Year: 1861

Henry, my son, said Mrs. Manly will
you allow me few moments conversation
this evening ?


'Ccrtainly mother


You tell me you are to be married in a
few months to Helen S., Of BE-


y es mother we are engaged but you
certainly can have no objections to so elegant
lady. No family in the city stands higher
in wealth Or influence


sAll that is true, very likely, / have no
objection on that ground; but have you
weighed the matter thoroughly? Have you
made up your mind to live religion, let what
will Gomez


Why mother 1 am member of the
Church, and humbly hope | always may be.
| have never seen a moment that wished to
leave Gods people. | have feelings it is
true but by the grace of God hope to
conquer


All this is very well, my boy, and your
promised bride is without doubt an amiable
lady. But she is the daughter Of fashion,
brought up in all the luxuries Of wealth.
accustomed to attending church, it is true,
but fear destitute Of vital piety. You
have my best wishes for your happiness
through life; but promise me you will begin
right. Promise me you will begin your we'd
ded life with reading the Scriptures and
prayer. Tell me, Henry, that you will rear
and sustain family altar.


The young mans face crimsoned. He hes
itated a little, and finally replied


Yes, mother, God helping me will


Three months elapsed, and lady arrayed
in her bridal robes sat in her own dressing
room. Beside her was a youthful but gen.
tlcmanly man, apparently little thoughtful.


Pardon me, Henry, said the lady what
is the matter? Tou look almost sad. L
trust you are not unhappy


Oh, nothing love, nothing is the matter.
Shall we have worship this evening " at the
same time drawing the Bible near him.


just as you choose, Of course but tol
myself feel that am doing very we'll
slight flush passing over her countcnanco.


Henry made no further remark. The ice
was broken; and opening the Bible, he read
a portion of the Scri ptule tocn falling up
on his knees he prayed earnestly. He arose
strengthened, with full determination tl
discharge every known duty.


The family altar was reared, and he haC
only to sustain it, an item he was careful net
to neglect. Henry persevered. There was
secret hope that by and by his youthful part
ner would Join him. Months passed by bu
when the hour came round for prayer, th'
wife sat unmoved in her chair, not even bow
ing her head when her husband prayed. NJ
: words passed between them on the subject
He did not request her to knec but ever.
day he retired alone and offered up praye
for her. One day the young wife was out
and Henry was kneelng in their own room
Her return was sooner than be anticipated
= and as she stepped on the hall stairs she hear
the voice OF prayer Helen listened, an
e with all the fcrvency OF an agonlalng spirit
her faithful husband was pleading for nc
: conversion. For her sake, Father, hav
mercy not for me, out for her, o God


This was all she heard She felt in q me
nent that she had done wrong in refusing t
kneel with him. A conviction came over he
that it was cold and ungratelul to one VII
: always treated her with SO much klndnes;
She made up her mind at once to countcnanc
his reading the Scriptures and to kneei wit
him at PRAYER time. This resolution wa
carried ont, and occasionally, as Henry steI
ped into their room unawares he found h
wife reading the Bible. Nothing was sal
te annoy her but often and earnestly h
}. prayers went up fer her in secret