True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-25
Illustration Of the Lords PRAYER.

Illustration Of the Lords Prayer.
"And forgive US our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against u.s."
I'll never forgive hin--never!''
=" Never is hard word, John,,' said
the sweet faced wife of John Locke, as
she looked up moment from the sew.
ing. ...
He is a mean dastardly coward, and
upon this Holy Bible II
"Slop, husband! John remember he
is my brother, and by the love you bear
me, forbear from cursing him. He has
done you wrong, allow; but o! John,
he is very young and very sorry. The
momentary shame you felt Yesterday, will
not be wiped out with curse. 1t will only
injure yourself, John. o! please don't
say anything dreadful"
The sweet faced woman Drevaled-the
curse that hung upon the lips of the an.
cry man was not spoken, but he still said:
-" will never forgive him--he has
done me deadly wrong"
The young man who had provoked
this bitterness humbled and repentant,
sought in vain for forgiveness from him
whom m moment Of passion, he had
injured almost beyond reparalion. John
Locke steeled his heart against him.
IRllis little store sat the young village
merchant one pleasant morning conten-
tedly reading the morning paper. A
sound of hurried footsteps. approached, but
he took no notice until a healtless boy
burst into the store, screaming at the top
Of his voice, Mr.. Locke, Johnny is in
the river-Litlle Johnny Locke"
TO dash down the paper and spring
into the street was the first impulse Of
the agonized father. On, on, like ma
MAC he flew to the river, palled and era
zed with anguish. The first sight tha
met his eyes, was little Johney lying in
the arms of his mother, who with her
hair hanging disheveled around her, bent
wildly over the child The boy was
just saved he breathed and opened his
eyes, smiled family in his mothers face,
while she, with "a choking voice, thanked
God. Another formIay insensible, stretch.
ed near the child. From his head the
dark blood flowed from ghastly wound
The man against whom John Locke hat
sworn eternal hatred had, at the risk o
his own life been the saviour of his child
He had struck apiece Of drift wood as
he came to the surface with the boy, and
death seemed inevitable.
John Locke flung himself on the greer
sward. and bent over the senseless form
"Save him." he cried huskily TO tht
doctor who had been summoned, ere
store him to consciousness if it be on,
for one little moment-I have something
important 10 say 10 him."
"He is reviving," said the doctor.
The wounded man opened his eyes
they met the anxious gaze of his brother
in-law, and the pale lips trembled forth
&C. Do you forgive me'"
"Yes, yes ! God is my witness, as
hope for mercy hereafter, | freely forgiv
you; in turn ! ask your forgiveness fo
my unchristan conduct" A feeble pres
sure of the hand and a beaming smi
was all his answer.
Many days the brave young man hun
upon slender thread of life, and neve
were there more devoted friends tha
those who hovered over his sick bed.-
But, vigorous constitution triumpbed
and pale aud changed, he walked one
more among the living.
"0h! if he had died with my unkind
ness clouding his soul, never should
have dared to.hope for mercy from M
Father in Heaven" said John Locke I
his wife, as they sat talking over th
solemn event that had threatened lhei
lives with a living trouble.
+" Never, now that / have tasted tn
sweetness of forgiveness, never agai
will | cherish revenge or unkindness tt
ward the erring. For .here is a ne,
meaning to my soul in the words Of OF
daily prayer, and l see that have onl
/ been calling judgment npon myself Will
l have impiously asked Forgive u
t our tresspasses as we forgive those wh
D trespass against us.''