Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-04-21

hui tSttll. >fu tiuW FeHtYett Jeils Wnffl +
was arlheyond the reach of temptation.
ION jhe next morning when came
down 81 breakfast, | was started and sur
pfisetl TO learn that Mr.. Jones had been
|urowneN on the day before. Instead d
returning ina few hours. as he stated ID
me he would, he remained out all the
day. sudden storm arose; bis boat
was caHsized, and be drowned. Ishud.
Idered when heard this sad and fatal &C
cident related. That little word, NO, had
ti~salI probability saved my life.
- FitlSuow tell you,. William, my
father said' turning to me, why | did
not WISH you to go VIII Ar> Jones. OF
late, he hat taken to drinking, 7asss-..I lllael
learnedy within few days. that whenay
er he went ouf on a fishingeer cunning
excursion, he took his bottle of spirits
with hif, and usually returned good
deal intoxicated. | could not trust you
with subj man. did not think it me-
cessary to state this to you, for | was
sure thai had only to express my wish
that you would not accompany him, to
ensure your implicit obedience.
4 felt keenly rebuked at this; and re
solved hever again to permit even the
thought of disobedience to find place
in my mind. From that time, have
felt the value of the word NO, and have
generally, ever since, been able to use it
on all occasions. It has saved me from
many troubles. Often and often in life
have been urged to do things that my
Judgment told ME were wrong: on such
occasions, | always remembered my
first fem pta ton, and resolutely said
NO.
And now, my son. said Mr.. How
land, sdb you understand the importance
of the word Mr.
i think do. father,, Thomas replied.
But is there not danger Of my using it
too often, and thus becoming selfish in
all my fe elings, and Consequently unwil-
ling to render benefits to othersss'
.Certa inly there is, Thomas. The lei
climate use of this word is to resist evil.
To refus to do good action is wrong
1T any one asks me, to do him favor
or kindness, | should not, on any account
say no.
That will depend, Thomas, in what
manner you are to render him a kindnes.
If you ca b do 50 without really iniuring
yourself pr others, then il is duty which
you owe Ito all men, to be kind, and rem
der favo1s'
But tile difficulty, I feel, will be for
me dis riminate. When | am urged
to do SON ething for one whom esteem,
my regar d for him, or my desire to rem
der him On obligation, will be SO strong
as tc obs fure my Judgment
"a cons seriousness Of this weakness in
your cha racter, Thomas, should put you
upon your guard.
That is very true, father. But can
not help fearing myself Still, shall
never forget what you have said, and will
try my best to act from a conviction of
right
DO so my son. And ever bear in
mind, tina wrong action is altc0ys fol-
lowed by pain of mind, and too frequent
ly by evil consequences. If you would
avoid theSe, ever act from conscious
ness that you are doing right, without
regard to others. ii another asks You,
from Sc fish desire to benefit or crafty
himself tp do that which your Judgment
tells you is wrong, surely you should
have no hesitation in refusing
The rFecept of his father, enforced
when they were about parting. and at
time who n his affections for that father
were act ve and intense, fingered in the
mind OF. Thomas Rowland. He saw its
force, an resolved to act in obedience 70
it, it evel tempted to do wrong.
On Leaving the parental roof, he went
to neigHboring town, and entered the
store Of d merchant, where were several
young men nearly Of his own age, that is,
between eighteen and twenty. With one
of these, named Boyd, he soon formed
an intima| tie acquaintance. But, unfor-
tunately, the moral character Of this.
young .aa n was far from being pure, Or
his principles from resting on the firm
basis Of Truth ard honor.
His growing influence over Thomas
Rowland was apparent in inducing him
to stay away from church on the Sabbath
day, and pass the time that had hereto
fore been spent in a place Of worship,
in roaming about the wharves Of the city.
or in excursions into the country. This
influence was slightly resisted; but Tho
mas felt ashamed or reluctant to use the
word Nd on what seemed to all the
yoifng men around him matter Of such
little Importance. Still his own heart
condemned him, for he felt that it would
pain his father and mother exceedingly
If thev knew that he neglected to attend
church at least once on the Sabbath day
-!aI.d he was, besides, sclf-convicteA Of
wrong iii what seemedto him violation
loft the ptecept, Remember the Sabbath
d0y &C., as he bad been taught to regard
thai precfpt. But once having given
way, be Tell almost powerless to resist
the influence that bore upon him.
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