Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-08-24
fir.siSe Stabins.
From the Richmond Christian Advocate.
Do You Teach Children to Prayi

During the Summer of 1857, a glorious
revival Of religion commenced in the town
of &c, Tennessee. Never before, in the
recollection Of the oldest inhabitant, was
such a scene witnessed in that section OF
the country. Business houses were closed,
and the usually bustling little town wore a
sober aspect. Ministers and Christians Of
every name united in the great work; and
the great Father looked upon the same aud
smiled ard sent down showers of mercy
upon the assembly which daily met within.
the walls Of his earthly Sanctuary. There
was an influential gentleman, who had at
tended the meeting for several weeks, but
his proud heart rebelled against bowling In
such an humble manner, to request the
prayers Of Gods people. One evening
while sitting alone in his chamber, his only
child, a bright-eyed boy Of seven summers,
entered and seated himself on his fathers
knee, looked earnestly into his face, and
asked "Pa, what is q ChristianF "One,
my son, who speaks the truth, reads the
Bible, and prays." "Well, Pa" replied the
child, "you read your Bible, and tell the
truth, but you do not pray" and twining
his little arms about his neck, he continued:
ooh! l wish you were a real Christian,
Pap The strong men bowed his head
upon the glossy curls of his darling child,
and wcpt. "Ah| said he, when relating
the circumstance to me, shat arrow went
deep into my heart"
That night the church bell rang out its
usual peal, and that father, accompanied by
his praying wife, wendell their way to the
house Of God. When invitation was given
for penitents to approach the altar, he
arose, and with a calm resolve depicted mp
on his face, walked firmly to the altar and
knelt. Many eyes unused to weeping,
overlooked to see one so loved and honored
bowling so penitently among those holy
men of God asking direction to the foun-
tain of life. Before the meeting closed, he
arose with the glad cry Of a newborn soul,
and among the hosannas of Gods chosen
ones, told "what a precious Saviour he had
found" All methinks the angel of Love,
that lowered over the sleeping couch Of
that lovely child, sped its way back to the
courts of glory, and wrote Willie's name
along the side of his pupils in the Lambs
book of life.
Upon awakening from the sweet sleeI
of childhoodEt the ensuing morning, little
Willie's TaE bent over his crib anC
whisperT Christian now, darling
"Oht I'M B1 glad" he exclaimed
"why didn't You send for Willie to see Coo
make Pa q Christianp And again in tha'
household there went up a thanksgiving t.
God for bringing the father home to Him
Oh, may the light Of Heaven beam loving
ly upon the head Of that sweet child, an
may Angels weave an immortal crown {
Heavens flowers to deck his brow when b
enters the glory land.
Mothers do you realize the responsible
Of training an immortal soul3 Are 20
prayerfuli Do you, when the sunligl
fades away, and the little eyes grow sleep
follow the little ones to their touches, ar
teach them to send up their pure devotion
to the God who has given such jewels
your keepingi If so, you too may o,
day know of a truth, that tout of the mou
of babes God has perfected praise"
Just here let me relate an incident tn
occurred not many days ago. A lady 6
in the dim twilight, in her home. By b
side was her oldest son, a boy of eight
nine years. She had been relating a c
cumstance relative to a prayer of one
his little schoolmates who had recent
died. The boy asked why his little frie
prayed, and the mother explained; tn,
looking into her face with an earnestn
and seriousness beyond his years, he sal
"Mother, you never taught me how
pray" "But | will now, my son."
replied; and going to tie stand, she tc
down the family Bible and taught him
Lords prayer. Obi what a reproof to t
motherl Her son never saw her pray
knew not what it was to pray. A pray
less mother Oh! there Is no sadder 81
on earth. Think mothers, think what
are doing for if your children do not sol
the reproof now, the day is coming W
your heart will be rent by the awful
"You never taught me 60 pray, moth,