Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-01-22
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN.

pray for me, that never prayed for myself
Lord have mercy on me, poor sinner And
his own voice reused him from his slumbers.-
The clearest convictions Of Gods law now bla-
zed upon his soul and he saw and felt he was
undone without pardon at the hand of his Ma
ker.
The next day, at an early hour, he was once
more at the widow Arlington's-subdued-
changed-reconciled to Jane-asking her pray
ers and counsel as a penitent seeker Of religion!
Jane received him with open arms, and that
night he accompanied her to the Village Church,
where he, too, found that Jesus whom he had
once despised. He was happy beyond measure,
and eloquently published what God had done for
his soul. Roberts mother demonstrated with
him his sisters Ann and Lucy, ridiculed him,
while his father. the proud old Squire, told him
at once-as a sort of parody on his words to
Jane,-that he must give up his religion or leave
his house, and be d isinherited.
This was trying and severe treatment. Robert
expostulated with his father-explained his en-
0d8ClICllto WIN JdlC AlllLSCOi, dllu CuL nv
him to mitigate his conditions, intimating mod
estly and distinctly that he was prepared to sur
render every thing else but his religion.
Then, Robert, you must leave my house
forthwith. You have brought upon my iamiIEa
double disgrace and if this is the way you b q
or your parents, the sooner you leave us The
better
Robert knew the sterhness of lis father, and
retired to his chamber-packed up some of his
effects-wrote an aifectionate l%etter'to his mex
orable parent, and then sailed forth upon the
wide world-an outcast from a rich home, be-
cause be would be a Christian! However, un-
der the peaceful roof of Mrs. Arlington's cot
tage, he found protection from the storm.
n \ n
ooh! What shall l do! Am | dying .
God be merciful to me a sinner p exclaimed
Esquire Ellison about midnight, some weeks at
tel he had SO cruelty turned Robert out of doors.
What is the matter my dear replied Mrs.
Ellison, are you dreaming, or are you insane 2
Neither, wife.-I have had no rest to night,
no, nor since / turned Robert out OF doors. |
have thought the subject over and over, and am
convinced that Robert is right and | I'm wrGag
He is going to heaven, and | to hell. Religion,
wife, l am convinced is a reality, and | am lost
without it | must send for Robert immediate
ly. Call Trusty Bill, and tell him to harness
the horses and go down to the village and bring
Robert home Immediately, and ask him to bring
Miss. Arlington with him
These orders were quickly obeyed, and the
house was speedily in an uproa-. Trusty Bill
was soon on his way to the village, where he
found Robert, and made known his fathers re-
quest. What it could mean, no one could di.
vine but without philosophizing, Robert and
Jane started for the first time together for what
as the sequel will show, was their future home
on Walnut Hill. In a short time, Just as the
corruscatlons Of the morning sun shed their gol
den radiance along the eastern sky, Robert al
lighted at the front door of the old mansion, anc
was met by his mother and sisters to- whom he
I presented Miss Arlington-his af1iahced-tht
t Village ss-Maker-who was most tenderll
received and then they were ushered into thu
sitting-room to see his father. The Taught,
2 old Squire was completely humbled so chan
f ged, indeed, that Robert could scarcely believ,
his own eyes! Groans and tears, and half
Y drawn signs, gave ample evidence that a heav,
| load lay upon the old mans heart. IT'S S1
e that makes our 400.
20, Robert Robert my son, can you for
give your wicked father his cruel treatment t.
: you /? Little did l think of the exceeding wick
: edness of my conduct! But | hated your reli
gion and when heard of your connection wit
this young lady, | will call her now, though
| few days ago | scorned to think of her,-I lel
+ that you had outraged my feelings beyond meas
o ure, and deserved the severity | bestowed upoI
e you. But | am changed, Robert, and God ha
done it, for | know it was not in the power c
man and feel that | am the chiefof sinners;
and | have sent for you in this dark cold nigh
to pray for me and Miss Arlington too, who
: understand was the chief instrument in you
conversion
Yes, my honored father, l c~heerlully sa
= yOu are forgiven, SO far as | am concerned, an
y have been since the morning | left your house
: [ have not loved you less, and God is witnes
that night and day l have prayed that your eye
r might be opened, and my dear mother and sis
ters' too-and o! how shall l praise God sufi
%ciently, who has regarded my unworthy suppl
r cation =
But can there be mercy for me, my son?
y am a great sinner
Yes, father; for His mercy in Christ endu
: reth forever
Butt am ignorant. Robert, of the way of sal
walton. Tell me how | am to be sayedP
n Through the blood and intercession q
d Christ, who hath tasted death for every man.
But howF
by believing, or trusting in him with al
t your heart for the pardon of your sins
e Robert and Jane now sung these excelIer
d lines,-
ii "Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor offtness fondly dream," &c.
5 and the tender pathos of their mellow voices &C
II companied by an holy influence, exerted o mos