Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-09-19
"He Said He WOuId."

The session of Presbyterian church had
convened for the reception of members. The
venerable elders sat around in circle, the
young pastor in their midst. One candidate
after another passed the usual examinations,
until all had been received and had with
drawn. boy of ten years of age had been
sitting thoughtfully near the door. 1t was
supposed that he was waiting for some of
those who were in conference with the ses-
sion but when they were all gone and he
still remained, the pastor approached him,
and learned that he too wished to be ad-
mtted to the communion of the church. He
was boy of studious habits and irreproach-
able character, prompt at Sabbath-school
and attentive at church, but it was not
known or suspected that he felt any special
interest as to his own personal salvation. 1t
was natural, therefore, that these men OF
God should feel solicitude and even hesita-
tion as to the reception of one so young, and
of whose religious experience they had so
little knowledge He was seated, however,
aud the examination began. 1t progressed
satisfactorily until most of the usual ground
had been gone over, the boy clearly and
calmly narrating the circumstances under
which he had been awakened to a sense OF
his guilt and led to feel his need of Christ
"What did you do when you felt yourself to
be so great sinner 2" And the eyes of the
examiners frightened as he answered, 81
just went to Jesus and told him how sinful
| was and how sorry was, and asked him
to forgive me-" But the next answer brought
the shadow again to their faces, for, as the
pastor asked, And do you hope that at that
time Jesus heard you and forgave your sins ?"
he answered, promptly, 81 don't only hope
so, sir, knoW he did" There was conf
dence in the tone with which the word knou
was uttered that startled the hearers. The
oldest of them raised his glasses aud peered
into the face of the little candidate, and
said, " You say you knOw that Jesus forgave
your sins ?' Z" Yes, sir" was the prompt,
unhesitating answer. There was an omnous
pause in the examination Such positivism
could only be, it was feared, the offspring OF
presumption. The boy must be resting Oh
some false foundation. You mean, my
son, that you hope Jesus has pardoned your
sins" :" hope he has and | know 1T, too"
with bright smile on his manly face,
=" How do you know it, my son 7" every eye
being intent upon the little respondent.
" He said he would" said the boy, with ii
look OF astonlsbment, as if amazed that any
one should doubt it. 4" lie said he would do
what 2" " He said that if | confessed my
sins he was faithful and just, and would for
give them and did confess them to him,
| and know he forgave them, because he said
he would" The old Scotch elder took off
his glasses to wipe the moisture from his
eyes, and turned to the pastor. 81 He's got
hold of the right end of it, sir. Flesh and
blood have not revealed it unto him. move
the examination be sustained" The exam
nation was sustained. The name of the
dear boy was enrolled, and he has lived, by
an earnest and godly Christian life, to attest
the sincerity and value of an assurance based
not upon frames and feelings, but upon the
sure testimony of the Word OF God-Chris-
hdn Weekly.