The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-07-08
FoR tbs CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
RECOLLECTIONs OF A PASTOR.

TIE air of our village being salubrious,
aud the country around rOmantically beauti-
ful, many strangers passed the summer there.
We made many valuable aequaintanees.-
Amoug them was Mrs. B, who had been
an active Christian in the place where she
lived, and now laid aside By i'll health, she
loved to converse on every thing connected
with religion. She was deeply interested in
the distribution Of tracts, and gave me the
following incidents.
RONALD, THE SMITH.
Tn a house where Mrs B presented
the pages Of Truth, lived Ronald the Smith,
the clink Of whose hammer was the first sound
borne upon the morning air, and his cheerful
voice broke forth in hymns of praise as he
tOiled at his work This pastor used to say,
g a look at ROnald's face was sufficient to
prove that religion could make its possessor
happy" Ia his younger years he had not
loved God, nor could he be persuaded to at
tend upon the means of grace; but in middle
life, after having read the tracts left at his
house, he was seen entering the church one
Sabbath evening and taking seat near the
door. The minister was describing the sin
ner dead in sin, and with an emphasis ex-
claimed, Thou art the maD." Ronald, sp-
plying these words to himself, became much
affected, and before the close of the services
was deeply convinced Of his sinfulness. He
left the church resolving to Danish the i'm
rressioa. out " Thou art the man followed
Am ~Ae7oyor he went. IL h.s iieirvss he
applied to the pastor, and after much instruc-
ton in the way Of salvation, was led to trust
in the great atOnement, which justi6es and
saves all who by faith seek an interest in it.
Ronald became a conscientious, consistent
Christian; aud possessing vigorous mind,
could comprehend more than many, who had
enjoyed superior advantages of education;
and his exOrtations and humble petitions in
the meetings for prayer touched the heart
more than many finer compositions.
Several years after he had commenced his
religious life he was taken i'll. Kind hands
administered to his wants, and his grateful
heart Overaowed with gratitude. He would
say, "Whst am I, that the Lord deals so
tenderly with me? What am but an un-
profitable servant, giving to God only the
remnant Of my years -" 1t was always a
source Of regret, that so much of his early
life had been so sinfully wasted.
When his minister visited him on his sick
bed, and asked, show he was, he replied,
"much diseased in body, but l trust, healthy
in soul
"If it should be Gods will to remove you,
are you ready and willing for the change. !"
L trust so, sir, have meditated upon
death and eternity, until have no fears for
the future disclaim all merit of my own,
placing my reliance and hope of salvation
upon the free sovereign grace of God in the
sacrifice Of his Son. 1 have sense of par
dOned sin, peace Of conscience, communion
with God, and a good hope of greater bless
ings in reserve for me. l feel, to live is
Christ and to die gain, for living or dying l
am the Lord
Most truly he exempIfed the power of
religion by his patient resignation through
al bis sufsrings, and they were great.
Mrs. B being with him one morning
he stretched out his arm, saying, "See
how the strong man is brought lOw-lOOk al
this arm, that had such muscular strength,
where is it now Here lie with the weak
ness Of an infant o 1 shall soon Join the
host who have gone before; shall soon ex,
change earth for heaven Lay down thi;
weary body, and my imprisoned soul soar
away to the realms of bliss o, the richie;
Of redeemiOg grace"
In a few hours more he was lying motion
less, for the spirit had gone to God
The inheritance soon, the welcome was given,
The SAVIOUR had smiled, and saints had adOred
For another redeemed had passed into heaven
A trophy Of grace through the blood Of the Lord