The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-23
RELIGIOUS READING.
THE EVENING PRAYER.

A husband had been listening to the even
ing prayer Of his little ones. Recollections
of past days arose in his mind when he, too,
uttered the same prayer at his mothers knee.
"Far back" said he, Through many years,
have my thoughts been wandering. At my
mothers knee, nightly, said. in childhood,
my evening prayers, Our Father, that she
taught me. Childhood and my mother
passed away. went forth as a man into
the world, strong confident and self-seek
ing. Once came in great temptation. Had
/ fallen into that temptation, would have
fallen. I fear n5ver to have risen again. The
struggle went on in my mind for hours.
was about yielding. All the barriers that
,ould oppose to the in-rushing food, seemed
ust ready 10 give way. when, as sat in
ny room one evening, there came from an
adjoining chamber, now first occupied for
many weeks the murmur of low voices. !
listened. At first no articulate sound was
heard, and yet something In the tones stirred
ny heart with new emotions. At length
here came to my ears In the earnest loving
voice of woman, the words, "Deliver us
from all evil" For an instant it seemed to
me as if the voice of my mother. Back with
sudden bound through all the intervening
years, went my thoughts, and was child
In heart again. was kneeling at my moth,
er's knee. Humbly and reverently 1 said
over the holy words Of the holy prayer she
had taught me, heart and eyes uplifted tc
Of osAtHn; darkness asS had niuf passed. I Il was no
longer standing in slippery places, with
flood of waters ready to sweep me
to destruction; but my feet were on
rock. My mothers pious care had saved
her son. In the holy word she taught me In
childhood was living power to resist evil
through all my after life. Ahl that unknown
mother as she taught her child to repeat bis
evening prayer, how little dreamed she that
the holy words were to reach the strangers
ears, and save him through the memories oi
his mother! And yet it was 30. What a
power there Is in Gods Word as 1t flows into
and rests In the minds Of innocent children
Tears were in the eyes Of the wife and
mother, as she lifted her face and gazed with
tenderness upon the countenance Of her hus-
band. Her heart was too full for utterance.
A little while she thus gazed, and then witt
trembling Joy laid her head upon his bosom.
Angels were in the chamber where their deal
ones slept, and they felt their holy presence.
PRECIOUS HINT TO ALL WHO LABOR FOB SOULS
81 am afraid Mary Is almost hopeless
case" said good old elder to his young min.
lister, as they stood conversing at the door ol
an imposing brick house, which the elder
called his home.
1t was evidently subject of deep interest
to both of them, for tear trembled In the
eye Of the old man, and flush on the cheeks
Of the youthful pastor bespoke no common
solicitude. 49,. ..r,.... ...
.'Dou you ever converse with her on the sub
ject Of religion?" asked the pastor.
'.Yes, indeed" replied the old man, "everJ
day of our lives, and it seems to disgust he
whenever we speak Of It,"
''Is it not possible" asked the young man
earnestly, "that too much has been said t.
her already; 80 much that she has wearied
it?" =.
- tNo," replied the old man; IT used to tall
to her gently about love and mercy, and thel
the tears would roll down her cheeks; bu
now she Is such q hardened sinner, onl.
try to awaken her by descriptions Of tn
Judgment and such things"
The pastor heaved sigh and turned away
he saw what the difficulty was-what was th'
stumbling block Of this gentle girl; and h'
trembled as he thought that If this course wa.
not soon ended, her precious soul would b.
forever lost. He started, as he looked up, TO-
there before him was the elders lovely daugh
ter, her sweet face glowing with excitement
and her large blue eyes dancing with JOY
Was 1t not possible that she had already sue
ceeded in driving away the solemn thought
from her mind? Might this not be the las
opportunity to converse with her alone? 81
stopped before her, and looking kindly Int
her face, he laid his hand on her shoulde
and said, MARY! the Savior Is waiting t.
receive you; are you ready to go to him?
One burst OF tears relieved the poor girl
All, those magic words! they were tn
means Of leading this youthful transgresso
to the ark of safety. Years after Mary be
came her pastors wife, and will she not al
ways remember with thankfulness her pas
tors simple exhortation2 1t was no denun
citation, no reproof for her past crimes lit wa
no long sermon; but MARY! the Savior L
waiting to receive you are you ready to g.
to him."