St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-02-23
A SPEEDY ANSWER.

A SPEEDY ANSWER.
And it shall come to pass that before they call,
will answer; and while they are yet speaking,
will hear" lisa. XIV. 2i.
Willie Blank was the child of Chris
tian home. His father had recently died,
and as an elder brother was preparing for
service as foreign missionary, the wild
owed mother found it necessary to take
Willie-now in his fifteenth year-from
school, that he might assist on the farm
This was entirely distasteful to the boy,
and chafpg under the restrictions of
home, and longing to learn something of
the great world, he readily listened to the
suggestions of an evil companion, and de-
termined to run away.
Taking few valuables and deliberately
turning his back on all the rest and loving
care and comfort that Christian home
implies, he soon found himself in the city
of New York, with the companion to whose
baleful influence he had yielded. The day
and night that followed were very con-
fused and indistinct in his recollection,
but the next day found him recovering
from the effects of drink that had proba-
bly, been drugged. Robbed, deserted,
furnishing for food, and wandering aim
lessly and hopelessly in the streets of the
great city, he had seen enough of the
world, and now had but one desire-to
reach his motheL
That dull, chSsrless November afternoon
a Christian woman in beautiful home in
upper New York was seized with strange
restlessness. She would, she thought,
busy herself with some work, but found
herself indisposed for it, She would en-
gage in writing, but she could not fix her
mind upon it. At last she determined to
take walk, SO preparing for the rain that
threatened, she sailed forth. She had
passed along several squares when her at
tention was attracted by the seeming re-
semblance of boy, who was approaching
her, to brother who had died some years
previously. Size, looks, age, all reminded
her of the dead.
AS they met she saw that he was in
deep trouble, and the peculiar circum-
stances so impressed her that she turned
back and, overtaking him, began to ques-
ton him concerning his grief. Slowly,
but at last frankly, his sad story was
drawn forth, arrangements were:s soon
made. % provide for him over night, and
to send him home in the morning a tele-
gram was sent to his friends that the lost
was found, and promise obtained from
him that when he should once more find
the shelter of that Christian home he
would give his heart to his mothers
Savior.
But how were they faripg in that quiet
homer When Willie's flight was dis.
covered immediate inquiry was made in
every place where it seemed probable he
might be. Special search was made
through the capital city of their own State,
but no race could be found of the fugitive.
A day, night, a second day had passed,
and now another night was nearing.
Every resource seemed exhausted, every
effort unavailing. On the afternoon of the
scene we have been describing in New
York, Willie's mother, an elder brother,
and an only sister were gathered in that
home on which so deep shadow was rest
ing The son said:
''Mother, we have done all we can out
side, and another night is at hand, let US
again call on our Heavenly Father" At
half past four in the afternoon, they
bowed together in agony of soul before
the throne of grace, and prayed as perhaps
they mad never prayed before. Six o'clock
found them still upon their knees, and at
that gerry hour the subject of their pray ers
was found by total stranger in the streets
of New York-seventy miles away, his
story learned, and arrangements made for
his return to those who were pray ing for
him.
A little past six the son arose from his
knees saying, Mother, let us now leave it
in our Fathers hands and be of good
courage. God has heard oar cries" AT
seven o'clock the telegram was received,
bringing the welcome tidings that their
prayers were answered, and they sat down
with thankful hearts to their evening re
past, the Fl rst they had taken since their
boy had left them.
Such incidents as the foregoing are apt
to be regarded as so remote in time or -
cality as to seem unreal, and hence not
conveying to the heart that present assur-
ance we so often long for. This incident
occurred in November of the year of grace
1888. The lady, then in New York, who
was moved to take that walk on that for
bidding afternoon is member of the
church of which the writer is pastor.
Willie's home is but a few miles from
where this story is being penned many of
the facts are gathered from letter from
Willies mother which lies before me and
best of all, the letter brings the good news
that Willie kept his promise, and gave
his heart to the Lord, and is now rejoicing
not only in the comforts of his home-ap-
preciated now as never before-but also in
the preciousness of Saviour's love; and
SO the anxieties and prayers of long years
are metfand answered.
To Gods ancient people He declared
himself to be .sthe faithful God" Deut
vii. 9. He also said, 81 change not" NAL
iii. 6. Let us believe his words, and find
the rest our souls are needing W. r.
Smith, in The Christian.