The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-12-11

manner was 80 lrue 10 natureb anu MS penn
ence seemed so deep and thorough, that Mr..
1ragg believed his narrative without scruple.
"You have erred most sadly" said he.
, There is One who was both willing and
able 10 aid you in your time Of need, who is
present in the wilderness as well as in the
city, and who never turns away empty those
who call upon him, You have ylelded 10 the
tempter, and have been BY him brought we'll
nigh To the brink Of destruction. That kind
Providence who never forsakes the fallen
until they are lost los. forever, has doubtless
thrown you into my hands. trust that you
can still be rescued from ruin and infamy. |
too am poor--that horse, saddle and saddle.
bags, a few clothes. few books, and a few
dollars. constitute all my earthly possession.
| own no loot Of land-no cottage in the will
derness. But have no dependent family,
and YOU need my money more than i do"
He arose, took down his saddle. bags, and
drew GU, an old wooleu sock, and counted oul
thirty -one silver dollars, from which he took
one dollar. and putting il into his pocket, he
said:
"Promise me in the presence Of the Judge
Of all the earth, that hereafter you will seek
to do right. and under no circumstance, at
tempt 10 rob any one again"
Tn young man gave the promise, and the
two knelt, and the preacher invoked the
blessings OF Heaven upon the young man and
his wife, and upon the money, and asked for
grace to enable him TO follow in The paths of
honesty and right lie gave him the thirty
dollars, aud tie two parted without dlsrlos
ing either Of their names.
Thirty years have elapsed since the two
parted. II is now 1881 Tennessee is no
longer a wilderness. The Red Man has
gone far away to the great West-ihe Pale
Face has come. The forest has been felled.
cities have been founded, colleges, SCHOOLS
and churches everywhere greet the vision.
The Indian hunting grounds are checkefed
off into a thousand furrowed fields. The land
of Jackson, Carol and Polk, is now the home
Of many busy and happy thousands.
Mr.. Cragg still lives; but he is an old
man. His locks are white, and his whole
person shows the influence Of time. He has
a large and dependent family living upon
their little home somewhere in Middle Ten
nessee. He has devoted his manhOod's prime
TO the high calling Of the gospel, and though
neither learned nor eloquent, he was decme,
faithful and pious, and few men have been
more successful in persuading men to be
religious.
Ia the fall Of 1851 camp meeting was
held al Winrow's," in Rutherford county.
Mr.. Cragg rode away. the same evening.
thirty miles, to his home and loved ones.
On the Thursday following, just as it was
growing dusk, and Mr.. Crsgg was seated IN
bis porch. much wearied with the labor 81
ploughing in wheat, at which he had beri
engaged all day, stranger, seated upon an
lron-gray horse, well dressed in gray cloth,
and wearing white hat, rode up 10 the gate
and asked for quarters during the night. He
was kindly received and duly cared for.
After supper. he asked Mr.. Crags TO see
him IN private room. Vixen alone he said:
/" Mr.. cragg, you do not know me-"
al do not" said the old preacher.
eve once before had private meeting"
returned the friend. Thirty years ago,
the eleventh q last Nav" continued ne, cas-
YOU we're pursuing your way near the spoI
where Sparta now stands, a wicked young
man attempted TO rob you. You gave him
thirty dollars, prayed with him, and left him."
Mr.. Crsgg replied that he had not forgotten
that event. ." am that young man." said
the other. 81 took the money home to my
Young wife. and told her how strangely
had obtained il, for il did seem that God
had sent II TO me when least deserved it.
Il proved timely relief. Ny father about
this time having learned where was. sent
for Us. We returned to Virginia, and re.
conciliation TOOK place on al sides, aud We
received from our parents fine start 10 the
world.
Soon thereafter, We removed 0ut 20 Mid.
die Tenuessee, and here we have lived ever
since. Prosperity attended Us. We added
acre p acre, servant 10 servant, this species
Of property 10 that, until we have long been
considered rich. Twenty-Five years ago We
both obtained hope 10 Christ. and became
members Of his church, which relation we
now bear.
"Often have wondered whe nv benefac.
Tor was, and longed 10 meet him and make
him some return for his kindness; but as
you had not given me your name, knew
not how 70 inquire.
al bad a tent AZ the late camp meeting.
Nv children and grandchildren crowded a.
round hal altar. One Sabbath morning an
old nan, with white locks, arose II preach.
n AZ once occurred 10 me that had seen him
,ome~ here 10 life. When he knelt Q, pray.
snl his vice vent up like holy incense 10
lhe skies, recognized that voice as ne same
that arose 70 heaven for me in the wilderness
thirty years ago. There learned your name.
and history. and residence, aud the meeting
being over. | have hastened 10 pay you this
visit. an told that you are poor. and that
YOU often sbof with your own hands, through
winters biting cold and summers searching
heal, to prnrNrr the necesssries o. life for
,hOse dependent upon you. Nj. Cragg, il
cannot De ain her hoar. You once rescued
me from infams, aud Heaven has preserved
me 10 rock tie cradle d your old age. Here
4 nv check OF my banker at Knoxville, for
one thousand dollars"
IL have visited him several times since
that date said Nr. Cragg, when ! heard
4