Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-10-24

/ Temperance man. 1he commencement
of this reformation is thus stated by the
wife of"George," who explains the rea-
son for the title given to the tract, "The
Gold Ring" And the reader is desired
to notice, that "the Deacon's store,"I
named, was the dram shop to which her
husband had been decoyed We here
present the address of the wife to her
husband, and his answer, in the language
Of the narrative, that our readers may
have a specimen Of its beauty
"Dear George" said |, turning to my
husband, "you used TO pray; let US thank
God for this great dcliverance from
evil" "Dcar Jenny" said he, 81 fear
God will scarcely listen to my poor pray
ers,' aller all my offences; but | will try"
We closed the cottage door, and he
prayed with so much humility Of heart,
and so much earnestness Of feeling, that
l felt almost sure, that Gods grace
would be lighted up in the bosom Of this
unhappy man, if sighs and tears, and
prayers, could win their way to heaven.
lie was very grave, and said little or
nothing that night.
H he next morning, when i woke up
was surprised, as the sun had not risen,
to find that he had already gone down.
AT first felt alarmed, rs such a thing
had become unusual with him of late
years, but my anxious feelings were
agreeably relieved when the children
told me that their father had been hoe
ing for an hour in the potatoe field, and
was mending the garden fence. With
our scanty materials got ready the best
breakfast that | could, and he sat down
to it wi h good appetite, but said little;
and now and then, saw the tears start
ing into his eyes. l had many fears
that he would faA back into his former
habits, whenever he should meet his
old companions, or step IN again at the
Deacon's store. l was about urging
him to move into another village.
After breakfast, he took me aside, and
asked me if ! had not gold ring
"George," said l, "that ring was my
mother's: she took it from her finger and
gave it to me, the day she died. /
woald not part with that ring unless it
were to save fife.-Besides, if we are
industrious and honest, we shall not be
forsaken." "Dear Jenny" said he, 81
know how you prize that gold ring: ne
yer loved you more than when you wept
over it, while you first told me the story
OF your mothers death; it was just a
month before we were married, the last
Sabbath evening in May, Jenny, and
we were walking by the river. wish
you would bring me that ring" Mem
h,r ,ol al
scene, the bank upon the rivers side,
where we sat together, and agreed upon
our wedding day. l brought down the
ring, and he asked me with such earnest
ness of manner to put it on his little fin
| ger, dat did so; not, however, without
trembling hand and misgiving heart.
"And now, Jenny" said he, as he rose
TO go out, spray that God will support
me-" My mind was not in happy state,
for l felt some doubt Of his intentions-
From little hill at the back of our cot
tage, we had far view Of the deacon's
store. l went up to the top of it; and,
while l watched my husbands steps, no
one can tell how fervenily l prayed God
to guide them Alright. l saw two of his
old companions standing at the store
door with glasses in their hands; and as
my husband came in front Of the shop, i
saw them beckon him in. 1t was sad
moment for me. ooh George" said /,
though l knew he could not hear me,
"go on remember your poor wife and
your starving childrenn' My heart sunk
within me, when l saw him stop and
turn towards the door. He shook hands
with his old associates; they appeared to
offer him their glasses; saw him shake
his head and pass on. "Thank God, "
said ], and ran down the hill with a light
step, and seized my baby at the cottage
door, literally covered it with kisses
and bathed it with tears Of Joy.
About ten o'clock, Richard Lane, the
Squirrels office boy, brought in piece of
meat and some meal, saying my husband
sent word, that he could not be home till
night, as he was at work on the Squire
barn, Richard added that the Squire had
engaged him for two months. He came
home early, and the children ran down
the hill to meet him. He was grave
but cheerful 81 have prayed for you
dear husband" said l. "And a merci-
ful God has supported me, Jenny" said
he. 1t is not easy to measure the de-
grees Of happiness; but, take it altogeth.
err, this, l think was the happiest even
ing Of my life. If there is great JOY il
heaven, over a sinner that repen,eth
there is no less Joy in the heart of faith
iul wife, over husband that was lost
and is found.