Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-03-13

had been sitting, and handed him my pencil.
He wrote his name, thank God Notwith-
standing his condition, it was beautifully
written, as I afterwards observed, for he was
an excellent scholar We did not rise till l
had relieved my overburdened heart in pray
er, and prayed with allmy struggling soul,
and his despairing wife Joined me in the SOL
emn invocation, that the Father of mercies
would receive the returning prodigal to his
arms, and that he might never 60 astray
again. 1t was now quite time for me to go
and resume my journey; but I could not
leave the town before I calledupon the class
leader, left him some money for the family,
and enjoined upon him to look after them,
and throw around John the seed of all good
influences, to prevent his suffering relapse.
Whatever further charges he should incur
on their account, I promised to pay as soon
as informed of them.
Another decade rolled by, during which
no tidings came to me at the East from this
interesting couple. AT lenght I was called
again to visit those Western regions, and to
pass near the residence Of this unfortunate
brother. On reaching the town, my disap-
pointment was extreme to learn that he had
removed to a distant country. anticipated
misfortune; ; but as the place designated was
not far from my intended route, I resolved
to go and see him. When l entered the
town Of --, where John was said to live,
l made enquiry for his dwelling, and was
told it was the second house on the left hand
side of the road. Being now so near, has.
tened onward eagerly, and presently nice
frame building painted white appeared. I
could not help putting up prayer, that my
dear friend might be so happy as to occupy
any house half as respectable as this. Ex-
pectation now became painfully intense
What in mercy was I sent to see d? A scene
like that or worse, which ten years before left
such awful traces on the memory, never to
be obliterated Icould not tell. Alta sud-
den turn in the road, I thought I discerned
another white house in the distance among
the trees; yes, it is so, with green blinds !;
and as I went nearer, gravelled walks were
seen, handsome paling, and ornamental
trees and shrubbery. Surely there is some
mistake in the direction; this can't be John S
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.. Mod live here ?"
asked with trembling.
"He does, sir?"
is he or his wife at home ?"
"Mother is within, sir; but father is in
the field. Please to walk in, SIR"
My eye glanced through the open parlor
door. A fine carpet covered the floor. There
were handsome chairs and other furniture !;
but I saw no more, for Mrs. McL-d by
this time was informed Of gentleman's ar
rival and lost no time in making her appear.
ance. "Good God w was all I remember to
have heard from her, as she rushed forward
on seeing me, and clasped me by the neck.
She almost tainted and shed food of tears,
and my own condition was not much more
composed. Recovering little, she inform
ed me that her husband was at home, but
out upon the farm. Too impatient to wait,
l hurried away to 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
savior under heaven. This is all yourwork, e"
looking around. 30, I am rejoiced to sec
you are here to sec it,
When we had returned to the house, the
ten years history of struggle, repentance
and reformation was recounted. Prosperity
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 were
three more children now. To crown the
whole, he said:
"After 1 had persevered year in absti-
nence according to that blessed pledge, taken
on that awful day, on the stool in the log hut,
which rises to me sometimes with spectral
horror-after keeping it sacredly year, I
committed myself to the church, of which
my wife, who has been an angel helping me,
was member. Prosperity attended my
worldly business; but this was not a complete
satisfaction. I wanted to be more; and COM
mcnced study for the ministry. My dear
friend and brother, I am now q minister Of
the everlasting gospel. How much, what an
debt do I owe to you"
We knalt down together on the rich car.
pet instead of the cold earth, and prayed as
ferveutly as 1 prayed before in the log cabin;
but in what a different strain Instead of
the almost despairing supplication, and en-.
treaty of forlorn hearts, crushed to the earth
with sorrow-thanksgiving, praises and graft
tude now rose spontaneously from our tongues
and hearts-O, the heart of Cesar never
swelled with such triumphant JOY at any of
his conquests, as mine does for my agency in
the salvation Of this one man, and the hap
piness Of his family.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FROG.
We saw yesterday on Bolinbrook street a
hmm of co1id fransnarent ice ,hoI1t ton in.