The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-03-05

David in token of forgiveness, would
20 with BIN and partake of the hospl-
talities of his house, which he did.
THE JEW.
Travelling lately through the western
mart of Virginia, [ was much interest
ed in hearing an old and highly re.
spected clergyman give short account
of jew. Preaching to a large ana at
lentive audience, when his attention.
was attracted by seeing 4 man having
every mark of Jew on the lincamenl
of his couutenence he was well dlesSS'
ed. his countenance was noble, though
if was evident his heart had lately
been the habitation of sorrow. He
took his seat, and was all attention,
while an unconscious tear was often
seen to roll down his Il. anly cheek.
After service the clergyman fixed
his eye steadily upon him, and the
stranger reciprocated the stare. The
good minister goes up to him; "Slr,
am | correct? Am I not addressing
one of the children of Abraham"'
"You are" "But how is it that |
meet a Jew in Christian assembly" ~
The substance of his narrative is as
follows:
He was a very respectable man, OF
superior education, who had iateiy
come from London, and with his BOOKS
his riches, and Il lovely daughter OIL
seventeen, had found a charming re-
treat on the fertile banks of the ONO
He had buried the companion OF MS
bosom before he left Europe and now
knew 10 pleasure but the company OF
his endeared child. She was indeed
worthy of parents love, and her am
liable disposition threw around her u
charm superior to any of the tinselled
decorations of the body. No pains
had been spared on her education
She could read and speak with tluency
several different languages, and her
manners charmed every beholder. No
wonder then that dOting talher,
whose head had now become sprlnkied
with gray, should place his whole al
lection on this only child Of his love,
as he knew no source of happiness be-
yond this world. Being strict Jew,
he educated her in the strictest prlncl'
pies of his religion.
It was not long ago that this dauSh;,
ter was taken sick. The rose faded
from her cheek, her eyes lost their fire,
her strength decayed, and it was soon
apparent that the worm of disease was
secretly destroying her. The father
hung over the bed of his daughter,
with heart ready to burst with an.
guisl he often attempted to converse
with her, but seldom spoke, but by the
language of tears. He spared no
trouble or expense in procuring medi:
cal assistance, but no human Skill
-ould extract the arrow of death, now
liked in her heart. The father was
walking in a small ground near his
house wettins his stels with his tears,
when he was sent for by his dying
daughter. With Il heavy heart he ell
tered the door OF her chamber, which,
he feared, would seem the entrance OF
death. He was now to take 4 last fare
we'll of his child, and his religion gave
but q feeble hope of meeting her here.
after.
The child grasped the hand of her
parent with y death cold hand, my
father, do you love me ," My child,
you know ] love you, that you are
more dear to me than the whole world
beside ~ "But Father, do you love
me?" "Why, my child, will you give
ME such exquisite pain ?" But, my
dear father, do you love me?" The
father could not answer; the child
added, Il know, my dear father, you
have ever loved me, you have ever
been the kindest of parents, and l
dearly love you. Will you grant me
one request: Oh my father, it is the
dying request of your daughter, Will
you grant ito" "AIy dearest child,
ask what you will, though it take ev-
cry cent Of my property, whatever II
may be, it shall be granted, L Will
grant it,"
"NIy dear father, I beg you never
again to speak against Jesus OF Naza-
reth !" The father was dumb with as
tonishment. II know" continued
the dying girl, II know but little
about this Jesus, for / was never
taught, but I know he is Savior, for
he has manifested himself to me since
| have been sick, even for the saliva
ton of my soul. l believe he will save
nc, although l have never before low
ed him | feel that am going to
him, that shall ever be with him !;
and now, my father, do not deny me !;
| beg that you will never again speak
against this Jesus of Nazareth. l ell
:reat you to obtain testament that
tells of him, and | pray you may know
him, and, when l am no more, you
may brstow OH him the love that was
formerly niue" The eXertion here
ovcrcame the weakness of her body.
She stopped, and the fathers heart
was too full even with teas. He left
the room in great sorrow Of mind, and
ere he could again summon sufficient
fortitude, the spirit of his accomplish
ed daughter had taken its flight, as
trust to that Savior whom she loved
and honored,
The first thing the parent did after
committing to the earth his last earth
ly joy, was to procure New Testa-
mcnt. Then lie read, and, taught by
the spirit from above, is now number
ed among the meek and humble follow
orc pf thp | omb