Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-06-22
NUMBER Is.
AHeasltif.ii I.i;llle So.


"A few weeks since, ia coming down the
+ North river Z was seated in the cabin of the
/ magnificent steamer Isaac Newton; IN CONVEX
! satlon with some friends. It was becoming
late the evening, and one after an other.
tseeking repose from the cares aad tolls Of tle
day, made preparations to retire % the lerths.
Some, pulling off their boots and coats. laid
themselves down to rest; others "a the at
tempt to make it seem as much as possible
Ike, home, threw off more Of their clothinQ--
each one as his comfort Or apprehension Of
danger dictated
j had noticed on the deck a fine looking IT.
tie boy Of about six years old, following around
a man evidently his father, whose appearance
indicated him to be foreigner, probably
German-a man of medium height, and res
lpectabie dress The child was unusuallv fair
and fine looking, handsomely featured, with
an intelligent and afFectonate expression Of
countenance and from under his little Ger
Inancap fell his chestnut han, in thick. cluster.
ing beautiful curls
After walking about the cabin. for short tsn1e.
the father and son stopped within few feetof
where we were seated, and began preparations
for going to bed. / watched them. The fs
lther 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 a hand.
kerchief around bis head TO protect bis eurles.
which looked as ifthe sunlight from his vo,I,,e.
happy heart alway rested there. This doue.I
looked for him to seek is resting place: but
instead of this he quitely kneeled down on
the floor, put up his little hands together s.
beautifully chiidlke and simple, and resting
his arms on The lower berth, against which he
knelt he began his Yespar prayers.
The father sat down By his side, and waited
the conclusion. TWAS, for child, 4 Iono
prayer, but well understood. I could hear The
rlltrmuring of his sweet voice, but could not
distinguish the wodrs he spoke. But what q
scene! There were men around hifn--C Chris-
tIan rlerl--retiring to rest without prayer; or.
If praying at all, kind of mental desire for
protection, without sufficient courage or piety
tokneeI down IN asteamboat's cabin, and be-
fore strangers acknowledge the goodness .of
God or his protecting love.
This was the training of some pieus mother.
Where was she now How many. times had
her kind hand been laid on those sunny locks.
as she had thaught him to lisp his PRAYERS
beautiful sight it was, that child at pray-
er, IN the midst Of the busy. thoupltless
throng He, alone, Of the worldIg multitude.
draws nigh to heaven thanked the parental
love thai thought him to lisp his evening pray
er, whether Catholic or Protestant whether
dead or living, whether far off or nigh. III did
me good, it made me better 1 could scarce
refrain from weeping then, nor can / nov. as
see again that sweet child. in the crowded.
tumult Of a steamboats, cabin, bending IN sde-
votion before his Maker
But a little while before I say crowd ef
admiring listeners gathering about COMPANY
Of Italian singers, IN the upper saloon a mo-
ther and two sons, with voice, and harp. and
violin: butnoone needed, no one cared, for the
child at prayer
When the little boy had finished his evening
devotion, be arose, and kissed his father most
attectionately, Who put him into his berth %
rest for the night ] felt a strong desire 10
speak to them but deferred it til morning.
When morning came, the confusion Of LANDING
prevented me from seeing them again. Buf
i ever / NEE. that boy IN his happy youth. ii
his anxious manhood, in his declining years.
II thank him for the influence and exampleof
shatnights devotion. and bless the name oftbe
mother that thaught 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 I
1ad witnessed it, and for its influences on nv
1eart Who prays on steamboatg Who
ram their children to pray even at home
=