The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-05-07
INFIpELs IN TRoTBLE.

MANY years ago. pastor in one Of the
counties Of Lower Virginia was sent for to
attend diving bed, such one as can be con
terminated only with agony. The family was
A irrelipious one, and one OF its members
WINS young man OF noble endswments and
well-cnlt, ated mind. During several years
spen. 10 Europe, he had imbibed scepticaI
principles, frequently spoke jeeringly Of the
Bible, and often expressed doubts even Of the
existence of God. So subtle was he in argu-
ment. and SO firmly had he entrenched him
self behind this I" refuge of lies that many
humble, earnest christians quaiIed before his
false logic, feeling themselves unequal to the
contest; and even ministers, hopeless Of con.
yincing one evidently SO mad in his infatua-
ton. avoided all allusiun to the subject.
His only sister. the cherished idol upon
whose altar we're Iavished the priceless stores
Of his hearts best affections, was gentle, love-
ly and accomplished, but, like himself, i'm.
mersed in worldly pleasures, and like him
es,ranged from God, and the enemy OF his
dear Son. The sister was seized with sud-
den illness; her disease threatened to become
pulmonary, and heightened stay at the
White sulphur Springs was prescribed as
most likely to prove effectual in averting the
threatened danger. She went, accompanied
only by this brother, and for a time seemed
to rally, SO thai the hopes of both were san
guine for her complete recovery. But one
day, while he was sitting BY her bedside, she
complained Of a sudden pain, which was fol-
lowed almost Immediately by profuse he
morrhage Of the lungs. The physician was
summoned, and his skill taxed to the utmost,
but all in vain /; her hour had come, and Death
was waiting for his beautiful victim. In the
evening she said suddenly, and as il terrifi-
ed at the thought, /" Brother, am dying; |
know | am dying, and have no hope in Je-
sus; nothing to smooth the passage to the
tomb, or shelter me from the wrath of God.
Oh. who will be my refuge now:'
The agonized brother sought to drive away
her fears and his own too. bat he read too
plainly the marks of the destroyer, the icy
grasp already upon her, and the fearful to-
kens of impending dissolution believing lie
marble brow. Unable to restrain his agony,
he fell on bis knees at her bedside, and with
sObs of anguish exclaimed, {" Oh, my sister
my dear sister put your trust in Jesus, he
IS able and willing TO save you even now"
Then lifting that tear-suffused countenance
heayenward, he the infdel, he who never had
prayed before, who had said that he did not
even believe there was God, broke forth in
agony, 90 God, save my sister in Ibis last
extremity; give her Thy presence in this dark
hour, the hope of salvation to cheer her faint
ing spirit, and seat at thy right hand for
ever" All, what means thiss What but the
admission in This hour Of agony, this honest
hour, when the heart speaks oul its true SEN
timents, that the rock OF infidelity is a crum-
bling rock when the storm shall arise and
the pillows Of sorrow roll over the trembling
soul. Truly " their rock is not our rock
our enemies themselves being judges. Who
would build his hopes upon such founda-
tion, when Jesus " the Rock Of Ages" is Of
fered to his acceptancei
A similar instance occurred in the case or
a sceptical husband. The wife of his bosom
was laid suddenly low, aud fever was quick
ly followed by delirium; but at every lucid
interval she would piteously bemoan her IN
fitness for death, and her dread Of the eterni. |
~ to which she was rapidly Fastening. A
minister was summoned; aud when he en-,
tered the room that infide husband was on
his knees at the bedside, holding Bible in |
one hand, and with the other clinging fond
ly TO that Of his dying wife. !" Oh, Mary"
said he, trust 10 Jesus; this book says he |
IS able to save unto the uttermost, and be- /
lieye IL; trust in him, believe on him, and |
he says here yoa shall haze everlasting life. |
oh, trust him. trust him, il is your only /
hope" Strange advice for sne who did not
believe that there is God, heaven, or
hell This guise might do for life and health
and prosperity; the bark Of infiJeliiy might /
sail on smooth sea, but when the pillows
arise, and the storm RACES fiercely, refuge |
for the naked soul must be sought, and that
he knows can be found only in Christ, the
sinners Friend, the Saviour of the lost.
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