The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-09-14

fiuence of the drama that was enactIns so
near him. He seemed to know that wished
to talk with him about Martin.
IL have been told" said /, "that your son
has written YOU letter. Is he coming back
again ?"
81 had presentiment when came in, that
l was to have my feelings wrung again" he
responded, uneasily moving and knitting his
brows. "Id rather no: talk on that subject.
1t causes useless pain"
81 have heard from your SON." said.
"Ah?" He started, and his gray eye flick
cred with emotion as he turned his question
ing glance upon me. 'lIe has written 10
you?"
Il have news of him, and | know that he
is penitent He would return to you, il you
would receive him. A crisis in his life has
arrived; his whole future-perhaps his souls
salvation-turns upon the event. Would We
cast off brother at such time? How
much less son..'
1t is useless - cried the old man, shaken by
anger, or pain, or both. 81 have tried him
he has failed me in everything; God forgive
him-I can't"
"Has he sinned against YOU seventy times
seven? ~ mildly inquired.
"les, and more. Yet-yet-'tis not tha,
| don't forgive him-I wish him well-but he
has no longer any claim, he is no longer MY
son; never mention MS name to ME again -
lie arose with violent emotion, his cane
trembled in his grasp, and he was huIrying
away when | gently detained MIN.
"Hear one word. and will never impor-
tune you again on this subject. have seen
your son.
Without speaking he looked at me strange
ly,-pale, and shaking more and morc.--and
suffered himself to be led back to a chair.
81 have seen him, and if know anything
Of the human heart, Martin is i changed crea-
ture. Not poverty only, but 4 realization of
his guilt toward you, and a yearning for for
giveness, for better life, has brought him
back. Have we not sinned- have / not.
have you not-against Our father, brother
Lockwood9 -
God only knows what a sinner am - ex-
claimed the old man, with his head bowed
upon his cane.
"And does God stand out when you return
to him. ard remind YOU of your many otieil
ces which he refuses to forgive? or does He
open lis mcrciful arms, and tendelly receive
You back ?"
NO more. no more" he groancd aloud
Il tell you it is useless You only agonize
me. My mind is made up. Gods ways are
not our WAYS have done all can, he will
require 70 more
"And YOU will go home tonight and pray.
Forgirc as oar tespaSses Gs re .t@ry.r, tao$e
who hespass against u.s." How will thai,
prayer be answered. o, dear Saviour" |
said, chow long before We shall receive thy
divine lessons, not in our understandings
merely. but also in our hearts and lives, We
preach charity, and live for seishness. We
pray for love, and nourish hatred. We hope
to be forgiven, while our hearts are hard Will.
stony vindictiveness. Are We utterly self
deceived? Is our religion all vain show :?
opened the Book, and read the page to
which MY hand instinctively turned. 1t was
the parable of the Proaiyal Soa. All the
simplicity, beauty and pa,tos of that divine
story opened up to me with a power and
freshness and vi,idness had never felt be-
fore. My own sou! was stirred to It's depths
! the spirit of all-forgiyinS love seemed to de-
scend upon US there; forgot all argument
in the absorbing interest of that sweetly con-
vincing, over-powering narrative.
AT the close, the old man was sobbing
Other sobs, too, were heard in the adjoining
room. | opened the door. and made a sign
Simultaneously mother and son came for
ward, and threw themselves at the old man
side
"Here he is, father Here IS Martin, oul
child, our son '" articuiated Mrs. Lockwood
disengaging the fathers hand from his cane
and pressing it upon the bowed head of tn,
returned prodigal. The old man wept aloud
1t was some time before any one spoke
Then Mr.. Lockwood faltered forth,-
"Martin-my only sonny child. | forg;v'
you. o. may God bless you, and make yol
His" And he embraced him, while th'
tears showered down like rain upon the youn;
mans peritent head.
And that evening the three walked hom
together; the young man, with his fathe
leaning on his right arm, and his mother OF
his left; and they walk SO still, through tn
valley of life he devoted son, all his wild
youthful strength subdued to manly uprigh,
ness and tender, filial affection; they pa
tient, aged pair, moving calmly and urshrink
ingly towards that final goal, those gates c
death through which We all must pass