Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-02-26
Remarkable Coinciderice.


In the autobiography and ministerial
life Of Rev. John johnson, d. D., of New.
burg. the following striking fact is re-
corded
+" On the death Of my father, my moth.
err suggested that it would be best for me
to go to college, and she would endeavor
to keep the family together, and provide
for me the means of completing my edu
cation. The subject was considered and
talked of for several days, and finally il
was agreed that | should enter college,
AS money would be wanted, it was pro
posed to dispose of some of the stock thai
could be spared. In company with q
neighbor that was in the habit OF driving
cattle into the counties of Duchess and
Westchester, | became a drover. This
was new business, but / engaged in il
with great alacrity, inasmuch as the re-
suit was to be for my benefit. After
crossing the river at Newburg, we visited
Fishkill and Philippsto#n, and on the
second day passed below yorktown and
Westchester. AS sales had been made 81
sufficient number of cattle to furnish me
with money enough for my immediate
wants, it was thought advisable that |
should return.
2" Leaving the drover and the rest Of the
company,I returned as far as Yorktown.
and took lodgings for the night. This
was the first time in my life that [ felt
myself to be in lonely situation. was
far from friends, and knew not that there
was any individual near who knew me. or
cared for me. With these feelings re.
tired to rest, and in the morning, about
daylight, | was walked by two little bows
In trundle bed at the foot of the bed in
which was, talking about God-wonder.
ing if God could see them-could he sec
them in the dark? could he see them il
they covered their heads with the blan
kets? and similar questions. The CONVEX
sation arrested my attention, and left an
impression which has frequently occurred
to me during the whole of my life.
In this connection | would remark
that some twenty-five years after the oc
casioa above stated, was brought to re
cognize one of these little boys in the fol
lowing manner:-During the meeting O
our synod in the city Of New. York, 7 wa,
invited with some twenty others. minis
tiers and ruling elders, to dine with the
Rev. DR.. Potts. AT the table the con
versation turned on what has freouentl,
occurred, viz: that great events otter
arose from apparently trivial circumstan
ces->that the course of mans life ofttime
was determined by q word dropped il
conversation, or by contingency owe
which the individual has no control
Reference was made to incidents in tn,
life of George Whitfield, DR.. Rogers, DR.
McWhorser, and others.
Twas reminded of what occurred t.
myself at Yorktown. and | repeated tn
conversation of the two little bows, abov
stated, and remarked that the inciden
determined the course of nv future life
and was the cause under God, of my be
coming minister of the gospel, and
member of the synod of N. Y. A gentle
man at the foot of the table inquired
when, and where, and at whose house
that which [ have related occurred.
answered, at the house of Mr.. Purdy, OBJ
posite the Presbyterian church. Tn
gentleman, with quivering lips, and tear
in his eyes, said-'I am one of those tw,
little boys, and am here as ruling eide
in the Presbyterian church. -'Whos i
wise, and will observe these things, eve
they shall understand the loving kindnes
of the Lord"