The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-05-07

| OF the GeOrglanS STOP somewhere IN tnls
wooden country, where the hills and the
valleys look like their own; but after
awhile many of them go further west
and land on the richer prairie lands
They take Texas in broken sand
that is a right good plan. I see the dog
wood and the crab apple and the honey
suckle in bloom everywhere, and il
makes me want to be at home and go 8,
fishing with Carl and Jessie. Bless their
little hearts I want to see them mighty
bad-and Mrs. Arp, too, of course, OF
course. BILL ARP.
Tie Influence OF a Mothers Prayers.
More than thirty years ago, one lovely
Sabbath morning, eight young men,
students in a law school, were walking
along the banks of stream that flows
into the Potomac River not far from. the
city of Washington. They were going
to grove in retired place, to spend the
hours of that holy day in playing cards.
Each of them had flask of wine in his
pocket. They were SONS Of praying
mothers. As they were walking along
amusing each other with idle jests, the
bell of church in little village about
two miles off began to ring. It sounded
to the ears of those thoughtless young
men as plainly as though it were only on
the other side of the little stream along
which they were walking. Presently
one of their number, whose name was
George, stopped, and said to the friend
nearest to him that he would go no fur.
ther, but would retnrn to the village and
20 to church. His friend called out to
their companions, who were a little
ahead Of him: "Boysl 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 calm, c. st, but earnest way, he
said:
II know very we'll that you have power
enough to put me in the water and hold
me there till am drowned, and if you
choosA you can do so and / will make no
resistance; but listen to what | 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. I 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 moth
er would not consent. The struggle
almost cost her what little life was 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 a word to me on the subject
till the morning when I was to leave.
After had eaten my breakfast she sent
for me, and asked if everything was
ready. told her all was ready and
was only waiting for the stage. At her
request I kneeled beside her bed. With
her loving hands upon my head she
prayed for her youngest child. Many
and many a. night since then I have
dreamed that whole scene over. 1t is
the happiest recollection of my life. ]
believe, till the day of my death I shall
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 a
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 or can. Your father cannot
afford the expense of your making us
| visits during the years that your
live as long as that. The sands in the
hour glass of my life have nearly run
out. In the far 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, I will spend
the hour in prayer for you Wherever
you may be during this sacred hour,
when you hear the church bells ringing,
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
welll'
"Boys, I never expect to see my moth.
er again on earth. But, by the help of
God, 1 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 followed him 10 church. On their
way there, each of them quietly threw
away his cards and bis wine.fask
Never again did any of those young men
play cards on the Sabbath. From that
day they all became changed men. Six
of them died Christians, and are now in
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 an earn
est, active, member of the church
Here were eight men converted by the
prayers of that good Christian woman
And if we only knew all the results o.
their examples and theirlabors, we should
have grand illustration of the influence
of mothers prayers.-Christian Union
- aWhats that you have in your
hand ?" asked Mrs. Gimlet of her hus
band as he brought home roll of man
uscript. Brains, madam" replied Mr.
Gimlet. pompouslY. care you surprised