South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-11-27
The Wild Boy of the Covenant.
A True Incident in Pastors Experience.
BY REV. EDWIN D. RAFPgssPERcER.
From the Christian a., Work.

-'e"i ne Sehue OF one OF tue largest OF our
States is to be found city of about fifteen thou
sand Inhabitants. The region around is noted
Tor The fertility of its soil and the charm of lis
landscapes. For many yesrs this place has been
the favorite resort of strangers. A very large
proportion OF its inhabitants were formerly bu-
siness men in other cities, but the attractions of
lhis spot have caused them to choose il as their
home Tor the evening Of their days on earth. 1t
has been distinguished for many years on account
OF its high moral tone and the great preponder-
ance of the religious element. Several celebra-
TED institutions OF learning are located here In
nearly all respects it is a most desirable location
for residence. For me it has peculiar attrac.
tons. Ii is the home of my boy hood. 1t is al
so my spiritual birthplace. From it my mother
went to heaven, and it is yet the home of nv a.
ged father. And when my life work is ended,
it may be my privilege TO be laid by the side of
lived ones in ''Ferncliff Cemetery" near by,
there TO rest until the resurrection morning
During recent visit to this place hallow ed
by so many precious memories, some incidents
in a revival of great power were brought to my
mind. Il was under the ministry of our dear
departed pastor, who is described by one to whom
he was well known as the "beloved disciple"
The testimony of many was that che was never
known TO be under the influence of sn evil pas
sion" He was pastor of the good old church
for eighteen years. and the additions during his
ministry were nearly six hundred. The years
1893, ls4l and ls43 were made famous bv reason
of the presence of God Spirit in that corgrega-
ton, and as a result many were added 10 the
communicate Tba mi 20
occurred in 1919, Our pastor was assisted by
celebrated minister from distance The meet
ings had been kept up Gey and night for several
weeks. There was a deep feeling in all the
chui ches ard throughout the whole community
Many of the youth were among the inquirers
had favortte companion, whose parents were
pious and deeply concerned for the salvation of
their children. During the progress of the meet
ings they requested me to call the attention of
their son to the great subject. I endea vored to
comply, but never shall forget his unpromising
condition. While many around him were Civ
ing evidence Of deep conviction, he remained
firmly entrenched in his mpeni loncy. We tried
IN vain to interest him in the prayer-meetings
and public services. One evening, at my re-
quest, he accompanied me to the church of a sis
ter denomination, to hear one of my favorite
preachers, a celebrated bishop But even while
in the house Of God, and during the delivery of
a most solemn sermon, this wild wording was
apparently unconcerned, aud he even laid him
self open that night to merited rebuke from one
Of the officers of the church. When reproyed
him afterward for this untimely levity, he just-
he'd himself by the remark at was only -
Aplt har H.
case seemed hopeless indeed. Still there was
much prayer offered in his behalf Our pastor
sympathized with the anxious parents, and urg-
ed the young people to pray for the conversion
OF this 'child'of the covenant" as he termed
him. Many an anxious supplication went up
from that community for the return of the prod
igel. None could see any evidence of religious
interest in his conduct, but the request Yves re-
peated, "Pray for him"
In about month the scene suddenly changes
At one of our afternoon prayer-meetings, held in
Il private house, we were surprised to find this
wild and hitherto unconcerned youth present,
and in tears. Such were his antecedents that
we feared even then that we might be mistaken.
But we soon found the tears all right. An ar
row bad struck him in the right place.
That very morning his aged father, heart
broken and bowed down with sorrow. as usual
gathered the family around him and had lust
opened tho large bible lie turned to the 10Th
chapter Of Ecclesiastes and attempted to read but
he could only read Remember now thy Crea-
tor in the days Of thy youth" His eyes GlIel
with tears-his utterance choked lie turned
them imploringly to his darling, but thus far
reckless and ineopsiderate toy and sobbed out,
James, seek the God of your parents
Then the tears started from other eyes-the
whole family fell on their knees the place be-
came Bochim. That afternoon found James
at the prayer-meeting IN few days after he
rejoiced in hope Of acceptance, and became at
once one Of the most active and devoted Chris
tians. Shortly after his reception as a member
Of The church. talked with the father on the
subject Of bis sons conversion, and, as neae rs (
can recall to mind this Is what he said "I
ought not to be surprised at the conversion OF
James While he was On infant, In Camden, s.
c., he lay Tor several weeks at the point Of death.
could not give him up, aud / solemnly prom
ised that If God would spare his life and CONVEX,
his soul, J would set him apart and educate him
for the ministry" Ia a conversation with the
ION, after his attendance at the prayer-meetng,
he remarked that he could stand all the sermons
and all the other influences that we're brought to
bear upon bin, but not bis fathers tears
Behold The sequel. That aged patriarch fu-
filed bis promise to God. The wild boy Of the
covenant saw il his duty, after convention, TO
study for the ministry. His father had the sat-
isiaciion Of hearing James preach. He has long
since gone to his reward but the little child
that once lay at deaths door in a southern city
Is now one Of the most beloved, useful, and hon