Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-04-12
THE INFIDEL SUBDUEp.

= We learn from authentic sources, that the
adherents of Abner Knecland, that unhappy
old man, have much declined in number
within few months past. Some signal in
stances Of manifest conversion of heart
among those who were formerly led away
by the errors of that wicked one, have come
to our knowledge. One is so remarkable,
that We cannot forbear relating it to our
readers. The subject oft is young man,
engaged in public establishment, and in
the emnl"y of a pious individual. His for
mer efforts to introduce his baneful doctrines
into the establishment, were an annoyance to
his employer. He embraced every oppor.
tunity to expose to visitors his utter con-
tempt ofall the sacred things ofthe gospel.
His bold blasphemies and his scornfll sneers,
were alike shocking to decency and religion.
The vile print which weekly disseminates
its moral poison through our community
he contrived as frequently as possible to
bring under the notice ofthe establishment,
though his employer as vigilantly sought TO
destroy it, whenever introduced there
IVithal he was given to occasional fits Of
intcmpsrance, in which his treatment to his
family rendered him terror where he ought
to have been a comfort and support.
His great usefulness in the establishment
alone reconciled his employer to the utter
ance ofhis wicked principles and his vicious
conduct. To manifest his contempt for
the ordinances Of religion, and his open
doEonna &c tho -Eod oc <ho Dill, bo I,;J =,
wager with his profane companions that he
would attend Methodist prayer meeting in
his neighborhood, and 60 forward to be
prayed for. And now mark how God
brings good out Of evil. He went..-and his
hardihood carried him through the ac.
complshment Of his wicked purpose. But
perhaps his conscience was not so much
at case as his demeanor indicated perhaps
the rude impertinence of his blasphemy
startled even his own proud heart and
awakened his attention to the things which
he was endcavoring to ridicule; perhaps
his character and purposes were known to
'the sons Of God who came to present
themselves before the Lord so that they
adapted their suppGcations to the dreadful
enormity of his sins.
Whatever may have been the immediate
influence by which he was moved, certain
it is that the Spirit Of God strove with him,
and subdued the stubborn rebellion of his
heart. Conscience arose in its offended
and outrageous majesty; and like Esau,
when he had lost his birthright, he lifted up
a great and bitter cry He went from the
house ofprayer, his spirit bowed within him,
and his very frame sympathizing in its
strong commotion. He has found peace
in believing. The influence Of his change
wrought upon her with whose happiness
his principles had hardly less to do than with
his own; and they are, now both on proba.
ton as candidates for full communion in the
denomination by whose pious instrumental.
ity the husband was first called to the know.
ledge Of the truth.
Oh! what blessed change has that
house Witnessed. Intemperance is expelL
ed from the doors; the voice of the blasphe.
mer is no longer echoed by its walls; distrust
and art-burning have ceased from the
breasts ofits regenerate occupants; the fam.
lily altar is reared; the Bible has found a
shrine for its reception; the song praise is
heard in its precincts; confidence and affec-
ton, strengthened and elevated by Christian
love, have renderedthe marriage tiea bond
of peace and happiness; and the scene ofits
enjoyment, the home of all that isdelightful
and all that is sacred on earth.
Christian Witness.
Good affections are highly valuable, but
to them we must never entirely trust our
conduct: thew must be supported by fixed