Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1867-09-28

words were as arrows to my soul: lie
may be dying and the sight of yourface
might add to his anguish ? 80.
clad it come to this" said | to my
self, "that the man whose labors had,
through Christ, brought me into His
fold, whose hands had buried me in bap-
tisrn; who had consoled my spirit in a
terrible bereavement, and who had alien
ated US, been to me as brother-that
this man could not die in peace with my
face before him. God pity mer' l cried
"what have1 done !" l confessed my
sin to that meek woman, and implored
her for Christ's sake to let me kneel be-
fore His dying servant, and receive. his
forgiveness. What did care then
whether the pews by the door were
rented or not !? would gladly have ia
ken this whole family into my home
forever as my own flesh and blood but
no such happiness was before me.
"As l entered the room of the blessed
warrior, whose armor was Just falling
from his limbs, he opened his Ianguid
eyes and said, "Brother Lee! brother
Lee % | bent over him and sobbed out.
My PASTOR, my, pastorp Then raising
his white hand, said in deep, impress
siye voice, Touch not mine anointed,
and do my prophets no harm ? spoke
tenderly to him, had come to confess
my sin, and bring some of his fruit to
him, calling my son to tell him how he
found Christ. But he was unconscious
of all around; the sight of my face had
brought the last pang of earth to his
spirit f. -. as
Il kissed his brow, and told him how
dear he had been to me | craved his
pardon for my unfaithfulness, and prom
ised to care for his widow and fatherless
little ones but his only reply, murmered
as if in troubled dream, was, Touch
not mine anointed, and do my prophets
no harm.' - 81 fsleF ~ '~...
Il staid by him all night, and at day
break l closed his eyes. offered his
widow place to live the reminder of
her days; but like heroine she said:
Il freely forgive You. But my children
who entered deeply into their fathers an
guish, shall never see ME so regardless
of his memory as to take anything from
those who caused it. He has left us all
with his covenant God, and he will care
for us
"WelI, sir, those dying words sound
ed in my ears from that coffin and from
that grave. When. l slept, Christ stood
before me in my dreams saying: Touch
not mine anointed, and do my prophets
no harm.' These words followed me
till l realized fully the esteem in which
Christ holds those men who have given
up all for His sake and | vowed to love
them eyermore for his sake, even if they
are not perfect. And since that day, sir,
| have talked less than before, and have
supported my pastor, even if he is not
an extraordinary man. My tongue shall
cleve to the roof of my mouth, and my
right hand forget her cunning, before /
dare to put asunder what God has joined
together When minister's work is
done in place, | believe God will show
it to him. | will not join you, sir, in the
scheme that brought you here; and
moreover, If l hear another word of this
from your lips, l shall ask my brerhren
to deal with you as with them who
cause divisions. l would give all own
to recall what did thirty years ago
Stop where you are, aud pray God, if
perchauce the thought Of your heart may
be forgiven You.
This decided reply put an end to the
newcomers efforts, TO get minister
who could make more stir, and left him
free to lay out roads and build hotels.
There is. often great powersin the lit
tie word "no," but sometimes it requires
not little courage to speak it resolptely
as did the sildet deacon. ... s..s- ,