Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-02-26
[By Request.l
JOHN DE LONG:

By CLERGYMAN IN PENNSYLVANIA.

aged couple, whose reputation for piety had
spread through all that country. Like
Zacharias and Elizabeth, they were "both
righteous before God, walking in all the Or
dinances and commandments of the Lord
blameless." Here the morning and the eve-
ming sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving was
daily offered; and here the neighboring villa
gers came together from time to time, to pre-
sent to the Creator the humble homage of
their hearts, and to unite their supplications
before his throne. Their animated and cheer
ful countenances bespoke their peace of mind;
peace which the vicisitudes life had in a
great measure, ceased TO disturb; peace
which nothing but sense of the divine ap-
probation could afford, and which seemed
daily toacquire new strength, as they felt, life
to be receding, and eternity, with its solem-
mites, drawing nigh.
The old man in former days had been an
excellent singer, and there was still some
thing in his voice and manner which seldom
failed to awaken kind of sacred enthusiasm
in all whoheard him. In former years he had
stored his memory with worthless songs, with
which he used to amuse the young; but since
his return to God, he had been as diligent in
treasuring up delightful hymns, which he
sung for his own edifcation. and that of 9TH
ers
As entered the door of his dwelling, he
met me with a pleasant look and cordial
shake of the hand, and gave me an honest
welcome. Having seated myself, and know
ing, from long experience, that the readiest
way TO make profitable religious topic, with
out first complimenting the world with tram
sient remarks upon its business or its chan
ges, said,
! suppose you are one Of those favored few
who feel always heaven-born and heaven
bound you hardly know Isuppose, those ups
and downs and changes of feeling which Of
tentimes distress US weaker Christians.
Blessed be God, said he, l do feel that walk
in the light, and that Jesus is constantly pre-
cious to my soul; still, there are seasons when
have not that full enjoyment with which
God pleases to favor me at other times. Not that
| have painful doubts as to the final issue, for
| can truly say, ~ knou in phom hare be-
/ liered," and am confident that he will keep
/ that which have committed to him; but the
/ infirmities of nature come in, and render the
body dull and heavy, and seem, for season,
to cloud the soul and interrupt the Spirits
communications. Upon the whole, however,
have reason for unceasing thankfulness,
that it is with me as well as it is. 1t is but
few years since set my face heavenward,
and, during that time, can truly testify
have served faithful Master, one who, has
said, 81 will never leave nor forsake thee"
and who keepeth covenant for ever.
Well, said /, friend John, the saints of old
often spoke to each other on the great con-
Germs of the soul, and delighted to rehearse
the dealings of divine Providence, for the en-
couragement of others. Suppose you give
hS q bl4Cl NpIlII dllOue
with yourself, in bringing you out from ma
ture's darkness into Gods marvellous light
] have heard it said you was once faithful
ally of the powers of darkness, and it may be
interesting and profitable to hear something
Of the way in which your views have been
changed, and your mind disciplined in the obe-
dience of Christ.
have no objection, sir, he replied, to graf
ify you in this respect, for l am often called
upon to speak of these matters to neighbors
and friends yet it is seldom can do'it with
a suitable command of feeling, or without
making my heart bleed afresh for sins and
follies would gladly, if possible, for ever e.
rase from my memory The rehearsal, how
ever, of what once was, when sin had un-
controlled dominion over me, while it would
awaken in my own heart only painful recol-
lections, could give you but little satisfaction;
| shall, therefore, be- very brief in this part Of
my narrative.
The history of my former life is but the
history every other notoriously wicked man,
with this difference, that while some men
are distinguished for one species of immor-
tality, and others for another, in me vice of
every kind reigned triumphant With the
exception of murder, there isscarcely crime
with which was not familiar. My youth
was spent in the utter neglect of everything
that was good, and greedily walking after the
ways of my own heart, and according to the
sight of my own eyes. The Sabbath was ha-
bitua!ly violated, the house of God neglected,
evil company carefully sought and delighted
in aud the society of pious people as careful
ly avoided. My highest pleasure consisted
in frolicl,;np ord carnusin0. and for mnDy