Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-08-14

his elbow upon his hand, tears which we're
thought to be concealed flowed silently down.
This caught the attentive gaze Of the anxi.
Gus soldier. Transporting emotions flowed
through his soul. lie hailed the noiselcss
stream as harbinger of coming joy. He
did not, however, appear to observe the tears
which fell but left them to work their own
effects, not doubling that his prayer and ex-
ertions had been rendered instrumental in af-
fecting the mind of his clerical traveller.
They reached the inn at which they had
slept the last night but one before: when on
entering the parlor the first question asked of
the landlord by MIR. W. was, sis your
two bcddcd room vacant 7" On being ans
wcred in the affirmative, he turned to the
Captain, and with an atlectionate smile, in
quired, twill you object Captain Arnold, to
sleep in the two bedded room 7" "Not in the
least, my dear SIR" replies his friend.-"1n-
deed, ifn is according with your wishes, j
shall most certainly prefer it.
No further explanation took place, but al
ter supper they retired, as on the previous
evening, when on beng left alone, the cler-
gyman placed his hand on the Captains
shoulder, and said in tone of the most sub
dued character, "Captain, you know how to
pray for yourself, will you pray for me =
Astonshment and joy mingled their efforts,
and United their influence SO powerfully, as
nearly to overcome the pious Captain. He
was unable at fisst to articulate sound.
Having somewhat recovered himself, he
aflectionately pressed the hand Of Mr.. W.,
at the same time congratulating him on the
change which had been wrought on his mind,
and knceling together, he wrestled with God
for HMM all the eloquence of heartfelt
scnsibility-and with all the irresistiblity Of
vigorous faith. The convulsive emotions on
the penitcnt, were seen and audible. They
retired, each to his bed, not to sleep, No
the desire of W-for information was as
tonishing. A light surprising the brightness
of mid day sun, had shed its luminous ray
across his mind. "Tcll me, Captain, about
this new birth, or explain what it means."-
Never was teacher more successful or more
happy to instruct, never was pupil more
anxious to learn, than the Captain and his
friend. The things which had been laugh,
and listened to as task, now appeared to be
remembered and understood. A peculiar
aptitude to comprehend the things of Coo
possessed the mind of the convert.
They reached home the following night
when the first question asked by MIR W
of his servant was, sis Mrs W-well! how
are the children :" The servant stood hal
COMPOUNDED, gazing at his master with oper
eyes and mouth, doubling if he we're not sud-
denly deranged. Had he inquired how Dido
Seraph, Splash, Fortune, or some other o
his dogs, or horses were, no aStonishmen
would have been excited, but to ask after hi.
wife and children was past comprehension
1t was what had never been heard of before
At length he stammcred out-"Mistress is
believe well; have not heard of an acciden
Detailing her, Sir"
He passed the servant before he had con.
cluded his speech, and with the Captain en-.
tered the drawing room. There sat his toe
much neglected wife surrounded by three OF
four blooming children. With half frantic
eagerness he embraced each in turn, drop.
ping tear on their rosy cheeks as he KISSED
them, and then turning to his wife; "My
dear we shall have family prayer to night.
Mrs W, turning upon him with her al:
fec,ionate pleading eye, mildly replied, sob
Mr. W, do not let us add hypocrisy te
all other sins" mo, my dear, rejolned the
now sincerely kind Mr. W, III am, j
trust no hypocrlte. I will read portion
from the sacred volume, and" continued he
turning to Captain Arnold-"my friend here
will pray with US.
In few words an explanation was givel
20 al, Il ,,,.c o,l tla hell
A servant entered: "John," said his master
Ego to the study and bring me the Bible
"The Bible, sir, repeated John, doubling j
his ears had not deceived him. "Ah, John
you may well ask if mean the Bible, replied
Mr. W, Eyes 20 and bring me that TOT
long neglected book"
The servant disappeared, and while HI
was gone for the Bible, the bell was agail
rung for the other servants. They came will
some degree of misgiving into his presence
endcavoring to call to mind what they hat
done, and expecting severe reprimand
which was notunusual with him. They were
however, additionally surprised when HI
kindly desired them eachto take seat, while
he read with peculiar emphasis and solemni
ty, portion from the Word of God. The
Captain prayed, and the evening closed il
way that none had ever witnessed in tina
dwelling before.
Friday came, and on the following Sab
bath Mr. W, would have as usual, t
meet his flock IN the Church. He entered
his study; turned over heap of sermons
one by one, exclaimingto himself as he threw
aside his former exhibitions, "that will no
do, that is not proper, that is wretched. l.
this the trash with which have been solon!
in the habit Of feeding the souls Of my people
or rather starving them with the shadow o
life +? 1 will however, no longer insult God
and rum the people Of my CHARGE"
Perplexcd and COMPOUNDED, he determined
to offer an apology to his people on the fol
lowing Sabbath, for not having sermon 70
them, on the ground ofhis recent journey
and so dismiss them. The day arrived, ant
he entered the desk IN the morning, and in al
impressive tone, never before heard from
him, read the service. There was some
thing even about his appearance and manner
so perfectly new and strange to the people
that they gaped with wonder, scarcely believ