Connecticut western news., 1885-03-18
FOR SUNDAY READING.
A FEW SERIOUS THOUGHTS FOR A
 DAY OF.REST.
The Influence of n Mothers Prayer-why Iifo is Worth LivinR-The Use of the Scriptures, Etc., Etc.

THE INFLUENCE OF A MOTHERS PRAYERS.
 More than thirty years ago, one love. ly Sabbath morning, eight young men, students in law school, were walking along the banks of a stream that flows into the Potomac River not far from the city of Washington. They were going 10 grove in a retired place, to spend the hours of that holy day in playing cards. D lch of them had flask of wine in his pocket. They were sons of pray ing mothers. As they were walking along amusing each other with idle jests, the bell of church in a little village about two miles of began to ring. It sounded to the ears of those thoughtless young men as plainly as though it were only on the other side ofthe little stream aloog which they were walking. Pres eptly one of their number, whose name was George, stopped, and said to the friend nearest to him that he would go no further, but would return to the vil- lage and go to church. His friend called out to their companions, who were a little ahead of him: "Boys boys come back here. George is getting religious. We must help him. Come on, and let's baptize him by immersion in the water. !" In moment they formed circle round him. They told him that the only way in which he could save himself from having cold bath was by going with | them.
 In a calm, quiet, but earnest way, he said:
 1T know very well that you have power enough to put me in tho water and hold me there till I am drowned, and if you choose you can do so and I will make no resistance; but listen to what I have to say and then do as you think best.
 "You all know that am 200 miles away from home; but you do not know that my mother is helpless, bed-ridden invalid. l never remember seeing her out of her bed. I am her youngest child. My father could not afford to pay for my schooling; but our teacher is a warm friend of my father and offered to take me without any charge. He was very anxious for me to come; but mother would not consent. The struggle almost cost her what little life was left to her. At length, after many prayers on the subject, she yielded, and said I might go. The preparations for my leaving home were soon made. My mother never said word to me on the subject till the morning when I was to leave. After I had eaten my breakfast she sent for me, and asked if everything was ready. I told her all was ready and ] was only waiting for the stage. At hel request 1 kneeled beside her bed. Witt her loving hands upon my head she prayed for her youngest child. Many and many night since then I have dreamed that whole scene over. It it the happiest recollection of my life. believe, till the day of my death I shal be able to repeat every word of that prayer. Then she spoke to me thus:
 "'My precious boy, you do not know -you never can know, the agony of z mothers heart in parting, for the last time, from her youngest child, When you leave home you will have looked for the last time, this side of the grave, on the face of her who loves you as no other mortal does CT can. Your father cannot afford the expense of your mak- ing us visits during the two years that your studies will occupy. cannot pos sibly live as long as that. The sands in the hour glass of my life have nearly run out. In the sr.off, strange place to which you are going there will be no loving mother to give you counsel in time of trouble. Seek counsel and help from God. Every Sabbath morning, from ten to eleven o'clock, will spend the hour in prayer for you. Wherever you may be during this sacred hour, when you hear the church-bells ring ing, let your thoughts come back to this chamber, where your dying mother will be agonizing in prayer for you. But l hear the stage coming. Kiss me; fare well r
 "Boys, I never expect to see my mother again on earth. But, by the help of God, I mean to meet her in heaven"
 As George stopped speaking the tears were streaming down his cheeks. He looked at his companions. Their eyes were all filled with tears. ....
 In moment the ring was opened which they had formed about him. He passed out. and went to church. He had stood up for the right against great odds They admired him for doing what they had not the courage to do. They all fol lowed him to church. On their way there each of them quietly threw away his cards and his wine-fask. Never again did any of those young men play cards on the Sabbath. From that day they all became changed men. Six o them died Christians, and are now il heaven. George is an able Christian lawyer in Iowa; and his friend, the eighth of the party, who wrote this ac count, has been for many years ar earnest active member of the church Here were eight men converted by th' prayers of that good Christian woman And fl we only knew all the results o their examples and their labors, vi i; should have grand illustration of thu influence of mothers prayers. - Chris tidn Union.
 THE USE OF THE SCRIPTURES : The Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby: be lieve that to-day, if there is any on cause more prominent than another fo Christian mediocrity and Christian