The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-02-29

WHOLE NO. 176.
ls@The Power Of woman" st
well remember the first time that ven
tured home in state Of intoxication. I
knew my situation, and dreaded that my
wife should discover it. l exerted myself
to conceal it. ] affected to be witty, affec.
tionatc and social, but it was total failure
| felt the fatal poison momcntarily increas.
ing. saw the inquiring eye Of my wife
fixed upon me with Look Of unutterable
grief It was only with her aid that was
able to reach my pillow.
All restraint was soon swept away
came home night after night in state most
revolving to the feelings Of delicate, affec.
tionate wife. In vain my able companion
wep and expostulated. was too much
entangled and corrupted to break away ei-
ther from my vices or associates. They
neither feared God nor regarded man. I
was led captive by their devices.
became, I will not say an infdel, for
was too ignorant Of theory Of skepticis,n to
be one. / became mocker. "Fools make
Z mock at sin," and such fool was I.
knew just enough Of the Bible to make it
my jest book. saw that this part of my
conduct was extremely painful to my pious
wife, and tri d to restrain myself from tri-
fling with the Bible in her presence; but
loved to raise loud laughter among my bois-
ferrous companions, and the indulgence
served so to strengthen the pernicious habit
that was often detected in the use Of the
offensive language r.
1t was not till became father that her
touching appeals on this subject reached my
heart.
"Must this child" she would say, with
tears, ''be trained up under these baneful
influencesr Must he be taught by parent
al example to despise and ridicule the Scrip
lures with his lisping tongue, before he is
able to read their contents, or realize their
heavenly originY' aA& a-r %. -.s. r
Our son had now become an interesting
little prattler, initiating whatever he heard
or saw. perceived with diabolical pleas
ure that the first effort of his infant tongue
was to initiate my profane language, the re.
collection of which, now sends thrill of
grief and horror through my bosom. In
| vain did this sorrowing mother endeavor to
counteract the influence of my most wicked
example. continued to swear, and he to
initiate my profanity, unconscious of its
turpitude. !. -..!
On certain occasion returned from one
Of my gambling exclusions, and found my
wife and child absent. On inquiry, ascer.
tanned that she had gone to her usual place
Of retirement in grove some distance from
the house. knew that she had gone there
| for devotion. had been accustomed to sec
her retire thither at the evenings twilight,
and though thought her piety unnecessary,
| had no objection to it as source of en-
joynent to her, but that she should take her
child with her, excited my surprise
| felt curiosity to follow her. did so,
and took position unseen by her, but
where had q full view of her attitude and
features. She was knceling before rock,
on which lay her Bible before her. One
hand was placed on its open pages; the 9th.
or held the hand of her fair boy, who was
kneeling beside, his eyes intently fixed on
her face. She was pale and care-worn.-
Her eyes were closed, but the tears were
chasing each other down her cheeks, as she
poured forth her burdcned soul in prayer
first for her husband, that he might be re.
claimed and saved; but especially did she
plead with God that her son, whom she un.
rcservedly dedica,cd to him, might be saved
from those sins which were taught him by
his fathers example. ''Save him." she
cried with agony, 'save him from taking thy
great and holy name in vain, and give his
anxious mother wisdom, fortitude and grace,
effectually to correct and break up the habi,
Of profaneness."
crept silently from my hiding place, and
returned home with a conscience narrowed
up by the keenest selfreproaches. Iknew
that her feelings were not the fitful ebulli.
ton of passion or excitement. l had long
been convinced that her conduct was regu-
lated by firm and virtuous principles, and
that the Bible, which l had so lightly es-
teemed, was the rule of her life. On her
return to the house she was solemn, but the
law Of kindness still ruled her tongue. She
did not reproach me; but from that day she
firmly and faithfully corrected our little son
for the use of profane language, even in my
presence, and when perhaps he had just
caught it from my lips.
] She succeeded in conquering the habit in
her child; and when she had cured HIM,
resolved to abandon forever the use of Ian
guage which had cost her SO much PAIN
I did abandon it from that time. Twas now
effectually reclaimed from this vice. But
my habits of intemperance were daily be.
coming like brass bands. Ny morning and
noon and evening drains, my loss Of appc.
tite and trembling nerves, proved the strong
grasp it had upon my constitution.
My wife was in the habit of sitting up at
night till my return, however late it might
be. She had, no doubt, in this way saved
me from perishing, Is / WAS often too much
intoxicated to find my way to the door with.
out her assistance. - 0.E,- a.t r. a.a.r
One cold night had been out to late
hour, but returned free from intoxication
On coming silently to the house, l saw my
wretched wife through the window, sitting
over handful Of embers, with her babe
aud her Bible in her lap, and the big tears
gushing from her eyes. In attempting to
enter the house, with fresh resolution on
my tongue, l tainted and fell on the floor.
| Upon my return to Consciousness,
found my wife had drawn me to the fire,
and was preparing me bed, supposing my
swoon to be the usual effects Of ardent
spirits. l sprang to ner side, fell on my
knees, and before her and heaven, vowed
never to taste another drop Of anything in
toxicating. Years have since passed over
me, and my vow is still unbroken.-Am<r.
icGn Nessenger. "@'a'2 ''h3 54 z.
PeiatsdEs're.ehiss. '-.4 ~ E
| Parson Moody was an eccentric man.
He had in his congregation = Colonel Ingra.
ham, wealthy farmer, who had kept back
his large stock Of corn from the market, in
hope Of raising the price of it. The pastor
heard Of II, and resolved to make public
attack upon the transgressor. One Sunday
he read for his textile that withholdeth