The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-24

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fluence for good upon both himself and
wife. Truly it was the beginning of bet
ter days, such as had not been known in
all the past at Elsmore cottage.
From that time Mr.. and Mrs. Forest
attended the meetings regularly. Mrs.
Forest soon came out into the sunshine
of the Christian religion. Mr.. Forest
continued for long time in deep contri-
tion for his sins. He was often seen
walking in his fields, weeping, and anon
looking upwards, as If asking of God for
giveness for his sins. At last he felt the
power and blessing of God. He felt that
old things had passed away, and that all
things had become new to him. The love
of God was shed abroad in his heart by
the Holy Spirit. The family altar was
now erected. Prayers went up from
Esmore cottage to the throne of the AL
mighty. What deep, fervent prayers
those were No one could listen to them
without having his feelings deeply moved.
When the day had come for joining the
church, there were many spectators that
looked upon the scene with unwonted in
terest. With erect form Mr.. and Mrs.
Forest entered the church and walked up
the broad aisle, taking their seat near the
pulpit. When the others were called to
receive the covenant, they stood at the
right hand of the group. DR.. Parish read
a brief statement of belief, after which
the covenant was read, all the members
of the church rising. The scene was
impressive. All who gathered there on
that memorable occasion felt that Gods
grace had been signally manifest. The
church-members were moved in wonder
full manner, so that many of them wept.
From that time there soon began to be
a perceptible change in temporal affairs
at Elsmore cottage Mr.. Forest was nat
urally tidy, and had a pride in having
his barn and farm look well. Soon car
penter was employed to repair the barn.
After that, the house received new coat
of paint. Shingles were put on the roof,
and new chamber was finished, a new
cook-stove bought. Also there were paper
ing, whitewashing, and other things done
to make home and its surroundings look
better, as we'll as be more comfortable.
People soon came around to get his legal
opinion. Some thought that the old sign
ought to be placed on the side of the
former Office, and he should resume the
practice of law. But to all their importuni.
ties he had but one reply, 81 prefer to
engage in agriculture" He often quoted
Latin writers, such as Virgil and Cicero.
Aud when the people grew warm in their
remarks about his returning to the law
business, he would say with emphasis,
"Niha est melius agricultural"
Mr.. Forest was a man who liked to see
improvements in the art of husbandry.
New and useful machinery was just COM
ing into use among the farmers of New
Hampshire. He saw these and then pre-.
dicted that the day was not far distant
when farmers would have most of their
heavy work done by machinery. He was
skilful in all his farm operations. Garden
ing was his favorite employment and he
displayed skill and taste in laying out
grounds. His grassy borders and pink
divisions, his stars, squares and triangles,
were 80 arranged as to attract the eye and
please the beholder.
Mrs. Forest had passionate fondness
for flowers and shrubs. Elsmore cottage
soon became EMPOWERED with vines and
| flowers, and the area in front of the house
was made lovely with shrubbery and
sweet.scented flowers. Birds came and
built their nests in the trees, reared their
young and sang their sweetest songs. A
few pretty bird-houses were built and put
up in apple trees for blue-birds to build
their nests in. She took great pleasure
in all these charming scenes, and would
sit at the latticed window, where the
morning glories had been trained to grow
and listen with delight to the songs of the
birds. The pleasant words of her husband
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1t did seem as if, since the conversion of
her husband and herself, she had been
moving towards Paradise, and had well
nigh entered it.
She said, "My home was once like the
description of Dante's Inferno. Now all
is changed for the better. How grateful
ought to be to God" One day as they
sat at the dinner table, having nearly
completed their meal, Mrs. Forest said,
"George, do you not think that we, above
many others, ought to be thankful to
God p Eyes, indeed, wife," was his
ready reply; certainly we owe debt
of gratitude to DR.. Parish who perse-
vered in the protracted meeting" He
then reminded his wife that on the next
Tuesday there was to be donation gath
ering at the parsonage. They then ar.
ranged matters as to what they should
take to DR.. Parish and family. They gave
with zest which few equalled and none
excelled.