Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-02-08
From the New York Independent.
THE LOST WAY.

/ suasions Of evil companions irresistible,
abruptly left his dearest friends, and wan
dering far away, was unheard of for
years. All efforts to discover him were
unavailing, no trace could be found, and
his name became in time associated with
pain and regret.
It was thought the young man might
have gone to sea and found watery
grave, or had fallen into wicked hands,
or in an evil hour had destroyed himself.
But the wanderer was not dead; after
years of poverty, misfortune and wretch
edness, he found himself at the close of
a wintry day near the residence of one
of his early friends. Doubtful of the
reception that he might meet, and unwill-
ing to present himself as guest where
he might be regarded as an intruder, he
entered the barn door and asked the SER
want whom he found there to call his
master. In few moments the man re-
turned with request that the stranger
should go to the house.
He declined the invitation, and again
word was taken to the master of the
house that some one wished to see him
at the barn. This time the messenger
was successful AS the gentleman en-
tered and cast searching glance upon
the stranger, but without a single CLEAN
Of recognition, the heart-broken man
sobbed aloud, and selling his hand ex-
claimed, 20 my friend, l have lost my
way in the world"
Alas we thought as we heard this in
cident related, how many travellers on
Iife's journey, rejecting the only sure
guide, have lost their way irreco9erably
We remembered one who left his home
in early youth, to 60 forth into the world
to seek for himself name and fortune.
Around the freside of his paternal roof
clustered the tenderest ties and most en-
dearing associations. There were the
parents who committed him in prayer to
the keeping Of heavenly Father, and
there, brothers and sisters who wept as
they parted from him. There, too, his
mother, as she said her last goodbye,
placed in his hand chart and compass
the word of Colby which she babe
him ever to direct his steps. It had been
her own unfaiIing guide through her long
pilgrimage, and now she commended it to
him.
/ Thus furnished he went forth into the
world, and for time his steps were in
the narrow way, while continually he
, heard voice on the right hand and on
the left saying, This is the way; walk
ye in it"
Years passed on, and in the midst O
strangers and the busy strife and Turmoil
of life, his mothers gift was laid aside
He now regarded it as very good for the
inmates Of that quiet home, but of nc
use to one who had to contend with the
temptations and trials of life. For him
there was needed deeper philosophy
and wisdom which in the pride of in
tellect he fancied could be gained from
his own observation and experience.
Long since, the voices that had once
been music to his ear were hushed in
death. The mother whom he loved, who
had with latest breath offered up earnes
prayer for him, was now at rest in tn,
. quiet churchyard; his father with silve,
hair and bent form had followed her, anC
the home of his childhood was deserted
The world had yielded to him its honors
and the wealth Of learning and wisdom
which he had gathered had given hin
the fame he coveted. But these brough
him no lasting happiness-old age hat
arrived-he could no longer take an &C
tive part in the pursuits that once en-
crossed him, might come to him any day
and what would be after that? TIL,
! Bible, the long-neglected Bible, lay upol
his table. He had often read its pages t,
refute them by his own exalted reason
and now it had no comfort to offer him
no charm to attract him.
Death had taken from him those VIII,
were once the light Of his eyes, an,
whose presence now cheered his one,
comfortless dwelling.
In his old age he sat alone. Memoir,
was busy; for it had not, like his bodil,
strength, deserted him, and he thought O
the time when his heart was young an,
hopeful--when his mothers hand wa
upon his head, and her blessing fell upol
his heart as dew upon the grateful flow
ers. He traced his devious course ste
by step, as year by year he had wandere
farther and farther from the path of trul
and duty. Then he compared the peace
; ful, hope-sustained deathbed of his mother
. and the calm, unclouded evening of hi