Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-07-20
For the Spirit of the Age.
The Early PRAYER.

Several young men had been walking the
shaded streets of one of the beautiful cities
of our union. They were in the first proud
consciousness Of early manhood, and were
the sons of wealthy and fashionable parents.
All save one, a clear eyed, pale browed youth,
he was the only son of his mother, o poor,
but pious widow. They were just released
from the thraldom of collegiate discipline,
and were taking a stroll together, for on the
morrow they would separate to spend the
short vacation in their respective homes
On each white brow was the evidence of in
nocence and truth, the worlds breath, the
hard pressing cares of life, the deceitfulness
of riches, the glow of dissipation had none of
them traced their lines upon their bright,
hopeful, almost boyish faces. Gay, and hap
Ply they had wendell their way up and down
many streets, until at the suggestion of one
or two of their number, they all stepped into
a large and fashionable restaurant. "What,
shall it be boys ?" said one, a tall and grace
full youth, somewhat older than his compan-
ions, as he lifted his cap from his high brow,
and tossed back his chestnut hair, "what
shall it be, champagne, port, or good old ma
deira ~ Before reply could be given, the
gentlemanly proprietor had a dozen glasses
filled with sparkling wines of different kinds.
| SOUlO gay LOdoL was XVIII dEu IL 6I0oCOo
were Just raised to each lip, when a rich, gen.
tie voice said stop - Each hand was ar
rested, and every eye was turned in startled
inquiry upon the speaker. 1t was the widows
son. He held his untasted wine in one hand
and the other was raised to his companions.
slips were quivering and there flashed a
sweet light from his clear hazel eyes. "Stop
Harry, Eugene, Willie you know when |
was but four years old | was left fatherless.
But not motherless And we'll did my gen.
tie mother perform her duty to her orphaned
little one. Always at evening she taught me
to kneel at her knee, and in the soft, grey
twilight, with clasped, uplifted hands, repeat
after her that prayer, given by the worlds Re
deemeT.
How often have l heard her repeat tha
sublime opening, "Our Father which art il
h~eaven"-"olr father |" holy, beautiful, new
er to be forgotten words! AS the years have
gone by which have brought me up to man
hood, their remembrance has fingered arount
me like a beautiful, half faded dream. Blu
as | raised this glass, and was about to qua1
it's tiny sparkling waves, | thought / hear'
my mothers voice say, dead US not int
temptation, but deliUer as from eoiI." All
friends, my hand was arrested. will ODE,
that lute-like tone, stealing up to me from tn
golden hued shores Of early childhood; l wi
not drink this wine, or any other, now Q
ever and who will join me in this HEAVIER
dictated remuneration of that, which at tn
end, surely, 'biteth like a serpent and sting
eth like an adder" "Who! whoY p II
placed the goblet upon the marble countt
and looked earnestly in the faces of his con
panions. a." ''and l." land II" exclaime
a number of frank, hearty voices, as the
stepped forward and graspedhim by the han
All save one! and he from that day, walk
a downward path, which, although fowe
! strown, led, oh! saddest end, down to
I drunkard's grave. The others went forth
life, and though their paths were all separat
they led to the one bright home above. o
Q stood in the council chamber Of the natio
: and listening senates hung upon the words
I. eloquence he poured out. One, gifted pc
q scattered his sweet songs over his native lar
q and many a laurel rests upon his brow.
And the widows son went forth to prea
It the gospel of the kingdom to his fellow m
d and noblest work of all, points out the "
to heaven. Mothers, least your bread w
is the waters, and it shall return unto you al
lie many days" MINNIE
W Baltimore, Md.