The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-07-17
AFFECTING SCENE.

Some years since, gentleman, well known Tor
his liberalty end zeal, was passing through an OBJ
scure alley In London, on tho Sabbath morning dis
tributng religious tracts as he went along woman
with whom he left one Of the little publications. in
formed him that she had ledger in apartment in
the house who appeared to be very ILL., and who she
thought would feel pleased and grateful, il the gem
tleman would pay him a visit He instantly com
piled with the request, and was introduced to room
almost destitute of furniture, where, upon misera-
BILE bed, he perceived the ruins of fine young man,
in the last stage of emaciation and decay The gem
tleman with his accustomed kindness and fidelity,
tered into conversation with him, and pleased to
discover that the unhappy sufferer was fully prepared
TO receive his instructions. He confessed he had
been brought up in responsibility, that he had
ceived religious education, that he had fallen vic
tim to the multif0rm seducons of vice. that he had
been abandoned. He then proceeded In broken Ian
guage and with exhausted strength to describe how,
in his misery, like the prodiga in the parable, he
had come to himself how all the impressions early
life had been revived by influence from above,
how earnestly and pentently he had cast himself be-
fore the throne of grace, how hope had animated
him while dwelling upon the love and mediation Of
the Redeemer, and how at last he enabled to in
dulge in some expectations Of final forgiveness and
acceptance beyond the grave.
When the gentleman kindly inquired if he could do
anything for him, the young man, wiki considerable
hesitation but yet with absorbing earnestness said,
" hope have obtained the forgiveness of God,
would that could receive that Of my father!" The
WHU1o l00tlu&o were very 6IrODRIy oxcIttu
offered his services, and inquired the parents address
and it was with establishment that he heard the
name of an individual whom he knew to be occupy
ing station of responsibility and reputation. AS
the situation Of the young admitted of no delay
he Immediately repaired to the residence Of the ia
Their, whom he found at home, and to whom he was
introduced. Some embarrassment followed At
length the gentleman said believe, sir you have
a SON." The old psa became violently affected
burst into food Of tcars, and sufficiently exempli6ed
how much the conduct Of his child had agonized his
heart. The gentleman, after some delay, proceeded
with as much caution he could exercise 10 narrate
the circumstance which had transpired in the morn
ing and concluded by offering his services to conduct
the parent to interview with his errng but peni-
tent child. silent assent having been given, they
proceeded to the house where the Young man was
lodging. They soon arrived at the place. The gen.
tleman first entered the experiment. The young man,
when he saw him, family smiled with pleasure and
then, looking further he perceived the grey hairs and
well known countenance of his father. With all his
remaining strength he uttered the most pathetic en-
treaties for forgiveness the whole affection Of his
father aroused and according to the description
in the parable before quoted he ran, took his in
his arms, and gave him the most endearng assurances
that he was pardoDed The young man had put his
arms round the neck of his father who suddenly felt
the filial embrace relaxed he looked through his
tears, and found that he held the corpse of his child
The effort and the emotion had proved too much for
his strength, and his spirit fled to the presence of its
God