Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-07-16
Illustration Of FOrgiving Love.

TIE following is related by Henry c. Wright
A friend Of mine, with whom at the time, was
staying few days as guest. told me the following
circumstance. Il once had poor neighbor, who
had wife and several small children. His children
we're crying for bread, and he had none to give
them. In his need he broke open my barn and
stole three bushels of rye. caused him 10 be ar
rested, and brought before The court He confess
sed the deed and stated before the court the reason
why he acted as he did He was convicted and
condemned and thrust into Jail. His family, who
we're by his side in the court with crushed hearts
and weeping eyes, returned to their desolate home.
The husband and father had been convicted Of fell
ony, and cast into prison for deed which he had
committed to keep them from starving
Il got into my wagon, after had seen him thrust
into prison, and went on my way towards my house,
congratulatng myself that had done good service
to the state, by securing thief The thought of
the poor, bereaved broken-hearted wife, and the
starving little ones, from whom had taken hus-
band and father, did not once enter my mind
NY humanity was smothered in my gratihed re-
venge
Thus rode along thinking about the duty Of
executing the laws against thieves and robbers, and
all evil-doers As was thus Illuminating, by some
unaccountabIe association of ideas, the petition Of
the Lords Prayer, touching forgiveness, was iorc-
bly, brought TO my mind, and / unconscionsly spoke
out aloud, saying, Father, forgive me, as have
forgiven my-enemy,' ! was going to say. But 1t
came 10 my mind Just then, that did not wish to
be forgiven as had forgiven the man who stole
my corn / was COMPOUNDED. | dared not utter
that petition tried again. Father. forgive me-
cried aloud but dared not say, 'as | have for
given my neghbor.T ! was greatly dismayed 10
think had brought myself into position, in which
| could not utter the Lords prayer. rode home
in great distress of mind put up my horse, entered
c.Ia hal. la ni.aa
ed my anxiety in my countenance When she In
auired the cause, first told her that had placed
myself in position which forever precluded me
from asking God to forgive my SINS and then re-
lated all the circumstances Of the case. She tried
TO comfort me-to convince me that was over
righteous that could forgive the man, though
had punished him; and that could ask God TO for
give HIM But all her endeayors were to no pnr-
pose My enemy 10 his dungeon, his broken-heart
ed wife, and his weeping children, were continually
before me, and my mind could receive no comior
from any source | could not sleep that night
All the following day, which was Sunday, walked
about the house nearly distracted wrnging my hands
in an agony Of mind and crying out Father Tor
give me,-Father, forgive me but could not say
sas have forgiven my neighbor.'-In the evening
my wife suggested that might perhaps get hin
out of jail, and restore him to his family VIII,
said, If cost all my fortune This determine
ton Tor moment DTougnt peace W NY "Hu ou
the thought soon occurred, that might not be able
to get him GU, or that might die before accom-
pshed it, This again threw me into distress.
walked about the house all that night, crying GU
Father forgive me but could not say, las hav
forgiven my neighbours trespass against me
Early on Monday morning, called on tn
magistrates, told them that revenge had influence
me in the prosecution, and had for time close
my heart against love, forgiveness, and humanity
/ told them that now saw my sin and that nev
er could without mocking God, ask Him to for
give me as had forgiven my neighbor, while thu
neiphbor and his family were all wretched, in cor
sequence of my repenge. They kindly listened
my plea and on my entering into bonds for III
mans good behavior, they opened the prison an
let him out. | took him into my wagon, brougt
him to my house, opened my barn, took bag {
rye, and then said to my neghbor There, carr
that home to your wife and children; and when
is gone, if you cannot get any thing for them
eat, come to me and you shall have more while
have any
Peace was instantly restored 10 my trouble
breast. and exclaimed aloud in the fullness Of m
soul, Father forgive NC nOto, hare forgiven M
nsighbor'
THAT WAS THE nAPPIEsr MOMENT OF MY LIF
MY neighhor forgave me and from that day, "
have been on terms ofloying intimacy
Goop-A fellow in Boston named John DamoI
has been confined day in Jail, and lined heen d.