The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-03-28
THE LAST PRAYER.


THE LAST PRAYER.
One afternoon in 49,, several car
riages were seen gathering around an
elegant mansion in the town Of P.
A clergyman and several physicians
were assembled in darkened chamb-
er, around the accomplished Mrs. l..
The anxious countenances, the light
tread, the half suppressed breathing Of
the attendants, the solemn stiffness that
pervaded the whole group, told too
plainly their fearful apprehension that
the disease Of Mrs. l.. would battle all
human skill, and prove fatal to the suf-
ferer. She had been suddenly arrested,
in the full flow of health, by disease
that had locked up all her senses in a
lelhargic stupor, from which the skill of
faithful physicians and the assiduous ef-
forts of sympathizing friends could not
arouse her. The loss Of such friend
under such circumstances could not but
be severely ielt; but the alilictlon would
seem greatly increased, were she to
pass inlo the world of spirits without
any communication with those vino
might still linger behind. For several
years she had been an ornament to the
church and her friends earnestly desir-
ed to know whether her religion prov
ed an unfailing support when passing
through the valley of the shadow Of
death; and when in the course of his
prayer the clergyman entreated the
Lord that her consciousness and power
of speech might, if consistent with the
divine will, be restored, most earnestly
did every heart join in the request.
When all the means which affection
and professional sagacity could suggest
had been tried in vain, herllttle SON,
who had just learned to articuate a
few words, was brought into the room.
With mingled fear and wonder he ga
zed upon his mother, and upon the at
tendant, watching in silence the issue
of the disease. "Ma-ma, ma-ma," ex-
claimed the little pratler, after a few
moments silence. These words effect
ed, as if by some mysterious power,
what other appliances failed TO accom-
plish; the mother opened her eyes, and
slowly stretching out her hand, beck
oned for her son. He was placed in
her arms: in low voice she commen-
ded her offspring to God, and prayed
that he might meet her in heaven. That
was her last prayer; and in a few hours
that son was motherless.
The scene now changes. We pass
an interval of twenty years. and find
that son in College. The noble and
commanding form of William L., his
urbanity of manners, and diligence in
study, soon won him the esteem of fac
ulty and students. During the first
year he held high rank in his class,
and gave promise of eminent useful
ness. But college life puts young
mans principles to a severe test. 1t
is-a state of exposure and trial during
which no youth is safe, without devoted
piety, security which William l.. did
not possess. He formed unfortunate
connections with several idle students,
the effects of which were soon appa-
rent in his recitations. He was ad.
monished of his danger, but seemed as
il spell-bound by some destinations from
which he could not escape. 1t has
been justly said that idleness is the pa
rent Of many vices; SO it proved in the
present instance. ldleness led on to
dis sipation, and after repeated admo-
nitions and lruit!ess efforts to reclaim
him, William L. was expelled from col
llege a drunkard! Small indeed did
the probability seem that his mothers
last prayer would be answered.
William returned home. The report
of his expulsion from college, and the
cause of it, blasted the high-raised ex-
pectations OF his friends, and sounded
in their ears like the knell OF all his pros
poets and hopes. Still they endeavor-
ed to throw around him such influence
and associations as would restore his
selfrespect; and with all the eloquence
Eof pure affection they besought him to
abandon at once and forever the intox-
icating bowl. Their earnest entreaties
led him to moderate, in some degree,
his excesses, but produced no radical
reformation; and his friends, wearied
with unavailing efforts, were beginning
TO conclude that they must give up his
case as useless. i'..E ~ 81
Z One dark cloudy evening William
was sitting alone in his chamber, mus