The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1864-03-24
POOR CALEB.

Or. Joseph oIennet resided IN wales
several years, and preached to congre-
cation in Abergavenny. There was a
poor man, regular attendant on his
ministry, who was generally known by
the name Of Caleb; he was collier and
lived among the hills, between Abergav,
emmy and Hereford; had q wife and sew
eral small children. and walked seven
or eight miles every Lords day to hear
she Doctor. He was 4 very pious man;
his knowledge and understanding were
remarkable, considering his situation
andScircumslances.
Bad weather seldom kept Caleb from
coming to the meetings; but there was
q severe frost one winter, which Blocked
!. up his way thath he could net possibly
pass without danger TO himself, neither
could he work for the support ofhis fam
lily. The Doctor aud others were con.
eerned lesi they should perish for want;
however, no sooner was the frost bro
ken than Caleb appeared again, DR.. s.
spied him, and as soon IS the service
was ended went to him and said, "0h,
Caleb, how glad am to see you! How
have you Jared since the severity Of the
weather." Caleb cheerfully answered,
"Never better in my life l not only
had necesSaries, but lived upon daintes
the whole Of the time, and have some
still remaining"
Caleb then told the doctor that one
night soon after the commencement Of
the frost, they had eaten up all their
stock, and not one morsel left for morn
ing, nor any human possibility Of getting
any; but he found his mind quite com
posed, relying on aprovident God, who
wanted neither power or means to sup.
ply his wants. He went to prayer with
his family, and then TO rest, and slept
soundIy ill morning; before he was up
heard knock at the door; he went and
saw man standing with horse loaded,
who asked if his name was Caleb; he an
swering in the affirmative, the man de-
sired him to help him take down the
load. Caleb asked what it was. He
said, provisions. On his inQuiring who
sent; the man said he believed God had
sent it; no other answer could he obtain
When he came 10 examine the con-
tents he was struck with Amusement at
the quantity and variety ofthe articles;
bread, flour, oatmeal, butter, cheese, salt
meat and fresh, &C.; which served them
through the frost, aud some remaining
that present time. The doctor was
much affected with the account, and af'
forwards mentioned il in hopes of find.
ing out the benevolent donor; but in vain
Till about two years aflerward he went
to visit DR.. Talbot noted physician in
the city Of Hereford.
This Dr. T. was a man OF good moral
character and generous disposition, but
on iufdel in principle; his wife wos a
generous veman an3a member o. the
church. Dr.. Stennet used to 60 and
visit her now and then: and DR.. Talbot.
though aman of no religion himself, al
ways received DR.. s. with great polite
ness. AS they were cOnversing pleas
antly one evening, DR.. S, thought il his
duty TO introduce something that was
interesting and profitable he spoke ofthe
efficacy Of prayer, and iustancod the
Circumstance OF poor Caleb. Dr.. T
smiled and said, "Caleb, shall never
forget him as long as live" "What
do you know him?" said Dr.. s. ~ had
but very little knowledge of himl" said
DR.. T. "bul know no must be the m ar
you mean" Then DR.. T. related thu
following circumstance:
The summer before tho hard winter
mentioned, he was riding on hcrscbacl