Page:Life of the honourable Col. James Gardiner (1).pdf/20

 he had done. But the Colonel ordered him to be brought early the -next morning to his own quarters where he prepared a piquet, on which he appointed him a private sort of pennance; and while he was put upon it he discoursed with him seriously and tenderly upon the evils and aggravations of his faults; admonishing him of the divine displeasure which he had incurred; and urged him to argue, from the pain which he then felt, how infinitely more dreadful it must be to "fall into the hands of the living God,” and to meet the terrors of that damnation which he had been accustomed impiously to call upon himself and his companions. The result of this proceeding was, that the offender accepted his punishment, not only with submission, but with thankfulness; and spoke of it some years after in such a manner, that there seemed reason to hope it had been instrumental in producing a change in his heart, as well as in his life.

Indeed this excellent officer always expressed the greatest reverence for the name of the blessed God; and endeavoured to suppress, and if possible, to extirpate, that detestable sin of swearing and cursing which is every where so common, and especially among our military men. He often declared hits sentiments with respect to this enormity, at the head of the regiment, and urged his captains, and their subalterns, to take the greatest cars that they did not give the sanction of their example to that, which by their office they were obliged to punish in others. His zeal on these occasions wrought in a very active, and sometimes in a remarkably successful manner, among not only, his equals, but his superiors too.

Nor was his charity less conspicuous than his zeal. The lively and tender feelings of his heart engaged him to dispense his bounties with a liberal hand: and above all, his sincere and ardent love to the Lord Jesus Christ led him to feel, with a true sympathy, the concerns of his poor members. In consequence of this, he honoured several of his friends with commissions for the