Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-10-06

house of Mr. Walton for the dark cell Of
a criminal.
Several weeks passed by efore the trial
came on. MIR. Forl ester daily visited the
unhappy man, and listened with the warm
est sympathy to the outpourings of his
heavily burdencd soul. The good man
strove, long and earnestly, to dispel bis
gloom and despair, and 10 inspire him
with humble repentance and confidence in
Gods mercy; he endeavored to impress
upon his heart, that the Lord of life and
of death, even in the str;ctest judgment
is not torgetful of mercy. But it was
| long before these words of consolation
found entrance iaso the heart of the un-
happy criminal. e
At his trial, Cummings confessed his
guilt, and reused to make the defence al
lowed him by the laws. '' | am a murderer"
be exclaimed, "God himself has brought
the bloody deed to light; | am guilty
The sentence of the law was pronounced
on him. He listened to it cailalv and
quietly. From this hour his employer sell
dom left him; Walton seemed to feel =
sad pleasure in cenversing, reading and
praying with him. The air of his prison
, and bis mental agony had changed the
= prisoners outward form; his frame was
. bent,hi cheek pale and sunken. his eve dim
and hollow but the peace Of heart conf
: dent in the mercy of God, was visible in
!, all his features. He spoke much of the
e past-of Walton's kindness toward him
). of the children, to whom he clung with
d unspeakable love : and as he uttered their
e names, his voice faltered, and tears coursed
e down his cheeks. ...... ...,....r ..s...a
n "They loved me-" he said, but the
s. forbidden sound to their ears it must new
le er soil their innocent lips. May God bless
II, them" he exclaimed, raising his hands
of towards heaven, in an attitude Of prayer
); On the evening before his execution
is Walton and Cummings partook of the sac
ad rament of the Lords Supper. Cnmming'
or. then sank into a soft and quiet slumber
and did not wake until the morning of hi
al last day. Once more he Joined with Mr.
e. Forester in -fervent prayer, and tn en- aw ait
his ed, firmly. the moment of the last sum-
ed mons. This came, and Cummings wa
IL led to the place of fexacntion, l.y=
or a short distance from the prison. Dealt
i like stiffness prevailed among the vas
he crowd, that surrounded the gallows. No
sound was to be heard, as the old ma
e." stepped slowly forward, and cast last an
am farewell glance around. .......
on Once again he beheld the bright an
Ike glorious sun shining in the clear bio
tn heaven, once again he inhaled the fre>
ol- morning air, and thought of the asst, (
'ou.t the smiling earth, anG the green hills an
groves, which his foot would tread no NOR
ION flashed across his mind for moment, BIZ
mt for nomeut only. He felt the hand
his the clergyman press bis own, he heard h
wn voice in earnest prayer, utter the solen1
up words-"I am the Resurrection and tt
Life saith the Lord" and this world wit
,dy its joys and sorrows disappeared from h
the eyes, and the future, with its heaven
ing hopes, opened upon his vision, and calre
lad and strengthened bis departing soul.
md In few moments all WAS over. II
lry fearful chastsement demanded by the la
lay was inflicted. -s. a#.e-'