Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-07-03
A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE STORY.
A CHILD OF PRAYER.

A CHILD OF PRAYER.
A few weeks since, in coming down the
North River, was seated in the cabin of
conversation with some friends. 1t was be-
coming late in the evening, and one after
another, seeking repose from the cares and
tolls of the day, made preparations to retire
TO their berhs. Some, pulling off their boots
and coats, lay themselves down to rest ::
others, in the attempt to make themselves
look more like home, threw off more Of
their clothimg-each one as his comfort,
or apprehensions of danger, dictated.
had noticed on deck fine looking little
boy of about six years ole, following man,
evidently his father, whose appearance in
dicaled him to be foreigner, probably q
German-a man of medium height and re-
spectacle dress. The child was unusually
fair and fne-looking, handsomely featured,
with an intelligent and affec.ionate express
sion Of coun,enance; and from under his
litlle German cap fell his chestnut hair, in
thick, clustering, beautiful curls.
After walking about the cabin for time,
the father and son stopped within few feet
of where we were seated, and began prepa-
raions for going to bed. | watched them.
The father adjusted and arranged the bed
The child was TO occupy, which was an up
per berth, while the little fellow was un-
dressing himself.-Having finished this, his
father tied handk dkerchief around his head to
protect his curls, which looked as if the sun
light from his young and happy heart always
rested there. This done, looked for him to
seek his resting place; but instead Of this, he
quietly kneeled down on the floor, putup his
little hands together, SO beautifully childlike
and simple, and resting his arms on the
lower berth, against which he knelt, he be-
gan his vesper prayers.
The father sat down by his side and wait
cd the conclusion. 1t was, for a child, a
long prayer, but we'll understood. could
hear the murmuring of his sweet voice, but
could not distinguish the words he spoke.
But what a scene There were men around
him-Chrislian men-retiring to rest with
ont prayer, or if praying at all, kind Of
mental desire for protection, without suffi-
cient courage or piety to kneel down in the
steamboats, cabin, and, before strangers, ac-
knowledge the goodness Of God, or ask his
protecting love.
This was the training of some pious mo-
iher. Where was she nowe How many
times had her kind hand been laid on those
sunny locks, as she had taught him to lisp
his prayers!
A beautiful sight it was, that child at pray
er, in the midst ofa busy, thoughlless ,hrong.
lie, alone, of the worldly multitude draws
nigh to heaven. thank the parental love
that taught him to lisp his evening prayer,
whether Catholic or Protestant, whether
dead or living, whether far off or nigh. |,
did me good, it made me better. could
scarce refrain from weeping then, nor can
! now, as see again that sweet child, in
the crowded tumult of steamboats, cabin,
bending in devotion before his Maker.
But little while before ] saw crowd
of admiring listeners gathering about COM
pany of Italian singers, in the upper saloon
"a mother and two sons, with voice and
harp and violin but no one needed, no one
cared, for the child at prayer.
When the little boy had finished his
evening devotion, he arose, kissed his father
most ailectionately, who put him into his
berth to rest for the night. felt strong
desire to speak to them but deferred it till
morning. When morning came, the confu-
sion of landing prevented me from seeing
them again. But, if ever ] meet that boy
in his happy youth, in his anxious manhood,
in his declining years l'll thank him for the
influence and example of that nights devo-
ton, and bless the name of the mother that
taught him to pray.
Scarcely any passing incident Of my life
ever made deeper impression on my mind
went to my room, and thanked God that
had witnessed it, and for its influence on
my heart. Who prays on steamboat p
Who trains their children to pray, even at
home>