Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-26

spread with the rapidity of thought through
Tue encampment, that the rich Young man
haa got religion" and all that nieht the
voice OF praise, thanksgiving, and rejoicing.
rose from the tents as sweet incense to God
At the dawn of day-that day which broke
Win unusual splendor to the vision of the
young convert-George and Cato prepared
lot their return home, but with FEELINGS and
sentiments far different from those with
"nich they sought the encampment the dav
Delofe. Then all was jollity and mirth with
'he young man-ail was prayer and anxiety
with the aged servant. Now, while Cato If
iers to Heaven unfeigned thanksgiving and
glory, supreme JOY, mingled with fear. pos
sesses the heart of George. His father is in
ms thoughts. He hates the Methodists. and
looks upon them with supreme CONTEMPT
ana more than once has he been heard to saw
eiat ne would disinherlt a son of his who
Moula aisgFaee his family name by a~ssocia-
ing with them. His son, his only son, has
aone the deed-how then shall he aDnaar in
ms presence A prayer went up from
deorge to his heavenly Father, and his mind
anu heart We're instantly calm. After riding
along together some time, deeply absorbed ia
thought, George at length broke silence
well, Cato, how blessed is this day T
+@+ u til 1t1C.
smiles Npund me, and heaven looks down
fupon me with appreciation, and |, even I. a
sinner saved by grace, may rejoice with ioy
nnspeaaa5le and full of glory. Thank God,
.hank GOD Bstesay father, Cato-I am
lnilAlhs Of HIM. Do you think he will for
give me and become reeonciled when he
learns. what has taken place? Nv poor faith
er! yon know ha has no good feelings for the
Aiethodlsts. lie thinks them an ignorant CA
1t wild fanatics, unworthy the confidence of
the Intelligent and enlightened and only ft
to mnsle with the low grades Of society
remember when you, Cato. were converted
and united with them, that the old gentleman
was not the best pleased in the world-what
VIII pc say now? You have not FORGOTTEN
now he stormed and threatened you have
you, Cato and how fearful we all were that
ne would oyou some violence:"
No, master, no! Cato never forget. Old
master threaten to whip and beat the Metho-
dtst out OF me, or the devil, as he call il. hnt
cato told old master the devil gone already
SO ne needn't trouble himself. Then Cato
ask God to stand By him, and not let him fall
bat enable him to bear the whipping for To,
sus' sake and he was not deceived. old
master never whipped Cato before. bnt was
always kind and good, but he THOUGHT Il was
comins now sure. But God stood by old
CATO ana he wasn't whipped. Old master
took sick, and was sick long time, and when
ne got well again he say no more to Cato
about Methodist
Cate did yon pray for my father when he
Yes, master George, Cato never neglect
to pray for all the family three times eyerv
day. Up IN the stable loft is old Cato's closet,
and there he pray the Lord to convert them
all and who knows but he will ?"
Aye, who knows but he will ~ repeated
George, those strange words, "Do YOU think
cato, that God made my father sick to pre-
vent him from executing his threat against
your
Il don't know, master George. AIT know
!, ola master took very suddenly sick, and
Old Cato pray for him that his life might be
spared, and that his soul might Be converted
and Cato rejoiced and praised God when he
got well, and he saw himself safe from his
dlspleasure and Cato prays still for old mas
teri safety"
WIS has has 4 lb1 Ga's On aa snat1 ef 2,ss4s or aosd,
IN reference to the son, would remember the
father and mother also then happiness would
reign indeed in the mansion Of Bns
alas | fear-I fear"
rear not, master George, the righteous be
bold as a lion. Don't be afraid, but put your
trust IN the Lord, as Cato did, and He will
never leave thee nor forsake thee PRAY
then Tor old master. God is powerful, and
.aoundantly able to convert him too and
who knows but he will p"
Yes, who knows but he will p" renlied
theyoung man. "'Who knows buthe viii 9'n
GEORGE had repeated the words of that ever
present sentiment uttered by Cato, almost
lnstlnctlvely but their Influence upon his
mind was pleasingly sad. They had led him
70 reject upon bis state, and that reflection
had conducted him to the cross and now
the prayer OF his heart was, that they might
prove the like blessing to his dear father and
mother. As he sank back into a pleasant
%reyerle, which lasted for the rest of the i,,r-
ney, Cato heard him repeat again to himself
IN a loud whisper, whose earnestness showed
what was passing in his soul, 'sWho knows
but be will 2"
The news had reached the village long be-
tore the travellers arrived, that youne Georoe
son OF the wealthy squire, had embraced re,
llglon at the camp meeting. and had turned
Methodist. Had an angel come down from
heaven, his visit could scarcely have created
more astonishment. The very last person in
all the country round, that would have been
selected as a likely subject of Methodism, was
young George. Groups were seen at the
street corners in busy converse, and yarious
were the speculations Of the villagers, in refer.
ence to the matter. Some said he would NOT
hold out SIX months; others that it was all
p%retence, for a mere frolic and a third. glanc-
ing at probable consequences. that the old
squire would turn him out of doors. But a
few said they believed it to be the work of the
Lord, and the beginning of better times in
the village.
While these things were going on in the
street, George and his faithful attendant rode
into the eRaosure Of the mansion. The old
gentleman was standing in the porch as they
ailghted, and the tempest cloud which low
cree upon his brow, told plainly to the son
that the news was known and the storm was
up. There was a spirit which sat in the old
mans eye, and which seemed to say. s.Ry all
the honors OF mine ancient house, Iii nip this
blossom in the bud, and pluck from nv name
the pollution Of this foul disgrace"
George had always been an obedient son.
though somewhat wild perhaps, and the faith
er mad arrived at the conclusion, that in this.
as IN all other matters, p"aternal authority
would be sufficient to break the spell, and
Danish Methodisn from the mind Of his son.
But IN order to insure success, he had deter
mined upon the most desperate use of th.t
authOrItV-to listen to No arrt,rnart = boar