The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-09-29
Volume |; Number AZ.
s abbath @eadingl.
A Beautiful Little story.

Fl Beautiful Little Story.
A few weeks since, in coming down North
river / was seated in the cabin Of the magnif@
cent steamer Isaac Newton in conversation with
some friends. It was becoming late in the
evening, and one after another, seeking repose
from the cares and tolls of the day, made prepa-
rations to retire to their befths. Some pulling
off their boots and coats, laid themselves down
to rest; others, in the attempt to make it seem
as much like home as possible threw off more of
their clothing each one as their comfort or APP
prehensfon of danger dictated.
I had noticed ON deck d fine looking boy,
about six years of age, following around d man
evidently his father, whose appearance indicated
him to be foreigner, probably German
man Of medium hight and respectable dress.
The child was unusually fair and fne-looking,
handsomely featured, with an afectionate ex-
preston of countenance and from under his Ger
man cap fell chesnut hair in thick clustering
curfs
After walking about the cabin for time the
father and son stopped within a few feet Of
for going to bed watched them The father
adjusted and arranged the bed the child was to
occupy, which was an upper berth, while the
little fellow was undressing himself. Having
finished this, his father tied handkerchief
around his head, to protect his curls, which
looked as if the sunlight from his happy heart
always rested there. This done looked for
him to seek his resting place; but instead of
this, he quietly kneeled down upon the floor,
put his little hands together so beautifully,
chf1d-like. and simple, resting his arms on the
lower berth, against which be knelt to begin his
prayer
The father sat down by his side, and waited
the conclusion It was, for a child, long
prayer; but well understood I could hear the
murmuring of his sweet voice, but could not dis
tingush the words he spoke. There were
around us-christan men, retiring to rest With
out prayers, or If praying at ALL for protection
without sufficient courage or piety to kneel down
in steamboats, cabin and before strangers, ac-
knowledge the goodness of God, or ask his
protecting love.
This was the training of some christian mother.
Where was she now How many times had
her hand been laid on those sunny locks, as she
had taught him to lisp his prayers
A beautiful sight it was, that child at prayer
in the midst of the busy, thodghtless throng.
He, alone, of this worldly multitude, draws nigh
to heaven / thank that parental love that
taught him to whisper his evening prayer, wheth-
er dead or living, whether far off or nigh.
could scarce refrain from weeping then, nor can
now, as / see again that sweet child In the
crowded tumult of steamboats, cabin, bending
in devotion before his Maker
But a little while before | saw a crowd of
admiring listeners gathering about accompany OF
italian singers in the upper saloon, mother and
her two sons, with a voice and harp and violin
Init no one heeded no one cared for the child at
prayer.
When the little boy had finished his evening
devotion, be arose and kissed his father most af
fectionately, who put him in his berth for the
night. felt strong desire to speak to Them
but deferred it till morning When morning
came, the confusion Of landing prevented me
from seeing them again. But if ever meet
that boy in his happy youth, m thank him for
the influence and example of that nights devo-
ton, and bless the name of the mother that
taught him.
Scarcely any passing incident of my life ever
made deeper impression'on my mind. Iwent
to my room and thanked God that had wit
messed it and for its influence on my heart
Who prays on steamboat !? Who teach their
children to pray, even at home Home Jour