American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-05-28
Y0L. L.

perfect happiness; hymn sung in Joy upon its
knees by gladstone childhood before it few out
among the green hills, to quiet labour or geesome
lplay AS that sweetest voice came from the bosom
of the old man, where the singer lay in Affection and
blended with his own so tremuous, never had l
felt SO affectingly brought before the beginning
and the end of life, the cradle and the grave.
Ere the psalm over, the door was opened, SC
tall tne looking man entered, but with lowering
and dark countenance, seemingly in sorrow, in
misery and remorse. Agitated, COMPOUNDED, and
awestruck by the melancholy and dirge-like music,
he sat down on chair; and looked with ghastly
face towards his fathers death bed When the
psalm ceased, the Elder said with solemn voice,
MY son, thou art in time to receive thy fathers
blessing. May the remembrance of what will hap-
pen in this room, before the morning again shine
over the Halle glen, win thee from the error ofihy
ways Thou art here to witness the mercy of thy
God and thy Saviour, whom thou bast forgotten
The minister looked, if not with stern, yet with
Ian upbralding countenance, on the young man who
had not recovered his speech, and said William
for three years past your shadow has not darkened
the door of the house of God. They who fear not
the thunder, nay trembe at the still small voice
now is the hour for repentance that your fathers
Esprit may carry up to heaven tidings of contriie
soul saved from the company of sinners!
The young man, with much effort, advanced 10
the bed side and at last found breath to say Father
hurried home soon as l heard that the minister
had been riding towards house. | hope that
you will yet recover--and il ever have made you
unhappy ask your forgiveness; for though may
not think you do on matters of relie ion, have
"a human heart. Father | may have been unkiud,
but en- not cruel. ask your forgiveness
Come near to me, William, knee down by the
bed side, and let my hand find The head of my be.
loved son, for blindness is coming fast upon me.
Thou vert my first born, and thou art my only
living All thy brothers and sisters are lying
in the church yard, beside her whose sweet face,
thine own, William, did once so much resemble,
Long vert thou the joy, the pride of my soul; aye,
too much the pride, for there not In all the pa-
| IRISH such man, such son. as my own William.
i filthy heart has since been changed, God may in--
spire itagain with right thoughts Could die fog
thy sake-could purchase thy salvation with The
outpouring of thy fathers blood but this the SON
l OF God has done for thee who hast denied him
have sorely wept for thee-aye, William. when
there was none near me even as David wept for
l Absalom; tor thee, my son, my son!
j long deep groan was the only reply; but the
i whole body of the kneeling man was convused and
it easy TO his suferings, his contrition, his
A remorse, and his despair. The pastor said with
sterner voice, and austerer countenance than were
natural to him, Know you whose hand is now lying
on your rebellious head But what signifies the
word father TO him who has denied God, the Father
,lof US all g % press him not SO hardly, said The
weeping wife, coming forward from dark corner
of the room where she tried to conceal eisef in
II gref, fear and shame, spare, oh spare my hus-
band; he has been kind to me ; and with that
n she knelt down beside him, with her long, soft,
white arms mourDfully and afeconatey laid across
his neck. Go thou, likewise, my sweet little Janice
d said the Elder, 'go out ofmy bosom, & kneel
t down beside thy father and thy mother, so that
S may bless you all at once, and with one yearnng
IlHnn hi II ~
t imanded, and knelt down somewhat timidly by his
!. fathers side; nor did that unhappy man decline
Iencrcng with his arm the child too much neglec-
'ed, but still dear to him his blood, in spite
ofthe deadenng and debasng influence of infidey.
: Put the word of God into the hands of my son,
land let him read aloud to his dying father the 25th,
Goth and 9th of the eleventh chapter of the
J, Gospel according to St John The pastor went
e up to the kneeers, and with voice of pity, condo-
] lence, and pardon, said, there was time when
] none, William, could read the Scriptures better
II than couldst thou-can it be that the son of my
friend hath forgotten the lessons of his youth He
! had not forgotten them-there was no need for tbs
repentant sinner to lift up his eyes from the bed
n side The sacred stream of the gospel had worn
tlchannel in his heart and the waters were again
d FLOWING. With choaked voice be said, Jesus said
unto her, am the resurrection and the life hs
that believeth in me, though he were Dead yet shall
e he live: And whatsoever liveth, and believeth in
n me, shall never die. Believeth thou this She saith
: unto him. Yea, Lord: believe that thou art the
ri Christ, the Son Of Cod which should come into the
Y world.
Fl this is not unbeliever's voice., said the dying
man trumphaptly NOR, William, hast thou an
t unbelevers heart Say that thou belieyest in what
thou hast read and thy father will die happy!' Il
lido believe and as thou forgvest me, so may be
forgiven by my Father who is in heaven
u The elder seemed like man suddenly inspired
with new life. His faded eyes kindled-his pale
Icheeks glowed-his palsied hands seemed 10 wax