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

find him. proceeded directly to the spot where
had seen hin few hours previous. When I
first came in sight of him he was sitting with his
head leaning against tree; but on observing me,
he rose up and met me- | extended my hand TO
him, saying, Il am glad to see you, father. Mo-
ther feared some evil had happened to you. AMI
sent me to see if could find you.' He made me
no reply, but taking my hand in his, walked slow
ly toward the house. His heaving sIghs bespoke
the deep emotions Of his soul. Perceiving that he
had not yet settled the great question of life
death, l offered up piy silent prayers that God
would not leave him in this important hour, upon
the decisions of which were suspended heaven and
hell
"We had not reached the outer edge of the
grove, when my father stopping Short clasped ms
TO his bosom, and exclaimng in tears, %, Ed
ward Edwardr forgive ME, o forgive me, my dear
son, o forgive me- He never seemed so precious
to me before. clasped my arms around his neck.
and pressed my lips to his cheek, as my only
method of giving expression to my feelings, or a
pledge OF the forgiveness he sought. On arriving
at the house met my mother in the dining ROOM
My father, bathed in tears. caspedher to his breast
will you GO with met said he. i have deter
mined to have religion, and accompany our dear
Edward and will you 60 with US, daugh,erl' tad-
dressing himself to my sister, who was Just erer-
ing the room) YES am sure YOU viii both
join me; and here is dear Edward, who has for
given me, he will pray for US So saying he
drew myself and sister, as near into his arms az
he could, with our mother; and as though he had
obtained the assent of all, immediately fell upon
his knees % Edward, said he, the big tears still
flowing down his cheeks, % Edward, do pray for
wicked father; pray for US all; God has heard
your prayers, and he will still hear them We all
bowed with him, but the deep emotions of my soul
forbade me utlerance, and nearly overcame my phys
ical strength. In fact did not know when COM
menced vocal prayer. I only know found my
self chow long after cannot telD in the arms of
my father, our voices both mingling in mighty
prayer for his salvation. Our PRAYERS, through the
mediation of our great High Priest. were heard on
high, and salvations tide soon rolled DER his soul.
He sprang upon his feet with shouts of praise for
Gods redeeming grace My thoughts then be-
came wholly absorbed in the case of my mother,
the dear mother that bore me, on whose bosom Ihad
been cherished, and who had constantly watched
over with all the affection OF mothers heart.
My whole soul was drawn out in prayer for her
immediate conversion. The chariot wheels for,
a time. seemed stayed, but our supplications were
inces,sant My father, who had again knelt by
her side, tried to encourage by conversing with
her, or rather he prayed and talked together; pray
ing part of sentence, and talking the balance.
| My mother and sister were both weeping in bitter
accents; part of the time praying for themselves,
having taken courage from the speedy delverance
of my father Their prayers and groans. ard the
prayers, exhortatons, and shouts, with which my
father seemed overburdened, together with my
own prayers, all commingling together, produced
what would generally be termed wild confusion.
How long continued in prayer for my mother
do not know, but catching the eye of my weeping
sister, it occurred to me that had entirely forgot
ten her-that had not even pray ed for her at all
Bitterly reproaching myself, and still upon my
knees, clasped her to my bosom, and bathed her
with tears of sorrow that had been so thought
less / besousht God with all my soul for that
dear, that only sister, that he would enable her to
renounce the world and all its aliurements. and
cast her naked soul on Jesus for salvation. My
parents also prayed with me; and while we wres
tiled, the symbol of the divine presence was mani
fest Ellen said /, God has blessed you.'--
Yes said she (as We bathed each others cheeks
in tears, } I know love the Saviour On rising
from our knees, we found, to our surprise, that
the morning had dawned The following sabbath,
we all received the the solemn seal of our conse-
Grafton; and for months our bliss seemed complete.
But the destroyer came, and they have been car
ried, one after another, to the silent and lonely
habitat;on of the dead. Over those couutenances-
once so fresh and lovely, have gathered the cold
damps of death, and the unfeeling worm now feeds
upon those so fondly loved. But two short
years had passed ere they had all left me; but
. they left in joyous hope-'hey res: IN peace.
, Consumption frs, poised lis fatal dart al my
lovely sister, aud like The early rose, nipPed
by The un,imely blast, she soon fell lis wiiher.
ed victim. While the rose faded from her
cheek, and her sparkling eye grew dim IN