The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-11-23

| plain in their own behalf for my absence
They know that the old tinker gets too
little kind treatment in his pursuits from
| home, to divert his affections from them
And then they have learned what fear
young man, you have not, that God and
religion are better than earthly society
For Stubbs Valley is not stranger to
gospel influences. For. this old gift t.
showing the greasy looking old book be-
fore noticed" is the pledge of affection
from my kind old mother, who prayed 50
fervently for my poor soul. when / was
but a little boy that the words have
been as lifelong consolidating as n
clock on the cords of memory Her
life so good and death so joyful, told me
the living truths Of this blessed book
when thirty years of age my kind parent
finished her earthly pilgrimage aud slept
in Christ As this blessed mcmento has
been the companion of all my pilgrima-
&c, its light has been she'd around my
domestic home, and its principles made
sacred there. and pledge Of all that
can light a smile in the hearts Of my
kindred. and make joyful this vale Of
tears You ask me. Why my lot is cast
in Wonder Valley 1t may be that !
served my sius SO many years that God
in judgment made my last resort, what
was then a most lonesome wilderness
At tha age Of ten went cabin boy to
sea, and save when at long intervals |
read a word in this old bible, my moth.
or's kindly interest for my soul was
chased from memory by vain and idle
thoughts. For twenty years, | led a
sailors life, and this old budget has the
Shipping LISTS and private notes Of incl-
dcuts aud wonders of the sea and shores
of distant lands With the small gaius
Of sailors toll sought some spot Of
ground to call my OWN, aud settle down
in life. The wilderness alone was left
for Jack The cultivated lands were all
too dear for him to buy. Surprised to
find the earth so flied with landlords, |
sought, perhaps in pecvishness, to get as
far from men of selfish aims, as could
and pitched my cabin beneath the thick
boughs Of yondcr forest glen With ro.
bust health and giant axe mans blows
| soon made an opening for the light of
day. and forest fire and back woods
sturdy toll, made place for waving grain
and pastarc patch, and cultivated field
and cottage, with the meagre comforts
of pioneers home. \ friend of my
childhoo d became my wife, and partner
Of my sympathics, plans and joys. She
chose my wilderness lodge to be her
home, aud made it such a home as one
might love. But ere my first born child
coald count year OF life, there came Il
cry of war. and British soldiers lowered
for their prey around the old Green
Mountain State, and then | FASTENED to
the battle field before the town cf Platts
burgh. Oar gallant boats then blazcd
over Champlaln's waves battle fire that
burnt and conquered all. And then the
red coat lcgions fed di,mayod, couceiv
ing that our soil was sown with teeth of
death. But not till Il rctrcating drag
oon gave me a cut on the elbow, that has
made it stiff for life. For this you see
me now wandering tinker, providing
an honest livelihood for those | love,
husbanding my gains at sixty years Of
age, to pay for lands SO cheap and worth
less as YOU think they are.
said however we had learned to
live by principle aud faith, in that lone
forest vale, and as I've told what few or
none have ere this heard beyond my
cottage walls for your rcproof and bcn
eft, young man. will not now conceal
what God has done for me, in making
me and mine his children. For years
we had lived regardless of his laws, and
thc while lifcs toll was lightened by no
ray Of celestial hope.
But some years since, on beautiful
june morning, well dressed young
genk keman was seen to immerge from the
forest glen that led up from Stubb's Val
ley, to pass of the Green Mountains.
lie approached our cottage with a small
bundle of books under his arm, and as
he came up he introduced himself as the
agent of some benevolent society sent to
distribute Christian books to the dcsti-
tute. lie asked, it we had bible
Which gave Inc occasion TO show him the
one you see here and to relate something
of its history As he turned to 90 a
way. after selling us some few books,
felt, that 10 hc was the first Christian
that had sought US out on such errand
that we ought to ask him to pray for US
before he went away. But as had liv
ed so far from God, and religion had be
come SO unfamiliar TO my feelings and
habits. | dare not make the request, but
it might not be expressed to proper and
respectful terms Providence hclped
me out Of my embarrassment. AS the
gentleman left the house, be did not pro
coed far before he was constrained tC
hurry back by the sudden appearance OF
a black thunder cloud resting on the
brow of the mountain above. In tel
minutes, the rain poured down in tor
rents, and thunder. peal on peal, and hal
in stones of deadly weight, gave majesty
and terror to this mountain storm.
This is a dreadful Storm" remarked
our transient guest, but not SO fearful
to the sinners heart, as is the storm oI
fire which conscience lights within tho
troubled soul, aud lights to burn forey
er. Unless the grace Of God shal
quench its flame, through penitence anC
humble seeking of the Lord. My duty
calls me to inquire your state, and i
YOU hope in Christ for a better life p
You seem pilgrim here-a stranger OF
! the earth, but do you look for bette
) land, aud rest with God when all you
; toll is done ?"
Ills words so plain and simple, still