especially does this apply to those from Walter Aimwell’s own pen. Here is the conclusion of a column on “The Hope of Glory;”—
“Ministers of the everlasting God, ye who preach the gospel of his Son, will ye not be zealous in your addresses to wake up the consciences of your ungodly hearers to consider the slippery places on which they stand? For your encouragement, we present an anecdote respecting Archbishop Leighton. This distinguished English divine lived about two hundred years ago. At that time, the monarch of England was favorable to the introduction of Popery into his kingdom, and to its patronage by the government. He engaged on his side some of the leading bishops of the English church. Leighton, however, stood aloof from their evil counsels, and continued faithfully to preach the cardinal principles of the gospel. Some of his brethren called upon him and remonstrated, begging him to preach on the ‘times,’ meaning thereby to engage his influence in the cause of Romanism. ‘Do you wish me,’ said he ‘to preach on the times? Who are they who preach on the times?’ He was answered, ‘All the brethren are preaching on the times.’ ‘If all the brethren,’ said Leighton, ‘are preaching on the times, you ought certainly to allow one poor brother to preach Jesus Christ and eternity.’ Ye who preach on the times, the novelties of the world, and are men-pleasers, remember what Paul says, ‘If I yet seek to please men, I should not be the servant of Christ.’”