Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-10-29
Kindness is Power.

l
A married lady had lately moved into the
neighborhood of the church of which | was
pastor, and in few days joined with us by
letter. 1t was not long before | understood
that she was sick. I therefore called, and
found her confined to her bed. As sat near
her. and spoke to her such words Of Christian
consolation as | was able, her husband sat- in
an adjoining room, the door communicating
with which was open. For some time he said
nothing. But to my surprise, when | paused
he spoke out in pitter opposition to the senti-
ments | had uttered and then addressing
me, rallied on me as if had come to do him
some gross injury, intermixing all that he said
with opprobrious and insulting names.
l listened quietly, and almost silently.
Whatever l said was spoken rather with a
view to soothe his spirit, than to dispute what
he asserted; AS for the names he applied to
me, had no disposition to notice them.
waited until he had finished, and then asked
his wife if it would be agreeableto her that
should pray with her. She replied in the
affirmative and turned to him and asked
if he would allow me to do so. He made nc
reply. | then knelt down, not knowing but
he would interrupt me, Or use personal vic.
lence while | prayed, and lifted up my voice
in duplication for his wife, and the whole
family.
He did not interrupt me land with word
of adieu, L left as soon as | rose from my knees
After few days had passed. sense of du
ty prompted me 10 call again. But shall
co. | said to myself to meet reproaches, de-
rision, insults and contempt? 1t was quite
struggle to decide to call Immediately.
did decide, however, and l did go and ]
found the husband there again, and as l en-
tered, kindly spoke to him. He said nothing
all the time, except his salutation as l en-
tered and after had prayed I again depar
ted. In the same way | called another time
and soon afterwards his wife recovered.
Several weeks passed. One Sabbath a
our communion service saw hin in the bacl
part of the church. 1t was rainy after
noon, and he fingered with some other person
near the stove after the congregation was dis
missed. AS | came down the aisle, wen
directly to him and held out my hand. l di,
not know whether | should meet with a re
pulse or not. | thought it would be no harm
to run the risk. On the instant he took IN
hand, and by his words and manner betraye
a spirit the very reverse of what he had ex
hibited when I called. The lion SCENE
changed to the lamb.
The next day | called at his house, an
found lin with his head leaning on his han
at the table, weeping. As soon as he saw mt
he started up, and grasped my hand, and hel
me, with tears in his eyes, as if he would nc
let me 90. When we were seated, his vii
told me that he had slept none during tn
night, and that he had spent it weeping an
groaning over his SINS She continued, sayin,
"The sin which has been most heavy on h
mind, is his treatment of you"
"But," said to him, II do not think oft
"That troubles me most" he replied; yo
came to do me good to visit my sick wife,
pray with us, and | abused you; l called yt
names, and you do net think of it you d
not get offended; you did not feel hard.
you had replied as Ispoke, would not care
"Dut L forgive you and God VIII do SO,
= you ask Him."
"Do you forgive me ?" said he, and he look,
at me earnestly, as if he doubted whether
meant what | said.
Eyes, and God will"
"No," he replied "God will not. l ha
siEned too much. cannot believe he will
S And here fresh gush of emotion choked h
o utterance. 81 do not think he ever will"
a | tried to convince him that he might fiji
r pardon and peace, but it seemed to him tt
: good to believe. We all knelt together, a,
e [ prayed with them in the firm hope that Go
d who had so deeply shown him his guilt, won
: soon heal his broken heart.
Il 1t was as expected. In a few days /
IS mourning was turned into joy, and he rejoic
}. in Savior's love.-American Messenger.