Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-07-05
RELIGIOUS.
FAIRLY PIETI.

ran up 10 MS ldlhS' "''o "oo WI Ni''S All
the garden, exclaiming, Papa, papa,
want TO ask you question-Where was my
soul before it came into this body!" My
dear boy" replied, cit would be better
Tor YOU to inquire where it will 60 if it
we're now to leave the body" 80 papa"
said he, with an inexpressible look, "it will
90 TO heaven, ,ha, is sure, that is settled" ="
".tlas, my dear boy, wish it may be os
settled" l reioined, "that would be of
much greater importance than to know
where it was before it entered the body.
What led you to propose sucha question:"
IL don't know" the dear boy replied,
ssbu, it is Just entered my mind" Then
off he ran. Because the little boy was
vounc, and had not committed many sins,
he thought he should surely 60 to heaven.
But, by and by, his mind began TO be in
tunnlt, occasioned by new change Of
feelings. He began to be conscious that
j. was not so certain after all, that he
should 90 to heaven. Leaving his father
and mother, he made asudden retreat from
the room; when; with his heart all emotion
and big with sorrow,he shu, himself in
dark parlor unperceived by any one in the
family. His mother accideptly went into
the room some time after, with candle,
and found the young pentent on his knees
in earnest. She wasalarmed and distur-
bed him; covered with confusion at being
caught in that position, he effected an in
slant retreat to his own room. Like Saul
Of Tarsus, he had often presented the
service of the lip to his Maker; he had
been taught with his first lispng voice to
address his Saviour; and believe the
child-like forms were never omitted, morn
ing or e1 ming.
Oh! how often had I entreated my God,
that whilst my child was on his knees re-
peating the words of prayer, he would be
pleased to breathe into his soul the spirit
prayer. My language. was, o that the
Lord, the Spirit would make this child,
like Samuel spiritual worshipper! He
had feared the Lord from his infancy; but
now behold the lad at seven years o!d,
whose heart the Lord had opened, pros
,rate as poor sinner at the foot of the
cross, pleading for mercy through cruci-
fed Saviour, His mother had permitted
him 10 enter his room alone, but kept her
station near the door; his groans and sighs
increased her alarm; she sent for me; |
fastened to him and witnessed sight that
can never be forgotten. Yes, l beheld
my petitions answered in the agonizing
prayers of my only child. With hands
claspcd together, he sat on his bed, his
ewes turned heavcnward; tears plentifully
bcdewed his cheeks. heard him with
indescribabe anguish imploring the mercy
Of our Lord Jesus Christ. His affection
ate mother at little distance from him,
sat weeping. Convulsed with different
feelings, | approached his bed, when ta-
king my hand he exclaimed in agony, 80,
papa, papa! your sermon tonight has
shown me that am lost sinner. You
said that those persons who had never
gone forth weeping, would never return
rejoicing; and alas! till now l never knew
what sorrow for sin meant; therefore have
no scrip,ural right to peace or joy. o,
papa, papa, what shall l do7"
'sBe calm my DEAR" the case is not
lost one." "But am lost," he quickly
replied. Clasping his hands, and with
heart-rendisg groan said, 81 have no right
to iov, ifdestitute of real sorrow for sin.
I feel that sin is burden. Oh! | have
been deceived all these years! what an
awful thing is self.deccption! y that the
Spirit would witness with my spirit that l
m born Of Cod"
Early the next morning he entered the
room where his father was, and, with his
usual bow and salutation, said; "Good
morning papaE' "Good morning. my dar-
ling, how are youl Come to my arms, l
wish to ask you question or two. When
al your door last night heard you exclalm
with great eagerness,-'O that the Spirit
would witness with my spirit that | am
born of Cod Did you mean that the
great and blessed God would speak to
you, poor sinner, with 4 voice from
hcavcu!"
With look that now rends my heart
he said," 'No, papa, l should be ashamed
of such thought"
"Well, my child" I replied, 81 am glad
that YOU had no such desire or expectation.
But tell ME, what you did mean."
II meant, he said, with the tirmness
of a man fifty years old, "that | wished
the Holy Spiri, would work in my heart
what he has written in the Bible, and then
let me see it,"
"And do YOU now desire that your whole
heart may be sanc,ified and devoted to
God!"
ayes, papa," he replied with strong