The Hillsborough recorder., 1868-03-04

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He was, as we have said, miles distant, and
at the opposite extremity Of . great city.
tiurriedly he walked at.iirst then his steps
grew slower, and his head was bent down,
for painful and self. condemning thoughts
we're In his mind. A street. car passed il
would have taken him. in less than an hour.
within, a few blocks Of his home. Why
did he let IL 60 by unheededf Was thought
50 busy that he had forgotten he could
ride ..4.-....-.@
No. that was not the reason. He had
drank too freely at the supper table, and he
knew that his breath was tainted with Ii.
quor aud now that new light had come
into his mind, aud he saw, as 10 mirror,
true image Of himself, he was shocked to
discover that he was less 4 true nan than
in days passed. and less worthy to bear the
name Of husband and father. This was the
reason why his steps were slow and his
head bowed down and the reason why he
did not take the car, and pass quickly
home ward. lie Shrank from The thought Of
laying his tainted lips upon the pure brow
az d lips vi his wife aud child, and 50 re-
rsalins to them the weak and sensual side
OF his character winch was holding him back
from nobler aud parer life than the one he
was living, -+..
Slowly he continued to walk, still with
bowed head aud busy thoughts and memo
ries. Suddenly there Came before him,
even more clearly, il possible. than when
he saw II in the amber vine, the image OF
ibis kneellng child and again the voice, so
iull oi sweet music Tor his ears, was heard
with strange distinetness, saying:
Bless dear papa, aad make him good
and happy"
Could Gad have answered the petition ol
that living child for her father in any bet
ter or more effrctuaI way than by sending
line word. Of her prayer Ia his Inward ear
by the voice Of an angel! lie could not
make him good aud happy except through
repentance and a better life but he could
make the payer means Of conviction and
repentance. SO the good Lord 10 ever US
Ing us. whether We are children or grown
up men and women, and using Us by ihous.
ands VI diIleren: ways, in the work of lead
ing others from evil courses into paths Of
yir'ue and peace. And We are always bet.
ter instruments in h. hands, il we are pure
aud good, than il we are selfish and evil
10 some way We do not clearly understand
our loving desires actually pass to others
and move their hearts. And SO, If We are
pure a"d true, our influence over thase we
love, even when they are away from Us. will
be Tor good. The image Of his knseIing
child seen again so distinctly. and her sweet
voice lifted heavenward in prayer for him,
heard again with such startling clearness,
50 touched the iather's heart that he clasp
ed his hands passionately together. and
locking upward, exclaimed:
40 Lord. Avn not worthy Of anything
10 pure aud precious as this child one oi
the little "nes whose angels are ever before
thy face"
A deep quiet fell upon his soul as he
bowed his head once more and walked, still
moving slowly onward. Aud now, con.
trasted with the innocence, sweetness and
purity oi his vile aud child, stood ou! be.
Tore him an image of himself that mad :
shame spots barn on his cheeks as if ore
had touched them. "Give me strepgth to
lead q new aud better life, he prayed, as
he moved along the street. " This night
have tsrned my back upun evil that vas
opening its jaws to devoar me. This night
| set nay feet in new way. Let thy POW.
er, o Lord, pass into my resolutions, and
| shall be saved"
Home at last. II had taken him nearly
two hours from the time he TUNED so reso.
lutels away from his dIssolute companions.
Catering very quietly, he went FIRST to the
bath raom, where he washed his hands aud
lace, and carefully eleansed his mouth TO
remove. il possible, all smell Of liquor or
tobacco smoke. t~#.
How silent il was. How strangely he
felt. Softly he opened the chamber door
aud stood in the presence Of bis wife and
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