Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-06-10
Pastoral Incident,
~ Hssar =. fnoNrsos.

Mr.. A. was one Of the most successfu
business men | ever knew lie died al
6fty, worth about eighty thousand dollars
which he had made himself all in smal
sums, by farming aud droying; and though
he had bought and sold thousands Of sheer
and hundreds Of horses aud cattle, and car.
ried on his farming largely, yet he haa
Herer lost a dollqr. lie was my parish
ioner for ten years, and though his father
aud grandfather had both been active men
and elders in the church be had not united
with the church, nor even attended it reg.
ularly.
had spoken to him frequently about
the matter, and he always listened respect.
fully and treated me kindly.
About two years before he died, called
one evening at his house. His wife, who
was member Of my church, met me al
the door, and to her | said
Mrs. A., have come down to stay all
night with you, that | may have q good
opportunity to talk with Mr.. A. about hi.
spiritual matters, and | want you to sec
that have the opportunity"
After tea, as he led the way to the sit.
tiug-room, and | followed Mrs. A. closed
the door, and kept the family out for two
hours.
told him frankly why | had come Ia
stay all night, aud urged him to give atteu,
ton, without further delay, to this most
important Of all matters. lie assured me
that he was carefully reading the word Of
God with desire to be enlightened, that
be might intelligently follow Christ as his
Saviour.
From this time be seemed especially glad
to see me aud converse upon religious top.
les whenever opportunity offered. 10 q
few months he said TO me on one occasion
/ think ! am trusting in Christ as my
Saviour"
said, If so, it is both your privilege
and duty publicly to profess it,
81 know it," he said, and hope to do
it at the FIRST opportunity"
lie soon united with the church, and to
the day Of his death, which occurred in
less than year after, all his demeanor was
that Of an earnest, yet peculiarly humble
and intelligent Christian.
have written the above sketch prepara.
tory to relating the following
When on his death-bed, and had been
conversing with him one day, 10 presence
Of the man who had lately written his will
and who was not a Christian, said
" Mr.. A., you have often expressed your.
self to me thus confidently in reference to
the future, but don't you sometimes have
doubts or fears in reference to it2"
Mark his reply. After moments de-
lay, he quietly and meeky said " No, |
don't; | don't see why | should have.
believe the Bible is the word Of God. II
it is, il can't fall and II says Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved Now, believe on him; trust
him as my Saviour. Can there be any
doubt about it thenl"
Having asked the question more for the
benefit of our mutual friend, who was not
yet Christian, than anything else, | an.
swered You need not doubt you need
not distrust Hold fast your belief. 1t i:
the faith that saves"
As We left together, our mutual friend
said " | never saw anything like it. Mr.
A. is Just as clear in spiritual as be alway.
was in business matters"
At another time, one of his neighbor,
being present Mr.. A. said to me /: II
thought some time ago | would read the
New Testament through but must give
it up. | am too weak. But that isn't
necessary to salvation. | believe if any
one will prayerfmly read any one of the
gospels, lcih desire to know the way Of
life, God will enable him to know before he
finishes it,"
During the last days he lived | saw him
very often, and there was always the sam,
calm, quiet assurance of which | have be'
fore spoken.
An intelligent faith is most desirable
Study to kao'c whereOn you build, and il
will pay very largely when the trial day
comes. Perfect peace and comfort are as
sured by it.-Christian at Work.