The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"reminiscences of a Pioneer.

During the period Of our territorial
government, an atrocious murder was
committed by a man whom wealth and
dashing manners had raised to some dis
tinction in society. The victim was an
unarmed youth, and generally regarded
as guiltless in the contention which led to
the fatal result. The perpetrator, who
bore the title of General, Immediately
surrendered himself for trial. The ablest
lawyers in the territory were employed
by him, and distinguished attorney
from a distant State brought on to aid IN
his defence. AS often happens in such
cases, wealth and influence triumphed over
Justice and innocence, and the murderer
was acquitted. Unhappily such crimes
are seldom looked upon with the horror
which Justly attaches to them. The Gen
eral remained in the same vicinity where
the murder was committed, and ere long
occupied the same standing he held be-
fore its occurrence. For my own part,
although l was often thrown in the same
society where he was, and though ne al
ways evinced a disposition of friendship
towards me, it was long before l could
meet him as a respectable citizen. My
imagination always crimsomed his right
hand with the blood of young o., and my
own instiuctively shrunk hack from con-
tact with it.
After a number of years had elapsed,
however, as was one evening fastening
to reach lodging place some distance
beyond his residence, violent storm COM
PEELED me to take shelter with him for the
night. Notwithstanding my marked cool
ness towards him in times past, ne well
coined me in from the storm with the
utmost cordiality, and treated me with
the kindest hospitality. | now began to
reflect that perhaps had shown my alb
horrenee of his crime sufficiently long
vengeance was not mine. For aught |
could tell, the Great Disposer of all things
might have prolonged his life for some
wise purpose, and | concluded hencefor-
ward to treat him differently. found it
difficult in the future to pass his house
without calling. He often hailed me
when past, and almost compelled me tc
call in. He had many good traits OF
character. He was benevolent in the
extreme to his friends; and yet he was
an open and avowed unbehever in the
truth of Divine Revelation. He some
times introduced this subject to me. at
erst attempted to argue with him, but
found his objections to the Bible to con-
sist in those low and ordinary ISLANDERS
which may generally be traced to Paine
as their author; and which will not admit
of intellectual discussion. He once in,
sisted on my taking home with me one Oi
his favorite authors and reading it at my
leisure. To this l consented, knowing il
would not injure me, nor do evil to any
others while in my possession. The
book was entitled, "The Bible ats Oao1a
Retaliation. The author was semi
atheist, named 0lmsted.
The reading of infdel books, though a
duty incumbent upon all who are set fol
the defence of the Gospel, is most pain
full task. Some are more grossly often,
sive than others. While reading the
production of such spirits, the question
may well arise in our minds: If contact
with them, in these circumstances, be Sc
nauseous, what hell would their eterna
presence constituted Were l required tt
name three of the most vile, vulgar, ant
blasphemous works of this description tha
have ever come under my view, l would