The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-10-28
For THE CENTRAL PREsBYTERIAN.
RECOLLECTIONS OF A PASTOR.
YOUNG STRANGER CONCLUDED }

Joy kept me awake that night. o, hoy
different from the previous nights. | coul
think of nothing but redeeming love, an
what l could do to glorify my heavenly Faith
er Ihad tasted of the love of Jesus, and
desired that everybody should feel its life
giving power; l resolved to devote myself t.
his service by public profession of my faith
and spend my whole life in doing good.
The second night my sleep was sound anC
refreshing. | awoke not until the morning
sun cast its rays through my uncurtainet
window. | commenced preparations for my
departure, and left this truly hospitablt
family with sincere regret. l bade farewell
to my spiritual father with sorrow, never ex
pecting to see him again in this changing
world As | rode along my heart was
happy, in feeling the love of God shed abroad
in my soul, and ferssl many plans fol
future usefulness. Could I not study for
the ministry? had received a good classi
cal education, and had ample means to pro-
secute my studies. l felt constrained to do
something, and like Paul cried out, Lord,
what wilt thou have me to do ?"
When l stopped for the night, l again in
my lowly chamber, renewed my selfdedica-
ton, to do whatever my heavenly father
would point out. felt happy beyond ex-
preston, and would not have exchanged the
tears Of JOY shed in my sweet retirement, for
the wealth of the world. O the honor of
entering into the presence of God, to hold
communion with him. "Lord what is man,
that thou art mindful of him, or the son of
man that thou shouldst visit him"
After travelling about six weeks, found
myself one day some distance from any
house, and storm coming up. I urged on
my tired steed with the hope of reaching
shelter beyond the wood, where had been
told l would find small village. The
flashes of lightning SO startled my horse as
to make him almost unmanageable, and the
last recollection | have, was his springing
from the road, as the heavy thunder crashed !
l was found by some wood cutters, who were
returning to their homes, and carried to an
inn, and bled until consciousness returned.
None of my bones were broken by the fall,
but severe bruise on my chest and left side,
confined me to my bed for some time. ]
was treated with great kindness by all and
realized the promise, "Thou wilt keep him
in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on
thee" | suffered great pain, but religions
soothing balm impaired rich consolation
from its healing streams, and my soul could
magnify the Lord, and bless his holy name.
Wh,n " -5ie, proceeded on M journey,
but tie fatigue aud sxertion was COO great,
and | found had sustained an internal in
jury, which would place me in an early
grave! l can 60 no further, but must die,
far from home, far from all my friends, and
be indebted to strangers for attention and a
burial place! can never reach my home.
My dear sisters, how they will weep, when
they hear, Edward, their only brother is dead !
/ left them in health, expecting to return to
them again, but no; l never shall! The
dark grave will soon close over me, and moth
ing remain, but the remembrance, He was,
but is not" "Comfort them, my dear sir (;
tell them all l have related to you. 1t will
tighten their grief to know that | died happy,
and hope to be reunited to them in world
of glory. Let simple stone be placed to
mark the spot where my body lies, to point
the passers-by to the strangers grave! God
will watch over my dust, and raise it up at
the resurrection morn Oh | shall sweetly
sleep in Jesus. The Lord is taking me early
in life, but all is right, "HiS will be done" +"
If have my wish to live, it is, that might
labor in my Masters cause, but by removing
me now, he shows that he has others, and
needs not his young disciple. | have en-
joyed sweet peace of mind since the grace of
God has been implanted in my heart, and
have an assurance of my acceptance, which
makes me willing to live, or to die!
How lovely was the expression of his face,
beaming with spiritual happiness; he rested
so fully and confidently under the shadow Of
the wing of Gods love, and felt that his suf
ferings were light, in comparison with that
weight of glory, "in reserve for him."
never saw more elevation of mind, as he
daily wasted way, and after fortnight's suf-
fering, found him entering the swelling wa
ters, but the waves overwhelmed him not
A few minutes before he departed, he turned
his expressive eyes to ne, and said, 81 die
happy, casting myself on the mercy of God
in Christ Jesus my Lord; Jesus is my all in
all!'
The spirit then took its flight, to join the
ransomcd Of the L rd, and commenced the
song of victory.
ooh the noontide of glory that burst on the soul
When the spiri released from its fetters of clay
On the wings of an angel was borne to its home,
And entered the brightness of heavenly day.
From the body of suffering, it sprapg up with joy,
And dropt all its sins every sorrow and pain;
Now the praises of Jesus its powers employ
As it touches the harp to the heavenly strain.
He sleeps where the stranger steps shall come
Far from the loved and true;
Away from the sweet and smiling home
Where his young days hew."
Letters were sent to his sisters, and to thu