Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-04-08
INFLUENCE.

"That is it," said Mr.. Pardoe, in answer to
a remark made by the minister. 1T is the
influence; try as 1 will, cannot undo it.
With my infdel principles l poisoned the
mind of my boy. 1t is vain now to tell him
believe. He laughs in my face and asks if
l remember telling him it was all myth"
Tears stole down the bearded cheeks. No
wonder His boy was an in6de, dyed in the
black pool of unbeief at his birth. No won
der he sits almost broken-hearted as the past
rises before him the evening when he came
home earlier than usual, bursting into the
room Just as the baby was kneeling to lisp his
evening prayer. The sight Of his father
caused the little one to start back with a
shout.
"No! No! baby wont pray to God; papa
wont pray to God, baby won't"
How he caught the white-robed vision in
his arms and called him "papa's boy until
tired he gave him into the mothers arms with
d rebuke for teaching him such nonsense.
II want my boy to be manly. / can't bear
such trash; just as though there is anybody
in the air to watch over us at night all non
sense don't believe word Of it"
How the poor, patient mother choked down
the sobs as she held her darling in her arms
and sung him to sleep, whispering prayer
for no one but God to hear.
Months after that mother went home to
glory, leaving her boy to breathe in the soul
destroying creed, "No God, no future, no
Judgment" "If I could only undo it," was
sobbed out by the father.
"Paul could not undo what he did as a
prosecutor. But after he met his Lord in
the way his earnest, active life in the cause
of Christ was proof positive of his undivided
love. You feel that you are new man in
Christ Jesus ?" Mr.. Wales asked.
"I trust that | am saved in Christ but my
boy l cannot be at rest while he is going on
in the way Of sim
"You have told him how it was that your
eyes were opened. You have pleaded with
him to come to Christ"
"He will not heed my advice; he turns upon
me as weak, idiotic old man"
Mr.. Pardoe, during the recent revival, was
led to see his error and to turn from it, A
man of strong character, his zeal for God was
now as warm and ardent as before he was
bitter, calling religion pricstcraft and its vo-
taries weak and shamefully stupid.
"You cannot undo the past, but you can
set all example for your boy. You can pray
for him." Mr.. Wales continued.
"I know, I know. But did it. How can
1 receive pardon and leave my boy behind
me-"
Words of comfort, it seemed, there were
none At length the pastor spoke.
"Your boy had praying mother: God
cannot forget her prayers in his behalf. The
God we worship is covenantkeeping God.
The promise is to thy seed after thee"
"But, Mr.. Wales, you forget WAS"
"Pucked as brand from the burning"
continued the pastor, opening his Bible as he
spoke. "Let US rejoice together in the prom
ise he hath given. Abide in me, and l in
you.' If ye abide in me and my words abide
in you, We shall ask what ye will and it shall
be done unto you and whatsoever ye shall
ask in my name that will do, that the Faith
er may be glorifed in the Son. Ifye ask
anything in my name I will do it, Il will
not leave you comfortless. I will come to
YOU"
Mr.. Pardoe lifted his head. Never before
had he so realized the beauty Of the promises.
Looking away from himself it was Jesus
whom he saw. Evil and deep-rooted as his
influence had been, Jesus was willing and
abundantly able to bring good out of it. He
had the power to undo it. He could cleanse
the heart stepped in sin. He could make the
dyed garments white. He could put new
song into the heart of this motherless boy
who had been taught to deride his name.
"And he will, he will All have to do is
to ask him." was said in husky tones.
"This is the only way we can undo our intiu-
ence," answered Mr. Wales. ave can 60 to
Christ He is touched with our sorrow ; he
knows Just how we feel. And he loves to
grant our request, for herein is his Father glo-
rifed, who loveth not the death of sinner,
hnt that all should turn and live"