The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-02-01

FROM THE PORTFOLIO OF COUNTRY
PHYSICIAN.
Many years have passed away since
! missed from his accustomed scat in
the church where he worshipcl, the
erect and manly form OF old Jacob
Morton. The peaceful and lovely
Sabbath comes and with 1t the crowd
of worshipPcrs assemble under the
wide spreading shades around the
lovely country church, that stands like
beacon upon the hill, but the pa,ri-
archaI form of old Jacob Morton is no
longc' among them The leaves Of
summer ,ustlc in The sabbath breeze as
m yorc, the brook at the foot of,hc
hill murn,urs OH as in days long past,
and look around ne for the calu,,
serious and mcditatvc features OF ia
cob Mgr,"n, in the pleasing picture Of
which lic was s" long part, iuryr,t ny
that the light oi his kindly eve is gone
forever, and that his snow. white locks
have gone down aye sadly and in sur
row to the grave. Even in boy hood
! looked UP t" him with vcncra,on
and awe mingled with affection. So
gentle, SO kind and yet :" prompt to
rcpruvc an un.ar.cd word that suv"ur.
Cd Of flcvity, or disregard of holy things,
he won the confidence and respect ui
all that knew him. As | grew up to
manhood and became the more able to
comprehend his simple and noble
character, loved and hu,lnrcd him the
more. His ula>;ulncl and native Il O.
nifty inspired me with rcvcr.ncr Tor the
man, that ] never icl, for anvo,her
than himself though it has berl my
lot to have associated with many who
have filled nation with fame Oh
scurc poor and unlrttcrrd lis he was
Jacob Morton was Il truly great man.
No one ever entered his humble dwell
ling and departed without feeling tn /
he had been thrown into commlnica-
ton with Il noble and superior char.
actcr. An atmosphere Of integrity and
manly independence and goodness
sc med continually around him. Con.
spicuous for his humility, yet his
pointed rebukcs were when necessary
as freely administered to the proud
"''' 'ho "S'ieHS t> W INC IOWcSl
and most dependent Of his acquaintance.
The only pride Of the old man, the
only trace Of intirmaty in his whole
character WAS exhibited in his fond at
tachmcnt to all only son. n sprightly
lad, when l first knew him, Of some
fifteen summers who WAS the pet of
his widowed father Quick bold and
impctuous he was q general Glvoritc
in the neighborlood. somewhat prcdis-
posed to be wild and reckless and
with the faults of youth so constituted,
his errors, were unseen and unnoticcd
by the quick eyes Of his father whom
parental tondness had binde1 to his
alterations. AS he grew up unchecIs-
ed and unrestrained save by an occa-
::sional too tender and mild reproof, his
faults rather increased than diminish.
ed When he was about seventeen
ycars of age: though kind hearted
and generous youth, it became too
evident, not only. to the whtAe neigh.
borhood, but even to the fond father
himself, that young Aliens errors were
of such character that there was
much reason to fear that they would
not pass away with the incoming of
manhood. Alas poor Jacob Morton,
what Pang shot through his heart,
when the whole truth burst upon him.
The duties Of his humble farm were
neglected and he passed days ofsorrow-
ing, anxiety and fearful prayer IN his
chamber mourning over the transgrcs-
sion of a once promising son. who now
made light Of parental authority, and
no longer patiently endured his ancc
tionate chiding. 1t was bitter and a
painful hour for him, when his eyes
were opened to the vices of son
whom his own injudicous treatment
had tended to lead away from the
path of duty. Bitter were his unavail
ing regrets and firm yet fruitless were
his efforts to restore his diminished
authority. The twig leftuntrained for
fear OF injuring the tender and scnsi-
tive stalk had grown up D stubborn de-.