The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-01-02
WAYS OF PROVIDENCE.
BY REV. AsHBEL G. vERMILYE, D. D.


York to conduct revival meetings in DR..
SINNERS Presbyterian church. Of ine
personal appearance, with look and tone of
earnestness and decision, his warm appeals
to the conscience and heart made great i'm.
preston. 1t even became fashionable to 20
and hear him, his sermons were published
and placarded around the streets, and l well
remember how in the placard las his popu.
larity grew, bis name took on variations
from Rev. E. N. Kirk at the start, up to E.
Norris Kirk towards the close of his services.
But among the providential results of his
meetings was the following one The senior
class of that year, at the New York Univer-
Sity, had in it minister's son, bright, genial,
impulsive as fash, but as yet unconverted.
For time he rejected, and with some heat,
the well-meant efforts made by others to in
Auences that might lead, they hoped, to his
conversion. 1t came, however-the happy
evening, and the happy morning of new
life to him, and to many others through him.
He became, and is (though must not give
bis name), minister well known around New
York, popular and eloquent, whose son, also,
is preacher of admirable promise. A few
months after his conversion be entered the
Seminary; and as a specimen Of the shifts
many students are put to, it is not improper
to add, that for some considerable time,
whilst diligently pursuing his. studies, he
spent one whole week in writing the names
upon the envelopes of the New York o.
server. For this he received twelve shillings,
and lived upon ninety cents a week-bread
and molasSes
In the same University class was another
student, an infdel. Shortly after his gradu-
alton, be banded with number of others
with the intention of going to Texas, and
there becoming a predatory gang. Their
purpose was to fod some retreat in the
mountains, from which they could sally out
upon the country, commit rapiue, carry of
the women, and do whatever wickedness
their mutual evil suggested. But on the
voyage to New Orleans this student found
the rest too bad for him; and to give him 9
better chance of getting there, he agreed tc
fight duel with one of them as soon as they
landed. An evil fate, however, pursued
them. Some were lost on the voyage. The
rest were Smitten with pestilence in the viii
derness, until there only remained the stu
dent, one other well one, and sick com
panion. The we'll one speedily deserted
and there, alone, the student tended ant
buried the last of the gang.
He now found his way to Galveston
There he was himself taken sick, and put il
the hospital; but ultimately recovered, ant
worked his passage home to Long Island, ii
SO changed condition that at first his Owl
mother did not know him. The circuit o
Providence, however, was nearly completed
which was to bring him into contact with BIZ
old casSmate, and to better things. He OBJ
tanned small school in the town where tina
classmste was preaching. This led to a chsnc
meeting in the street, but in which he rejected
his classmates advances. Otherwise, per
haps, they might have said few words, AM
passed on their several ways. But this YER,
avoidance induced the minister to make in
quires about him, from which he learne
that he was leading low life, was a misan
thrope and gambler, He then sought hir
out, was successful in winning his confidence
and became in time the means of bis convel
sion.
This converted in6del, after a theologics
course, became minister and home mission
ary among goddess population. He bui
church among them. Others have sine
| succeeded him, it has taken years of faithfr
, labor to make gospel seed grow in the rock
3 soil; but I now hear of the settlement of
t new minister there, under circumstances {
r encouragement and promise. Providence
: long and growing chain. Who can te
r what moment or act of his life is to be th
f link for which other bright links of God
: goodness are waiting? But happy privilege
j, thus to be in the line-a part of Providenc
? link in the chain Of divine grace to men,
9 ~ Y. Observer.