The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-06-20
TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN

latter place. | had the privilege of spending manv
Saturday and Sunday night at his home and al
ways enjoyed his society. One Sunday after din
ner he told me that he wished l would go with
him to visit old named Osborne Tally
and his sister, Miss folly, who lived about mIIe
from him. He described them as poor but re-
spectacle people, eccentric, attendants at
church, and he hoped our visit would be of use TO
them readily assented to his suggestion and
we sauntered forth, enjoyed the walk through the
forest and ere long at their cabin | supDose
the man ffty-hve years old and his sister 4
good deal older. He was plain, unettered la
boring man, eccentric in appearance and manner
but trustworthy and respected by the gentlemen
in the neighborhood. She not so eccentric
but more ignorant having led even a more re-
strcted life, confined chiefly to the cabin and
tract of land on which it stood, where they were
born and reared, while he was accustomed to work
about in the neighborhood and to more or less as
sOciate with his fellOwmen She was an indus
trious and skilled weaver, the apartment in which
we were entertained holding her loom, while it
also answered for her chamber. An introduction.
to these people was a revelation to me; l had
met such couple and was interested in
them from the beginning. My conversation was
chiefly with Miss Polly, who told me good deal
about chickens, pigs and weaving, and from whom
gathered much information.
Before leaving l proposed that should have
worship, and a dusty Bible was Produced from
which read brief passage, explaining it in SIM
pie language 1hey both listened attentvely and
led in prayer AS was telling Miss Polly good
bye | heard Mr. Wilson say to the man, "Oh. |
wish you would come down to Namozine and hear
MIR. McIlwaine preach. He is our preacher there
now and | want you to come and hear him" My
curiosity being excited by this, | looked in that
direction and saw the old man straghten himself
up, threw his head back, expand his either
side, to call attention to his person. and heard
him say with earnestness: Joe Wilson, have |
got any clothes fit to go to church in? These are
all the clothes l have" to which Mr. Wilson re-
piled quickly and kindly: eff you will go to church
! will give you a suit of clothes" To this the an
swer came back at once: "Well, Joe Wilson, you
give me the clothes and l will go to church," and
he did, for at my next appointment as 1 drove up
on the grounds, there l standing in a group
OF gentlemen, as big as any of them, old Osborne
Ialley, attired from head to foot in a new suit
new hat new shoes, socks seeming to feel
himself He became regular attendant
at church service, walking about five miles each
way to and from church. 1 heard later on that
he became a commitment and lived and died
Christian
have often thought of this incident in connec-
ton with my old friend, Mr. Wilson, an admirable
Christian man, illustration of what good
may be done by humble and transformations
enid of God through act of thoughtful and
timely benefcence. Who knows but that the Re
cording Angel has written in the Book of Re-
membrance before the throne of God the name of
joseph B. Wilson the chief human factor in
leading this immortal soul to Christ? Christians
should do all they to aid and rescue their per-
snmg tenowmen. Our religion, as living
rhce to God, is a simple thing consisting of every
Qay experiences and actions, called forth by in
r'uual conditions and circumstances. Every be-
never can do something; some have it in their
power to do much. Let every his powers
ana improve his opportunities and the winning of
'"e world for Christ will go apace.