The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-07-13
THE ELEVENTH HOUR.

THE ELEVENTH HOUR.
Some years since, a gentlemen, well
known for his llberaIity and zeal, was
pass ng through an obscure alley in
London, on the Sabbath morning, dis.
tributing religious tracts as he: went
along. a woman with whom he left one
OF the little publ c%atious, info med h m
that she had a ledger in an apartment in
the house who appeared to be very in.
and who she thought would feel pleased
and grateful, 1.-THE gentleman would oay
h IN u visit. He christianity complied with
the request, and was introduced tn a
room almost destitute of furniture.
where, upon. a miserable bed, he per-.
ceIved the rul $ ola fine younf man. .
In. the la t. stage of emaGiat on and de-
cay. .Ihe gentleman, with h accos-
tomed Kindness and fidelity ,,enteredi IN
TO conversation W til him, aud was pleas
ed to discover that the unhappy sdf.
ie .er was lot only. fully prepared to re.
celve his instructions, but, that he ap.
Peared to be truly. imp essed with e
character OF his state, acqua ntcd with
the system of salvation through the cru-
cIhed Savior, aud manifesting those dis
positions OF repentance and of faith.
which are so essntial to the safety oftbe
SOU. lie confessed he had been bro',
up IN ~respectabiIity that he had received
a reli ious education that he had fallen
Il victim to the multiform seductions Of
wee, that he had abandoned his parent
al home, that his constitution had been
ruined by excess, and that his present
condition had resulted from his own de-.
pravtY. lie then proceeded il broken
language, md with exhausted strrngth.
to describe how, in his misery Ike the
prodIgal o in the parable, he had
come to himself; how all the impres-
slons OF early life had been revived bv
an lnfu"nce from above; h1w earnestly
and penitentIy he had cast himself be-
fore the thr ne ofgrace how hope had
animated him while dwelling upon the
love and meditation of the Re eemer.
and how, at last, he was enabled to in
duIse IN some eXpectat ons of final for
giveness and &C eptance beyond the
grave. When the gentleman kindly in
qnired if he could do anything for him.
the young man with considerable hest.
tat on, but yet with absorbing earnest
n SIS, sa d, 81 hope I have obtained the
forgiveness of God, would that I could
receive that of my father |" The gen.
tleman whose feelings were very strong
ly excited, offered his services. and IN
CURED the pa ent's address and it was
with some establishment that he heard
the name Of an individual whom he
knew to be occupying a station Of res
pectabilIty and reputation. As the si.ua.
ton OF the young man admitted of no
delay, he immediately repaired to the
residence of the father, whom he found
at home, and to whom he was int oduc-
ed. Some embarrassment followed At
length SAID the gentleman, al believe.
81, you have a son 7" The oil man
became violently affected, burs, into a
Hood o%ttears and sufficiently exempliaed
how much the conduct of his child had
agonIzed his heart. The gentleman,a f-.
ter some delay, proceeded, with as much
caution as he could exercise, to nar,ate
the clrcu nStance which had transpired
IN the morning, and concluded by ulTer-
ing his services to conduct tie rarent
to an interview with h S erring but pen
itent child. "A siIent assent having been
gwen, they proceeded TO the house
where the young man was lodging.
They soon arrived at the place. The
Gentleman first entered the apartment.
The young man, when he saw him,
ia mt y Sun led with pleasure and then,
ng further, he perceived the gray
hairs and wei! known countenance Of
his father. With all h rema ming
.stren4th, he uttered the mist pathetic
entrea les for forgiveness. The whole
affection of his father was aroused and,
accord ne to he descr ption ofthe para
b e before gu ted, he ran, took his son
in his arms, and gaze him the most en-.
dearIn Z assurances that he was pardoned.s
The young MAJ had ut his arms round
the neck of his father, who suddenly
the hlial embrace relaxed /; he look
ed through his tears, and found that he
hell the corpse of his child +! The eff
feet and the emotion had provei too
much Tor his strength, aud his spirit had
fled to the presence gifts God.-Chuych
of ENGLAND Magazine