Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-24
Tales aud Skftthes.
The influence OF A Mothers Prayer.

Mole than thirty years ago, one lovely
Sabbath morning, eight young men, stu
dents 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 to a
grove, in a retired place, to spend few
hours OF that holy day in playing cards.
Each of them had flask of wine in his
pocket. They we're the 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. 1t sounded
to the ears of these thoughtless young
men as plainly as though it was 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
him, that he would 90 no further, but
would return to the village and 60 to
church. His friend called out to their
companions. who were little ahead of
him: Boys! boys! come back here.
George is getting religious. We must
help him. Come on. and let's baptize
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
slid:
81 know very well that you have power
to put me in the water and hold me there
till am drowned and if you choose 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 a helpless, bed-ridden invalid.
never remember seeing her out of bed.
| am her youngest child. My father
could not afford to pay for my schooling /;
but our teacher is 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 | might go. The preparations for
my leaving home were soon made. NV
mother never said word to me on the
subject till the morning when / was to
leave. After had eaten nv breakfast.
was ready. told her all was ready and
| W as ouIN waiting lOl lIt StdSt- AU HcT
request kneeled beside her bed. With
her loving hands upon my head she
prayed for her Youngest child. Many
and many a night since then l have
dreamed the whole scene over 1t is the
happiest recollection of my life. believe
till the day of my death 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 moth
er's heart in parting tor the last time, from
her youngest child. When you leave
home you 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 en-
penses OF your making us visits during
the two years that your studies will occu-
| y cannot possibly live as long as that.
The sands in the hour glass are nearly
run out. In the tar off strange place to
which you are going, there will be no low.
ing mother TO give you counsel in time of
trouble. Seek counsel and help of God.
Every Sabbath morning, from ten to elev-
en- O'Clock, will spend the hour in pray
er tor you. Wherever you may be in this
sacred hour, when you hear the church
bells ringing. let your thoughts come back
to this chamber, where your dying moth
er will be agonizing in prayer for you.
But hear the stage coming. Kiss me !;
farewellr
boys. never expect to see my
mother again on earth. But, by the grace
of God. | 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 psssed
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 the church. On their way
there each of them quietly threw away
his cards and his wine flask, Never
again did any of these young men play