Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-05-08
4 Remarkable Conversion.

ed i'm the community where l llved tor
wickedness and profanity. married,
however, strange as il may seem, young
woman of most exemplary piety, aud we
at once moved into our humble house full
of anlirpations Of happiness so common
with the young.
As the first day Of our residence in our
new abode drew TO close, the supper Ia
ble being removed, my wife without say
inc word placed little stand by my
side, laid llte Bible upon it, and sat
down on the opposite 81 lie of the hearth,
in evident expectation that | would con-
duct family worship! What could do!
was in a manner spellbound. could
nor disappoint her. She knew nothing
of my profanity and wickedness. And
vet how could such wretch as | kneel
before Almighty God and nuer words OF
devotion Yet | did read and 1
PRAYED. But o, as took the name Je-
hovah upon nv lips, asked for blessings
in the name of Christ, and made contes-
sion of sin, sense of my guilt, and hy-
pocrisv stung my soul ! arose from my
knees one of the most miserable oil men
succeeded however, in partially recov-
ering my selfposscssion by aid Of se-
cret determination, on no consoeralion'to
Weld 10 a repetition of the act, and thus
tried to dismiss the matter from my mind.
Another day rolled by--anoiher sunset
came. Again the tea-,abe was spread
and removed, and before | was aware.
there at my side was the same stand. and
upon il the same dreaded Bible, and my
wife seated before me in silent expecta-
ton Of the evening devutions. According
to welI-known law of practical morality,
having Yielded once, | found myself less
capable of refusing now, and once moro
read the word of GOd--once more l
kueeIed. Sand with profane tongue invoked
the Divine blessing. A new horror Tell
upon me Ia dread, lest like Uzzlah,
should pcrish,for the crime OF laying god
less hands upon the sac,ed ark. The sins
of life time, and d'lhose of no commoh
dve, stared me in tie face, and as they
"revived, died" My soul and Satan
took the pant Of the wife of Job. and bade
me ''curse God and die" And was
hafninded 10 heed the Injunction.
Morning came, but brought with II on.
y deeper and more oppressive sense OF
guir. opened not my lips, but could
think Of nolhing but the gall %. bitterness
had drank--lhe bonds Of iriquiy which
held me. had heard of God with the
hearing of The ear, but now mine eyes
saw him, and abhorred myself in dust
aud ashes.
At length another. the third evening
drew nigh, and well knew that again
the inevitable table. with its sacred furni.
lure, would be placed be side me. and iho
fascination of my wile's presence and
look Of assured expectation would assail
me so that could mol look up. j could
LAY nothing, but could endure my anguish
no longer. As sought no aid from Hes-
ven, Satsu voluntarily offered his, and ]
took it. My mind was made up--l re-
solved on suicide. rope hung from a
rrep in the orchard with which proposed
to terminate, as in mad dcusIon ] fsucied.
the increasing and now inioIerable horrors
Of my soul.
We took our third, and, TO my mind.
last Supper together. | fingered in tho
room until saw the dreaded moment VAS
at hand. when. without world could
not have mastered my emotions 10 speak
II withdrew. FASTENED TO the orchard.
Every step increased NY anguish. ran
II fnfa
the rome, and found myself in the woods
bevond. On | ran. until ovcrpowered
by emotions, my limbs gave way, and
feIl PROSTATE upon the ground. How.
long lay there, know not, but an e'er-
nily was crowded into that period A
horror Of great Jsrkbess passed over me
in view Of my vlleness and guilt before
Sod. in view Of the terrible jndgmeni,aDd
the awful, endless hell that awaited me-.
But mans extremity is GoFs oppo tuni.
~. The darkest hour is just beiOre day.
In the lhickest of the dIrkness anti when
despair seemed ready 10 settle down in
endless nigIa upon my soul. the liehs
broke There was Jesus IN all the full
ness Of tie Godhead bodily. ! saw and
believed. and loved and lived. sprsng
10 my feet lhr happiesl Of men. and from
that line To Til. have suffered scarcely
a doubt Of my scceriauce with G"d tbto'
Jesus. Long have been ruling elder
ln the church. l,Isny precious resiyaIs
have Witnessed and enjoyed. and nov.
If God will once more open the windows
Of heaven upon Us. ihink ! can say with
old Simeon, Now, Lord leiiesi thou thy
servant depart IN peace
As the old man spske, The tears rolled
in liberal now down his cheeks, and fell