State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-23
MONTPELIER, (vT.) FEBRUARY 81, 1896.

uiOuibOiSu lllC Ut OuCGs Ills iiIdillltTS WtTC
those of surly and dissatisfied man. In
reply to my inquiries, he informed me, that
my parents and my sister were alive, and
added, with sneer, that my father had set
up for cold water man, "but," continued
he, with d forced and spiteful laugh, cit
will take him all his days, l guess to put
off the old man +; they that have gotten the
relish OF my rum, are not so very apkto
change it for cold water" Upon further
inquiry ascertained that there had been a
temperance movement in our village; and
that the seed, as poor Tom Johnson said,
had been scattered there, with an unsparing
hand. j also gathered the information from
the rum-seller, that the seectman had refu-
sed to appreciate any applicant for license
to sell ardent spirit in our village; and that
he, himself, had therefore been obliged to
quit his old stand, and take the new one,
which he now occupied. ssaaa
turned from the dram-seller's door and
proceeded on my way. 1t was quite dark;
but the road was familiar to my feet. 1t
afforded me unspeakable pleasure to learn,
that my mother and sister were alive and
well. But was exceedingly perpexed by
the rum-seler's statement i'll relation to my
father Can it be possible, thought |, that
he has become a cold-water man? How true
is the rum-seller's remark, that few, who
have gotten taste ofrIm, are apt to change
it for cold water! For more than twelve
years my father had been an Incorporate
man and, even if he had abandoned
ardent spirit, for time how little reliance
could be placed upon drunkard's refor-
nation! Besides Tom johnson had ex-
pressly stated, that my father had been cx-
ceedingly hostile to the temperance move
ment from the beginning.
With these and similar reflections, my
mind continued to be occupied, until en-
tered our village. 1t was about halt past
nine, when came within few rods of the
old cottage. A light was still streaming
forth from the window. ] drew slowly and
silently near to the door. thought heard
a voice. ! listened attentivey. 1t was my
fnther's. My mother appeared not TO reply;
such was her constant habit, whenever,
under the influence of liquor, he gave a
loose rein to his tongue, and INDUCED in
unltind and abusive language. | drew still
nearer-and passing softly into the entry,
l listened more attentively at the inner
door. Can it be possible, thought |. He
was engaged in prayer! in tervent and pious
prayer lie prayed, in a trembling voice,
for the restoration of an absent son There
was pause. From the movement within,
It was evident they had risen from their
knees. gently raised the latch, and OPEN
cd the door.-'rhe father, the mother, the
brother, the sister, were locked in the arms
ofone another! My regencrated old father
fell once more upon his knees; we all fol-
lowed his example; and before n word of
congratulation had passed from one lip to
the other he poured forth such n touching
strain ofthanksgiving and praise to the Giver
of every good and perfect gift for my safe
return, as would have melted the heart of
the most obdurate offender. 1t came d.
recty from the heart of a truly penitent
sinner, and itwcnt straitway to the God of
mercy. | gazed upon my poor old father.
1t seemed like the moral resurrection of
one already dead and buried, in his tres
passes and sins. l glanced rapidly about
me; all was peace, all was order; where
all h; d been strife and confusion befo.e.
The rum-jug no longer occupied its accus-
toned place upon the table the expanded
volume of eternal life was there in its stead!
gazed with incxpressible joy, upon the
happy faces about me my father, to all
outward appearances, such as he had been
in better days, sitting in silence, and evil
IDENTIFY restraining the emotions of his soul
poor Rachel upon my knee, her features
bathcd with happy tears and my dear, old
mother, turning her countenance, full of
gratitude and love, alternately towards
Heaven and upon II long gone child, return
ed at last.
Six years have now gone by since
mercifi God sotiened the stubborn soil in
my fathers heart. The seed did not fall
altogether, rs Tom Johnson supposed, upon
stony places. Some of them have sprung
up, as in our own highly favored heritage,
and borne fruit hundred fold. Let us
thank God, then, who hath enabled us a.
bundantly to gather the HARVEST; for
peace is once more at our fire side; the wife
has regained her husband, and the orphans
have found their father.