The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
A Cloud Dispersed.

The late Rev. Robert johnson says: In
Bishop Wilton lived good man, named
Thomas Wetherell, much respected, with
whom 1 was intimately acquainted about
twenty years ago. heard that he was III,
and went to Bishop Wilton to see him.
On nv arrival l said, 81 am an old friend
come to see you. l was afraid you would
make your escape to heaven before have
an opportunity"
He replied, go, dear sir, | fear | shall
never get there. l have lost my way Oh,
what stumbling block am | now, after en-
joying confidence for forty yearsY an
swered, 81 am very sorry that you have
turned OUT so badly. l imagine my visit will
not be acceptable. l suppose you have be-
come very wicked, and fond of trihing, vain,
worldly company"
He Immediately rejoined, "Oh, no, no!
I cannot bear them"
said, {" am glad of that; and you may
be sure of this, that the Lord will not send
you to hell among them hereafter, when you
so much dislike their ways and company
now"
He was particularly struck with the man
ner and language in which | addressed him.
"Come," said l, "let me have the history Of
your complaint"
He proceeded, and said, Some time ago,
1 had paralytic stroke. | was very i'll, but
very happy in God. Every one thought |
was dying, and l thought SO myself; and
was full of peace and joy. But contrary to
expectation, got SO far better as to be able
to walk about, though unable to work.
never was married and by frugality and in
dustry 1 saved about one hundred pounds.
But it occurred to me that l might live
considerable time in this debilitated state
my hundred pounds would soon be gone;
and l should after all, become burden to
my friends. | entered into burtful train
of perplexing reasoning, then of doubt, dis
trust and fear. l have grieved the Spirit of
God, and He has hid His face from me, and
1 am troubled. l have lost my confidence
in God, and am now in darkness and des-
pair"
remarked, "My dear brother, | clearly
see your case Your mind, as well as your
body, is debilitated, and the enemy is taking
advantage of your weakness to harrass and
distress you. In your present circumstan-
ces, you are not capable of reasoning with
him, or of steadfastly resisting him; he is
too cunning for you, and too strong But
lift up your heart unto the Lord; venture to
look unto Jesus, who will soon bruise him
under your feet, who is thus painfully bruis-
ing your heel You ere jas. Ike q musical
instrument when all its strings are slackened.
If you try to play, there are only discordant
sounds; not because it is bad instrument,
but because it is ou. of tune" He replied,
with great earnestness, " Do you really
think 80, sir?'
l. y
are SO unhinged and slackened in your ner
vous system, you are ready to imagine that
the Lord is disafected towards you, and that
His mercy is clean gone forever. Bat, oh,
venture to call upon Him in your trouble
and distress, looking unto Jesus who suffered,
being tempted, and who knoweth how to sue.
cor them that are tempted; and He will
most certainly deliver you, and you shall
praise Him.
We then prayed together, and he was
greatly encouraged. In short time after
wards he was completely set at liberty from
all his fears, and was filled with joy and peace
in believing A few days after this, he was
SO happy in his soul, and strong in his body,
that he proposed going to York, on Whit
Tuesday to see me, and to inform me of what
the Lord had done for him. He rose early
in the morning, took a thin slice of bread,
and said, "When breakfast is ready, call me
down stairs" Accordingly, his friends call
ed him; but there was no answer. They
went up, and found him on his knees at the
! side of his bed, with his Bible before him,
speechless and dying. So that instead of
going to York, he took his flight to the par
adise of God, to that holy city where sick
ness, pain and sorrow are no more.