The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-10-12

"It is" said l, with confidence and hopo
''you can keep it. know you can. In the
name of humanity and religion, try it John, and
God will help YOU"
At last he consented. We knelt down OH
tho carth-there was no chair nor table in the
houso--I took out the pledge, which l always
carry in my pocket, placed it on the stool
whore Mary had boon sitting and handed him
my pencil. He wrote his name, thank God -
Notwithstanding his condition, it was beautiful
ly written as l afterwards observed. no was
an excellent English scholar. We did not rise
till l had relieved my over. burdened heart in
prayer, and Iprayed with all my struggling
soul, and his despairing wife Joined mo in the
solemn invocation, that the Father of Mercies
would receive the returning prodigal to his
arms, and that he might never go astray again.
Ii was now quito time for mo TO 90, and resume
my journey: but could not leave the town be-
fore called upon the class leader, left him
some money for tho family, and cnjoined on
him to look after thom and throw around John
the shield of all good influences TO prevent his
suffering a relapse. Whatever further char
ges no should incur on their account, prom
ised to pay as soon as informed Of them,
Another decade rolled by. during which no
tidings came to me at tho East, from this in
teresting couple. At length, was called a.
gain to visit those western regions and to pass
near tho residence of this unfortunate brother.
On reaching the town my disappointment was
extreme, to learn that he had removed to n
distant country. l anticipated misfortune;
but as the place designated was not far from
my intended route resolved to 90 and see
him. When entered tho town Of, where
John was said to live. made inquiry for his
dwelling, and was told Il was the second house
on the left hand side of the road Being now
so near. hastened onward eagerly and pres
emily nice franc building, painted white, sp-
peared. could not help putting up an eiacu-
latory prayer, that my dear friend might be so
happy as to occupy any house halfas respocta-
bio as this. Expectation now became painful :
ly intense. What in mercy was I sent to soc?
A scene like that or worse, which ton years be-
fore, left such awful traces on tho memory,
never to be obliterated? could not tell, At
sudden turn in tho road, thought discern
od, another white house in tho distance among
the trees. Yos it is so with green blinds, and
as l went nearer, gravelod walks were seen, a
handsome paling and ornamental trees and
shrubbcry. Surely thero is some mistake in
tho direction; this cannot be Johns house! yet
it is the second on the left.
Fastening my horse to hook, won't to tho
door ane knocked. A girl, just on tho verge
of womanhood, opened vt "Does Mr. Nc
Id live here?" asked with trembling
He does, sir"
"Is he, or his wife at honor
Mother is within, sir: but father is in the
field. Please walk in, sir"
My eve glanced through tho open parlor
door. fine carpet covered tho floor. There
wero handsome chairs, and other furniture: but
saw no moro for Mrs. Nc Id by this
time was informed Of gen,leman's arrival. and
lost no time in making her appearance. "Good
God" was all remember to have hoard from
her, as she rushed forward on seeing NO. and
casped me by tho neck She almost tainted,
and shed flood Of tears, and my own condi-
tion was not much more composed. Recover
ing little, she informed mo. that her husband
was at home but out upon the farm. Too I'M
patient to wait hurried awav to SEQ him.
Ho met me as he was coming home. As soon
as no know who it was, he ran forward and
grasped mo in his arms saying as he strained
me to his bosom,-"Thank Godl Thank Godl
you arc my savior under heaven. This is all
your work, looking around, o, am rejoicod
that you arc here to 500 it."
When he had returned to the house, tho ton
yoars history of struggle, repentance and re-
formation, was recounted. Prosperity was the
consequence. The dwelling was his. tho farm
and oil. His wife was happy. The beautiful
girl, almost young iauy now, was tho dirty
child that was crawling on tho ground on my
first visit. There wero three moro children
now. To crown the whole, said, he, after had
perseyorod year in abstinence according to
that blessed pledge, taken on that awful day
on the stol in the log hut, which rises to me
sometimes with spectral horror-after keeping
it sacredly year, committed myself to the
Church of which my wife, who had been an
angle helping me. was member. Prosperity
attended my worldly business: but this was
not complete satisfaction. WANTED to be
moro useful; / needed something moro; and
commence studies for the ministry Ny
dear friend and brother, 1 am now minister
Of the everlasting gospel. How much, what an
inexprcssible debt do I owe you?
We knott down on the itch carpet, instead
Of tho cold earth, and prayed, as fervently as
prayed in tho log cabin; but in what differ
cnt strain! Instead of the almost despairine
supplication and entreaty of forlorn hearts,
crushed to the earth with sorrow, thanksgiving
praise, and gratitttA now rose spontaneously
from our tongues and hearts. o, the heart o.
Caesar never swelled with such triumphant
joy at any of his conquests, as mine does fol
an agency in tho salvation of this one man. an(
the happiness of his family.-[Nowark Adyer
tiscr