Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-08-21
MY father was standing quite near, with his lit

were loose Dat that he might be tempted 10 NEEDLE
with the screws
Il do remember" said his grandmother, with
gratitude this and many other incidents, which
were perfectly Characteristic of your father"
DO You recollect, grandmother, how that young
lady cried when she saw me: she said 1 reminded
her so mnch of my father-I was the very image
OF my father when he was Of my age l wish
might grow up to be as good man as he was.f
My dear Charley said Mrs A., athen You must
live prayerful life, for well remember asking
tins darling child, when about eight years of age
If he maintained secret prayer; he replied. .Yes
mother, always do
Il asked him what he praved for
"Iie replied 4 always ask God to teach NV dear
parents, that they may know how to teach us
Mrs. A. added: My dear Charley. as our con-
versaton began this evening by noticing an act OF
obedience on the part of a little child, I will tell
you two passages in the early history of vour father
which your grandpa and l always thought laid the
foundation for his remarkably docile, obedient,
lovely disposition and character
I'VE always thought that his will was partially
subdued at the early age of seven weeks old"
"Oh grandmother exclaimed Charley. did YOU
whip such young baby:'
! NO, my son, there are other ways of making
children mind. than always having recourse to the
rod will tell you under what circumstances we
accomplished this object We had from the first
earnestly besought the Lord to give US wisdom to
train this dear object of our affection in the way
he should go, especially he was our eldest so that
when he was old he would walk therein And we
have ever had occasion to know that God does not
answer the cries of His children unless they strive
To obtain the victory over every opposing obstacle
within themselves as well as without.
Il viii therefore tell you. without descending to
every particular, that had very severe fit Of i'll
ness when y0ur father was but few days old and
from some peculiar circumstances we kept quite a
bright light burning each night. without ever sup
posing that any evil might, by this means, come'tO
the infant.
when he was Just seven weeks old, | was so far
restored to my customary health, that your grand
pa on coming to bed that memorable night, put
out the candle.
"The infant, not accustomed to total darkness.
began first to worry and then to dget but finding
this did not bring the light, he set up loud cry,
as if he were in agony of pain
Your grandfather sprang for a light. and at my
suggestion he began TO rake open the embers in or
der to warm some catnip tea.-a beverage too Of
ten given to infants in those days,-Supposing he
had pnching chOlic.
But to our surprise. the little fellow began to
coo, and to talk in his own baby language as if TO
thank his father for restoring the pretty candle.
His father inquired with surprise Can it be
that this young child was crying for a light?'
Il said 1T looks like it.
"He said, 4 will experiment.; and he Immediate
ly put out the light and came back to bed.
This same scene was gone over three times that
night. Being satisfied that it was the light that
desired, and this ado not the effect Of pain,
your grandfather said. We'll. well, my little man,
you need not think to overcome your father thus
at such an early age; and taking him in his arms,
he grasped him and held him tight
The child screamed as if he would 90 into fits.
Seeing it struggle 50, cried out in less terror
Give me my baby, give me my baby! You will
kill my baby
"YOur grandfather was my senior by several
years, and had greatly the advantage Of me in such
matters. as he had for several years been engaged
in teaching before he entered college. and for one
50 young. was considered remarkable discipline
rian. lie said to me laughingly, but very sOOth-
ingly; My dear wife. it happens TO be my badly as
well rs yours. Believe me- | will not hurt it, will
so place my hands as 10 guard it. But you must
consent 10 have me Snbduc lis will
"Though l trembed from head TO foot I did, by
the grace of God, remain perfectly quiet
This painful experiment was tried for three
nights Ill NuCt-StO. anu wis Perfectly
The little fellow never after made any resistance
when he was put to bed and left alone in the dark
The other instance by far more painful. |
When at the age of between three and four, we
were again called upon to subdue his will In fact !
this required all the faith and patience and fort
tude and scf-denal that We could possibly summon
10 our aid.
.PreviOus to this age, your father had been very
remarkable for his dOeiEty and obedience on all
former occasions
81 had, up to this time always spoken TO him in
a mild and persuasive tone of voice never having
had occasion to speak authortatively.
Il do not remember how it was, but | told him
quite sternly to go and pick up mothers handker-
chief But. as is Gifted the case, cOmbatvencSs be-
gets combativeness. So it proved at this time. lie
refused to pick up the handkerchief.
Il told him. and over. to pick it up but he
refused and refused, till at length his temper ap-
peared exceedingly irascible and he said, over and
over again. Il wont won't
Il corrected him quite severely but this only
made him more angry and determined not 10 obey.
Just at this juncturc, to my great relief your
grandpa entered. ! was in a high state of excite
ment, was full of perspiraton. and began To feel
quite faint.
lie took the child out Of my arms, supposing
that he could instantly subdue him.
But what was our CONSERVATION and grief. when.
after full hour of controversy, having inflicted
stroke after stroke such adapted to Sabdue
and intimdatc 4 Young child. he not only refused
to pick up the handkerchief, but he exclaimed with
a rpbellious voice. Whip me- whip me! beat me.
beat me! Tie me mp. put me down in the cellar.
kill me kill me. / won't, ! won't pick up the sand-
kerchcf'
Thus he went on. till at length he began to
show signs of drowsincSS.
Il said to your grandfather. My dear husband,
our tender mcrccS should not b.. cruelty. God
knows that intend to suhdue child, and He
will giveus another opportunity
AS he surrendered this precious burden to my
arms felt assured that my heart had never before
been 50 broken account Of sin. Y our grand
fathers brother who was very fond of the child,
and had in an agony of grief paced the floor this
hour which seemed to age, beseechin@ God
to take away the heart of stone and give heart
/ of flesh.
AS undresssd the child. and saw the marks of
/ the rod still visible in the flesh, remembered with
/ gratitude the language Of Scripture. and it was
/ balm to my soul. Like as father piticth his
children, SO the Lord pitieth them that fear him.'
| | washed his stripes with little camphOr and wa
ter feeling bad never done before, thc-eXcecd-
ing deprayity of tine human heart; for, sure was,
that this child had never been taught this. by evif
examples. He had never for witnessed any
contest between his father and myself. or, to my
knowledge. had he witnessed any thing quarreiSonie