Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-08-09
CHRISTIAN ENANpLE.

The Rev. Peter Powers, once minis or
! in Newcnt society, in the town of Lisbon,
Conn, and whose praise still fingers IN
many of the churches Of Vermont, New
Hampshire, and Maine, was the Oldest
child of Capt. Peter Powers, and Anna
his wife. He was born in Dunstablc, n.
II. November 29,h, 1928, and moved with
his parents into Hollis, n. H., January,
1871, at the age of two years. Captain
Powers was the first settler in the town Of
Hollis and for nearly two years, his nearest
ncighbor was at the travelling distance Of
ten miles, and the Nashua rolled lis deep
and turbid waters between them. This
solitary family sustained all the hardships
which were incidcntto pioneers in these New
England settlements. For about twelve
wears they had neither schools, nor preach
cd gospel, but they carried with them the
holy Scriptures. and the love Of God IN
their hearts; :iicir children were Instructed
in the primer pies Of the gospel, and they
Witnessed the blcsscdness ofeodlmess in the
daily walk Of their parents. At an early
age, Peter became devoted child Of the
Lord Jesus, and was endcarcd to his pa.
rents by thousand ties; for they looked
to him as their first hel per under God, and
iondly hoped he would be their uplort and
solace in old age. But as Peter grew in
wears, flame was kindled in his breast,
which could neither be extinguished, nor
supprcssed,-and his parents often heard
him express an ardent desire to enjoy the
advantages of an academic and collegiate
education; but as these seemed altogether
incompatible with their circumstances, and
initiated against their previous arrange.
ments for this world, those desires of the
son were treated by the parents as yisiona-
ry and inadmssiblc, and for time no hu.
man car was offended by the importunities
of the son, and the parents hoped that the
subject was relinquished and forgotten by
him, until it was revived to them in the fol-
lowing manner.-Thesc parents were OF
the puritan s.rictncss in the government of
their family, and neither sons, nor their
daughters, were allowed in ordinary cases.
to be absent from the family at nine o'clock
in the evening, which was the hour for
PRAYER. But it appeared on calm sum-
mer's evening, that Peter was absent at the
hour of prayer, nor did he appear, when 1t
was necessary to close and secure the
house from the intrusion Of the Indians.
The parents passed the night in sleeplesS
forcbodings. AT one time they trenbled
in view of his having fallen victim of In.
dian treachcry aud violence, and their ima-
ginations presented him pierced, and lacer-
atcd upon the ground, or hurried away into
captivity more appalling than death; at
another time they were veXcd with the ap-
prehension, that their son had for the first
time absentcd himselfin open disregard of
their views and feelings. The night was
at length spent, and the father rose ct the
dawn of day and as he unbarrcd the door
he saw his Young son emerging from the
forest, and approaching the dwelling with a
solemn and downcast look. The father
beheld his son with the mixed emotion Of
Joy and rcsentmcnt-.iob because he re.
ceived him safe and dsound--reSentment, be.
cause he supposed there was no adequate
cause to Justify his conduct-yct he re-
strained himself, and called for no eXplapa-
ton until the hour Of prayer, when he was
accustomed to administer reprOol, If 1t was
! necessary. The family being seated, and
a portion Of scripture having been read, the
father paused--and fixing reproving look
upon Peter, said, "whcrc did YOU spend
the night, Pcter!" The son was exceed
ingly embarrassed, and did not return a
prompt and explicit answer. The father
more stenly repcated-"Petcr, where did
you spend the night?" The son taint!y
and meekly replied, While the tears coarscd
down his chceks-"I spent it in the woods
sir" ain the woods" said the father
how did YOU spend it," "Iu prayer. sir
\ pause of moment succeeded, and the
subdued soul Of the father rushed 10 the eye
to seek the rcliefwhich uttcrancc now denied.
But soon the father resumed the inquiry, d
in an altered and atiectionate manner, said
My son, wha: were YOU praying for, du-
ring the night!''- That l might 60 10
college," said the son "What would you
go to college for, Peter ?''-" That may
be prepared to preach the gospel to SIM.
ners." The father turned and looked
upon Anna his wife, in the deepest emo
| ton, but did not speak. AS soon as he
possessed the power ofuterance, he led in
devotion, and when the service was closed,
and Peter had gone out the father said to
Anna in soft and tremulous voice, 81 do
not see but We must give up the matter,
and let Peter 60 to collcge!''