Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-02-16
RELIGIOUS.

I
which took place q few years since in thu
county Of n, says the Christian Miscei.
iany, the following incident occurred, showing
the infinite variety there Ii In the means en-
ployed by the Holy Spirit to bring mans guilty
soul 10 a knowledge Of Its exceeding sinful
ness, and thus awaken Ii to consciousness OF
| its danger, and Its mead Of a Saviour.
Ellen B. had lately been brought 10 OK
perience change Of heart, and to know the
blessedness of those whose sins are foreiven.-
In all the ardor Of her first love she spoke to
those around her Of Jesus, of bis power and
willingness to save from sin. Not few were
| induced to yield their hearts to God, and share
with her the blessedness Of pardoning love-
These, at Ellen's instigation, formed themselves
into a little band. who agreed to meet every
Saturday evening from eight to nine O'Clock TO
pray that Gods blessing might rest upon the
services of the sanctuary on the approaching
Sabbath. One evening while they were thus
engaged, the Spirit Of intercession was SO large
ly poured out that il was with reluctance the
little company persuaded themselves it was
time to separate. The schootroom in which
they assembled was at one end of long, strag-
CLING village. After locking the door behind
them, they set out together for their respective
homes, singing as they went,
One there is above all Others, ETC.,
o how he loves!
As they passed along they came near pub
lie house standing little way back from the
road. The large tap'room was crowded with
men who had come 10 squander that for which
maRy of them had been toiling hard all the
week, regardless Of the claims OF wife or chill
dren.
'Jem, can't thee haai up that there window
and gle US breath OF ARP exclaimed Quo of
the revelers; Z" It's quite sitting here
chem Methodists 'ud tell ZEE It's more stiff
ling where you be going to, replied the one
addressed, which remark was followed by q
chorus of laughter.
A young man near the window said: ~ eli
we'll cool ourselves while We can,' and, throw
ing up the window, he leaned out upon the
sill. The words of the singers, as they passed
along, arrested lis attention; his ear caught tine
lines,
One there Is above all others, etc.,
o how he lovesl
The arrow Of conviction, pointed by the Holy
Spirit, reached his Utmost soul: he remained
rooted to the spot, listening TO the sound. Fear
laid hold upon him, and when the last faint
tones had died away In the distance, he rose
leave the scene Of revelry around him.
why man, what ails thee p asked his COM
paniops, for the feelings Of bis heart were
shown In his changed couutsnancs. Taey had
not Needed the songsters as they passed along,
but TO him the words had been as the voice Of
God. Arrested by 1t he was dumb with In
ward fear. His companions could not under
stand 1t they would not allow him TO leave
lhs taproom. They laughed at him, they
questioned hin, but be could not reply. Tired
out, aud thinking he must be i'll, they suffered
him at last to quit the place, and he gladly
| rushed out into the darkness and solitude te-
yond- The words of the hymn kept ringing
in his ears; tears at last came to his Keller aud
| he wept long and bitterly.
| In his boy-hood he bad attended Sabbath
| school, bot had long ceased ali connection with
it. Now the words Of instruction, to which he
| had once listened, came to his remembrance,
and he thought of the loving Saviour whom he
| had so wilfdlly slighted. he went home, and
retired quietly to his room, but lie could not
sleep. His awakened conscience recalled many
a sin TO Lis memory; he thought Of his past life
| with unutterable anguish.
The next mordfng he went to chapel, and at
| the close of the service requested an interview
with the minister. 10 him he reia.ed the in
| cldent of the previous evening, its effect upon
| his then hardened heart, and his present state
of distress. The minister listened with inter
est to his statement, and finding him the sub
ject oftIue repentance, he preached to him
Christ crucifed.
| As he spoke OF the love of jesus, of his pily
| for perishing souls, of the tears be shed over
the doomed city, Of bis last sorrowful words to
his ditciples, of his agony In the garden, Of his
painful death on the cross the young man wept
freely. Then the minister spoke to him Of
faith In the blood Of Christ as the atOnement,
the only atonement for his sins, and sncour-
aged him to put his trust in Jesus as the pro-
pitlation for guilty world, for his burdened
soul. Light dswned on his sorrowing heart
he saw the way of salvation by faith, and glad.
ly embracing the offer Of mercy he received
power from On high 10 believe In Christ % his
| Saviour.
From that day he commenced life of holy
conservation to the service Of God. By watch.
fulness and prayer he walked before other
consistently aud humbly, SO that friends aud
neighLors testified to the great power Of godli
ness exhibited In him. By the exercise o
daily self-denial and holy zeal he was made use
full TO many who will be- his crown of rejoicing
In the world 10 come.
Thus Ellen BIS little band of praying
companions, the result OF her own faithful ef
forts TO win souls for Christ, nnconsciousty te
themselves, were employed by the Holy Spirit
10 kindle a fame tf love in the heart of thl
young man, the effect OF which eternity alon,
will reveal.