The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-04-15
Confess ye your Faults one to Another. y

A protesting Christian once had deal
ings with a neighbor, in the course of
which he defrauded him of two or three
dollars. The neighbor was member of
the same congregation, but was an i'm
penitent man.
Two years after this transaction, the
Spirit of God was poured out upon the
town. The hearts of many Christians
were revived, and some who had wandered
far from God mourned and confessed their
backslidings,
Among the latter was the gentleman |
have mentioned. God came to him in
the still hours of the night, and by the
aid of the Spirit, set his sins in order
before him. Two years backward his
thoughts travelled to that wicked dealing
with his neighbor. cit cannot be that
am a Christian" he said again and
again; 'rssI have knowingly, willfully
broken Gods holy laws Christ says
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Oh, l am vile sinner the very chief,
for 1 have made religion a cloak for my
many misdeeds. T."
He arose from his couch, walked his
room i agony of mind, determined, as
soon as it was dawn, to 60 to his neighbor
and confess his sin. Eagerly he watched
for any appearance of life in his neigh
boris house. At length he saw little
smoke curling up toward the heavens. In
few minutes he was at the opposite door.
The bell was answered by the neighbor
himself.
"You are probably surprised to see me
here at this time," said he; "but | have
not slept all night, and 1 came thus early
to rid myself of terrible burden. Do
you remember the business 1 did with
you two years ago."
Certainly, remember it we'll.
81 came to tell you that cheated you
of nearly three dollars, and not only that,
1 lied to you in order to get the money
Can you forgive me?'
The neighbor was taken entirely by sur
prise; but presently said:
why, yes, you have confessed it SC
frankly, I cannot refuse"
"Thank you" said the gentleman
cordially grasping his hand. CHOW,
he added taking out his wallet, "let me
pay what owe you. "Will that satisfy
you? p presenting him six dollars.
"Certainly, I'm much obliged to you
Still 1 don't know but ought to tell you
that every time I've heard you pray since
that transaction, I've thought of the lie
you told me. I've said to myself, Il
that is religion, want none of it."
The protesting Christian was too mucl
distressed to reply, and presently tool
his leave.
Weeks passed, when one evening tn
gentleman was informed that his neighbo
wished to see him.
I've come" said he, greatly agitated
"to return you the balance of the none
you left me. Only three dollars belon
,, , to me, and it would be wrong for me t
keep the rest.
} "Not at ALL" said the other: 81 owe
, it to you for the injury l did you. 1 Car
not take it,
81 came for another reason, too, sal
l the neighbor, laying the money on tn
table. "and that is to ask you to pray fc
me; l disbelieved in religion once, b,
cause, to use your own expression, yo
cheated and lied. But when man, ma
: urally proud and foud of money as yo
e are, comes voluntarily to make confessic
e and restitution; and does it as sincereI
n as YOU did, I think there must be son
y motive more powerful than any l posses
r If that is religion, wish to obtain it
They knelt and prayed together; n
Y did they cease their supplications un
n they had obtained blessing.
Cong. and Record.