Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1844-12-26

NOuISc tildU udu YET QOIe. L determined 100 to
say something to my father of his responsibilities
as parent. But what should | say, boy seven-
teen years old, to one accustomed to sit in judg-
ment, and listen to arguments from the finest tai
ents Of myself could say nothing; but the
promise Of wisdom from on high led me to a grove
just without the village, where the whole night
was spent in prayer and preparation for the
Thank God, as day dawned light and peace, like
flood, broke into my soul. | was strong as
giant. | knew not a word that / should say,
though | felt blessed assurance that God would
give me words and wisdom and would as soon
have made my defence before an assembled uni
verse as any way On my arrival at the house |
found my father up, and walking his room. He
had, in fact, fastened the doors, and remained
awake all night, so as to meet me at the door,
WELL said he, this is the fruit of your religion,
is iti Where have you been all night. you DISC
bedient rascal' i have been up in the grove
praying since class meeting,' said l. very frankly
Praying, ha! pretty story that. I'll see if it
can't be cured after breakfast SO SAYING he left
me, and did not see him again till at the break
fast table. Breakfast over, taking the whip, he
where was ordered to take off my coat and vest.
preparatory to the whipping. Father said l, lis
it customary for you to condemn without giving
chance for deencet OF what have been guilty,
that deserve the severe punishment you propose
to inhctr 'Defence' said he, What defence
can you make for will(ul disobedience You de-
serve TO be punished for trampling on my authori-
ty, and viii show you that authority shall be
maintained Il expected opposition continued
|, when embraced religion; but embraced it
in view of both worlds. l am prepared for any
suffering that may be inflicted in this, but must
save my soul in the other. Nothing can induce
me to forsake it. Is it not possible that in the
ercise Of fathers authority you have transcribed
the proper bounds of parental controls And have
you, dear father, fulfilled all the duties growing
out Of your relation to me as son! Our duties
grow out of our relations to our Maker and each
other. 1t is my duty, your offspring, to honor
and love you, to study your highest interests, and
obey you in all things when your commands do
not conflict with the requirements of higher au-
thorily-with those of my Maker: On the other
hand, it is your duty, as parent, to study my
of bringing me into beng-of giving me an exs-
tence co-extensve with that Of the Delty-eternal
That eternity of existence after the passage of the
few short years of this life, must be in wo or biss
and is it not your duty, dear father, the author OF
that eternity of being, to aid me all in your power
to escape the one, and gain the other9 o, let me
ask YOU, (said clasping his hands to my bosom)
bauo pursupd with
me; rather has not your whole life, and the admin
ist1ation of your government, tended to lead both
myself and dear sister directly to ruln-wh wea th
to sink us down to hell! O, father! fathern Here
my feelings overcame me and burst INTO tears.
recovered myself as soon possible, and raised
nv eyes to proceed, but observed that the whip
had fallen from my fathers hand, who stood be-
fore me motonless and white as marble block.
picked up the whip, and placed 1t in his hand.
No., said he, Il shall defer using the whip, but
YOU must leave my house. told him that pre-
ferred the performance of every duty faithful
son, but must abide his decision; at the same time
reminding him that nothing could relieve him OF
his high responsibilities as parent. He dropped
the whip and left the STABLE evidently in great ag-
ltatlO0. htlell ny tll6 SluC VI IL,
God for his goodness, and prayed that what had
said might result in the greatest good both to my
self and father In the course Of the day but lit-
tie was said by myself, mother, or sister, lhey
supposed that | had received the whipping which
had been threatened; and as was silent, they did
not feel like broaching that or any other SUBJECT.
During the whole forenoon, and also from the DIN
ner table. my father was absent. Our residence
was in the outskirts of the village, not more man
fifty rods from the grove which have already re-
ferred to, to which again resorted alter dinner
for another season of prayer. Soon after entering
it, to my surprise. / discovered my father some
distance from me, walking back and forward, ap-
parently in deep study. Seeing that was not ob'
served withdrew. and repaired to my chamber
where the afternoon was spent in prayer, that Coo
would be with my father in the grove; for was
certain that he was under the awakening influen
ces of the Holy Spirit At the usual supper hou
he had not returned, and after waiting Tor him I'll
dark, my mother, fearing some accident had be
fallen him, (as such an absence had never befor
occurred } requested me TO go and see if | cout