The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-07-27

hiShV -uHuCl NudLCNeT ClTCuHlSlauCCS-
n however degraded and disgusting his ap
: pearancc, he always met a kind reception
e and found prompt provisions made 70
his pressing wants. When he had rccov
cred himself from a state of entire or par
tlal lntoxication, he was then kindly ex
po5tulated with, and urged to "stay a
home,' and give the family the pleasur,
of his company, and the benefit Of hi.
help upon the farm. These "cords o
love" would restrain him for while; bu
the stern demands of Il morbid appetit,
would finally break them asunder, and the
victim would again find himself bound
within the folds of the monstrous serpent
whose coils are as crushing as those o
the mercilesS anaconda, and whose venom
is cruel as the grave.
Prayer was made increasingly for poor
Henry, He was formally remembered
in the morning and evening sacrifice
His case was carried to God in secret by
u large circle of relatives and acquain-
tances; and often in the social prayer
meeting was fervent intercesSion offered
up to God for the same object by score
ofearnest, believing Christians.
Several of Mr.. Raymond's family were
located in the neighborhood, and Cath
crime Dunbar was one. 1t happened that
on beautiful morning, Henry Raymond
came to his sisters house unusually So
ber, especially considering that he had
been absent from home for a week or
more. While breakfast was being pre-
pared for him, he sat in the cornor in a
pensiye mood, and after he had taken
his breakfast, he resumed the same posi-
sion, and seemed lost in thought. Cath
crime finally interrupted his rcyery with
proposition which seemed to astoni,h
him. Harry" said she, "come, 60 with
me to the meeting this morning; we are
having very interesting services at the
church. "Me 60 with you to church -
answered Henry: "that would be of no
use-110b0ay cares anything aJ0ut me. -
"Dear Henry rejoined Catherine, chow
can you think so. have we not all given
you evidence enough of our regards, and
our anxious desire for your welfare! -
Henry hung his head, and with quiever-
ing lips and broken utterance, rejoined /:
Il am not fit to be seen in decent com
pany;" and looking upon himself as tho
until that moment he had been perfectly
insensible to the condition of his person,
added: Kate, l have yet little too
much pride to show my head in the
church in such a condition as this. -
"You arc right, Harry, perfectly right"
answered Catherine, "and can help you
out of the trouble at once--wash your
self up, and I'll furnish you with a good
suit of clothes. You and Thomas
husband-"are just of a size" 'I don't
know about borrowing suit of clothes to
wear to meeting" answered Henry. "My
dear brother" rcjoined Catherine, "it is
no time for you to indulge in such foolish
pride; this may be the last of your day of
grace. Come now," said she, taking
him by the arm, "do please me this time,
and [ will promise you that you will new
er regret it," Henry sat dumb for q mo-
ment, and then began to move as though
he had consented. The suit was soon
in readiness, and he was washed and
shaved. The next hour he walked up to
the church by the side of Catherine; and
no little surprise was occasioncd by his
appearance.
The pious old couple had been heard,
that morning especially, to pray that God
would reach the heart of their miserable
sou. They were seated when Henry en-
tered; and it was to them the signal of
fervent ejaculation to God, that the wan
derer might be awakened and reclaimed
The discourse was appropriate, and sank
down into the hearts of many; and Hen
ry Raymond was among those who felt
"the word of God, like 4 hammer, break
ing in pieces the rock" He, however,
managed to hold up his head until the So
cial prayer meeting came on. At par
ticular stage of the exercises, old Mr..
Raymond, with his molodious, tremulous
voice, struck up
"Come, ye sinners, poor and needy
when, quick as a flash of lightning,
thousand old associations were revived in
Henry's mind His heart began to melt;
and when the old gentleman poured out
flood of melting melody upon the lines
"If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at al; ;
Not the righteous,
Sinners Jesus come to CALI
the fountains of grief were unstopped, and
poor Henry wept and sobbed aloud, A
few encouraging words were whispered
in his ear; and, after the service had
closed, he returned with Catherine, silent
and sad.
The circumstances had electrified the
assembly, and constituted the principal
topic of conversation on the way home
The pious hoped, and the careless were
astonished: but none uttered contempt
uous word. One of Henry's companions,
who was present. seemed to partake of the
sympathies Of the occasion. "Now," said
he, elf Harry should take a religious turn,
blame me if think it would hurt him
for the fact is, he's getting a little bit too
bad" Another rejoined: eff he should
come out strong, won't they have a time
over ot the old man'S9 I chOnld l;la 70