The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1850-08-21
NIs9NLG AYV1Ess
From the Home Journal.
A Beautiful Little Story.


few weeks since, in coming down the
North River, | vas seated in the cabin Of the .
magnificent steamer Isaac Newton, 10 CONVEX
sa,ion with some fIiends. Ii was becoming
late in the evening, and one after another seek.
Ing reposs from the cares and tolls of the day
made preparations to retire 10 their ber,hs.
Some, pulling off their boots and coats, lay
themselves down to rest; others in the al
tempt to make it seem as much like home as
possible, threw of more Of their clothing
each one ~ their comfort or apprehension Of
danger dictated.
had noticed on deck fine looking boy Of
abou. six years of age. following around
man, evidently his father. whose appearance
indicated him to be foreigner, probably a
Germau--a man of med U n Insight, and res
pec,abls dress. The child was unusually fair
and fine. shocking, handsomely featured, with
an intelligent ard atfecuonate expression Of
coun,enance; and from under his German
cap, fell chesnu, hair. IN thick clustering
curls.
Alter walking about the cabin for awhile,
the father and son stepped within few feet
of where We we're seated. and began pfePa-
rations for going to bed watched 'hem.--
The father adjusted and arranged the bed The
child was 10 occupy, which was an upper
berth. while The little fellow was undressing
himself. Having finished this, his aher tied
a handkerchief around his head, TO protect
his curs which looked a. il the sunl'ghl frou
bis young happy heart always rested there.
THIS done looked for him TO seek his resting
place bu, instead Of this be quietly kneeled
down upon the floor, put h;s lite hands to
seiher SO beaui lilly chilli he AID simple,
resting bis arms on he lo.ef tetth, sssiasi
which be knelt he began bis seSper prayer.
The father sat By his EIDE, and waited ne
conclusion. 1t was, for child. . g pray
er, bu, we'll understood. could hear the
distinguish the words he spoke. There were
men around him-Chris,lan men retiring TO
rest without prayer; or # pay ing a, all, a
kind of mental desire for projection wi,hou,
sufficient courage or piesy TO kneel 3l~n in .
steamboats, cabin, and before STEAMERS, &C.
knowledge the goodness Of 6 I'd, or ask hi,
protecting love.
This was the training Of some pjous moth
er. Where was she nos7 How many ,met
had her kind hand been lad 90 the sum,
locks. as she had ,aush him % ilap hi prayer
A beautiful sight i, vas, thu. child al prayer
in the midsl Of the busy, thoush!eas ,hrong
He, alone, Of this worldly multitude, draw,
nigh TO heaven. | thank the parental Low,
that taught him to lisp his evening prayer
or alive, whether far OF or nigh. cou,
scarce refrain from weeping then, nor can
nov, az | see sgsin that sweet child, 10 III
crowded lumul of q steamboats, cabin, bend
ing 10 devotion before his maker.
Blu. little while before, | saw a crowd {
admiring listeners gathering about q compa
ny Of Italian singers in the upper saloon
mother and her i've sons, With voice, al
harp. and violin; but no one cared for til
child a, prayer.
When the little boy had fsished ais ese1
ing devotion, he arose and kissed his fathe
most sfiseioua.sly, who PCT him into his bert
to rest for the night | felt strong desIr
TO speak 10 them but deferred il till morning
When morning came, the coufusoa VI lane
ing prevented me from seeing them again
But if ever ! meet that boy 10 hi, happy you'll
in bic anxious manbeed. 10 his declining year,
LII thank hin for the influence aud exampl
Of that nights devotion. and bless the nan
Of the mother that taught him.