Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-07-13
Tile AGED NEGRO.

About half a century since, perhaps more
perhaps less, a church was orgonlzeo IN
county, Virginia. For years 1t four'sheu'
and its numbers greatly increased AHer
while the pastor died, one and another OF 'ne
members removed TO other parts OF the
roun,rv some returned to the beggarly ele-
ments of the world, and some went to tha'
resi- which remaineth for the people oil Gou'
Tbe house of worship fell into decay the
doors we're broken from their hinges, ana
Tho birds ofthe air built their nests upon the
deserted walls. The pulpit bowed 10 lis
fall, and utter dcsolaton reigned where once
the praises ofZion's King had resonnded'
Near by, arose erog-shop, and II soon De,
came the Sunday resort OF the young ana
old in the vicinity. In that neighoorhoou'
lived wealthy gentleman, who had one
son, youth of great promise. MS you,n
was in the practice Of spending his oaooa'ns
with other young men at the .grogshop
above named, though il had not been sand
that he was ever guilty of any outoreakihg
immortality One Sabbath as he was gong
TO the general place Of rendezvous, when
nassinp the old meeting house, he turned his
head and saw an old grey-headed negro
sitting on one Of the benches degree OF
superstitious fear came over his mind, ana
an impression was produced which render,
ed the society at the grogshop lrksome' ana
he soon returned to his fathers. On the
next Sabbath as he was again passing tue
old house, he saw the old negro again seat
ed on a bench, leaning his head on the top
of his staff Riding up TO the window he
inquired of the old man what he was doug
..ss tor q
sit down, and will tell you" was the reply
He accordingly went in aud took his seat oy
the side ofthe old manwhom by this time he
recognized us the aged servant oil neigh
boring planter >,
Thirty years ago. proceeded the old
man, with deep emotion, II used to come to
this house of Snndayto meet God aud his
people and precious times we have had
here. This house used to be filled with pro-
essed Christians, engaged in the service of
God. and anxious sinners inquiringt the way
to be saved In that old pulpit, now lean
ing, ready to fall used to stand the servant
of God, telling us the precious truths OF The
gospel Of Jesus Now he is dead, some ol
the members have moved away, some gone
back to the world and some are dead, while
the old house is ready TO fall. Young mas
ter. used in those days TO come here to
meet God have come here today 10
meet him in this house And he has met
with me He is here now" The aged
man then respectfully, yet earnestly pressed
upon the youth the Importance OF religion
and the danger of neglect "l Dung mas
Ter, YOU see my head. II is white. | was
once young like you. am now old aud
shall soon die And you viii too. Are
YOU prepared "The young man weptandthe
old Christian proposed thatthey should kneel
down and pray for the salvation OF his soul.
They knelt down, and God was there Du-
ring the ensuing week the young man was
greatly distressed and early the neat Sab
bath morning repaired TO the old church To
meet the old negro who preached Jesus 10
| him os the way, the truth, aud the lite. In
few days Ii young man obtained hope,
and by his eXcrtons aud The blessing oil
God grace, AN extensive revival of religion
very soon commenced A new church was
soon organized, the old house was repaired
minister settled. and many were converted
to the faith as il is in Jesus As one OF the
| fruits of that revival, six individuals IRON
that neighborhood entered upon the work o.
the ministry, and the Lord greatly blessed
their labors One individual converted al
this time, became afterwards the Governor
of State, aud died, after life of usefulness
as the righteous die heabove narrative j
is believed is substantially correct. The
facts were communicated 10 the writer few
days since by person who was understood
TO say, that he received them from some VIII,
were themselves the subjects of The revival
Comment is unnecessary, and each reade
can make his own reflections Watchma,
Of the South.
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