The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-07-24

W., sh, iNP"N l.
heard sarment since i left Kaintuck
twelve years ago. They do say thai
there's p;reachin' at Mr.. McCan's, about
twelve miles from here; but my old man
never goes TO meetin''. :.
"Would you like to hear q Sermon Il
you had a chance I"
ayes: | would be very glad. Mypool
children never have heard sannsnt, OF
ANYBODY pray, in all their born days.
and we've got no meetin' house close to
us-and no clothes to fit to wear among
white people-and we're livin' just like
hcathens.'
.IYou have a Bible, have you not!'
"Oh no, sir-not now. My mother
gave me one when / was married, and
use 10 read it considerable. But my old
man said it was all cheat, and he used
it all up for waddin' for his shot gun.
There amt a book Of any sort about thi'
house. Nv children don't know their
letters, and expect that ! have forgotten
how to read in this time"
"Well, my good woman, / am preach,
or myself. Il is the lost sheep Of the
House of Israel that ] am seeking. ! am
the preacher that is to hold meeting at
McGan's tomorrow, il | can find the way.
| 90, lost, and accidentally found my way
to your house. l am willing to hold
prayers for you tonight, if YOU have no
objections" ;,
"Roderick !" cried she to her husband,
"put up them cards, and that bottlc!-
This gcntleman's a preacher Z
Strange to say, Roicrick Immediately
arose from the table, and shutiled cards
and bottle out of sight. Then turning
his stool around to the fire, he paid par
ticular attention to everything the preach
er said and did. The other two men
were too much intoxicated to notice any
thing, and were soon snoring in the cor
ner. Mr.. Walton took ont his Bible, and
read the fourteenth chapter OF our Lords
gospel by St. John-sung a hymn and
Enelt down and prayed. He asked
Heaven to pity this poor family-to bless
his accidental visit to them, and TO lead
them in the way OF life everlasting.
On closing prayers he observed that
the woman was in tears, and her husband
quite serious. He felt encouraged, aud
proceeded to tell the children, in plain,
familiar way, the history Of the cross and
the plan of salvation. They heard atten-
lively, and seemed to be deeply interest
ed.
Early the next morning, he heard
prayers for them again, and after break
fast he prepared to leave them. They
refused to accept any pay for his lodg-
incs; and said that il he would accept
their poor fare, they would be glad to see
him at any time. The man went with
him on foot about six miles, to put him
into trail that would lead him to
Means. ..
When Mr.. Walton came round again
TO McCan's the same man and woman at
tended his meeting, and heard him preach.
The second time they came again, with
two sons and a daughter-all of them
walked twelve miles to hear more about
heaven. and to learn the way. Before
Mr.. Walton's year closed, the husband
and wife, two sons and three daughters,
had all proiessed faith in Christ, and be-
come members OF the church.
The rapid years have since sped away.
Nearly quarter of a century has elapsed.
That wilderness, has been made to "blos-
som as the rose" The woodman's axe
has felled the forest, and agriculture has
spread out her furrowed fields. That
man lived nearly twenty years the life of
devoted follower of Christ, and died in
hope ofheaven. His wife still lives. She
has obtained another Bible, and loves to
read its precious truths, and to mediate
upon its holy precepts. Two Of the girls,
after arriving at mature years, and lead
ing exemplary lives, died and went to
rest. One son, the one that was chop
ping wood, is now professor in a west
ern college; and the other-thc one that
was surprised at the preacher having two
shoes OH one foot-is distinguished and
eloquent minister of the gospel.-Home
Magazine. Q.