New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-25

where he was found murdered. Campbell
was arrested for the crime. but was &C.
quilted. But as suspicion did not prove
him guilty, neither did acquittal prove him
innocent; SO that, when disastrous storm
carried Campbell's fishing smack from her
mOorings, men muttered something about q
Judgment from heaven" and when his
little son fell down the cliff and hurt his
spine so that he was lame for life, they
spoke more plainly about the sins OF the
father being visited upon the children.
While things were in this state there
came tidings one day to Bushmils that Mr..
Wesley would preach in the church on the
way to Derry. Even in that obscure spot
the fame of the q eat evangelist had reache d.
They had heard Of the cruel mockings and
stonings through which he had come. OF his
calmness in danger, how that with a coun
t.nance on which there was no trace OF
fear he had faced vast mobs. Some
had heard of his strange doctrines and
the marvellous effects that followed his
preaching Of free grace" as he loved to
call it. 1t was Christmas eve when Mr.
Wesley arrived, and the small church was
crowded with brawny fishermen and their
wives and little ones. great calm settled
upon the congregation as the light from that
gray eye fell upon each one and seemed to
read every varied condition of character
and feeling. Stalwart men, whose standard
of man was his muscles, thought at first
that there was not much to be got from that
f.dapper little old man." but before he spoke
they felt the supremacy of the born ruler
of men and prince among ecclesiastical
statesmen. But the sermon, was it greatY
"Well," said the parish minister, "Done but
great man could have preached it." He
told the story of the Saviour's birth. of the
singing of the first Christmas carol by the
angels, and OF Gods love for mentor all men,
You would not give your boy to save this
village; you would not give him although
he is an ungrateful, bad son, still you would
not give him up to save your neighbOrs.
Why! Because he is your son. dearer to
you than neighbOrs or friends. But God so
loved the world that he gave his only, his
well beloved, his pure and perfect son. 20
send the sunlight Upon the just and the
unjust Upon the fields OF the man who
thanks Him he sends the refreshing rain,
and on the fields of the man who says mo
God" he also sends it. Why does he do
thisl Because he is God, not man; because
his love is limitless and his mercy endureth
forever. He sends his spirit into your
hearts to tell you of that love; he breaks
the letters of sin and enables US to serve
Does anyone say II have reason to doubt
Gods love-" Years ago l was wrongfully
charged with a crime, was tried for it and
acquitted. But the suspicion and distrust
of my fellow men have logged my steps for
ten long years. MY good name is dishon-
Ored, my wife and children cursed by the
fate that linked their lot with mine. Nay.
even Gods providence is against me.
have had losses by land and by sea, and
have been doomed by cruel fate to liv-
ing death in a present hell. Does any one
say that9
Here the preacher paused, and by q
movement the eyes of all the
were riveted upon the blood |
less face of Campbell, who seemed fascn- |
ated by the marvellous words Of the |
preacher. The stiffness was only broken |
by the sobs of two women, one seated by |
her husband, the other in the choir does |
sorrow, to my words of cheer, and listen all |
you who in lack of charity closed your |
hearts against your neighbor." And then |
be told how on the previons day, in Belfast |
all, one under sentence of death for muir
Ter had confessed to another crime COM
nitted in their village, and that an innocent |
nan had been tried for the crime, but
although acquitted he still suffered for the |
,ffense. He told how the Irish peasants !
lesire for a watch had hurried him into the
,ommittal of the murder, and that how he
wanted the forgiveness of the living man
whom he had wrOnged; as for the dead
nan, alas he was beyond reach. Il have
'idden all day." said Mr.. Wesley, "to bring
his request, with the proof Of his limo
,ence to Dobbs Campbell"
The effect was magical. The long pent-
Up feelings of the crowd broke into Sob
,ings and shoutings. Men who had avoided
Campbell for years thronged around him
md grasped his hand. Embraced alter
lately by wife and daughter he felt for
ime fairly dazed. But now the preachers
7oice is heard asking them to retire to their
ZONES, humbled If happy, prayerful if glad.
There was great joy in that village. On
he way home, the bass singer found time
O repeat the story of his love in Annies
ar, which she in their dark days had re-
used to entertain. II love you too well
o marry you and bring dishonor to your
ather's house," she nObly but blushingly
aid. But now the silver lining on the
loud has brOadened, the clear light shin
tn. and she yields glad consent. That
vas happy Christmas in DObbs Camp
ellis house The friend who had brought I
he good news WIS there-'the old man
loquent, with the silver. hairs"-the bass
niger was there; old friends who had faded
1 their friendship in the troubluus time |
ere there not the least happy of that
Apply family. And when at family prayer
r. Wesley prayed for the murderer who
ad done SO much harm but who had re-
ented, Dobbs Campbell said "Amen," and
s wife said Amen" and Annie and the
ass singer said Amen" and the angels
no were listening said "Amen." and Tar
way into the cell of the prisoner there
inted a ray of light, and into his heart a
cam OF hope, and he heard outside his
'isOn-
Hank the herald angels sing ,
Glory to the new born King !
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners recOncied.
I'd knew it was Christmas morning. {