Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-02-22
MISCELLANY.
From the Tree and its Fruits"
THE POWER OF WOMAN,


vent.red home In state Of intoXicatiun, 1
knew my situation and dreaded that my wife
should discover IL. | eXerted my sell to cons
ceal 1t. | Affected TO be witty, affeClionate,
and social, but II was a total failure. felt
the power of the fatal poison momentarily in
creasing. l saw the inquiring eye of my
wife fixed upoE me with look OF unutera-
BILE grief. Ii was emily with her aid that |
was able 10 reach my pillow.
The check which her ignorance had i'm
posed upon me being removed, all restraint
was soon swept away, and came home night
alter night, In state most revolving 10 The
feelings of an atiectionaIe female. In vain my
amIable companion wept and eXpostulated. I
was too much en,angled and corrupted TO
break away either from my vices or sssoci-
ates They neither feared G od nor regarded
mnn. wns led captive by their devices
became, | will not saw an infidel, for
was too ignorant Of the theory of skepiicism
10 be one. 1 became a mocker "FCuls
make mock al sin, % and such fool was 1.
] knew just enough of the Bible 10 make il
my jest book. | saw that this part of my
conduct was extremely painful 10 my pious
wife, and tried TO restrain myself from iri-
fling with The Bible in her presence, but |
loved 10 raise loud laughter among my bois-
ferrous companions, and the indulgence serv-
ed so 10 strengthen the pernicious habit
that ] was often detected in the use Of this
offensive language.
Ii was not till became father that her
touching appeals on this subject reached my
conscience. NJ ust this child ,"she would say
with tears, "be trained up under these bane-
full influences? Must he be taught by pa
rental example 10 despise and ridicule the
Scriptures with his lisping tongue before he
is able 10 read lis contents, or realize Its hes-
venIy origin? No counieracting influence
of mine Can obliteraie from his mind the Jest
with which his father assailed this or that sa :
cred passage"
Our son now became an interesting little
praltler, Initiating whatever he heard or saw.
| perceived with sort ofdiabolicaI pleasure,
that The first eHurts OF his infant tongue were
TO initiate my proIane language, the recoI-
iectloh OF which now sends Il thrill of grief
and horror through my bosom. In vain did
| his s0rTowing mother endeayour 10 counters
| act the influence OF my wicked example.
continued 10 swear, ana he 10 initiate my
! profanity, unconscious ofIts turpiiude. On q
| certain occasion returned from one OF nv
| gambling excursions and found my wife and
child absent. On enquiry, ascertained that
she had gone to her customary place Of re-
tliSHCbt III REOVS DIT some distance from The
| house. ] knew she had gone there for the
purpose Of devotion. bad been uccuston
ed TO see her retire thilher a! the evening
| twilight, and, though thought her pie,y un.
| necessary, had no objection 10 ii as source
OF happiness TO her, but that she should take
| her child with her excited my surprise
felt curiosity 10 follow her, did so, and
( took position unseen by her, but where
! had full view OF her altitude and features.
| She was kneeling beside a rock, on which
lay her bible before her. One hand was pla>
| ced on its open pages, the other held the hand
OF her fair boy who was kneelng beside her
! his eye inieDty fixed on her face. She was
! pale and csreworn. Her eyes were closed,
! but the tears were chasing each other down
her cheeks, as she poured forth her burden
| ed soul IN prayer, first for her husband that
| he might be reclaimed and saved and espe-
cIaily did she plead with God, that her son
| whom she unreservedly dedicated TO him
| might be saved from those sins which we're
taught him by his iatbeF's example "Saye
| him, she cried with agony, "save him from
taking thy great and holy name in vain, Tor
thou will not hold him guillless that takeIr
| thy name In vain, and give his anxious mo-
Their wisdom, IortiIude aud grace, effectualiy
TO correct The habit Of profaneness" "PooI
mother pretty mother !" said the child, ris
ing and wiping off the tears with his sof
hand. Don't cry mother, father will come
pretty soon" Wretch that am said {,
myself What pangs have rent that gentle
bosom That child has so often seen he
weeping on account ofmy prOtracted absence
that the little fellow now supposes it ID,
cause Of her present agony and tears.
crept silently from my hiding place, ant
returned home with n conscience narrowed
up by the keenest self-reproacbes. knew
thai her feelings we're not the Elful ebulii
tons Of passion or excitement. I had lon;
| been convinced thai her oonduct v.,aa tn1rls