The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-06

get them, if possible, elsewhere; and to
fly beyond the reach of those words. He
went to Australia, for the purpose of es-
tablishing theatre there. and gaining
what he was aiming at, viz: a name for
himself. Here he realized S50,000.-
Falling in with an American he was in
duced to come TO the United States and
make engagements in New Orleans and
st. Louis. While in the latter place, he
set himself to excel in some particular
character he was to act. One morning
he determined to shut himself up in his
chamber, and devote six hours to unin-
terrupted study. Accordingly he gave
orders that he would see no one, and must
not be interrupted on any account.
While pacing his room, intent upon
his work, be heard rap at his door; he
resolved not 20 notice it. After a few
moments he heard it again-a gentle
rap. Annoyed and irritated, he went
violently to the door, to demand who had
dared to interrupt him. lie threw open
the door, aud there stood two ladies
perfect strangers for, said he,
one glance was sufficient to show me
hey were not actresses s-meaniug no slu
upon the ladies of that profession, only
chat those who are, and those who are
not, are readily distinguished
lie asked them what they wished.
Giving surprised and curious glance at
the theatrical dresses, &C., about the
room, one of them hesitatingiy asked
if he would be kind enough to read
this, handing him something. What
is it?' said he. "A tract, was the an
swer. If a serpent had stung him, he
could not have felt worse, and he ex-
claimed with all the bitter sarcasm he
could throw into his tone, "A tract!
you have mistaken your person;
am az actor : and then turned his
back upon them, expecting, that sur
prised, they would gather their skirts
about them for fear of contamination,
and 90 at once. But no. he felt hand
upon his arm, and turning, saw her eyes
glisten, as she said, Sir, the soul of an
actor is as dear to me as any other
We have all sinned against the Lord our
God, and be sure yoatr sins will fnd you
out Why here were the words again,
when he had almost forgotten them, and
when he had taken every precaution
against ever hearing them again. They
startled him anew, but they melted down
all his anger, and he became a very child.
lie offered the lady seat, and she con-
versed with him seriously few moments,
before she took leave. He had always felt
as if he should hear those words again at
some time, and now he seemed to know
it was the last time-that if he ever
heard them more, it would be at the
sealing Of his eternal aooe.
The world never appeared more allur-
ing, when he thought of forsaking it for
ever, than it did now. What said his
thoughts, leave all you've been toiling
and struggling for, for twelve years! and
that too, just as your hopes of success
and fame are about to be realized p
Grace triumphed, however; that very
evening he sought out a church; he
paced up and down before it, afraid to
20 in, lest he should hear the words he
dreaded, again. At last he summoned
esolution and entered; the text was.
= The harvest is past, the summer is ended,
aud we are not saved. "
Deeply anxious, he could get no rest.
He sought out the minister who had
preached that evening, and went to him.
to state the object of his
visit, he said hesitatingly, Il come-l
come, and then fell upon his neck and
burst into tears. Then recovering him
self, he told his case to the minister, beg
ging him, if he could, to do something
to relieve the intOlerable weight upon his
soul. Without a word else, he said,
= Let us pray While upon his knees
listening to that prayer, he felt the mists
clearing from his mind, the weights rising
from his soul.
His brother-actors, afterwards on
learning what had taken place, said,
5 you may depend s., its all an in
fatuation; you'll soon get over it. He
replied to them, IF it be a dream, l
hope may dream on till die
The minister to whom he applied being
a Baptist, led him to unite with that
body. He has small charge in one of
the Western States, and has been preach
ing now 1856 about six years. He
says he can hardly believe that miracles
have ceased, for he looks upon himself as
a living monument of miraculous power.
He spoke so earnestly and elOquently of
his Redeemer, that it made old Christians
feel as if they had never yet become ac
quainted with the Saviour of sinners.
The whole story was so simply and hum
bly. vet beautifully told. it made strong