The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-08-02

tlOn, one lmpaSsaOle barrier, lnaG ho l0"o0tA
ing, or persuasions, could remove. 1t seemed
to be land it was) one dark black thing,
which barred him out, while just at the
threshold of mercy. His convulsive sobs
and silence, his groans and means, were
rible!-frightfull! He had sorrow,
and burden on his conscience, which ne
had never made known to any one. lie
must unburden himself, or he must perish.
But he dared not essay the formidable task,
yet he must perish if he did not.
While in earnest, humble prayer that God
would in His own way and time relieve this
burdened soul, and calm those rending thrOes
of conscience, the good man cried out, "Tell
me oh tell me, what is this horrid sOrrow?'
Calmly and composedly, pale and firm, he
answered." 1t is done l wili tell you; l
am dishOnored man-have always been a
dishonored man. My friends who cOnfded
in and loved me, my mother who leans upon
sa-.lkpsts me, my siatop@who caress and
almost Worship me-and, oh God, that beau
tiful bighted flower, now resting beneath the
lilies and roses, who clung tc me like the
ivy to the sturdy oak-how little do they
know how, sharper than an adders tooth,
is every word of praise, every look of love,
every act of trust, to me degraded worth
less thing. But glory and honor be to His
holy name, He has taken away the sting,
and while the scar and tester remain, the
bitterness is gone. My story is this:
While boy in my first employers service,
from time to time, little by little, took
small sums of money from the money drawer,
until the sum amounted to about twenty dol
lars. The employer died, and his only son
moved to distant State, whittier have
never known until today, although l have
been for years trying to find out his resi-
dence. To-day know he lives in the State
of . 1t has been about ten years
since, and at compound interest $40 would
be, say $40. Here is my check to you for
$400. 1 wish to restore ten-fold. He
has a neighbor, Mr.. -. You write to
him, and under the sacred seal of secrecy,
make him promise to hand these four hun.
dred dollars to the son. But never let him
know from whom it comes-only say that it
comes from man who once StOle-yes, say
stole $40 from his father, who now wishes
to make restitution by paying principal and
interest ten-fold. Thank God, the struggle
is over, and now, God, you and l, are the
sole keepers of the secret of my sin. God
has forgiven me, and am now content.
Let it lie in your heart until l die, and then
use it, if you choose, as one among ten thou
sand instances of Gods goodness and mercy
to sinners. @
This converted man soon united himself
to the chur ch, and from the first day of his
open profession became one of the most
active, efficient, and intelligent Christians
I ever knew. He lived many years to
illustrate his high profession and died, be
loved and mourned by the church and
the community. From having been penuri-
Gus almost to an adage, he became, after
his conversion, one of the most generous,
cheerful givers to every object of beneVo-
lence. All! is not Gods grace pow
er, mighty power? Is there not such a
thing as "being born again becoming
"nsw man, when such illustrations of grace
are left for the strength and comfort Of the
Church.
Every word of this is literally true. l
know it, and knew the man. W. B. +.