Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-05-31
i" Wy Wife Never Gave Ne Tp."

Major Hall is man we'll known in tn,
District OF Columbia. During the war he
maintained an honorable position, doing
valiant service for his country, and since
that time has held Offices of trust under the
government. Being naturally an hail fellow
well met, he fell in with so-called sporting
men, spending much Of his time gambling
aud occasionally drinking TO excess. One OF
ms friends, Gen. Crittenden, was induced
10y his wife and daughter 10 attend the union
evangelstic meetings here in Washington
and after a severe struggle, yielded his heart
to the saviour Through his influence, Major
Hall was induced 10 attend the meetings
proiesscdly for the purpose of hearing his
friend the General, relate his experience.
lie was much impressed with the clear evil
dence OF conversion which he exhibited in
ms remarkable address. The Spirit Of God
strove with him, but he resisted the inllu-
ence, and in a fit Of desperation left his pray
ing wife abruptly during the inquiry meet
ing, and sought to drown his convictions
amid the excitement Of the gaming table.
There all night long he continued.
At nine o'clock on Saturday morning
instead Of returning home to relieve the anx-
iety OF his wife, who had set apart the day
to fast and pray Tor him, he went To- the ST.
James Hotel and slept till three O'Clock.
when he again betook himself 10 the same
place. continuing there until daylight on
Sunday morning. suddenly he exclaimed,
3" ] have played my last card and drank my
last glass Of whisky His devoted wife's
prayers were beginning to be answered. lie
went TO bis office, and resolved if possible 10
become a Christian before he left it. There
he remained until five o'clock in the evening
in terrible agony of soul. The burden of
sin all the time grew SO heavily upon him
that at last he felt he must have help. lie
first went 10 three different churches hoping
10 find meetings at them, but it was not the
hour of service. lie then sought the home
of Christian gentleman, and there, with
the assistance Of Rev. DR.. Black who was
called in, he was enabled 10 look away with
the eye Of faith 10 the Saviour bleeding on
the cross for him. The burden at once rolled
of as he saw that divine Justice had been
satisfied by the finished work Of Christ.
Peace and joy at once filed his soul, and he
saw clearly that because the Lord Jesus had
loved him aud given Himself for him, and
because he had confessed his sins and be-
lieyed on Him, God the Father had forgiven
him his sins and cleansed him from all
iniquity.
lie then went home to his wife and told
her that her prayers had been answered At
first it was too good news to believe She
had not known his whereabouts for two days.
but she was confident that God by His HOLY
Spirit could search him out and lead him to
cry for mercy. Without stopping for food
though he had taken nothing for thirty-six
hours he at once repaired with his wife TO
Rev. DIR. Raukins church. where ! observed
him weeping like a little child But between
his sobs he said 10 me Though oil my
fnc1ds gare me up get she nerer fors0oi me
she Rerer ceased pr0yiag tgr me-, and nor her
prayers are dn0cered" Soon after he told
his experience to two thousand five hundred
people in the same church, and his wife in
voluntarily arose and said am the hap
piest woman in Washington"
For two weeks he has been addressing
meetings nearly every night in this and ad-
Joining cities. The experience gained by
him in years past in speaking at political
gatherings has been Of great advantage. to
him. lie has already been the means of
leading numbers 10 Christ. lie is only one
OF many here who attribute their conversion
10 womau's influence.
Ex-senator Nye's son, from the steps of
the Capitol recently related to eight or ten
thousand people the story OF his recent con
version, attubuting it largely to the in
tluence Of his praying mother and godly
wife. He said that until these meetings
commenced he had hardly been sober for
seven years As in different places he has
related his experience hundreds have been
melted to tears. Wives, mothers and daush-
ters are realizing as they never did before
the mighty Influence for good they WELD over
the sterner sex.
About one hundred ladies arose in the
morning meeting in DIR Newmanis church
to-day and said Qnany OF them with tears).
" Pray for my husband" They also were
asked to promise, as far as possible, that
they would pray with them tins very day
TIE Washington, b. c., Adcance.