Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-23
HANNIBAL, MO, THURSDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER %,

Another decade rolled by, during which no
tidings came TO me at the Fast, from this inter
esting couple. AT length was called again 70
visit those western regions, and 10 pass near
the residence Of this unfortunate brother. On
Preaching the town, my disappointment wns cx-
taeme TO learn that he had removed to distant
ISounty. l anticipated misfortune but rs the
place designated was not far from my intended
route, l resolved to go on and see him. Wien
entered the town ofa-u--, where John was
said 10 live, made inquiry for his dwelling,
and was tod it was the second house on the
lelt-hand 81 Of the road. Being now 80 near,
ed. alEarlf eagerly, ana presently nice
frame building, painted white, appeared. /
could not help putting up an ejaculatory prayer,
that my dear friend might be so happy as TO &C.
leupy any house half as respectable as this.
Expectation now became painfully intense.
| What in mercy was next to see? A scene like
that, or worse, which ten years before left such
awful traces on the memory, never TO be obl-
lteratedl l could not tell. at a sudden turn in
the road thought discerned another whitc
house in the distance among the trees. Yes, it
Us so, with green blinds and as | went nearer,
graveied walks were seen; a handsome paling;
and ornamental trees and shrubbery. Surely
there is some mistake in the direction this
cannot be Johns home; yet it is the second on
the left
Fastening my beast TO hook, went to The
door and knocked. A girl just on the verge Of
womanhood opened it. Does Mr.. Mci-d
live here / asked with trembling. He does
SIR Is he or his wife at home p Mother
is within sir, but father is in the field. Please
to walk in, sir My eye glanced through the
open parlor door, A fine carpet covered the
floor. There were handsome chairs and other
furniture; but saw no more, for Mrs. Nc
Id by this time was informed Of q gentle
mans arrival, and lost no time in making her
appearance. Good God,' was all yemember
to have heard from her, as she rushed forward
on seeing me- and clasped me by The neck. She
almost tainted, and shed flood of tears, and my
own condition was not much more composed.
Recovering little, she informed me that her
husband was at home, but out upon the farm.
Too impatient TO wait, hurried away 10 see
him. He met me as he was coming home. As
soon as he knew who il was, he ran forward
and grasred mo in his arms, saying, as he
lstrained me to his bosom, Thank God thank
God! you are my savior under Heaven. This
lis ali your work, looking around. On, / am
Ireioiced that you are here 10 see it,
When we had returned TO the house, the ten
years history of struggle, repentance, and re-
tr"-'rO,ien, was recounted Prosperity was the
consequence. The dwelling was ms, liza farm
and all. His wife was happy. The beautiful
young girl, almost young lady now, was the
dirty child that was crawling on Tie ground on
my first visit There were three more children
now. To crown the whole said he, 'after
had persevered year in.abstinence, according
10 that blessed pledge, taken on that awful day,
on the stool in the log hut, which rises TO me
sometimes with spectral horror-Ofter keeping
it sacredly year, united myself to the church
of which my wife, who has been an angel help
ing me, was a member. Prosperity attended
my worldly business; but this was not COM
plete satisfaction. | wanted TO be1nore useful;
/ needed something more, and commenced stud
les for the ministry. My dear friend and bro
ther, am now minister OF the everlasting
gospel. How much, what an inexpressible debt
do owe 10 you'll We knelt down together on
the rich carpet, instead of the cold earth, and
prayed, as feryently ! prayed before in the
log cabin; but in what a different strain! In
stead Of the almost despairing supplication and
entreaty of forlorn hearts, crushed to the earth
with soIfow, thanksgiving, praise aud gTs; i;,'is
now rose spontaneously from our tongues and
our hearts. Oh, the heart of Caesar never
swelled with such triumphant Joy at any of bis
coneuests, as mine does for my agency in The
salvation of this one man, and the happiness OF
his family.