The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-05-19

After the usual greetings, and dead,
awful pause, the visitor began-think Of
the wilcs Of Satan by lamenting the
low state of religion, asking the good man
why this church had enjoyed no revival
for three or four years What cared he
for Gods set time to visit Zion ? He was
far more deeply interested in the opening
Of a new stage-road to the summit, and
in getting up stock in the projected hotel
there.
Now what do you think is the cause
of things being dull here Do you know p
be persisted in asking
The deacon was not ready TO give his
opinion, and afte. little thought frank
ly answered. No, | don't
DO you think the church are alive to
the work before them p
DO you think the minister fully real
ICES the solemnity of his work {?
No, | don't
A twinkle was seen in the eye of this
troubler in Zion, and taking courage he
asked
DO you think Mr. b. very extra
ordinary man :?
No, don't
DO you think his sermon ou Their
eyes were holden anything wonderfully
greatY
NO, | don't.
Making bold, after all this encourage
ment in monosyllables, he a.ked Then
don't you think we had better dismiss
this man and hire another 2
The old deacon started as if shot with
an arrow, and, in tone far louder than
his wont, shouted, No, l don't
Why, cried the astonished visitor,
you agree with me in all | have said,
don't you ?
You talk SO little, sir, replied the
guest not little abashcd, that 10 one
can find out what you do mean
i talked enough once replied the old
man, rising to his feet, for six praying
christians. Thirty years ago | got my
heart humbled and my tongue bridlcd,
and ever since that I've walked softly
before God then made VOWS solemn
as eternity and don't von tempt me to
break them =
The troublcr was startled at the earn
estnoss Of the hitherto silent, immovable
man, and asked, What happened TO you
thirty years ago.?
We'll, sir, III tell you was drawn
into scheme just like this of yours, to
uproot one of Gods servants from the
field IN which he had planted him. In
my blindness | fancied il a little thing to
remove one of the stars which Jesus
holds in his right hand, if thereby my
ear could be tckled by more howery
words, and the pews filed with those who
turned away from the simplicity Of the
gospel. | and the men that led mc-for
| admit that | was dupe and tool
fattered urreolves that we were conscien-
t;ous. We thought We were dong ovI
service when we drove that holy man from
his pulpit and his work aud said We con.
sidered his labors ended in b, where
| then lived. We groaned because there
was no revival, while we were gossiping
about and criticizing, and crushing instead
OF upholdiDg by our efforts and prayers
the instrument at whose hand we harshly
demanded the blessings
We'll, sir, he could not dra 9 on the
chariot Of salvation with half dozen Of
US taunting him for his weakness, while
we hung on as dead weight to the
wheels; he had not the power Of the
Spirit. and could rot convert men so we
hunted him like deer till, worn and
bleeding, he fed into convent TO die.
Scarcely had he gone when God came
among US by His Spirit to show that he
f had blessed the labors of his dear, reject.
ed servant. Our own hearts were bro.
ken and our wayward children converted
and resolved at convenient season &C
visit my former pastor and confess my
sin, aud thank him for his faithiuness tc
my wsyward sons, which, like long buried
seed, had now sprung up. But God de
MED me that relief, that He might te; ch
. ne a lesson every child Of his ought to
learn, that he who toucheth one of His
servants toucheth the apple of his eye
+ heard my old pastor was i'll, and taking
my oldest son with me, set out on 1
twenty-five miles ride to see him L
was evening when | arrived, and his wife
with the spirit which any woman ough
to exhibit toward one who had so wronget
her husband, denied me admittance Il
| his chamber, She said, and her word
g were arrows to my soul. He may be dy
, lug, ard the sight of your face might adj
TO his anguish =
a Had il come to this, | said 10 myself
4 that the man whose labors had, througl
q Christ, brought me into his fold, who's
. hands had buried me in baptism who ha'
g consoled my spirit in terrible bcreave
!. mcnt, and who had, till designing me-
r had alcnated us, been to me as brothe
. that this man could not die in peac
+ with my face before him God pity me
If | cried, what have | done p ! confesse
a my sin to that meek woman and implore
q her for Christ's sake TO let me kneel be
q fore His dying servant and receive hi
Z forgiveness. What did care then wheth
:. or the pews by the door were rented O
4 not ? would gladly have taken his 1hol
If famiy 10 my home forever as my ow
h flesh and blood, bnt no such happines
4. was before me.
.e As | entered the room of the blesse
l. warrior, whose armor was falling lrol
If his limbs, he opened his laDguid eyes,aa
e, said. Brother Lee brother Lee = ber
y over him, and sobbed out, My pastor
Y my pastor " Then raising his white hanC
RS he said in a deep, Impressive voc
" Touch not mine annointed, and do IN
d prophets no harm = | spoke tenderly
him, told him | had come 20 confess IN
r, sin, and bring some of his fruit to hin
calling my son to tell him how he ha
ID found Christ. But he was unconsciol
er Of all around the sight of my face ha
ne brought the last pang Of earth to h
NJ sniIif