Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-02-26

in many miles around, which was not graced,
or rather disgraced, by my presence.
The same course was continued even after
| was married, although well knew that
such Irregularities were then less excusable /;
yet such was the force of early habits that
could not deny myself In such places felt
easy and at home-there was sure to meet
with others as corrupt as myself, who strength,
ened all my prejudices, and were disposed to
run as great lengths as | could, in intemper-
ance and blasphemy, and in ridiculing holy
men and holy things.
Such places are the very schools of Satan;
and those who habitually visit them not only
run the risk of effacing, ere long. every good
impression from their minds, but the truth is,
whatever they may be willing to confess, their
minds already are deeply corrupted.
Feeling myself lost as it were, to all good /,
took malignant pleasure in trying to make
others as abandoned as myself. Instead of
going to church on the Sabbath, held out
every inducement to the young people and
children in the heighborhood to come togeth-
er on that day at my house and studied to
amuse them by relating some of my own wick
ed exploits, or telling them obscene stories.
Possessing a kind of vulgar wit, soon found
my Sabbath audiences quite regular in atten-
dance, and, to appearance, nightly pleased.
The amount of mischief which, in this way
alone, l was guilty of, cannot be known until
the final day and can never think of it
but with the deepest conjunction and self alb
horence
During this career of vice and folly had,
at times, it is true, deep convictions of guilt,
and awful apprehensions of death and eterni-
ty but considered such feelings, for the
most part, as weakness, and endeavored al
ways to stiAe them as quick as possible
| sometimes found it pretty difficulty to effect
this in my sober moments, but never failed to
accomplish it by having recourse to my usu-
al antidote, intoxication. With respect to
religion and all its concerns, had the most
gloomy impressions. l viewed it as some
thing well enough to be possessed when men
come to die, but as utterly inconsistent with
all the enjoyments and comforts of life
Christians appeared to me race of gloomy,
unhappy mortals; and the breath of prayer,
emphatically, as melancholy breath. 1t ap-
peared to me, that if became religious there
was an end of all earthly comfort-that my
friends would abandon me, and the remainder
of my days be one UNMARRIED scene of gloom
and dullness.
Such had been my life until reached a.
bout the 49th year of my age. At that time,
which was nearly six years ago, it pleased
God, in his holy providence, to bring you and
brother S. c. into this country, to proclaim
the truths of the everlasting Gospel. did
not 60 to hear you myself, but finding con-
siderable excitement among the people, l
sometimes had secret wish to 60. l was
in truth, ashamed to show myself at place
of worship. Hearing, however, that you inten-
ded to administer the Lords supper in D. SIS
barn, and not recollecting ever to have seen it
administered, and knowing that there would
be great crowd of people, among whom
might in measure hide myself, determined
to attend that meeting. Accordingly went
with most of my neighbors; but coming rath-
er late, and finding the barn already filled,
| was obliged to sit upon. the sill of the door.
1t SO happened that seated myself by the
side of an old man, who, in former years,
had been my companion in sin; but, for some
time, had been reformed man, and a pro-
fessd follower of Christ. Your text was, "By
faith Noah, being warned of God of things
not seen as yet moved with fear, prepared an
ark to the saving of his house; by the which
he condemned the world, and became heir
of the righteousness which is by faith
Heb. IL During the sermon my atten-
ton was fixed. felt more than usually SOL
emn. But at the close of the sermon, when the
line was drawn between those who might not
worthily partake, and witnessed the move
ment of those that were going forward to
the table, and saw among them some who in
former life, had run, with myself, the down.
ward way and particularly when | saw my
aged friend, who sat at my side, and arise to
find his seat at the table, my feelings became
overwhelming, and was forced to say to my
self, :" Just so it will be with me at the day
of judgment; friend S. and hundreds of 9TH
ers that was acquainted with here, will re-
ceive the joyful salute, Come ye blessed, IN
herit the kingdom prepared for you,' and will
go and dwell for ever with the Lord, while
shall be left behind. Just as we are separated
now shall we be separated in future state
of existence" felt worse than it is possible
to describe, and did not know but should
sink. | then concluded to arise and stand up,
and see if did not feel better. This, how
l. Il lNh soh ~ @