The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-06-19
FACING THE ISSUE.
An Illustration Of the Far Reaching Inf
ence ola Mothers Prayers.


More than thirty years ago, one love.
Iy Sabbath morning, eight young men,
students in 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 a grove, in a retired place, to
spend the hours of that holy day in
playing cards. Each OF them had a
flask OF wine in his pocket. They were
the sons of praying mothers. AS they
were walking along amusing each other
with idle jests, the bell of church in
little village two miles off began to
ring. 1t sounded in 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
tho friend nearest him that he would go
no further, but would return to the vii
lagc and 60 to church. His friend
called out to their companions, who
were a little ahead OF him: "Boys!
boys! come back here. George is get
ting religious We must help him.
Come on, and let us 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, quiet, but earnest way, he said:
a know very we'll that you have
power enough to put me in the water
and hold me there till I 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 two hun
dred miles away from home; but you
do not know that my mother is help
less, bedridden invalid. l never re-
member seeing her out OF bed. am
her youngest child. My father could
mot 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 con-
sent The struggle almost cost her
what little life was left to her. At
length, after many prayers on the sub
icct, she yielded, and said l might 60
The preparations for my leaving home
were soon made. My mother never
said word to me on the subject till
the morning when l was to leave.
After had eaten my breakfast she sent
for me, and asked if every thing was
ready. ! told her all was ready, and
was only waiting for the stage. At her
request kneeled beside her bed. With
her loving hands upon my head, she
prayed for her youngest child. Many
and many night since then l have
dreamed that whole scene over. 1t is
tfms happiest recollection of my life. l
ySelasve, till the day of my death. shall
he able 10 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, on this side OF the
grave, on the face of her who loves you
IA no other mortal does Or can. Your
father can not afford the expense of
your making us visits during the two
years that your studies will occupy. !
can not possibly live as long as that
The sands in the hour-glass of my life
have nearly run out In the far-otf,
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 ringing, let your thoughts
come back to this chamber. where your
dying mother will be agonizing in
prayer for you But hear the stage
coming. Kiss ne-farewell.'
Boys, l Eeyer expect to see my
mother again on earth; but, by the help
Of God, l mean to meet her in
Heaven"
As George stopped speaking the tears