Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-04-15
"Reminiscences of q Pastor.

tact auu doiiltg' hA SVii SH''N 80 'J
i'll. Will you call upon the family upon
your return. The house is on your way.
Entering the sick room, the mother,
though overcome with sorrow, greeted
me cordially, and at once led me to the
cot where lay her suffering babe, boy
two or three years OF age, of great beauty
and promise, but evidently dying.
My husband is down the bay fishing,
she said. Charley was the picture of
health when he went away; be was his
fathers idol; it would almost kill him
should our boy be taken away before his
return. / am praying that be may be
spared until then, that this heavy sorrow
NAV bring him to the saviour. Not one
of his family is Christian, indeed all of
them entertain skeplical notions, and if
this trial should only prove blessing 10
him, 1t seems as if I could rejoice in at.
Fiction.
The disease was upon the brain, and
for another week the child lay in death
like stupor.
1T has been my constant prayer said
the anguished mother, that Charley
may not die until bis father knows Of it
and | have faith to believe the petition
will be granted. I wish this trial to be
the means of his awakening, and if he
returns expecting to meet his boy, the
shock will be too heavy, for his own
health is very delicate
Before many days the little sufferer
was at rest. Pressing public duties pre-
vented my attendance at the funeral, aud
another clergyman officated. But so
deeply had we all sympsthized with the
stricken household, that we could not for
bear presenting the case unitedly before
the Lord, bearing specially in our hearts
the still absent father and sorrowng
mother. One petition offered by the
pleading group seemed almost irreverent.
1t was that as God had called the little
one to himself before the fathers return,
be would in some special manner pre-
pare his mind for the painful news be-
fore he could reach his home; and still
more, that God would be pleased to make
known 20 the absent father that his boy
was dead, and that by this means he and
the uubel4ving community might Of a
surety learn that there isa God in Israel
who heareth prayer.
A week later a sister Of the bereaved
seaman met me, and said, i wish, sir, to
relate remarkable occurrence; our
family call it an answer to prayer: AT
the funeral of my brothers child, Rev.
Mr.. D., during prayer, asked, repeating
it several times, that the father might be
made to know while upon the ocean, that
his son was dead, and be convinced there
by that Gods hand was in his affection.
The prayer impressed US strangely, 1t
was so peculiar.
My brother returned yesterday, and
stated that upon the very night of his
funeral, he awoke in great distress OF
mind, exclaiming, MY boy is dead my
boy is deadp His shipmetes laughed
and insisted that he had been dreaming
but be persisted, adding, I've heard the
village bell toll for the funeral. l oaoW
that it was for my boy. After little
time he became more composed, anC
endeavored to sleep, but soon sprang VI
) with increased agitation, saying, Nv,
Y heard such wonderful singing and music
Il Charley is dead and was buried this az
ternoon. The remainder of the night b,
walked the deck, repeating these word
to the sailors, who began to doubt hi
" sanity. When the vessel reached port
3 SC sure was be Of the correctness of hi
v fears, that, without waiting for the un
loading of the schooner he started OF
foot for his home, some miles distant. Or
his way an old neighbor passed him, an,
" a shipmste who accompanied the anxiou
: father, said, why do you not inquire q
. that man ?
= "Why should L. said my brother
when | know ii is true?' But to satisf
: his companion, he accosted the man, say
ing,
lis Charley dead p
Yes was the unhesitating reply.
= ''Was he buried week ago to-day :"
.e "He was replied the neighbor.
Is I'Aud now said the lady, with an ex
d preston of deep seriousness, what d
e you think p
" i think l replied, that it was indee
a wonderful answer to prayer and the
mentioned that several individual "a
been led to offer that very petition pre-
ferred by the clergyman at the funera
: of the child. The circumstances deepl
impressed the sorrowing father and hi
. kindred, and l doubt not, had its inHu