Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-10-31
The SooHer SileIced.
BY REV, C. Y. spURaEoN, OF LONDON.

Let me tell you story. have told it
before but tits a striking one, aud sets
out in true light how easily men will be
brought, in times Of danger, to believe in
a God, and God of justice too, though
they have denied him before.
In the backwoods of Canada there re-
sided good minister, who one evening
went out to medit,te, as Isaac did, in the
fields. He soon found himself on the
borders of forest, which he entered, and
walked along track which had been
trodden before him musiug, musing still,
until atlast the shadow Of twilight gathered
around him, and began to think how he
should spend a night in the forest. He
trembled at the idea of remaining there,
with the poor shelter of a tree into which
he would be compelled to climb. aa.
On sudden he saw light in lhe dis.
tauce among the trees, and imag lining shat
it might be from the window Of some cot.
tage where he would find a hospitable
retreat, he hastened to it, and to his surprise
saw a space cleared, and trees laid down
tp make a platform, and upon it speaker
addressing a multitude. He thought to
himself, ~ have stumbled on q company
who in this dark forest have assembled to
worship God, and some minister is preach-
ing to them at this late hour in the evening,
concerning the kingdom Of God and his
righteousness but to his surprise and
horror, when he came nearer, he found
young man declaiming against God, daring
the Almighty to do his work upon him,
speaking terrible things in wrath against
the Most High, and ,venturing most bold
and awful assertions concerning his own
disbelief in future state. 1t was altogether
singular scene; it was lighted up BY pine
knots, which cast 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, thunders of applause were given to
him, each one seeming to emulate the other
in his praise.
Thought the minister, II must not let
this pass; must rise and speak the honor
Of my GOD and bis cause demands it,
He feared to speak, for be knew not what
to say, having come there suddenly but
he would have ventured bad not something
else occurred. 4 man of middle age, hale
and strong, rose, and leaning on his staff,
he said, ,,"My friends, have word to
speak to you tonight. I am not bound
to refute any of the arguments of the
orator shall not criticise his style; I
shall say no'h hing concerning what I'De-
,iieve, to be the blasphemies he has uttered;
but l shall simply relate to you fact, and
after I have done that, you shall draw
your own conclusions. Yesterday walked
by the side of yonder river saw on its
food young man in a boat. The boat
was unmanageable it was going fast down
the rapids; lie could not use the oars, and
| saw he was not capable of bringing the
boat to the shore; saw that young man
wiring his hands in agony by and by he
gave up the attempt to save his life, kneel-
ed down, and cried with desperate earnest
ness, 80 God, save my soul ! If my body
cannot be saved, save my soul |" l heard
him confess that he had ,beep blssphemer;
heard him VOW that, if his life was spared,
he would never be such again, heard
HIM implore the mercy of heaven, for
Jesus Christ's sake, and earnestly plead
that he might be washed in his blood
These arms saved that young man from
the food IL plunged in, brought the boat
to shore, and saved his life. That same
young man has just now addressed you
and cursed his Maker. What say you to
this, sirs!"
The speaker sat down. You may guess
what shudder run through the young man
himself, and how the audience in ono mo-
ment changed their notes, and saw that
after all, while it was a fine thing to brag
| and bravado against Almighty God on dry
land, and when danger was distant, it was
. not quite SO grand to think i'll Of him when
: near the verge of the grave. We believe
, there is enough conscience in every man
, to convince him that God must punish him
for his sin, and that in every heart the
words of Scripture will find an echo. "lf
he turn not, lie will whet his sword"
s0-An Irish gentleman at cards counting
thn nile exclaimed t.There's n sbillinp