The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-09-11
Arlieion, aslurals, 8elle gettres.
Silent Preaching.

Years ago in our Western country young
couple were united in marriage. They at
once entered their humble abode, containing
.lg4- -saasas. ON scriYiinc= as a Kitchen. end
diuing-rool4, and the other us sleeping apart
ment. The bride was a simple-hearted child
of God, but the husband knew of religion
only by the hearing of the ear. 1t was not
long before the latter discovered that at a
Certain time every morning his wife disap-
peared and was nowhere to be found. The
mystery was soon solved. This was her hour
of secret prayer. Here was a new and no
welcome revelation. One in affection, one by
ordinance of God in bonds which only crime
or death could sunder, between them yawned
gulf wide as between heaven and earth.
To the wife was open world of hopes and
Joys to which the husband was stranger
While he was engaged in such reflections
every day the silent sermon was preached.
At length he could endure 1t no longer. By
Divine grace he was drawn step by step to
faith and repentance, and ere long he found
himself by the side of his companion at the
same mercy seat, and at the same communion
table.
A Christian patriarch relates of his own
history: When young man, | was distin-
guished for profanity and ungodliness
married. however, strange as it may seem, a
young woman of exemplary piety, and we
went at once into our humble home, full OF
anticipations of happiness. As the first day
of our residence in our new abode drew to a
close, the supper table being removed, my
wife, without saying word, placed little
table by my side, laid a Bible on it, and sat
down opposite to me in evident expectation
that would conduct family worship. What
could do? was spellbound. l could moi
disappoint her. She probably knew nothing
of my profanity and wickedness. And YET
how could such wretch as | kneel before
! Almighty God and utter words of devotion
a ct did. read and prayed But oh al
! | took the name of Jehovah on my lips, ;
terrible sense of guilt and hypocrisy stuns
my soul. rose from my knees in anguisl
of spirit.
Another day rolled by, another sunse
came. Again the tea-table was spread an'
removed, and before l was aware, there a
my side was the same stand with the dread
full Bible upon it, and my wife seated in full
expectation of the evening devotions. Hav
ing yielded once, l was less able to resis
again. and again yielded. A new horro
now came on me-a dread lest, like Uzzah,
should perish in my sacreligious act. Th
sins of a lifetime stared me in the face; m.
soul and Satan bade me curse God and die
Morning brought only deepened sense Q
guilt, and all day long I could do nothing bu
brood over the gall of bitterness within me
and the bonds of iniquity which bound me.
The third evening drew nigh, and with
the inevitable table with its sacred furniture
To yield again was impossible. Increasin
horror took hold upon me- As sought n
aid from Heaven, Satan volunteered his. nj
mind was made up. l resolved on suicid
A rope hung from tree in the orchard, wit
which purposed to terminate, as | mad
dreamed, the horrors of my soul. We toe
our third and as l believed, our last supp'
together fingered in therroom until ! sa