The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-06-05
"a Little Child Shall Lead Them.
BY REV. ROBERT y. BARRET.

stay wake"
II wish so, too" said Willie. "Sht
stays in the kitchen so long washin
the dishes! I'd lie down on the foo
and go to sleep, but | must say my
prayers first"
Thus were talking the little children
of old Mr.. Crenshaw one sultry sum
mer evening, while their father sat or
the verauda smoking his cob pipe
The old man heard their innocent
prattle, and it made him very restless
Mr.. CrenShaw was an intidel, ant
was recognised bv everybody as the
hardest, wickedest man in the town
He was frequently drunk, and 81
terrific that no one dared 10 approach
him when in such condition, for he
had no regard for the life Of himself OF
OF any other man, neither did he Zeal
God. The only sign of human rear
that could be detected in him was
when he became u father to these two
sweet babes. They were the gifts q
his old aye, and when he was in theil
presence new light shoUe in his eyes
he spoke less harshly, and learned tc
handle them with real human tender
ness. His wife was noble, devou1
woman, but hitherto her very piety
had eXasperated him, and he usually
left the rGom when she made the
little ones bow at her knee and repeat,
Now | lay me-"
Tonight, sitting just without the
open window, curtained by the over
hanging vines, be overheard their
sleenv voices and was touched with
pity for them, for he loved them pas
sionately. He cared nothing about
their prayers, hut could not endure to
see them SO tired aud sleepy. Finally,
when they again called for mamma,
he said, i'm voice of gruff kindness
"Here, come out here and say them to
me. Why won't do as well"'
Without The least hesitation they
gladly sprang up and went to him.
Then kneeling, as with mother, one
on either side with their tiny white
hands ciasped over his rough knees,
they began and repeated together:
Now lay me down to sleep,
rruy the L"rdIny soul To keep;
If should die before | wake,
bray the Lord my soul to take.
Bless dear papa and make him love
Jesus, so he will 90 to heaven and
bless mamma, and make US good chill
dren. Amen.
The stern, hard-hearteh man, who
had never known fear or uneasiness,
sat and trembled under the touch
of those soft little hands and
innocent voices, more than he
would have done in u lions clutch.
A flood Of memories rushed over him.
Bevund the dark cloud of Sill and in-
temperance that had overshowed bis
later life he recalled scene similar to
this. Then the sweet, sad face OF a
departed mother appeared through the
mist of years, and seemed to speak 10
him in the evening zephyrs that
famed his cheek.
He could not speak a word, but
when the children arose, with kind
but awkward fingers he unbuttoued
their clothes. dressed them in their
gowns, and tucked them in their little
bed for the first time in his life. They
fell asleep at once. but he oent' over
them for long time; then, hearing
his wife coming, rose and went out.
She came in and, surprised to find
the children already in bed, went 10
see if they were properly arranged,
when she found Cora's locks wet with
her fathers tears. Wisely she said
nothing, hut inwardly prayed God
that the influence of the little ones
might so soften their fathers heart
that he could Le reached by the
gospel.
On Sunday, soon after this. preach.
ed for the first time at the church OF
which Mrs. Crensnaw was u member,
and accepted all earnest invitation to
take dinner with her. | learned after
wards that she offered the invitation
with many misgivings, since her hus.
band had hitherto treated ministers
rather roughly. But she inwardly
hoped that that his disposition was
now somewhat softened, and that he
would Gesist from any unkindDess.
was put on my guard, so that should
not have been surprised nor resented il
if he had acted ill-temperedly. But he
was very hospitable, ami treated ME
with an uneasy, awkward sort of 8
kindness that assured me that he was
not hopeless case. After we had
gotten on entirely friendly terms ]
asked him to come to church that
night. He did moi resent the invita-
ton, but tried TO laugh it off.
"Why, he said, "if should 80 out
there to night, nobody would hear q
word you say. All would be looking
at me, I would be such a scare crow
I haven't been to church for thirty
years"
insisted, but he said it would be
best, so finally left, having assured
the family that 1 believed the children
would win him yet.
Some months afterWard [ received
the following cheering news from the
pastor: 1--WE are in the midst of 8
glorious revival. The whole town is
stirred, and scores even of old mer
are coming to Christ. And, woulC
you believe it? Old MIR. CrenshaW
was the first to come. His little chill
dren got hold of his hands one night
and by pulling and intreating led hin
to church. There he broke dowr
completely, confessed Christ, ant
joined the church, Now / do believe
he is the happiest man I ever saw
He has closed his business house, anC
spends all the time between services
hunting up his former companion:
and inducing them to go to church
1t would do your heart good to bt
with us and see what wonderful
things the Lord is doing for u.s."
Then | rejoiced as l remembered
the passage which says:
"a LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEN. )
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