Litchfield enquirer., 1874-09-03

l 4 CREDITABLE CHRISTIANITY From much that has seemed to us objectionable Ill the recent conduct of the members of Plymouth church, we turn with special pleasure to the following incident report cd ja fast weeks papers:
 The close of the Plymouth church prayer meeting on Friday night was mark ed by the following remarkable and af- 1 fecting incident:
 1 The Rev. Mir. Hart spoke as follows: 1 May 1 speak one word? We are told to bless them that curse us, and pray for 1 those who despitefully use us. 1 would 1 speak to all to remeaember well what Theodore Hilton once was (one or two | faint hisses were heard as this name was l nentioned), as the superintendent of our | Sunday school and the intimate friend of our pastor, and suggest that we do not cease, even now, to pray that he may yet see the error of his ways. Amid tue silence which followed this ] Christian advice Rossiter R. Raymond 1 spoke. 1 rise, he said, to narrate an in- stance i'll my own experience which have often had upon my lips to tell, but have found something choking it down. The | remark made by my brother seemed to bring 1t again to my lips. Perhaps there IS meaning i'll this that I ought to tell it. In doing 1t l must lay bare a sore spot in my own heart, an experience of my own fireside. 1t is known to many of my brethren that number of years ago l had the misfortune to lose my youngest son, who was just about finishing his course in the POlytecnic, by sad accident in the AdirOndacks. He went there full of exu- berant vitality to hunt the deer. At the residence ot the family of a friend on the Hudson we received one morning from him pencilled letter, written upon his knee in the forest, saying that he had kill ed his first deer, and assuring us laugh ingly, that he did not know that he should ever come back to civilization Almost while we were laughing over his joy and the expression of 1t, came g telegram to us, from ms young cousin, that he was bringing his body to us down the river. It would be with us that afternoon. By careless use of fire -arms-that old story he had inflicted a mortal wound upon himself It was terrible blow to us. As natural with Christian parents under such infiiction, we began to seek for some indica- tion that God had been with h1m even then. One fact we centered upon with great feeling and interest and hopeful hess. That was something which hap pened about two years before when faithful Sunday school teacher had taken pains to pray With him. At that time he thought that he had made his peace with ! God, and had become converted. We felt that we never would forget the faithful ness of that Sabbath school teacher to
  name of that Sabbath school teacher was Theodore Hilton!
 The effect upon tha audience by this singularly touching recital and not unro- mantle termination of 1t was a silence pro- Lalliday's tremulous voice ill giving out with moist eyes, said warmly: don't be- would not like to join with Professor Ray monti in prayer for Theodore Hilton. Mir. Raymond responded immediately with short but earnest prayer, and the congregation were then dismissed with divine blessing.
 Jabez Andrews was an old bachelor, gray. wxinkied, and odd. He hated old women, especially old maids, and wasn't afraid to say so. He and Aunt Patty had It hot whenever chance drew them togeth- CT; yet still he came, and it was noticed that Aunt Patty took unusual pains with her dress whenever he was expected. One day tie contest waged unusually strong, and Aunt Patty left in disgust and went out into the garden. '"That bear!' she muttered to herself, as she stopped to gather a flower which attracted he atten- tion:
 What did you run for?" said gruff voice behind her.
 ''To get rid of you"
 ''1ou didn't do it, did you?"
 ''No; you are worse than burdock burr."
 "You won't get rid of me, either"
 ''I won't, eh ?" .
 "Only Ill one way"
 "And that ?"
 "Marry me-
 What Us two fools get married What would people say?" -
 That's nothing to ra. Come, say yes or no; I'm in a hurry.' ~.s
 'Well, 20 then" ..-
 ''Very well; good by, I shan't come again."
 F'Stop bit--what pucker you're in."
 'Yes or mol #: sa .
 ''I must consult-'' .-.-- .-.-... :
 "All right; thought you were of age. Good by."
 s'Jabez Andrews, don't be fool. Come back, 1 say. Why, believe the critter has taken me for earnest. Jabez An drews. I'll consider e,
 'tI don't want any considering; I'm go- ing. Becky Hastings is waiting for me. thought I'd give you the chance, Patty. All right; good by, ....~zer f,sIf.rzy
 "Jabez Jabez That stuck-up Beck Hastings shan't have him !! Jabez. yes !!