St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-04-09
Make it so PLAIN that L can Get
Hold of 1t.

On the sixteenth day after the battle
of Gettysburgh, | entered loom where
a young wounded colonel was apparently
near to death. As | entered he was
reused from his stupor, and he beckoned
me to his bedside, and threw his feeble
arms around my neck.
"Oh, my father, how glad am to see
you. | was afraid You would not come
till it was too late. | am too feeble to
say much, though | have Il great many
things too say TO you you must do all the
talking. Tell me all about dear mother
and sister"
soon perceived by the appearance OF
those i'll the house that there was no hope
entertained OF his recovery. But as |
could no longer endure the agony Of sus-
pense, | at last inquired of the doctor.
doctor, what do YOU think of my sons
case ?''
''Entirely hopeless
But Is there nothing more that can be
done TO save him p
NO sir. Everything that human skill
and kindness can do, has been done
our son has been a brave and very sue
cesStul officer; has been great favorite
in the army; has won the highest esteem
OF all who have known him, but he now
tatlon the gangrcne set in, and defines all
efforts 10 arrest it
well, doctor, how long do you think
he can live -
Not more than four days. He may
drop away at any hour. We are con-
stanlly fearing that an artery will give
way. and then it is all over with the
colonel What you wish 10 do do in re-
ference to his death you had better do at
once
Have you, or any one, told him OF
his real condition ?''
"No. We have left that painful duty
for YOU to do. as we have been expecting
YOUR arrival for several days.
As entered the room with the dread
ed messenger of death pressing on my
heart, the eyes of my son fastened on
me.
Come, sit by my side, father. Have
YOU been talking with the doctor about
me p
"Yes"
"What did he tell YOU? Does he think
| shall recover?'
There was painful hesitation for a
moment.
Don't be afraid to tell me just what
he said
"IIe told me YOU must die.
GLOW long does he think | can live ?
..Not to exceed four days, and that
you may drop away any hour-that an
artery may slough at any moment, which
you cannot survive.
With great agitation. he exclaimed:
"Father, is that so! Then | must die !.
| cannot. | must not die Oh, am moi
prepared to die now, DO tell me how |
can get ready Make it so plain that l
can get hold of it. Tell me, in few
words, if you can, father, for | used TO
hear YOU explain it to others"
Twas no time now for tears, but for
calmness and light, by which to lead the
soul to Christ, and both were given.
My son. see you are afraid TO die. "
"Ies, am"
.Well, | suppose You feel guilty p
.'Yes, that is it, | have been Il wick
ed young man. You know how it is ii
the army
You want to be forgiven, don't
YOU -
'.Oh, yes. That is what l want Can
, be father -
"Certainly.'
..Well, now, father, make 1t so plain
/ that can get hold OF it
At once an incident, which occurred
during the school days of my son, came
to nv mind. had not thought of it be
| fore for several years. Now it cam,
back TO me, fresh with its interest, anc
, Just what was wanted to guide th
agitated heart of this young inquirer Il
Jesus.
t s.Do YOU remember willie at school il
: YOU came home one day, and hav
ing occasion to rebuke you, you became
! very angry, and abused me with harsI
: language p
"Yes, father, l was thinking it al
: over few days ago, as | thought of you
: coming to see me, and felt so bad abou
, it that wanted to see you, and once
f more ask you to forgive me-"
y do you remember how, after the par
oxysm of your anger had subsided, yor
d came in and threw your arms aroun'
r nv neck, and said, My dear father,
am sorry | abused you so. 1t was no
d your loving son that did it. was yer,
II angry. Won't you forgive me? 2"
It "Do you remember what l said to you
q as you wept upon my neck ~
: every well. You said, Il forgive yo