The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-07-06


ion wept and oxposuated. was too much en-
tangled aud corrupted 10 break away, either from
my vices associates. They neither feared God
nor regarded man l was led captive by their de
vices
became, will not say middleton was too
ignorant of the theory Of skepticism TO be one. !
became mocker. "Fools mock SIN )" and such
fool was I saw that this part Of my conduct
was extremely pa infuI TO my pious wife, and iris
ed 10 restrain myself from trifling with the Bible
in her presence; but loved to raise loud laughter
among my bosterous companions, and the indul-
gence served to strengthen The pornicous habit,
and was often detected in the use of this often
sive language
1t not ill became father, that her touch
ing appeals this sab ect reached my conscience.
She would say, ''must this child be trained up
der these baneful influences? Must he be taught
by parental example to despiso and ridcule the
scriptures with his lispng tongue, before he is a.
BILE to read its contents, realize its heavenly orr
gin? No counteractng influence Of mine can oblit
crate IRON his mind the jest with which his father
has assai!ed this or that sacred passage
Our son now became an interesting prattler, iml.
tatiug whatever he heard or saw. l perceived
with Of dabolicai pleasure, that the first eff
forts of his infant tongue TO initiate my pro-
fame language the recollection Of which now sends
a thrill of grief and horror through my bosom. In
vain did his soirowipg mother endeav 10 counter
act the in fuence of my wicked example. 1 contin
ned to swear, and he TO imi tate my profanity, IN
conscious of the terpitude. On certain occasion
returned from one fmy gambling excursions, d
found my wife and child absent. On inquiry, as
certained she had gone to her customary place OF
retirement IN grove, at some distance from the
house. knew she had gone there for The purpose
of votion. / had been accustomed 10 see her
tire thither in the evening twilight, and, though
thought her pety unnecessary, had no objection
to it a of happiness 10 her-but that she
should take her child with her excited surprise.
felt some curiosity TO follow her did so, and
took my position unseen by her ,bnt where had a
full view of her attitude 81. features. She was kneel
ing beside u rocs on which lay her bible before
her. One hand placed on its open pages; the
other held the hand Of the fair boy who was kneei
ing beside her, his eyes ntcnty fixed on her face
She was pale and Her eyes were clos,
ed but the tears chasing each other down
! her cheek, she poured forth her burdened soul
in prayer, first for her husband that lie might be re
| claimed and saved; but especially did she plead
with God, that her son, whom she unreservedly
dedicated TO him, might be saved from those sins
which were taught him by his fathers example,
| ''Save him., she cried with agony, "save him
from taking thy great and holy name in vain; and
give his anxious mother wisdom. fortitude, and
grace effoctualIy rect and break up the habit
Of profaneness.
"Poor mother! pretty moiher!' said the child,
rising and wping off her tears with his soft ands.
-''Dont cry, mother. father will come pretty
soon"
Wy. a., 7
have rent Tint gentle bosom! That child had so
| often seen her weep account of my protraccd
absence, that The little fellow supposed it the
cause of her present agony and tears.
| | crcpt silently from my hiding place, and return
| ed home with conscience narrowed up by the
keenost of self reproachcs. knew that her feel
ings were not the ifu ebu,ions Off passion or ex-
ctement. had long been convinced that her con
duct regulated by firm and viruous prnci-
pies, and the Bible which SO lightly esteemed,
was The rule of her life. On her return to the
house she solemn, but the law Of kindness
! still ruled her tongue. She did not reproach me,
but from that day she firmly and faith fully
ed our little for the of profan language,
even In my presence, when perhaps, he had just
caught it from my lips.
| She succeeded in conquering the habit in her
child, and when she had restored him she had cur
ed me- l resolved to abandon the use of language
which had cos: her much pain. did abandon
it from that time. i was efIectually rec lam
ed from two fmy prominent vices. But my hab-
| It's of lntemperanoe daily becoming like brass
| bands. My morning, noon, and evening dram
my loss of appetite, and Trembling nerves, provs
ed the strong grasp it had upon my conshtu-
| ton
! was associated w it'll my wicked companions
still followed up a system of gambling, which was
| rapidly bringing ruin on myself and family The
handsome estate, left me by my father, was nearly
| wasted.-M eantime, my family increased re-
sorted to the lottery land every species of gambling
to meet its increasing demands-but every step
plunged me deeper in guilt and misery.
| NV wife was in the habit of sitting up uii my re-
turn. however late It might be- She had no doubt
in this way saved me from perishing, as was Of
/ ten too much intoxicated to find my way even to
! the door without her assistance.
/ One cold wintry night. had been out till "a
r. (..x .ptA n.