Uncle Ben imparts lessons to Tom, Gracie and Maggie about the presence of God's love in nature, the evils of alcohol and tobacco (for they require the destruction of God's intentions for the design of natural products and encourage slavery). Tom is visiting his Uncle's farm. Gracie, from a neighbouring farm, is on a quest to find a way to 'drive away the cruel enemy, strong drink' (p. 9) from another neighbour, Mr. Drayton. Ben's first person narrative and his lessons for the children, and child readers, praise God for providing love, beauty and determination in pursuit of temperance.
