Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-04-22

Scarcely had he gone, when God cam
among US by his Spirit to show that he ha(
blessed the labors of his dear rejected ser
want. Our own hearts were broken ani
our hayward children converted, and re
solved, at a convenient season, to visit M,
former pastor, and confess my sin ant
thank him for his faithfulness to my way
ward sons, which. like long buried seed
had now sprung up. But God denied mt
that relief, that be might teach me les
son every child O.. his ought to learn, that
he who toucheth one of his servants
toucheth the apple of his eye.
81 heard my old pastor was ill, and TAX.
ing my Oldest son with me, set out on a
twenty-five mile ride to see him. 1t was
evening when I arrived, and his wife
with the spirit which any woman ought to
exhibit toward one who had so wronged
her husband, denied us Abundance to his
chamber. She said, and her words were
arrows to my soul, ''He may be dying,
and the sight of your face might add to his
anguish. +"
'''aas it come to ehis?'' 1 said to myself
THAT the man whose labors had, through
Christ, brought me into his fold, whose
hand had baptised me, who had consoled
me in terrible bereavement, and who
had, till designing men had alienated US,
been to me as a brother, that this man
could not die in peace with my face before
him? "God pity me, cried, what have
[ done?'''
II confessed my sin to that meek wo-
man, and implored her for Christ's sake to
let me kneel before his dying servant and
receive his forgiveness. What did care
then whether the pews by the door were
rented or not \! would gladly have taken
his whole family to my house forever as
my own flesh and blood, but no such hap
piness was before me.
GAS l entered the room of the blessed
warrior whose armOr was falling from his
limbs, he opened his eyes and said: Bro
Their Lee! Brother Lee = 1 bent over him
and sobbed out: My pastor! my pastor =
Then raising his white hand, he said in a
deep. impressive voice; Touch not mine
anointed and do my prophets to HARM
1 spoke tenderly to him; told him 1 had
come to confess my sin, and bring some of
my fruits to him, calling my son to tell
him how he had found Christ. But he
was unconscious Of all around. The sight
of my face had brought the last pang of
earth to his spirit. kissed his brow and
told how dear he had been to me. craved
his pardon for my unfaithfnlness, and
promised to care for his widow and father
less little ones; but his only reply MUIR
INJURED, as if in troubled dream, Touch
not mine Amounted and do my prophets
no HARM stayed by him all night, and
at day-break closed his eyes. I offered
his widow a house to live in the remainder
Of her days, but, like heroine, she said,
i freely forgive you. But my children,
who entered deeply into their fathers an
gulsh, shall never see me so regardless of
his memory as to take anything from those
who caused it. He left us with his God.
and He will care for u.s.
''Well, sir, those dying words sounded
in my ears from that coffin and from that
grave. When slept, Christ stood before
me in dream, saying: "Touch not mine
anointed and do my prophets no harm. =
These words followed me until fully re-
allied the esteem in which Christ holds
those men who have given up all for his
sake, and I vowed to love them evermore
for his sake, even if they are not perfect;
and since that day, sir, have talked less
than before and supported my pastor, even
if he is not very extraordinary man.
Ny tongue shall cleave to the roof of my
mouth, and my right hand forget her cum
ming, before | dare put asunder what God
has joined together. When minister's
work IS done in place, I believe God
will show it to him. l will not join you,
sir, in the scheme that brought you here;
and, moreover. if hear another word of
this from your lips, shall ask my breth-
rem to deal with you as with them who
cause divisions. I would give all 1 own
to recall what did thirty years ago. Stop
where you are, and pray God if, perchance,
the thought of your heart may be forgiven
you.'
This decided reply put an end to the
newcomers efforts to get minister who
could make more stir, and left him free to
lay out roads and build hotels. There is
often great power in the little word no,
but sometimes it requires not little cour-
age to speak it as resolutely as did the
Silent Deacon.-Mrs. J. D. Chaplin.
Gossip is the popularity of a small mind.