The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-09-15

cal pleasure, that the first effort Of his infant
tongue was to initiate my profane language,
the recollection Of which now sends thrill
Of grief and horror through my bosom. In
vain did his sorrowing mother endeayor to
counteract the influence Of my wicked ex-
ample. Icontinued to swear, and he to imi-
tate my profanity. unconscious Of its turpl-
tude.
On certain occasion returned from one
of my gambling excursions, and found my
wife and child absent. On inquiry, ascer-
tained that she had gone to her accustomed
place Of retirement in grove some distance
from the house. knew that she had gone
there for devotion. had been accustomed
to see her retire thither at the evening twi-
light, and though thought her piety unne-
cessary, had no objection to il as a source
of enjoyment to her; but that she should take
her child with her, excited my surprise. |
felt a curiosity to follow her. | did so, and
took position unseen by her, but where
had full view of her attitude and features.
She was kneeling beside a rock, on which
lay her Bible before her. Oae hand was
placed on its open pages; the other held the
hand of her fair boy, who was kEeeling be-
side her, his eyes intently fixed on her face.
She was pale and carc-worn. Her eyes
were closed, but the tears were chasing
each other down her cheeks, as she pour
ed forth her burdened soul in prayer
| first for her husband, that he might be re-
claimed and saved; but especially did she
plead with God that her son, whom she un-
reseryedly dedicated to him, might be saved
from those sins which were taught by his
fathers example. "Save him." she cried
with agony, /" save him from taking thy great
and holy name in vain; and give his anxious
mother wisdom, fortitude, and grace, ciiec-
tually to correct and break up the habit Of
profaneness."
crept silently from my hiding place, and
returned home with d conscience harrow
ed up by the keenest self rcproaches. |
knew that her feelings were not the htful
ebullitions Of passion or excitement. | had
long been convinced that her conduct was
regulated by firm and virtuous principles, and
that the Bible, which | so lightly esteemed,
was the rule Of her life. On her return to the
house, she was solemn, but the law OF kind
ness still ruled her tongue. She did not re-
proach me but from that day she firmly and
| faithfully corrected our little son for the use
of profane language, even in my presence,
and when perhaps he had just caught it from
my lips.
She succeeded in conquering the habit in
her child and when she had cured him,
| -sssi~sI ~ .L~.I.- g., .--- a. sc l--
guage which had cost her so much pain.
did abandon it from that time. | was now
ehectualy reclaimed from this vice. But
my habits of intemperance were daily be-
coming like brass bands. Ny morning and
noon and evening dram, my loss Of appetite
and trembling nerves proved the strong
grasp it had upon my constitution.
NV wife was in the habit of sitting up al
night till my return, however late it might
be. She had, no doubt, in this way saved
me from perishing, as was often too much
intoxicated to find my way even to the door
without her assistance.
One cold night had been out till late
hour, but returned free from intnxication
On coming silently to the house, ! saw my
wretched wife through the window, sitting
over handful Of embers, with her babe and
her Bible in her lap, and the big tears gush.
ing from her cyeS III attempting to enter
tile house, with'a fresh resolution on my
tongue, tainted and fell On w floor.
Upon the return Of consciousness, found
my wife had drawn me up to the iire, and va:
preparing me bed, suppOsir6 my swoon Z
be the usual effect of ardent Spirits. sprang
to her side, fell on my knees, aYQ before heI
and heaven vowed never tpAaste another
drop Of any thing intoxicatingJ | was thel
thirty years old. Years have ,since passed
over me and my vow is still untroken.
T.. s. =.