Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-08-03
AFFECTING SCENE.

some years since, gentleman, well
known for his iberality and zeal WINS pas
sing through an obscure alley in London,
on the Sabbath morning distributing reli
glous tracts as he went along. A woman
with whom he left one OF the l,tle publ
cat ons, informed him that she had a
lodger in an apartment in the house who
appeared to be very ILL., and who she
thought would feel pleased aud graf ful
II the gentleman would pay him visit.
He Instantly complied with the request.
and was introduced to a room almosI des-
iitute Of furniture, where, upon misera-
Die bed, he perceived the ruins of fine
young man, in the last stage OF emacia,ion
and decay. The gentleman with bis ac-
custoned KINDNESS and fidelity, entered
INTO conversation with him, and was
pleased TO discover that the unhappy suf-
ierer was fully prepared to receive his in
structons. He confessed he had been
brought up IN responsibility, that he had
received a religious education, that he
had la len victim TO the mutif,rm scduc-
lions If vice, tina; he had been abandoned
He then proceeded in broken languag,
and with exhausted strength to d scribe
how, IN his misery, like the prodigal son
10 The parable, he ha come to himself
how all the impressions of early lie had
been revived by an influence from above,
how earnestly and peni,enily he had cast
himself before the throne of grace, how
hope had animated him while dwelling
upon The love and mediation of the r.
deemer, and how at last he was enabled to
indulge IN some expectations of final for
gIveness and acceptance beyond the
grave.
When the gentleman kindly inquired
If he could do any thing for h'm, the
young man, with considerable hesitation.
but yet with absorbing earnestness, and,
al hope | have obtained the forgiveness
of God, would that could receive tina, of
my father !" Tue gentleman whose fee.
l'ngs were strongly excited, offered his
services, and inquired the parent address;
and 4 was with some .astonishmenl that
he heard the name of an individual whom
he knew to be occupying a station of res.
peciabilty aud reputation. As the sit
uaiion 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 intro luced.
Some embarrassment followed. At length
the gentleman said, 81 believe, sir, YOU
nave SON." The old man became vi
olently affected, burst into flood of tears,
and sufficiently exempIlfed how much
the conduct of his child had agonizet his
heart. The gentleman, after some delay,
proceeded, with as much caution as he
could exercise, to narrate the .circum.
stance which had transpired in the NOR
ming, and consluded by Offering his servi-
cos TO conduct the parent to an interview
with his erring but penitent child. A
silent assent was given, they proceeded
to the house whore the young man was
lodging, They soon arrived al the place.
The gentleman first entered The apart.
men.. The young mnn. when he saw
him, family smiled with pleasure; and
then, looking further. he perceived tn
Z ey HAIRS an wi know CONT nanc
# tbs {, h r. With al his r,tnain,np
strength ~ ut re the IN 81 psthatir en-
r. att $ t for,v ness; The whole afr q
| On u his III rwasarous &; nni acc,r !
ing I" The descrptn-n IN III parable be-
f"r qunI d, H. RAJ, Ia k his son in his
arms, and CAV him the most endea inp
assurances tat he was pafd d. The
Young mao had put bis arms round the