Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-03-12
Mans Strength Is Weakness.

" Edward, Will you not attend the party
this evening 7" asked Walter Richmond Of
his roommate, as he rose from his comfort
able chair, flung aside his cigar and walked
to the window.
Edward Egleston, the person ADDRESSED,
was sitting near the table apparently alb
sorbed in his studies. His face flushed as
he raised his eyes from his book, and an
swered, ." / cannot tell" He said no more,
but rested his gaze on the opposite wall,
seemingly buried in thought
Walter did not wish to disturb his friends
melancholy mood, as he mentally termed it,
so taking his hat, went out to cali on friend
While he is absent, will improve the op-
portunity to give you a brief history of
Edward.
His home was in white cottage, in
pleasant little village situated among the
grand old hills and beautiful lakes of one
of our New England states He was the
only child of widowed mother who was
doing all that was possible in the way of
prudence to aid her son in acquiring an
education, for, thought she, | wish to do all
that | can for him, that he may be my sup
port and comfort when | am old.
Her husband had died drunkard hence,
with agonizing watchfulness, born only in
the depths of wounded soul, had she
guided her son, that he might grow to man
hood untarnished by the cup of death that
had ruined her once noble husband.
She kept him with her until fitted for
college; thus far he proved to be all that
she could desire.
The time came for him to leave his pleas
ant home. "Can he bear the temptations
of the world ?" thought she, and the long,
still nights were spent in prayer and weep
ing for her only earthly dependence.
They, mother and son, were in the little
sitting-room the evening before the morning
he was to set out for his college home.
"Mother," said Edward, breaking the
deep silence that reigned, "why do you
look so pale, and why do the tears come to
your eyes, when | speak of leaving home
Surely, you do not wish me to leave my
studies unfinished"
My precious son, it pains me to think of
the temptations you must meet in the great
world you are about to enter You have
been reared like that plant" said she, point
ing towards the table upon which it sat
Bright and beautiful in full blossom you
morning. You did not think to protect it
from the cold morning air, and now its bios
SONS are dead and leaves withered. Had it
been protected, it would now be crowned
with life and beauty. Thus it is with you
The moral atmosphere of this world is foul
with sin and delusion, and unless you are
palisaded by determined will and noble
purposes, guarded by the gentle Christ, you
too will become withered and dead"
How gloomily you talk. Have | not
witnessed enough suffering, caused by sin,
to save Inc, though temptations be as mighty
as yonder mountains ?" said he, pointing
towards the west. The sun had Just set,
and it seemed as though the golden gates
were open, and celestial radiance was hover
ing over the distant hills.
"Ah, my son, sometimes temptation, like
yonder mountain, seems to be clothed in the
light of heaven. Beware of deceptions."
will, dear mother" said he, as he gave
her kiss and hastened to his room to finish
preparations for departure
After promise of faithfulness to his
mother, final parting and a journey to a
neighboring state, Edward found himself in
his college home. He was fortunate, as he
| thought, in the choice of a roommate, who
was a spirit-proud fellow abounding in
money, at the same time placing himself
upon equal footing with those who were not
| blessed like himself with this worlds cur
rency.
Although Edward was so pleased at first
with his companion, he discovered after a
few weeks that there are crosses to bear
when living with person whose training in
life has been directly opposite to ones own,
Walter, upon closer acquaintance, dis
covered the pure moral tone of his com
panion, but alas, for himself, could not ap-
preciate it, so frequently he used to indulge
in a laugh at the primitive ideas of his
| - Puritan rOOm-mata-' ha aallal him
Although this apparently good-natured
treatment was so cutting, especially in the
presence of third party, still Edward had
not wavered from his strong principles for
one whole year, and his visits home and let.
ters illumined his mothers heart with Joy
ful gladness, and the light of heaven bright
ened her careworn face.
The end of the year brings our friend
where we found him at the beginning of our
story.
The party of which Walter spoke was Ia
| be given by one of the most wealthy, and
consequently, fashionable families of neigh
boring city, in whose dwelling cards, dane
ing and wine were more than welcome vis
tors. All of this Edward had learned from
his friend Walter, through whose influence
an invitation had been extended to himself
What warfare of thought went on in
his mind while sitting alone in his room,
After much debating Edward thought
Is 1t may be ! am too strict in regard TO my
principles. None of the other boys are a:
careful as |. They attend dances, drink nice
wines and at the same time are respected
and honored Mother has seen so much
suffering, it has made her over.nice in re
spect to these things. Ii is not my duty
old as | am TO be biased by her Judgment
| ,rtla g. ,olf
and how can | tell what TO choose from the
world till have seen it myself ? Any way
il can do no harm to 90 for once, then car
determine the quality of its influence"
1t was nearly dusk when Walter returned
to the room.
al have decided TO CO." said Edward
without waiting TO be questioned.
"That is right, my boy, be man." sale
Walter, giving him friendly tap on thu
shoulder.
So Edward accompanied his friend to tn,
party. This was the entering of new
world to him. Never had he witnessed S,
magnificent display and forgetting self h
became enchanted with the beauty erac,
aud refinement on exhibition. Could he re
fuse to take glass of wine, become an oh
ject of contempt, when a beautiful maiden
: daughter of this great mansion, queen of al
this splendor dressed in the perfection o
fashion, sparkling with diamonds, urge,
him to drink with her 7 No, he could not
Surely, thought he, while gazing upon her
such a heavenly thing cannot sin, Their
can be no harm in my taking this simple
glass of wine with my fair friend Just t,
avoid giving offense. He took the cup an,
drained it.
o fair daughters of the earth, do yol
sometimes realize in your silent hours tina
you are only ugly way-marks, pointing ou
the way OF destruction 70 your friends. Wei
might you tremble at the sorrow caused b,
your thoughtless acts This was the be
ginning TO Edward of downfall. His con
; | scianca ramnnstratad with hin, at frat fo,