Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-01-10


imploringly: hs
go do tell me about that Invisible agent
troubles me so 10
.sIt's the Holy Spirit, my daughter; and, ,lik'
the one God, it is everywhere and invisible.''
1sAnd can't 1 see it;--fcel il ?"
'Only in the heart-you may feel it there: -
.sHow2'' inquired Vertitia, quickly, and
casting an anxious, searching look in hcI
| fathers face.
''By the fruit OF its operations, my daughter
1t makes sin bitter, ana destroys our relish fol
| its pleasures ;-malzes it a heavy, CALLING load
upon the conscience; and hence as told you,
makes willing to fly to the cross-to the
dear, blessed Saviour, whose blood alone
cieanseth from sir.''
Vertitia looked amazed at her father, and
sat for a few moments in thoughtful silence at
his side. At length, raising her eyes, she fix
cd them full upon him, and said:
so, fither, feel it; yes do! 1 feel that
burden, and I think it's my sins. Then every
thing seems so changed-I think the change S
in myself. o, feel so sad-so miserable!-
Things don't look like they did. l cannot eat
nor sleep; I cannot enjoy the flowers nor the
sweet singing of the birds. The world--every
thing has lost its charms; and sometimes feel
as if would like TO die, am so unhappy. Is
this the spirit ?-Is it my sins, father?'
Valens could not reply. His heart was too
full. He leaned his head forward on his hand
while the tears fell fast from his eyes. They
were the tears, however, Of an over-joy, for he
saw that his child was seriously impressed, and
that the prayer Of years was about to be
answered.
.sThe Lord bless You, my daughter" at
length said he, raising bis hand, and wiping
away the tears; ssyou must go to Jesus; he'll
have mercy on YOU"
GLOW can gos-I'd like to go, father
"Pray to him-for pardon-for mercy. He'll
hear you ywhere,-everywhere, my child.
Give up all for his sake--for the world to
come said Valens, rising from his seat, and
leaving the hali-at the call of Valencia.
Fertitia sat for some time alone, thinking
how strange all these things were,- thinking
Of her sins-thinking how happy her poor, dear
sister would soon be, and feeling as if she
would like to go with her to the heavenly
world. if she was only good enough.
After 4 time, she rose and went to her
chamber, and falling on her knees at the side
of her couch, for the first tinle--praysd-
prayed to jcsus------g --r--r --rfr
The morning was charming. Not 6 cloud
foated in the skies. The sun rose in unusual
splendor, fiinging over the hills drapery Of
gold, and filing the rallies with oceans of
soft, mellow light.
The groves, vineyards, pleasure grounds,
every tree and shrub were cnliyened with the
morning songs of the birds, varied into every
conceivable melody. and rising to the skies
in one great, grand chorus. In truth, nature
never seemed more lovely, nor God praised
more fervently and rapturously in the inferior
works of his hand. to-- --2l4
4 sad contrast this, TO the doings of man
during the night, to the black, wasted, burnt
city ;-greater still, to the sad spectacle which
that glorious sun must witness ere it sets.
How true, alas lit seemed on that fair and
beautiful morn, as nuture paid her early de-
votions with such full, swelling heart-how
ii seemed, that ssonly man was vile.'' But,
no mot all. There were some, very many
indeed, even in Rome, whose souls had been
washed in that crimson fountain. and who
were around their alters as early and fervcntly.
The world, however, beheld them not. They
were immured in dungeons, in secret places,
in the dens and caves of the earth God was
their witness, and he was glorified in his smit-
ten, afflicted, and prosecuted ones. All! yes,
there were those that morning upon whom the
sun of righteousness had arisen, throwing
around them halo of glory, TO brighten and
expand into the exceeding and incomprehen-
sible glory of eternity. a @
A faithful, trustv. and confidential old SER
want, formerly in the employ of Valens was
TO he entrusted with little Ware; and, at the
appointed hour, carry him to the sad scene Of
his mothers suferiDgs and death.
The hour was at hand. The dial, in front of
the mansion had been watched with sorrowful
interest, as the shadow seemed to fiy over il
with untold rapidity.
at length, it was just half an hour; and lit
tie Ware, full of childish glee, and richly
dressed, with chubby cheeks, and his mothers
eyes, and ringlets of jet black hair curling
naturally around the face-was in the arms of
the faithful old servant, on his way TO the
great square.
The old servant, entrusted with the sacred
treasure, was an Egyptian, and had always been
marked for his honesty and fidelity. He had
served in the family of Yalens when Fducia
was child, and at different times afterwards.
He, therefore, knew her,-though ignorant Of
the cause of her death, or any of the circum-
stances connected with it except so far as had
been necessarily confided to him.
3 He was now very old, vrinkled, and bent
forward. His skin was shining black, and his