The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-24
Temperance.
A Romance OF the Granite State---A
Strange Narrative.
BY REV. j. s. ooeswELL, A. M.

BY REV. j. s. CoGswELL, A. NJ
CHAPTER vI.-GREAT CHANGES AT ELS.
MORE CoTTAGE-GEoRGE FOREST
AND WIFE BECOME DISCIPLES
OF CHRIST, AND ACTIVE
IN RELIGIOUS WORKS.
In the realm of grace occur strange
things, surprising mans wisdom to find
out. When the protracted meeting was
appointed by Rev. Dr. Parish, it is more
than likely that half the church doubted
as to the wisdom of the plan to awaken
religious interest. They felt that the stir
and effort attendant upon such meetings
might react upon themselves, causing a
season of GOODNESS most undesirable. But
DR.. Parish had an unyielding faith in
God. He was nearly three-score and ten
years old. He had passed through many
years of active service, and now longed
for one more glorious revival of religion
before he should close the labors of his
life.
The day soon came when the church
bell rang out its peals over the village
and region where DR.. Parish was the
pastor. Two of the neighboring minis.
ters might have been seen on that frosty
morning going towards the church. The
people were gathering in considerable
numbers. They appeared to feel the i'm
portance of the occasion, and were moved,
as we believe, by the power of the Holy
Spirit. AT half.past ten the meeting was
opened by strong sermon by Rev. Mr..
Costello. His subject was, Gods Sow
ereignty." He pictured God as lifted up
on the throne of his holiness. He made
good use of the prophets vision of God
as portrayed in the sixth chapter of Isaiah.
His arguments were solid, and many of
his illustrations were vivid and we'll
chosen. At the close of the sermon there
was a prayer-meeting of three-quarters Of
an hour, after which they had an inter-
mission for lunch or dinner. At two
o'clock the bell called them together again
and social meeting was held, led by
another minister. His opening words
were very choice. He spoke without
notes, holding the attention of all his
hearers. His subject was drawn from the
Saviors words, "Wilt thou be made
whole ?" He told the unconverted that
their wills were concerned in their saliva
tion. He plainly showed them that here
tofore they had not had much earnest
purpose to be saved. The fact that they
were not saved as yet was sufficient proof
of this assertion. He said, "Jesus asks
you the question to-day, VIII thou be
be made whole p How many of you
really desire salvation ?" The first DAYS
meeting began auspiciously and ended
hopefully. The people showed an inter
est in this special effort to win souls to
Christ.
A wealthy man, who was not gifted in
speech, came to the conclusion that he
might help forward the cause in another
way. He had team. His horses were
fat and sleek, and his sleigh cspacious.
So he harnessed his horses, and drove
around to certain houses where they had
not been accustomed to attend church.
He spoke very kindly to the people. He
told them that very interesting meetings
were being held at the church. He did not
| forget to mention that DIR. Parish had sew
eral ministers from other towns to assist
in these special meetings To see this
wealthy man himself interested was a
means of exciting interest in others.
Many of these families had neither horse
nor suitable conveyance of any kind, to
bring them to the meetings. Hence, this
brother was highly useful in getting such
out to the meetings. And the aged and
infirm had his especial attention. He had
often spoken with George Forest, and had
conceived warm friendship for him.
Hence he did not hesitate to call and ask
him and his wife to attend upon these
meetings. When the wealthy man asked
them, Mrs. Forest was free to say, al
should like to go to good religious meet
ing" She invited her husband to 60
with her. George began to think favor.
ably of the proposition. At last he said,
Yes, 1 will 60 out this evening to your
meetings." That evening the span of
horses were evidently proud of their load,
as their owner certainly was. They fairly
pranced as they drove up to the church.
Deacon Strout was the first to meet and
welcome MIR. and Mrs. Forest. Then a
number of the leading folks of the town
came and shook hands with them, after
which Deacon Strout took them to his
family pew. The meeting began with a
full tide of song. The leader took the
rich old hymn: