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

= Harriet, what 10 you thIuk Henry wa
: at meeting, and seemed much Affected
''Henry at meeting exclaimed Harriet
r and leaning her head upon her hand, sh,
: sighed, and said no more.
: When the tide of Hcnry's feelings had
subSided a little, he was the subject of Sc
we're temptation; and upou beiug prompt
, ed by Catherine to return to the meeting
J at evening, he said: Il think | II not &C
this evening" 'Go; yes, Henry, do go,
answered Catherine. The people said
, Henry, "sta-ed at me as though | had
been an elephant; and I've 10 doubt they
all know whose clothes | have on
Don't mind that, it's nobody's business,
Henry; and, besides, | tell you they are
all g ad to see you there. Even Dick
Slmons made remarks upon the subject
that would astonish you; aad besides,
now, just recollect that all is at stake
now you may turn the scale for woe or
bliss by this one decision Henry ling
cred, and Catherine implorcd-at Que
period he seemed finally to have resolved
to decline attending the meeting that c.
veDing. Kate" said he, Gust let me
stay here and read the Bible, and I'll 20
again to-marrow." Catherine thought
she saw the device of Satan in the pro-
position; and felt that it was the very
point at which defeat would probably be
fatal; and now she rallied and made o
fresh assault. Throwing her arms around
Henry's neck, she burst into tears, and
exclaimed, go, my dearest brother, can
yCu thwart the hopes of father, mother,
and Harriet-poor dear IIarriet-By one
fatal step. | have Just learned that Har-
riet will be at the meeting to ight-and,
O, how disappointed and grioved she will
be- Stop, stop, Kate :. said Hen
~, "I'll 90, come what will.
He went to the meeting; and there were
all the connections and neigbbors in a
state of breathless anxiety to see how
poor Harry Raymond would shape his
course. Harriet, pensive and trembling,
took her seat in retired place, as much
out of sight as possible, and waited the
issue. The matter in Henry's mind was
now settled. He had already broke
ground, and he must 90 on, or, in all GER
tainty, be fresh occasion of grief to his
friends, be jeered by his companions in
sin, and probably be forsakcn by God,
and soon plunged into irrctricYabe ruin.
At suitable time he arose, and, with 4
trembling voice, confessed his sins, and
expressed his purpose to lead new life.
His story was brief, but it produced
wonderful effect upon the audience, and
marvelously strengthened his own reso-
lutions. He knclt down, and gave vent
to the feelings of godly sorrow, while he
audibly uttered the publican's prayer,
"God be merciful to me, a sinner" Many
encouraging words were spoken to the
returning prodigal, while feryent prayers
were offered up for his delivcranco from
the guilt of sin, and the power Of an al
most invincible habit.
The service closed, and Henry Joined
Harriet at the door, and they walked, arm
in arm, to the cottage When all were
seated, Henry made a most humble con
fesslon, and was proceeding to task par
dom for all the wrongs he had inflicted
upon their feelings, when old Mr. Ray
mond interrupted him with, "My dear
Henry, say nothing about US; We have
pardoned you, SO far as we could, long a
go: the most we are concerned about is
that you have sinned against God. If he
will forgive you-and we know he is
both able and willing-all the rest will
be soon settled" "Ah,' responded Hen
ry,H he cannot forgive me, as | see, with
out abandoning his justice; for if ever
sinner deserved to 60 to hell, do" Tears
coursed down the cheeks of the venerable |
patriarch, and while he was trying sufli |
ciently to recover his feelings to respond
cncouragingly y, and Harriet was groaning |
and signing from the bottom of her al |
most broken heart, old Mrs. Raymond,
not being able to restrain her deep emo /
tions any longer, broke out in such strains
as she alone could command, under cir
cumstances so calculated to carry away
all the barriers of feeling. "What u said
she, Good not willing to forgive you,
when we, poor creatures, so little like
him, could not have it in our hearts to re
tain the slightest sense Of the wrongs you
have done, only as they affect your hap /,
pinesst This cannot be, my son. Like
the father who ran to meet his poor, mis- |.
cradle son, while great way off, your
heavenly Father will meet you in mercy,
and freely forgive you all. Yes, hc will;
| know he will;" and turning to the old
gentleman, she respectfully, but earnest +.
ly asked =" Father, shall We not have
prayers!'
The old gentleman instantly bowed
down, and oil followed his example. He
prayed in tremulous and plaintive tones,
but in the language of assurance. When
he had concluded, the venerable matron
followed, in much the same strain, with
the additional circumstance, that she
humbly asked God now to fulfil the prom
ise which be had SO often brought home
to her sorrowing heart, that he would
"bring home his banished.' When the
old lady had earnestly and solemnIy SAID
"Amen," after a brief pause she said
"Now, Harriet, child, can you not pray.
Harriet uttered few words aud broke