Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-02-11

Woulu VIC Sh"hHSh oy N' P'SsS"S' S"' w
tuntion of his only child over whom he had
wutchcd with anxious sollclinde, and whose
welfare he had labored so untrlngy TO pro-
mote. lie experienced religion about ia"
time ho entered college, aud It was his Ia
theirs desire that OF the close ot his studies
he should devote his services to the cause OF
religion. "Ah ,es!' hs would sny, "hGc'
the tcnrs trlckled down his care. worn aud
| venerable countcnancc, "conIJ but see my
SON engaged in the work Of saving souls, and
follow lng the path he has been taught To
pursue, it would import to my dying hours II
peaceful resignation, and buoy up my faint
mo sDrit, until il slumbercd IN the embrace
of death" But Mas the "Old Man." was
4! disappointed, and the hopes he had So tondly
cherished were To be blasted forever, and lh"
child who had been tho object Of u father
care aud love, wos destined 10 bring his grey
hairs 10 n premature grave. Kind and aifec'
rionate father the many prayers that had
been offered up for thy son, were TO be lost
and the instruction you had impaired, TO De-
disregarded! Those who are fathers, nnd
| have watched over nn only clnld with IN
! creasing fondncss, can realize IN some meas
ure, the feelings Of the "Good Puritan" when
he received the intelligence, that his son ha'
| become an "ldolater o. chance, AN lnfdcI.
\ lie was seated IN an easy chair, under the
| porico Of his old dwelling, gazing upon Tie
| beautiful Connecticut, MS II wound round II
curve or bend, short distance from the
house, aud listening 10 the fulry-lke music
its waters, when lie observed person on
horseback, approaching toward the house.
\ rbe stranger drew up his horse Ut the gate,
dlsmounicd, and came directly up to the
old gentleman, who arose extended his hand
aud finding that the stranger had come on
business, invited hun into the house. But he
! declined, observing "ihat he had some dis
! tance to travel, IN order 10 reach his place q;
! des ,nution, and feared that delay would
! place him under the necessity OF stopping on
the road for the night. Bat" SAID he Il have
/ come some miles out Of my way to see nI
| old gentleman Of the name Of Wilson, who,
understand, resides Ia This house" Tie
\" Good Puritan" nitcr acqualnlIng hin of the
fact, Told him that his name was Wilson, and
probably the individual lie wished to Sec
The young stranger. (for he was in the bloom
Of lte) looked for moment on the venerable"
form before him, then turned away 10 con-
ceal tear that trickled down his check
I Mr.. w llson, observing him to be affected,
approached hun, ard with evident surprise
asked him the cause of his sorrow-liule
thinking that he was the object Of compassion,
and that for him, the strangers tear was
shed" The young man turned his eyes to-
ward the features Of the venerable speaker,
ard said 81 have n piece o! intelligence 10
communicate, which, If you will be seated
you shall hear" Mr.. Wilson immediately
| seated himself, and the stranger continued ;
/" | am from - College, am intimately
acquainted with your son, aud was requested
/ BY Professor NJ. to come (as | am going home
| on VISIT and inform you that your son had
rcnounced The principles Of religion, and en-.
| barked on the broad and in,homless sea Of
infdeli,y and, regardless Of his advice, had
left college and gone South" Having thus
| finished his message, wthou, making knawT
his name, or waiting 10 hear what The aillct
ed father would say, he bade him good day
and mounting his horse, was soon out o
sight. This painful intelligence, so unex
pccted, done The work for Mr.. w llson, 70
he was OF that time, in very feeble state o
! health. The stranger had not long beer
| gone, when the old house keeper became
alarmed at the long absence Of her master
and stepping out ot the door, she found hin
! thrown back in his chair, in n state of uttcl
| inscnsibiluy. She raised him up, and will
the assistance of the hired man, carried hin
INTO the house, laid him on bed. and sen
for Physician. But it was all over with
hun, and before the Physician arrived, th,
\ spirit Of the Good Purlton" had flown I,
that better land"
II In The life and character u! Mr.. Wilson
4 there is exhibited an illustration Of proclIct
\ piety worthy Of imi,i,lon. He was a dGvc
ted christian, an nffrclionaie father, and o
honest man. HIS last moments were cali
and peaceful, as his !fc had been useful all
happy. But to proceed with my story.
| Three years passed away, and nothing ba
been heard OF the ungratciuI son, when on
day. young man of gentemanly oppenronc
arrived in the town Of NJ. with letter fror
the South, bearing the signature Of &c. II
u Wilson" The letter informed him tha, h
had heard OF the death Of his father, an
should be there in the course Of five weeks
IN the mean time, II added, "yon will tai,
the management Of my business into you
own hands" The gentleman who brougt
this intelligence was none other than tn
Rev. Mr.. s., who three years before ha
. broush, the intelligence that ternunacd III