Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-06-01
An Affecting Story.


The following story was related hy Mr..
| Dudley, an agent Of the British and Foreign
Bible Society, at the anniversary Of the Bir-
mingham Sunday School Union
In the county Of Kent lives or lived a clcr-
gyman and his lady, who took n very active
part in the Sunday school connected with his
church. They had in the school a boy. the
only son Of widow, who was VIGOROUSLY
wicked. despising all the earnest prayers ami
admonitons Of the clergyman who, out OF
| pity for his poor widowed mother kept him
in the school eighteen months; at length he
| found it absolutely necessary to di.m i.s tho
lad as a warning to others. He soon after
| enlisted as a soldier in regiment that was
soon ordered to America, it being during the
last American war. Some time after. the
| poor widow called upon the clergyman to beg
Bible Of the smallest size Surprised at
such request from an individual who was
on the verge Of eternity, and who he knew
had one or two oflarge print which she had
long used to good purpose, he inquired what
she wanted it for. She answered " 4 regi-
nent is going out to America, and ! want to
send it to my poor boy and o sir, who
knows what it may do ~
She sent the Bible which the clergyman
gave her, by pous soldier, who, upon his
arrival at their destination, found the widows
son the very ringlcader the regiment IN every
description of vice. After tho soldier had
made himself known, he said James, your
mother has sent you her last present
All ~ he replied in careless manner,
- is she gone at last hope she sent me
some CASH
The pious soldier told him he believed the
poor widow wa, dead " but, said he, " she
has sent you something of more value than
gold or silver, presenting him with the
klaN ~ L. 4
that you would read one verse, at least. of
this book every day and can you, refuse her
dying CHARGE ~
Well, )" said James, &c it is not too much
to ask, Opening the Bible) so here goes
He opened the Bible at the words, g Come
unto me all We that are weary and heavy
laden. and will give you rest
Well, >" said he, - this is very odd |
have opened at the'only'verse in the Bible that
could ever learn by heart when was in the
Sunday school never could for the life of
me commit an other. 1t is very strange but
who is this mo- that is mentioned in the
verse -
The pious soldier asked if he did not know.
lie replied that he did not,
The good man then explained it to him .
spoke to him of Jesus, and exhibited the truth
and invitation. of the Gospel. They walked
to the house of the chaplain, where thev had
further conversation the result was, that
from that hour he became a changed man,
and was as noted for exemplary conduct, as
before he had been for his wickedness.
Some time after this conversation, the re-
giment in which he was, engaged the enemy
at the close Of which the pious soldier, in
walking through the field Of blood, under a
large spreading oak, found the dead body of
james, his head reclining on his Bible, which
was open at thepassage. Come unto me oil ye
that are weary" &c. Poor jaime, had gone
to his eternal rest.
Mr.. Dudley said he had frequently held
the Bible in his hand there were less
than fifty pages stained with the blood of
poor James. How encouraging, said Mr.
Dudley, is this for Sabbath school teachers to
perseverc for should there be but one seed
sown, it might, as in case of the widow 5 son,
produce a plentiful harvest. The only verse
he ever committed to memory was the means
in the hand of the Holy Spirit. of bringing
him out of darkness into marvellous light /;
and James is now. we trust, joining the song
of the redeemed in heaven.