“I frequently complain of what may be called trifles, but from these arising frequently, we are at length lost.  Let each attend to his respective duties; keep the appointed hours; and never defer till to-morrow what may be done to-day.

“If business is more pressing than usual, give additional time, that your own accounts may not fall into confusion, and that you may not be the means of causing delay and trouble to others.  It often happens that the negligence of individuals throws additional labour upon those who are anxious for regularity.

“Hiding or screening the faults or errors of others, is a system that has prevailed and caused much loss and injury,—­frequently to the offending party, always to the employer.

“Late occurrences lead me to draw your attention to this subject:  it is important in every sense, both as regards your public and private stations.  There is nothing more worthy of a man than truth:  nothing makes him feel himself so despicable as a lie.  Recollect that men act lies without speaking them, and that all false appearances are lies.  “He, therefore, who, seeing his employer injured, neglects to make it known, is equally guilty—­with this addition, that he is practising a lie.  Want of punctuality is a lie.

“Speak and act openly on all occasions.  Errors will be fewer, and labour will be decreased.

“It seldom happens that we can do any important services, but small services are always in use.  Take, therefore, every opportunity of assisting each other,—­you are then most effectually serving your employers, as well as keeping up a spirit of cordiality and goodwill amongst yourselves.

“A good Christian must be a good servant.  Whatever your lot in life may be above all things remember that ’The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.’”

CHAPTER X.

MASTERS AND MEN.

“The sweat of industry would dry, and die, But for the end it workrt to.” Shakspeare.

“Man is a shop of rules, a well-trussed pack, Whose every parcel underwrites a law,”—­George Herbert.

“Care preserves what Industry gains.  He who attends to his business diligently but not carefully, throws away with one hand what he gathers with the other.”—­Colton.

“The acquisition of property, the accumulation of capital, is already in the power of the better-paid working class; and legislation has but few further facilities to give, or obstacles to remove.  Their savings are now so large that only soberer habits and rounder sense are needed to make them independent capitalists in less than half a lifetime.”—­W.R.  Greg.

Employers can do a great deal towards promoting habits of thrift, prudence, and sobriety amongst their workpeople.  Though the working man does not like to be patronized, he has no objections to be helped.  We have already seen that individuals can do much; they can cultivate habits of economy, and lay by a certain portion of their earnings for help in time of need.  But they want encouragement and assistance.  They want sympathy; they want help.