Litchfield enquirer., 1858-04-22

story. l have told it before {; but it is strik- ! ing one, and sets out in true light how easily men will be brought, in times of danger, to be- l,eve in God, and God of justice too, though f,hey have denied him before.
 In the haekwoeds of Canada there resided good minister, who one evening went out to mediate, as Isaac did, in the fields He soon found himself on the borders of forest, which he entered, and walked along track winch had been trodden before him musing, m,lsing still, until at last the shadows of twilight gath cred round him, and he began to think how he siould spend night in the forest He trem- bled at the idea of remaining there, with the poor shelter of tree into which he would be compelled to climb.
 On sudden he saw light ill the distance among the trees, and imagining that it might be from the window of some cottage where he would find hospitable retreat, he llastened to 1t, and to his surprise found a space cleared, and trees laid down to make platform, and upon 1t speaker addressing multitude. He thought to himself "1 have stumbled on company of people who in this dark forest have assembled to worship God, and some minister is preaching to them at this late hour of the evening, concerning the kingdom of God and his righteousness j" but to his surprise and hor- TOT, when he came nearer, he found q young man declalming against God, daring the AL mighty to do his worst upon him, speaking ter rible things iu wrath against the justice of the Most High, and venturing most bold and awful assertions concerning his own disbelief ill fu- ture state. Itwas altogether singular scene it was lighted up by pine kpots, which cast a glare here and there, while tue 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 his cause demands t' He feared to speak, for he knew not what to say, having come there suddenly but he would have yep tured, had not something else occurred. A man of middle age, hale and strong rose, and lean ing on his staff, he said, My friends, have word to speak to you tonight. am uot about to retute any of the arguments of the orator I shall not criticise his style I shall say nothing concerning what believe to be the blasphemies he has uttered but I shall simply relate to you Q fact, and after have done that, you shall draw your own conclu- sions. Yesterday I walked by the side of ycnder r.yer 1 saw on it's floods young man in boat. The boat was manageable it was going fast towards the rapids he could not use the oars, and 1 saw tLut he was not capable of bringing the boat to the shore l saw that young mau wiring his hands in agony by and by he gave up the attempt to save his life, kneeled down, and cried with desperate earnestness, % God, save my soul If my body cannot be saved, save my soul ? heard him confess that be had been blasphemer l heard him VOW that, if his life were spared he would never be such again; heard him i'm plore the mercy of heaven for Jesus Christ's sake, and earnestly plead that he might be washed ill his blood. These arlEs saved that young man from the flood 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 1 this sirs 2"
 r The speaker sat dewn. You may guess what sbuddcr ran through the young man himself, and how the audience in one moment changed their notes, and saw that after all,
 while it was fine thing to brag and and bra yado against almighty God on dry land and when danger was distant, it was not quite so l 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 iu every heart the words of Scripture will find an echo, "If he turn not, He will whet His 1 sword" ."-Reu c. 4. Spmgscm
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 1 HINTS TO PARENTs.-The Rev Hosea Bal lou was accustomed to say to parents :-" If you practice severity speak harshly, frequent ly punish in anger, you will find your children