The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-07-01

The Wild flowers spring amid the grass,
And many stone appears,
Carved by affections memory,
Wet with affections tears.
1t was near the close of day, the sun was
retiring behind the western hills, when l
entered herustie graveyard that surrounded
my church. There rested many who had
once trod the busy scenes of life, and there
were many whose existence had almost been
forgotten. 1t was lovely spot, the willows
planted by kindred and friend, dropped their
long tendrils as if sor-owing for those be-
meath, and the dirge-like music produced by
the breeze as it swept through their branch.
es, made more solemn still the resting place
of the dead. l thought of the spirits which
had once animated these mouldering forms
appearing at the bar Of the great Jehovah
to receive the awards determined by the
transactions Of time, and exclaimed, Oh
how many, or how few, will be there, clothed
with that righteousness which alone can
admit US to the home where we shall be "sin-
less and sorrowless -
AS I turned the corner of the church, I
saw Old Robert the Sexton standing by
grave. Approaching him, l enquired whose
it was
1T is here my only son lies, he replied
with faltering voice.
II was not aware, Robert, that you had
son.
"Yes sir, long ago before 1 came here,
1 buried my wife and placed my son with my
brother to learn a trade, but being naturally
wild, he left his uncle and went on board
ship, bound for foreign port, and many
years passed before heard any thing of
him. What anxious hours had, and sad
was my heart when the stormy winds howled
around, and | knew not whether my poor
boy had a shelter, or had not found watery
grave. gained an honest livelihood at that
time, but thought little of the world to come.
l had been afflicted, but my heart was not
humbled l have had much trouble, sir, and
am now 8eventy-three years old, have seen
great changes; many who started into life
when did, are dead and gone Travelling
in this part of the country, l found a sexton
was wanted, the situation was given to me,
but sorry am 1 to say, sir, it was many
months before felt the solemnity of my
work. 1 was here one wintry day scrsping
the snow from the ground, to prepare grave
for a little child, when I saw a wretched
looking man enter the gate, and coming TO-
wards me, solicited my charity. He bore
the unmistakable marks of intemperance.
1 enquired where was his home? He re-
piled, that he had no home, was a sailor, had
been in many parts of the world, was unfOr-
tunate, tired of the sea, had been to his ma
tive place seeking his friends, but could hear
nothing of them.
"Where did you live?" hastily asked
"and who was your father ?" 'In the tOwr
of P, and my father was Robert Lang
don.
Imagine my feelings, sir, here was my
poor wanderer returned an Incorporate beg
gar. l took him home, but his constitution
was so wrecked, he soon died as he had lived
without any change for eternity
"Thus was l afflicted, and found mysel
muruuring against God, but thanks to Hi
name, he did not leave me to myself, or Gu
me down, as he Justly might, and now I ca
see that all his dealings have been in mercy
The pastor of this church was absent at tn
time, but when ne returned home, hearin
of nv affection he came Immediately to Sc
me. shall never forget how he talked an
how he prayed He told me Of my lost cor
dition as a sinner, of the unbOunded love {
God in sending his Son to save US from gui
and condemnation. All! l felt l should sin
into despair. had sinned so long and wit
such aggravation. Day after day, the kin
pastor came, told me of the love of Jesu
that be had died for just such sinner as