The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-09-14


was to fee-fiee from himself-fee to the river,
and seek in its depths an asylum from that inward
monitor whose stings were more terrible TO him,
at that moment, than aught the future might un-
fold. He would have fled, but the hand of that
gentle daughter was the mysterious link that held
him back. He dared not drop it. He felt that
there was life in its touch. She was his better an
gel; and he permitted himself to be led by her.
An hour has passed away. That aged mother
still lies in stupor. The same friends lnger near
her that were with her when she asked for her son.
Suddenly. if aroused by some electric touch, she
awakes and feebly asks,
Has Harry comet
Not yet.' replies the min lister.
Not yeti! o, Father. may mot see him once
more before diel Why don't he come > and
again she sank into stupor.
While she thus lies her son, led by his daugh
ter, staggers into the room. His bloated face, mat
ted locks, ragged clothes and frightened looks
der him miserable sight. He reels to the bed
side of his dying mother, and drops upon his knees,
For few moments his maudlin sobs alone break
the silence of the room. Then, kneeling by his
side, his injured wife strives to arouse the stupefed
| mother. .z. -.
Mother, molher,' she cries graspng her icy
hand, and putting her lips close to her ears--moth
er, Harry has cone!'
| The mother heeds it not.
%, husband, yol have come too late. Mother is
dead'
.WonId to God that was dead too!' mutters
the son.
Mother Harry has comen again cried the wife.
A faint flush stole over the wan features of the
dying as she feebIy gasped,
wv no called mel
'Mother,' hoarsely murmured her son, ! am
here. speak to me-
Where are you, Harry? Here. place your ear
to my lips she continued in feeble and broken
phrases. i am dying tese...a
Forgive me, mother, before you die!'
y do; but promise me to join the Sons, will
you'll s.
Yes, yes. mother, 1 wilI!'
Thank God!'
Here, mother, on my knees promise it =
The mother motioned to the minister. He
stopped down, and she whispered,
sPray!'
They all knet in that death-ch chamber, around
the bed of that dying mother. The minister's
heart full that it hardly possible for
him to find words to utter the desire of his soul;
but the burden of his prayer was, that God might
assist the son to keep his promise, and become a
man There were no unfee:ing hearts
there, all were sympathzing with and praying for
the son and may not say that the angels of God,
nay that God himself was there, to witness that
thrilling scene.
The prayer was ended, but they still kuelt around
that bed Cherries as had been that room, the
atmosphere of heaven seemed now to surround
them. repenting sinner was there, and there
was Joy on earth and joy in heaven.
Il am happy!' said the dying mother. These
were her last words for scarcely had she uttered
them ere there came bright and heavenly smile
upon her wasted features, and, as it came, her
happy spirit left its clay tenement and went to
heaven.
Yes, she was 'happy.." for she carried with her
the news that the prodigal had returned and that
The dead was alive-the lost was found
Can it be possible!' said the Rev. Mr. B., some
three weeks after the above events, to friend, as
they were on their road to the Division room-'can
it be possible that that man staggering along the
street is Harry Summers! thought he had join
ed the Diyison!'
Yes replied the friend, that is he He was
proposed but blackbaed.'
.Backballed What for? Who did it,
4 cannot tell, only it urged that his charac-
ter was too bad to be accepted
J Isn't he straight when sober!
/ believe so.'
|
} Then why not save him? You know have
been out of town for some two weeks, and WI:
just anticipating the pleasure OF meeting Summers
) in the Division room tonight as reformed man
Did he drink after his mothers death bef're he
: was rejected!' .... ..--.-
i believe not ......-. ....s
WELL we must have a reconsideration OF =th'
vote rejecting him. We must save that man.
His mothers dying request is even now ringing ii
my ears. We must make the effort. He can
hurt us-we may save him.
They proceeded to the Division room, and attn
proper time the Rev. Mr.. B. rose and asked tina
some one might move reconsideration otths vot
= rejecting Summers. Several Immediately ans
wered,
> No, no, he is not fit 10 be here!
a moi HG TO De mere. IoPhou "I' -iol WIN
9 was this Division formedl For you, Worthy Pa
=. triarch, who never were drunk in all your liie!-
y Was the Order established for those who neve
;. drink? No, no. 1t was organized to save such a
q he is; and when they come, demanding admitfanct
:. shall we shut the door upon them, and thus sen
!, them back to seek eompanionship among the ruin
. ed and the lost? No; let us pick them up, pluc
them upon their feet,and,if they have not strengt
to stand, let us hold them up till they acquire th
/. strength to do So | ask that you reconsider tn
vote, not only for his sake, but for the memory
n departed mother. About three weeks since
with several others, stood by the bedside Of Ii
% dying mother, and promised her that would g
her son TO join our Order. Upon his knees
promised her he would join. That promise relie'
ed her heart of a heavy burden. Oh! could yo
have seen the smile Of joy that lit up her counter