Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-09-17
THE scorTER sILENoEp.

THE SHUTTER SlLENCEU.
Br REV. Q. II. STURGEON, OF LONDON.
Let me tell you story. l have told II be-
fore but il is striking one, and sets out in
true light how easily men will be brought, in
times Of danger, to believe in God, and q
God of justice too, though they have denied
him before.
In the backwoods of Canada there resided a
good minister, who one. evening went out to
mediate, as Isaac did, in the fields. He soon
found himself on the borders Of forest
which he entered, and walked along n track
which had been trodden before him musng
musng still, until at last the Shadow of twi-
light gathered around him. and he began to
think how he should sperd a night in the for
est He tTembled ut the idea of remaining
there, with tho poor shelter Of tree into
when ne lid be compelled to climb.
On sradden he saw light in the distance
aIor,g the trees, and imagining that it might
be from the window of some cottage where lie
would find hospitable retreat, he hastened to
Il, and 10 his surprise saw space cleared, and
trees laid down 10 make platform, and upon
ita speaker addressing amultitude. He thought
to himself, &c have stumbled on u company
who in this dark forest have assembled to wor-
shp God, and some minister is preaching TO
them at this late hour Of the evening, con-
corning the kingdom Of God and his righteous
ness;' but to his surprise and horror, when
no came nearer, no found a young man de-
claiming against God, daring the Almighty 10
do his worst upon him, speaking terrible things
In wrath against the justice Of the Most High,
and yenturing most bold and awful assertions
concerning his own disbelief in future state
It was altogether singular scene it was
lighted up by pine knots, which cast a glare
here and there, while the thick darkness in
other places still reigned. The people were
intent on listening to the orator; and when he
sat down, thundcls Of applause were given to
him, each one seeming to emulate the other in
his praise.
Thought the ministers" must not let thi.
pass ! must rise and speak; the honor of my
God and bis cause demands it'' He feared
to speak, for he knew not what to say, having
come there suddenly but he would have ven
tursd, had not somthing else occurred. A
man Of middle age, hale aud strong, rose, an,
leaning on his staff, he said, "My friends,
have aword to speak to you tonight. | an
not about to refute any of the arguments Q
the orator; | shall not criticise his style;
shall say nothing concerning. what l believe t
be the blasphemies he has uttered; hut sha
simply relate to you a fact, and after hay
done that, you shall draw your own concl,
sions. Yesterday l walked by the side
yopder river; saw on its food a yellnl. IA.
ip a boat. The boat was unmanageable
was going fast towards the rapids; he cou
not use the oars, and saw thathe was not cap
BILE of bringing the boat the shore. saw tn
young man wiring his h nds In agony; by and
he gave up the attempt to save Ii S life, kneel(
down, and cried with desperate earnestncs
80 God, save my SOUL If my body can n
be saved, save my soulr 1 heard him CO
fess that he had been blasphemer; / hea
him vow that, if his life were spared, he won
never be such again. heard him implore Il
mercy of heaven for Jesus Christ's sake, al
earnestly plead that he might be washed
his blood. These arms saved that young mi
from the flood l plunged in, brought d
boat to shore, and saved his life. That san
young man has just now addressed you, al
cursed his Maker. What say you to thi
aira2"
The speaker sat down. You may que
what a shudder ran through the young mi
himself, and how the audience in one nome
changed their notes, and saw that after a
while it vas fine thing to brlg and brayaC
against Almighty tod on dry land, and wit
danger was distant, it was not quite so graz
to think i'll OF him when near the verge of Il
grave. We believe there is enough cunscien
In every man to convince him that God mu
punish him for his sin, and that in every hea
the words Of Scripture will find an echo, Sc
he turn not, He will whet his sword"
RUNNING BEFORE Ta7 LOCOMOTIVE.
One mo II last week snrted down town VIII
a gentltn Stopped me did you know old NJ
Vaughan was just now brought home neal dead
"NO; how did Il happenf' Run EVER BY the car
tho poor old man, but be bad brcathed Ills last ia
before enteted the room HO waa walking on Il
railroad, when train going the same way came
sight Of him. TIE engineer gave the alarm whist
when be turned rOuud and saw the ears, the
started on, evidently looking for some better pla
10 gel III the track Tno engineer, surprising,
course, he would step out Of danger as soon rs
saw II, put on steam and started up Before
could again chees ;be speed, the old man was
BY the train, and thrown Cd the track, u mangle
bleeding body lie was taken up, put on tho car
In trgat hon, IA,
Ls died He was man highly respected consi.
ent Christian and an officer 10 tao .huieh; and ,
opening his vii it was found that Le had left tV
hundIed and fifty dollars for the American FRA
Society.
As stood looking ut tho manglei body. II
thought occurred 10 me, he il not the FIST ne "!
has lost his life, temporal or aplfituul l,y wal il
Tor a better place TO get fl the trao H. -
Here lie young man who has commenced a cnur
SI intenpernuee. His friends become alarmed
The whistle is sounded danger, duugorI Is rahn,
In his ears He sees it, and resolves sJou n rrFr,
Ia SsIe Is al better time ile wa ohed hut ere
him. and he fills drunkard' grave t'''A
Here is young lady whohus commenced q, ,,,,
Of fsshi9na6ly folly. She ia tho chili q, ,S'
parents. Earnest, ugOnizing prayers INV. tho
offered in her behalf Her friend. exnosS,a,, =" si
her-she sees her own danger, aud Il. oyes I, I,
axe the giddy thrOng; but sho will wait mi nj
The prCeent fashionable season is over IL ,y,,
excite remark " sue we're to leave her as.ocj
now. Next spring she will renuunce these yofi,
and seek some substantial happiness But suLd
her from earth, and on her tom bstoue p.iybt wei
craven, "Lost her lite, while watinr f,r a M
place 10 get of the track"
50 with all sinners in this heayon-lavotel /,
They press unheediDgly On TO petdition tin /
hear the alnrlu Of danger sounded. Then
pause and look around. There as danger
see and feelit but it is far of. 1t is Of 10 u
be frightened They can go a long way yet Of
smooth road. 1t is more pleasant ana less diff
than the "narrOw way and there is much b.
place ahead TO ''get eff the track" But before
"bstter place. il reached, their doom is scale
OF how many soul in perditiOn may it trnl
said, ''Lost life, while waiting for better nlg
get off the track l"-ADl. Mess
AFRICAN SUGAR OANE.-Ihe acting
missioner OF Patents has received an lutte
ing letter from Theodore Blume, Vice =
dent OF Calvert College, Carroll county,
in which the writer states that he has been
eessiul beyond his most sanguine expectat
in the cultivation of nearly all the seeds W
he received through the Patent Office. f
OF the eleven varieties of lmphee (AtliCau
gar cane) which he received about the
die OF June were thriving admirably,
stalks were considerably thicker than tho,
the Chinese sugar cane.
meter, to snow the um0Hnt OF water used