The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Going H o m e.

- w mere, LuNlu.
"Home, mother DEAR" said, very sol
emnly and very quietly, the dying boy.
He said it on a Sunday afternoon.
He was on a sofa by the window of the
little cottage parlor the window was
open, and the sun streamed in, and the
breeze, wandering through flowers out
side was sweet and pleasant.
He had been a bright, beautiful boy : a
real village chief among his companions.
First in every game, gayest and most ac-
tive in village pastime. Only year
past he could leap the highest, swim the
strongest, climb the loftiest tree, handle
his bat the best, and kick the ball the
farthest. This was all overnow; but his
face was brighter and more beautiful than
ever. When he first felt himself getting
weak he thought of change, and began
talking about America but there was a
long voyage before him; and now it was
to be taken alone.
"Mother, come and sit down here be-
side me; l shan't 90 to bed-prop me
up with pillows-I will lie here till 1 go
away"
And the weeping mother did what her
boy asked, and at a sign from him came
and sat down beside him.
"Mother, do you remember Mr.. Pen
ny coming when | was first taken? ?"
"Yes, Edwin"
81 didn want to sec him one bit: [
was afraid like-but he would come; he
read to me about blind Bartimeus, and
told me about another sort of blindness,
about people being so blind that they
could not see JESUS, and that Jesus alone
could open their eyes so that they should
see him.
"And did he tell YOU, you were blind
like that, dear ?"
"No, mother, that was just it. think
I should have cut up, if he had; but he
put it before me so that couldn't help
seeing what he thought without his call
ing me at all. And thus when he had
finished, but give me some water,
mother"
And therzerrible cough came on.
"Don't&alk, dear Edwin; you mustn't,
you shan'tl Oh God, give me back my
boy
"Hush, mother, hush would you have
me back, and l so happy; think what |
was year ago, a ladfwho never thought
about his soul; and then, when went
apprentice, and walked out one Sabbath
morning in my work-a-day clothes, and
when 1 herd the bells. ringing for church
hid nlEself behind hayrick, | was so
ashamed.
But you don't feel like that now,
Edwin"
"No, mother; but I should have dope,
if it had not been for, and again the
fearful cough shook the dying boy.
He was soon more composed. "Well,
Mr.. Penny finished explaining about
Bartimeus, and then he turned to meand
said, DO You read the Bible for your
self, dear Edwin. lie spoke 50 gently,
it went to my heart. 'Yes, sir, l said,
for you see l did mother, often: but
somehow | got no good. And then he
laid his hand on my shoulder, and came
out with it very quietly, and you pray?'
| couldn't answer a word. burst into
tears. Poor boy. he said, can'ty You
pray?-look here, Edwin, and he showed
me that chapter, Israel return unto the
Lord thy God :-'let us take with US
words, Edwin, and down he went on
his knees, and with him; and after
wards as he went away, he said, You'll
begin to pray now, Edwin? you're bego,
already!' And l did from that time,
mother; and oh, I'm so happy"
Hand in hand they passed that quiet
afternoon. As the evening drew on his
sister Marian came in: his favorite sis
ter, Tncn came others, one by one;
for the solemn news had spread.
He had made his mother read to him
in the Pilgrims Progress Rbout Chris
tan crossing the river. Then he heard
from the Bible about the great multitude
whom no man can number. As the sha-
dows heightened, and the evening clouds
begaa spreading themselves quietly oye'
the sky, a film came over his eyes. He
could no longer see as men see but he
could see as few men could.
"Tell uncle Sam, that the religion ot
Jesus is no pretence but reality: fee
it is. Tell him, do.
Uncle Sam was professed infdel
Edwin was his idolized nephew the ole
man was at that moment leaning over
the dying couch and heard the message
from those dying lips.
"Tell Mr.. Penny that | am very, very
happy, and that | shall meet him there.
That message, too, was heard, and never
forgotten.
He lay quiet for few minutes. His
sister was wiping the dews from his fore,
head. For a moment he opened his
eyes; there was such light in them.
"0pen the gates open the gates a
Christian is coming in. Happy-happy
happy" The last word was faintest
the eyes closed, but the smile remained
He had crossed the river, and the gate:
had closed behind him.
On the Friday following they laid Ed
win in his grave. The voice of the min
lister rose to an almost clarion pitch Of
Joy as he spoke of "the sure and certain
hope Not many months afterwards a
simple headstone told how Beneath, to
be raised in glory, rested Edwin W.
My tale-my very simple village tale
is literally true. No single word of i'm