Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16

monstrance TO be weeks Of increased dissipa-
ton. Hence, she could only thank him, and
urge him. for her sake, 10 spend the rest Of
tha evening al home. TO her great Joy he
consented She knew his fondness for mu-
sic and soon had him by her side at the
piano, while she sang his favorite melodies
with all the sweetness at her command.
More than once she saw him dash away the
starting tears, and she eagerly caught the
sight as a token that the prayer Of her heart
would be answered At last he closed the
instrument saying, "My little queen must
now retire want her 10 have good nights
rest 80 that her birthday may be without a
cloud"
When she reached her room, the emo
tions she had so carefully concealed found
relief in tears for a time her feelings fairly
mastered her. II was, however, only for a
time. She remembered God aud was com
forted. She had what she claimed as
promise from heaven to herself. She opened
her Bible and read il over and over again
as she read her faith was strengthened. She
was to call upon God aud then deliyerance
was sure.
She was determined that nothing should
be wanting on her part, and, falling upon
her knees, she poured ont her heart before
Him who had encouraged her to come. As
she prayed the veil that hides the Invisible
seemed to be drawn aside, and she spoke to
God as a man speaks to his friend. She
told Him Of her mothers sorrow of her own
grief, Of her fathers danger, of her love for
her father, of the praise she would give If
God would but undertake for her; and the
earnestness of her desire made her oblivious
TO the fact that her prayer was being offered
aloud
Soon after, Mr.. Fordham retired for the
night, and passing the door Of Bessie's room
was startled TO hear a sob. His love and
fear was at once aroused, and drcadng lest
aught should harm the child he eagerly
listened. Her tale Of sorrow met his ear
Every word pierced him like a sword. His
wifes anguish, his daughters shame, his
own peril, crowded in upon him, till the
pains of hell seemed 10 get hold upon him.
lie dare not speak to the little pleader but
rushing from the door he hastened to his
room and fell upon his knees in deep contri-
tfon. When Mrs. Forlham entered she found
him sobbing in anguish. After awhile he
told her what had happened, and they knelt
together TO seek pardon and grace. That
night pledge of total abstinence was writ
ten out and signed by both, and as soon as
they heard Bessie astir in the morning, MIR
Fordham entered the room, and, pressing
her to his heart, placed the pledge in her
hand saying, win my Bessie accept this
as a token OF her fathers love, and will she
pray that God will help her father to keep
his promise p
That morning family altar was erected
in Mr.. Fordham's home, and as Bessie knelt
by her fathers side she felt that hers was
happy birthday indeed. The grace Mr..
Fordham needed has been given. The fight
4 a. q. & a.. L..
a craving appetite had to be conquered, evil
habits had 10 be subdued, and many tempta-
tions to be resisted, but he was cleared of
the cause of his sorrow, and God made His
strength perfect in his weakness. Mr.. Ford
ham is now an active officer in a Christian
church, and Bessie rejoices to declare that
prayer is the only certain remedy for trouble.
The temperance work is to be done by
sacrifice. So is all Christian work. Men
who are in no danger Of being ruined by
drink must save others from ruin. Men
who have done more than their neighbors
must go on doing more still. They must
pay out their money iOr the benefit of those
who will perhaps never feel an emotion OF
gratitude for the Kindness. They must
speak and write and labor and vote for the
protection of others. and at the loss of time
and strength and success and patronage, all
in the spirit of Him who " though rich for
our sakes became poor" and of that great
apostle who "counted not his life dear unto
himself" But far be it from us to dis
courage those who are thus self-givingly
toihng. They are leading life that bathes
its summit in the glory Of Immortality, and
takes to itself the dignity, as it will by-and-
| by possess itself of the fruition of heaven.
/ Labors of love are ennobling thousands OF
souls that are rising from service TO glory
and reward while thousands of others, use
less and selfish here will be crownless and
thankess in eternity IYdfcdicord.