Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-12-07
MTSCELL A n Y.
Am Infidel,s Confidence in Christianit,

An Infidels Confidence in Christianity.
Mr.. B, a young gentleman of fine tai
ents was years ago chief clerk in bank in
Virginia. He was good scholar and coura-
geous and honest young man, but the leader OF
an infidel club, and had nearly succeeded in
throwing from his mind tie last shackles of what
he called nursery superstition" which was the
religion his pious mother had taught him.
On one occasion upwards Of one hundred
Thousand dollars in bank bills had to be carried
to Kentucky, and he was selected to carry it
AS he was obliged to pass through part OF the
country where highway robberies and even muir
ders were said to be frequent, he arranged to
pass it in the daytime. But he took the wrong
road, and having lost himself, was glad to find a
shelter anywhere. He rode about long time
in the forest, amid the darkness and chlliness OF
a starless October night.
At length he saw dim light, and pushed his
horse forward until he came to apoor, wretched
looking log cabin. 1t was now near ten O'Clock.
He knocked and was admitted by woman who
told him that she and her children were alone
her husband had gone out hunting; but she felt
sure he would return as he always came accord
ing to promise The young mans feelings may
well be imagined. Here he was with large
sum of money alone, and perhaps in the house
ror of the country. He could go no further
what was to be done9 The woman gave him
supper and proposed his retiring to rest. But
no. he could not think of thus easily permitting
himself to fall into the hands of the robbers
He took out his pistols, examined the priming,
and determined to sell his life as dearly as he
could.
In the meantime the man of the house return
ed he was rather fierce, uncouth-looking hun
! ter; he bad on dirty skin hunting-shirt and
bear skin cap, and seemed to be much fatigued,
and in no very talkative mood, all of which
bodied our young infdel no good. He asked the
stranger if he did not wish to retire; he told him
no he would sit by the fire all night. The man
of the house urged HIM. But no, he could not
think of such thing. He was terribly alarmed,
and expected this would be his last night on
earth His infde principles gave him little
comfort. His fears grew into perfect agony.
What was to be done2
At length the rough backwoodsman rose up,
and reaching over the strangers head to little
shelf, took down an old book, and said, well,
stranger if you won't go to bed, will ; but tits
my custom always to read chapter out OF Gods
word before 90 to bed" A load was at once
removed from him. Though avowing himself
an infidel, he now had full confidence in the BIZ
BILE. be was at once safe; he felt that the man
who kept an old Bible in the house, and read it,
and bent bis knees before his Maker, would do
him no HARM He listened to the prayers OF the
good man, at once dismissed his fears, and lay.
down in that rude cabin and slept as calmly as
he did under his fathers roof.
From that day he ceased to revile the Bible
In after years he became Christian, and often
related these facts TO show that no man can be
an infdel from principle.