Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-06-01
mtscellaMeo,,s @attfr.
A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE STORY
A CHILD OF PRAYER.

North River, i was seated Ill l1e Cdoih VI
;he magnificent steamer Isaac Newton, III
conversation with some friends. 1t was
becoming late in the evening, and one after
another, seeking repose from the cares and
tolls of the day, made preparations to retire
to their berths. Some, pulling OH thelr
boots and coats, lay themselves down to
rest others, IN the attempt to make 1t seem
as much as possible like home, threw OIL
more of their cothlng-each one as his
comfort, or apprehension OF danger, dc
.tated.
7 had noticed on the deck a fine looking
little boy of about six years old, following
around man, evidently his father, whose
appearance indicated him to be foreigner,
probably a German--a man Of medium
height, and respectable dress. The child
was unusually fair and tine-looking, hand
somely featured, with an intelligent an al
tectionate expression Of countenance; and
from under bis little 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 We're seated, and begun
preparations for going to bed. | watched
them. The father adjusted and arranged
the bed the child was to occupy, Which
was an upper berth, while the little fellow
was undressing himself. Having finished
this, his father tied handkerchief around
his head to protect his curles, which looked
as if the sun light from his young 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, put up his little hands togeth-
er, SO beautifully childlike and simple, and
resting his arms on the lower berth, against
which he knelt, he began his vesper
prayers.
The father sat down by his side, and
waited the conclusion. 1t was, for child.
long prayer, but we'll understood. could
hear the murmurng of his sweet voice, but
could not distinguish the words he spoke
But what a scene! There were men
around hm-Chrlstian men-retlrlng 10
rest without prayer; or, if praying at all,
kind of mental desire for protection,
without sufficient courage or piety to kneel
down in steamboats, cabin, and, before
strangers, acknowledge the goodness OF
God, or ask his protecting love.
This was the training of some plous
mother. Where was she now? 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
prayer, in the midst of the busy, thought
less throng. He, alone, of the worldly
multitude, draws nigh to heaven. l 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. 1t did me good, it made
me better, could scarce refrain from weep
ing then, nor can | now, as see again
that sweet child, in the crowded tumut oI
a steamboats, cabin, bending in devotion
before his Maker.
But little while before | saw a crowd
of admirng 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, 10 one
cared, for the child at prayer.
When the little boy had finished his eve.
ming devotion, he arose, and kissed his IA
ther most attectionately, who put him into
his berth to rest for the night. I felt {
strong desire to speak to them but deferred
it till morning. When morning came, the
confusion of landing prevented me from
seeing them again. But, if ever I NEE
that boy in lis happy youth, in his anXiou
manhood, in his declining years, Pll thanl
him for the influence and example of tha
nights devotion, and bless the name Of tn
mother that taught him to pray.
Scarcely any passing incident of my llt
ever made deeper impression on m,
mind. l went to my room, and thanked
God that had witnessed it, and for its in
tfuence on my heart. Who prays on
steamboat Who train their children t
pray, even at home?