The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-03-26
A1isfellal,eous Department.
THE HIGH ROCK-AN AUTHENTIC
NARRATIVE.

"Lead me to the rock that is higher than t"-Psalm
lxi 2.
once had friend, a minister of the gospel,
who was afflicted with most distressing NAL
ady. In the midst Of apparent health, and ac-
tivity, and cheerfilness, he would fall down de-
prived of sense and motion, like one dead. |
had often been with him in these paroxysms,
and observed that they were always accompa-
MED with convulsive reaching upward, and
feeling after something, like person cropping
in darkness. The last one | ever witnessed
was fearfully appalling. There was the accus-
toned cry of terror, GOA, Pm going" The
shuddering grasp at vacancy-and oil was
over! He fell SO violently as to break the fee.
BILE barrier my outstretched arms afforded, and
sunk beside me. Ieagerly called for assistance
we raised him to the bed-with trembling
haste applied restoratives-and it was many,
many minutes before any one dared hope that
the light of life would ever visit him again.
Slowly he opened his eyes-but their gaze was
upward, upward-as if it would penetrate the
ceiling, and look beyond it, into other worlds.
Presently faint murmur rose from his lips.
l applied my ear to listen, but coud only catch
what appeared like an inchoherent and dreamy
utterance, about ga rock" Reason gradually
returned to the poor sufferer, and one ofits first
efforts was to ask me to read the Bible.
"Read," said he. "the 6lst Psalm"
complied with his request, and commenced
with that most appropriate supplication, Hear
my cry, o God! attend unto my p! Jer! From
the end of the earth will cry unto thee, when
my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I"--"Stop there! stop there!"
sail he, then clasping his hands he repeated,
Lead me to the rock that is higher than t"
"T.is text is like spell upon my lif,! 1t has
been my salvation in every moral danger--the
polar star which has guided my wanderings
when have been well nigh wrecked in the de-
ceitful abyss of worldly folly! and will tell you
how. When | twas very little child my bless
ed mother used to make me read to her every
morning chapter in the Old Testament and
one in tie New, and one of the Psalms. 1t
was her habit to question me as to what rec
objected of the chapters, mingling her explana.
tions and instructions with my answers, and
she would always find one verse in the short
Psalm, which she desired me to take as sort cf
motto for the day, often repeating it, and think
ing of it deeply. was passionate naturally,
Il shudder to remember how passionate was!)
and one morning when | had been giving violent
sway to this mastering propensity Of my little
heart, my mother called me to her, and made
me sit down as usual at her feet and read my
chapters. did it very sullenly, and when |
had concluded the Psalm, sh, drew me close to
her, and taking both my hands in hers Il think
can feel this moment her soft gentle, pressure,
and see the melting tenderness of her eye as it
was fixed upon me with sad exp'ession) she said
afectionatcly "
"Now my dear son, this is your text for the
day-'Lcad me to the rock that is higher than
Iv' "My dear Boy" she proceeded, do you
know that you have done very wicke lily! that
you have not only grieved your mother, but
sinned against that blessed God who takes care
of you, and loves you!"
/ was subdued in an instant by my mothers
calm and persuasive manner. | loved her to
idolatry, and stubborn as was to offers, SIZE
could make lamb of me at pleasure, and as she
continued softly and soothngly to tell me of tie
compassion of the Deity, the birth of the infant
Jesus-his sufferings and death, and that they
were all borne for me, was choked with my
tears. had heard the affecting story again,
and again, and always with wonder, but now,
it seemed touched with living interest. lean
ed upon my mothers lap, and sobbed forth my
penitence and remorse.
"My dear boy" you know you have always
felt sorry, and promised amendment when you
have thus offended; and it has been only to sin
and sin again. N9w wish to make you feel
that you canev*reform yourself--and you will
be convinced of this, if you will only think how
many times you have wished to be good, and
still on the slightest temptation, have again of.
Tended. But there is one my love, who will as