, 1878-06-21

pIedSuTc, anu uc Always ulCuhI W ekop
short of ntoXication when he commenced
drinking. So God did not give him
over to himself in his weakness, but
Christ was with him, and raised up an
instrument to heal him of his great
intirmity.
Coming one day to see his ladylove,
Richards quick eye detected that her
father, who came into the parlor to meet
him in her stead, was intoxicated, and he
mentally exclaimed
"To.night | can work on the old man
so that he will consent to give me his
daughter in marriage"
He asked Mr.. 7. if he could see his
daughter.
"You're schoih. drel! !" said Mr.. T.,
in great anger. 81 f'rbid you t houseN
Richard thought to HIMSELF
"He is as great scoundrel as | was.
And he knew me so we'll that l must
confess and tell him that since l have
loved his daughter, his pure and lovely
daughter, l am changed man." (Which
was true.) 81 used to get under the in
fluence of liquor--I must pretend not to
see that he is-but now am thoroughly
temperate, aud intend to join the church
as soon as possible"
These thoughts went quickly through
Richards mind while he was employed
gazing in apparent astonishment at MIR. Il.
81 was scoundrel, Mr.. T." Richard
said, presently, "but am at last, trust
to God, on the straight and narrow path.
1 intend to become worthy of your
daughter--to become member Of the
church in few days. 1t was her love
that completely changed my nature. My
love for her and hers for me. sat up
very late last night bewailiug my former
sinful way of living. Last night, think
ing that l could come before you to-day
good judge of human nature and of
character as you are, Mr.. T.,--and show
you that am changed man. | used
to drink very freely, Mr.. r., but three
days after l became acquainted with your
daughter, | made up my mind, by the
help of God, never to get intoxicated
again, and have known your daughter
some time now, as you know, and have
abstained from any indulgence, and have
no desire TO commence again my former
style of fast living. Mr.. T., look closely
at me, and see if I am telling you the
truth"
Mr.. T. was not so much under the in.
huence of liquor that he was not taken
completely by surprise, and feeling fiat.
tered, and not being thoroughly clear
headed, he impulsively stretched out his
hand to Richard with remark that led
Richard to understand that Mr.. L. be-
lieved every word he had said about his
repentance. Richard grasped Mr.. T.'s
hand and shook it cordially, and whis-
pered in his ear:
"Let us kneel down and pray. am
so glad | came here to night; it seems
good to be here, and | feel that am an
instrument in Gods hands to bless you,
Mr.. r."
Richard, after he had talked as above,
was astonished at his boldness, but he
had hardly finished his above quoted re-
mark, before Mr.. T. was on his knees, the
tears running down his cheeks, and be-
fore Richard, who was the means of get
ting him there, had knelt to pray him
self, Mr.. T. rose and exclaimed:
"You are my best friend My daugh-
ter is yours. 1 know that am saved
from my besetting sin. feel that l
will be able to hereafter live godly,
righteous, and temperate life to the end.
| feel the spirit of the Lord Jesus upon
me, and that in answer to my prayer just
made | have the spirit of strength to do
Gods will willingly while l live, and re-
frain from the intoxicating cup"
"GOd grant it to be as you have scid to
both of US. God bless us both," said
Richard in voice trembling with emo
tion.
Soon after this memorable occasion
Richard Slingerton was married to Miss
T. Ten years after their marriage, Mr..
and Mrs. Slingerton and children-they
had two-were called to the death. bed Of
Mr.. Il. He died blessing Mr. Slingerton,
aud as his daughter bent over to kiss
him for the last time, she said his face
was like that of an angel.
Though Richard Slingerton was sorely
tempted to return to his former free and
easy manner OF living, only twice did he
yield to the wiles of the tempter, after
which he always did sorely repent, and
now he is established, strengthened, set
tied as pillar of the church. He be-
came communicant few weeks after
the night of answered prayer in the par
lor OF Mr.. T.