Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-08-18

he was an excellent scholar. We did not
rise ill / had relieved my overburdcned
heart in prayer, and prayed with all my
struggling soul, and his desparing wife Join.
ed me in the solemn invocation, that the
Father of mcrcies would receive the return
ing prodgal 10 his arms, and that he might
never go astray again. 1t was now quite
time for me to 90, and resume my Journey ;
but could not leave the town before cal.
led upon tie class leader, left him some
money for the family, and enioined upon
him TO look after them, and throw around
John the shield of all good influences, TO
prevent his suffering relapse Whatever
iurther charges he should incur on their
account, promised to pay as soon as in
formed Of them.
Another decade rolled by, during which
no tldngs came to me at the East from this
interesting couple. AT length was called
again to visit chose Western regions, and TO
pass near the residence OF this unfortunate
brother. On reaching the town, my disap-
polntment was extreme to learn that he
/ had removed to a distant country. | an
tcipated misiortue; but as the place des-
lgnated was not far from my intended route
| resolved 10 60 and see him. When en-
tered the town Of, where John was
said to live, made inquiry for bis dwelling,
and was told it was the second house on
the left hand side of the road. Being now
so near, | fastened onward eagerly, and
presently, nice frame building, painted
white, appeared l could rot help putting
up prayer, that my dear friend might be
SO happy as to occupy any house half as
respectable as 'his Expectation now be
came painfully intense. What in mercy
was sent to see? A scene like that, or
worse, which ten years before left such aw-
iul traces on the memory, never to be OBJ
liberated? | could not tell At sudden
turn in the road, thought discerned an
other white house in the distance, among
the trees-yes, it is so-with green blinds;
and as | went nearer, graveled walks were
seen, handsome paling, and ornamental
trees and shrubbery. Surely there is some
mistake IN the direction this can't be Johns
home; yet it is the second on the left.
Fastening my beast TO hook, went to
the door and knocked a girl, just on the
verge of womanhood, opened it.
"Does Mr. McL--d live here 2" ]
asked, with trembling
| "He does, Sill"
as he or his wife at home 90
"Mother is within, sir; but father is in the
Id. Please 10 walk in, sir"
My eye glanced through the open par
lor door. A fine carpet covered the floor.
There were handsome chairs and other
furniture; but saw no more, for Mrs Nc
Id by this time was informed Of
gentlemen's arrival, and lost no time in
making her appearance "Good God"
was all | remember to have heard from her,
as she rushed forward on seeing me, aud
clasped me by the neck. She almost faint
ed, and shed flood of tears, and my own
condition was not much more composed
Recovering little, she informed me that
her husband was at home, but out upon
the farm. Too impatient to wait, hurri
ed away 70 see him. He met me as he
was coming home. AS soon as he knew
who it was, he ran forward and grasped
me in his arms, saying as he strained me to
his bosom
"Thank God thank God you are my
saviour under heaven This is all your
work." looking around. 80, am reioiced
to see that you are here to see it."
When we had returned to the house. the
ten years history of struggle. repentance
and reformation was recounted Prosperi-
ty was the consequence. The dwelling was
his, the farm and all. His wife was happy
The beautiful young girl, almost young.
lady now, was the dirty child that was
crawling on the ground on my first visit
There we're three more children now. To
crown the whole, he said:
"After had persevered year in alb
stainance according TO that blessed pledge,
taken on that awful day, on the stool in the
log hut, which rises to me sometimes with
spectralhorror-after keeping it sacredly
which my wife. who has been an angel
helping me, was member. Prosperity at
tended my worldly business; but this was
not complete satisfaction. / wanted to
be more; and commenced study for the
ministry. My dear friend and brother, |
am now a minister of the everlasting gos-
pei. How much, what an inexpressable |
debt do owe youP'
We knelt down together on the rich car
pet, instead of the cold earth, and prayed |
as fervently as prayed before in the log
cabin but in what different strain In /
stead of the almost desparing supplication
and entreaty forlon hearts, crushed to the
earth with sorrow-thanksgiving, praises
and gratitude now rose spontaneously from
our tongues and hearts, D, the heart of
Caesar never swelled with such triumphant
joy at any of his conquests, as mine does
for an agency in the salvation of this man,
and the happiness ofhs family,
EE An amusing instance of the effect
of association in establishing personal cred