The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-04-27

tours of my life, the only drawback to
my enjoyment being my ever increasing
anxiety for. my sick friend, who from
week to week was still failing.
The voyage ended at Savannah, Ca,
where our party dispersed. My friend,
Mr.. B., still chung to me, and we travelled
north together. Reaching Charleston,
S. c., he was so Frustrated that we had
to tarry there few days.
And now the question which had been
weighing on my mind for weeks even
months previous: Was he aware of his
situation, and was he prepared to die?
This question which had but troubled me
the more as time passed seemed now, for
the relief of my own conscience, to demand
speedy settlement. Yet / shrank from
presenting it. What made it most hard
was the sad consciousness of my own in
competency. In all my intercourse with
Mr.. B. how little 1 had shown of the
Christian So little as perhaps to cast
shadow of doubt over my claim to the
name. l had noted also that with all
his irritability, Mr.. B. was ever strict in
his observance of the Sabbath. Thus
should question him as to his religious
state, how Justly, l argued, might he re-
tort on me, and say: l had thought of
putting the very same inquiry to you.
AS he lay in his sick room upstairs,
long and painful was the battle over this
and other difficulties easily imagined,
until at last 1 nerved myself to the de-
termination that the task too long de-
ferred must aaoaO be met and gone through
with. Well do 1 remember with what
heavy, faltering steps I dragged myself
up to his room and bedside, in the third
story of the hotel At once, however,
made my humihating confession, told
him all 1T had cost me, how unfit I felt
myself to press the question, yet my con-
science, and my anxiety too for him,
would not let me rest until 1 knew
whether he was a Christian, and ready
for the worst that might happen.
l was hardly through when he broke
down into violent fit of weeping, and
with sobbing and tears, cried out, For
the last ten years have l been trying to
be Christian, but have given it up in
despair. The way was thus open for
the trankest discussion. What l said, I
cannot of course after this long interval.
recall. L only remember, that by Gods
help, was able to meet and overcome
his every difficulty, and that after a
conversation lasting the whole evening,
l lett him In most comfortable, peaceful
state of mind. From this time the gloom
cleared away from his countenance, and
he never again alluded to his doubts or
his fears
Wereached Philadelphia, the end of nv
Journey. And there, after again resting
some days, he felt himself able to set out
alone for his home on the Hudson River.
Now his voice was almost gone. When
after several visits l had come to paw
him the last-had risen to bid him good
bye, as [ stood by him-my hand in his,
and was about to leave, still grasping my
hand, he drew me closer. Then family
indeed, yet with thrilling earnestnes, his
whole soul as it were in the effort, he
brsathed into my ear this his last parting
charge" Observation-Disclosures"
About two weeks after had a letter
from one of his sisters, thanking me for
all my kindness to her now deceased
brother, adding that his dying hours
were not only peaceful and joyous but
triumphant
AS [ review this incident of my earlier
liz, INC hlnu providence OF GOd Is to me
clearly manifest. First, in the seemingly
trivial circumstances, that brought nv
sick friend and myself SO closely to-
gether. Next, in my being thereby used
as an instrument, though SO unworthy,
for his eternal good. Next and last
Gods message, as it came to me in re-
turn, APT, tender, and faithful, from the
lips of my dying friend. Would I could
say | had needed the lesson as ought.
yet all through a long life these words
have pursued me. And their value has
not been wholly lost.
And is there not in these same words
lesson for all who have taken upon
them Christian VOWS? eff the light that
is in us be darkness, how great is that
darkness" how fatal in its influence.
What the world needs most of us-our
friends, neighbors, binsmen, aye, and
our enemies two-is the light of truth,
of love, of goodness. of holy faith, and
Joy in Christ, in God, shining out more
and still more in our daily Christian
life Dear reader, Let-yoaw-light-shine-
more F.
PhilodelphSa, April 18th. 1881.