The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-05
CESAR MALAN.

CESAR MALAN.
ala Vie ct les Travaux de Caesar Malan, written
by one of his sons, is most interesting work.
Caesar Malan was so well known and so highly es-
teemed and beloved throughout the Christian world,
that record of his abundant abors will be OF great
value, and rich blessing to all who may read it.
We give an extract or two.
On one of his pedestrian missionary ex-
cursions he was accompanied by two lads,
one of whom was his son, (the author of the
MEMORY
ARRIVING at an inn in L., my father
unfastening his knapSack, told the mistress
of the establishment that after supper he
should conduct evening worship, to which
she and all her household would be very
welcome. The woman, who seemed hurried
with business, impatiently replied, awe want
nothing of that here" My father imme-
diately resuming his knapsack and staff, SAID
to me, "Have you strength for another hour,
my boy?' and without pausing at the aston
ishment of our hostess, who was about i'm
ploring us to remain: "Come my children;
he added-"T will not pass night under
roof where prayer is despised and where
God is not feared
They spent the night at T, and
next day resumed their journey.
After walking two hours we came to a
little hamlet, where we stopped to take some
coffee. While waiting for it to be prepared,
my father perceived that the young woman
who was making it ready, wiped her eyes
from time to time with her apron. "You
seem to be in affection" he remarked
"Alas, Sir" she replied, bursting into tears :
81 lost my poor husband but few days
ago, and am very unhappy My father
at once making room for her on the bench
by his side, said: "Come here, my poor
woman, and let me speak to you of the con-
solutions of the Gospel" He had conversed
with her but short time when she inter-
rupted him: "Permit me, Sir, to 60 and
bring my friend Jeanette; she would be so
pleased to hear you. She often speaks to
me in this beautiful manner" She soon
returned with a young peasant, and my
friend and I went out of the house, leaving
my father in conversation with the two wo-
men. Presently he opened the window and
asked US to accompany him short distance
to see Jeannette's father, who was ILL
Reaching small wooden house, Jeanette
led us into large room, at one of which,
near the window, lay an old man with silver
locks. "Father," said she; 81 bring you
minister of the Gospel" BLESSED be
God,'' replied the invalid, by whose couch
my father seated himself, soon discovering
in him proofs of sincere and tender piety.
In the course of conversation he asked him
how he had found the Lord? son this bed,
to which have been confined many years, :"
replied the sick man; and also by the read
ing of book written by Mr.. Malan, of
Geneva. Oh had it not been for my age
and infrmities, should long since have
gone to Geneva in search of him. Oh!
Sir; have so earnestly implored God to
permit me to behold this man before my
death! For long time thought he would
grant my prayer, but must give up the
hope"
l glanced at my father, who was silently
looking down. Suddenly raising his head
he addressed the old man: "What is the
name of the book of which you speak?"-
"Here it is, l always have it here, it never
leaves me" and so saying, the old man
drew from under his pillow well-worn copy
of one of the first editions of the Songs Of
ZION, and handed it to my father.
"Can you also sing these hymns ?" he
asked as he turned over the leaves. ooh,
Jeanette knows some of them and often
sings them to me, and it does me good and
gives me pleasure" Then he added, as if
speaking to himself, eff I could but see
the dear man that wrote these beautiful
hymns! He must be thoroughly good
and true Christian 8ar.
"Listen, my brother" said my father.
"These lads and have come from Geneva"
"You have come from Geneya?" inter-
rupted the old man sand can it be that you
have there seen this Mr.. Malan?"
Certainly" replied my father; sail
three of US are acquainted with him, and I
can assure you that if he were here, he
would remind you that he has been but a
weak and imperfect instrument in your case,
and he would speak to you, not of himself,
poor sinner like you, but of the eternal
and perfect grace of our God"
The conversation was continued for a
short time; then my father offered prayer,
and when we had sung one of the hymns
familiar to Jeanette, he prepared to leave,
telling her that he would preach the next
day, Sunday, at NJ. On reaching the
door, however, he paused, then returning to
the couch where the old man lay with clasped
hands, he said with emotion,-"My father,
God himself, whom you are soon to join
God has granted your prayer, I am Malan,