The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-05-27

''Bless de Lord, that [ can see yoG
once more fore [ die" she said, as SD
involuntarily caught him in her arms
Then she wept for real joy, till Ill
were weeping and laughing with her.
But in a few moments she bethought
her that the traveller must be wearied,
and turned to open the parlor door.
She had placed low lounge there,
that he might rest, knowing chow tired
he would be, when he had been so nigh
killed, and then Travelled such way"
He did indeed feel that repose was
necessary, and sank weariedly on the
place prepared by her thoughtful love.
He would ever be "chihP to her, she
thought. as she gave hima look full Of
pity and affection, and then hurried
away to bring some refreshments for
him.
Oh! how the past seemed all a
dream, as he looked on theroom where
so many happy hours had been spent
in boyhood, Nothing had faded or
grown old the exquisite taste Of his
sisters had only beautifed objects.
Cheerfulness and happiness seemed to
rest on every thing, as we'll as pervadc
every heart around him. Above the
mantle hung life-size portrait of his
mother, which seemed almost ready to
speak her welcome to the returned
wandt:rer, and bless the happy group
upon which she was looking down with
the affectionate smile which ever rested
on her face in life.
We viii not intrude, however, on
those first hours Of sacred reunion.
Hour after hour passed rapidly away
in delightful conversation. This even
ing, tea was served in the parlor, I'M
der. "Mammy's" direction, for the sake
Of the invalid; and it was not until
the clock struck ten that Mr.. Hunter
reminded them that they had best per-
nit the invalid to retire, that he might
be well enough to enjoy the morrow.
To Horace the evening prayer had
never before seemed so full Of meaning
and beauty as now, and when his IA
thcr'ceased praying, there was deep
feeling in his responsive Amen!
CAAPTER XII.
TIE IMPORTANT DECISION.
Several days Of happy enjoyment at
home had passed before Horace was
sufficiently recovered from the fatigue
of his journey to visit the most sacred
spot of earth to him, his mothers grave. |
He had risen early, and wanded his
way thoughtfulIy and alone to the Gem
ctery. When there last, the shades Of
evening mad conspircd to. render his
soul even more gloomy and dark-ty-
Pieal, indeed, Of his spiritual state at
that time.
Now the rising snn was dim to his
earthly vision, when compared with
the glory Of the ''Sun Of righteousness"
which had chased from his spirit the
shadows of sin and death, Once more
he knelt by the followed mound not
sorrowing now as those that have no
hope, but with the eye Of faith looking
far away to the ''brightest scenes Of
heaven" For several hours he lin
gered there, almost realizing "that
communion of saints" which, to our
Yearning natures seem to promise one
Of the chief pleasures Of a blissfuI eter-
nifty.
II was on the afternoon of the same
day that Mr.. Hunter and his son were
alone in the library. They had had a
long conversation. The father had
listened to an humble confession of
sinful life, and a full purpose to be, by
the grace of God, henceforward, an
humble discipline Of the Cross.
"And now, father" said Horace, 81
must tell you something which ha scost
me a severe struggle. Although my
prospects Of honor and cmolument are
very fattering in st. Louis, [ feel con-
vinced that there is a sacrifice for me
to make-a cross to be taken up,heavy,
indeed, to my human nature, but
thanks be to God, made light by the
power of his grace. l must give up
the professional law snd enter on Il
preparation for the ministry. \ sense
Of my own unwcrthiness has caused me
to hesitate to assume the awfully sol
emn responsibilities of a preacher of the
gospel Of Christ; but | dare not DISC
hey what I feel to be a divine com
mand, and so go to proclaim the glad
tidings Of salvation, relying on His
spirit for wisdom and strength. Pray
for me, that having put my hand to
the plough 1 may never look back,
but SOW seed in time, from (which I
may reap a harvest Of joyful reward
in eternity"
| His father was deeply affected; he
made noreply, however, at the moment.
but, rising from his seat, opened pri-
vate drawer. Unlocking a portfolio
which had belonged to his wife, he
took from it folded paper, and plac
ell it in the hands Of his son. The