Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-08
JflisrRllauRuus.
From the (SuEJlk Val Christian Sun.
The Invalid"

The Invalid"
One mile, from the little village Of Cars
Vile. on the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad,
is Elm Cottage the pleasant aud quiet
residence Of the father and mother of the
much afflicted young man, who has become
so extensively known to the reading public,
and whose articles over the signature of
Invalid have excited so much sympathy
and been perused with SO much interest by
our readers.
Az we were the first to introduce him to
the public, through the columns OF the
Sun, aud have deeply %sympathized with
him in his efforts to do good, aud De useful
under such discouraging circumstances, W.
feel disposed to crafty the desire OF many
Of the admirers Of his productions, by CIV
inc n short sketch Of his history and attllc-
tions. This we DO Of our own accord as his
ma tor. without his knowledge, with a view
to crafty those friends at u distance who
only know him as a writer, and to excite
others. more favored to initiate his exam
plo in trying to be useful to others.
Invalid was born in the month of May
1890. and is the eldest Of a family of 3
children, being now in his 29th year
His parents are exemplary members OF the
Baptist Church, highly esteemed for their
admirable social qualities, correct deport-
ment aud experimental piety. Their Oldest
son. from a child was remarkable for his
quick disccrnment, tenacious memory and
the ease with which he seemed to under
stand and grasp questions and subjects
which bafled older persons. lie always
etood' first in the schools which he attend
cd and was a ~favoritc with his teachers.
At the age of ID lac began to attract the
attention of many as youth OF rare attain
mcnts, and great promise. Our acqualnt-
once commenced with him in lS48, when
he was about Is years Of age. He was
then teaching school in the vicinity of
Bethlehem, in Nanscmond county. There
was something in the countenance, man
ners, general appearance and conversation
of the Young man that attracted our atten
tion and made us feel an interest in him
lie was tall, stood erect, and was dignifeC
in his appearance. His hair was of a ligh'
sandy color, blue eyes, fair skin, rathe
feminine in his features, but he had a largt
e~-l-..L~ "ss- saoon va5e, ma
great command Of language, and was rath
er modest aud retiring in his manners, bu
politeund attentive to his friends and strov
to make himself agreeable to strangers. w
were pleased 10 make the acquaintance G
a young man Of such promise aud who's
attainments would have done honor to
much older man. But we soon learned
much to our regret, that his mind had bee
poisoned with infdelity. He had read tn
dangerous productions Of Hume, Voltair
aud Paine, and had embraced the dark an
cherries system Of infdelity taught b
them. lie said Eut little or nothing
us about his opinions, but the fact W;
made known to US by others. We we
remember, when his pious father, spoke
us with evident signs Of emotion, and tea,
in his eyes, of the disposition of his son
embrace iDGlel views, and entreated US
use our influence to dispel the delusion ar
bring him book to the ways of reason ar
truth.
In the Spring of 1S49, we noticed th
he listened to the preaching of the gosp
with more than ordinary interest aud W
always present at our appointments at Bet
lehem. In the month of August, of tn
year, our labors we're blessed with q or
,cious refreshing from the presence of Il
Lord, and many were brought nigh
Christ, by receiving an evidence of th,
sins pardoned. We discovered him trel
bling in the congregation, deeply impre.
ed with the power of Divine truth.
approached the altar of prayer, and G
the revival season closed was rejoicing
n Saviour's love, a new born child of &C
That was a time Of joy in the family :
soon to be forgotten. For ops wear aft
his conversion, he remained a non.comn
nioant with any church, but after exa
ing with care the ereeds and principles
the different denominations, he gave I
Christians his preference, and in Aug
1850 he was received a member of
church at Bethlehem, where his soul '
first set at liberty, aud he was initiated
to the kingdom Of God. He at once
come an active, Jealous member of
church, and was sent that year q deleg
to the annual Conference, and took a D
ton in that body which no man of his
and experience had ever taken.
In July 1851, while Principal of Spr
Hill near Cypress chapel, he was attac,
with rheumatism in the feet and knees,
no serious consequences were a~nticipaI
La October of that year, he went to
lumbia College, with the intention of
ing q regular course. but after remain
there about three months, his disease Sc
ed to increase 80 rapidly, and his su.
ings were so greet, that he determine
leave the District Of Columbia and Sc,
home farther South. He accepted a ST
ton as Assistant teacher in the GraI
n stitute at Graham, N. G. but after
months service had been performed
was compelled to relinquish his labors
seek the best medical skill. In May
he returned to his fathers ,an almost hell
invalid. Different physicians Of min
exhausted all their skill, but without .