Year: 1861




cradle, she regards him in his present loveli-
ntsa, and is happy and satisfied. AS he grows
older, and the latent human passions begin to
be developed, she becomes anxious for the
future but still hope predominates over
fear. She believes that her son will be q
good and noble man. II she is a faithful
Christian mother, she has good ground for
her faith and hope. There may be instances
where sueL parents have been disappointed,
but we think such cases are very rare. The
conscience must be cultivated, and the fear
OF God constantly enjoined, or the youth will
60 astray at every turn. An amiable, loving
spirit alone will not keep him from falling
into sin.


Joseph Dean was what every body called
good boy. He did all he could for his wild
owed mother, aud being an only child he
could do much. Mrs. Dean was poor. She
owned small house and few acres of land,
and that was all. Her son was her great
treasure, and in him she felt rich.


AS Joseph was approaching manhood, he
had desire to see more of the world than he
could do in the place Of his birth, and to do
something more remuneratiye than tilling
his mothers little farm. He went to the
city, and was so fortunate as to get into bus
mess which satisfied his desires His mother
heard from him often, and whenever he could
leave, he went toSee her, carrying some little
comfort or luxury. She missed him sadly;
but yet she was reconciled to his abb
sence, because she believed it was best for
him, and would in the end be best for her |;
be might become a rich man, and come home
and repair the house, and put the farm in
good order, and take care of her in her old
age.


Joseph remained in the business he had
chosen for some years, and was prosperous,
laying up money until he counted by thou.
sands. Then the spirit of change revived
again, and she resolved to go to a distant
part of the country to improve his worldly
condition. The proposition almost broke his
mothers heart. How could she part with
her son; SO handsome, 80 kind and noble,
what could she do without him2 Her plead
ings were all in vain. He had made up his
mind and must go. He went, and we fear
he went in his own strength and not in the
fear and love of God. Did his mother prav
in faith for him2 She did not profess faith
in Christ, and perhaps did not pray at all.


The months wore away wearily, and no
tidines came of Joseph. Il was very strange
he did not write. A year went by and his
mother heard not word from him. Had he
died among strangers; or had he sailed for
some foreign LAID, and his letters failed to
reach herr The days grew very long to her,
and the nights ,wearisome. The winds re-
minded her of the perils of the sea, and the
ecorching sun of sickly climates. Where, oh |
where was her son ?


The little keepsakes he had given her were
looked over and over, and the history of each
recalled with q new heartaehe. The farm
was neglected, and the house needed repairs;
but widow Dean seemed to care for nothing
but tidipgs from her darling son. Her hair
became bleached with sorrow and her eyes
dim With weeping. Her neighbors tried to
comfort her; but what did they know of the
deep sorrow of her hearth


After years had gone by, one day the door
of the cottage opened, and stranger pre-
septed himself before Mrs. Dean. he was
shabby and haggard, and had wild and snx
her SOM care you Joseph Dean 2" said the
mother. mo, that is not my name; my
| name is johnson" The voice was Joseph's 8
| but the person, oh, 1t was but the wreck O
her noble son. All that he would ever say
of himself was, that in distant city he wa
taken to place where something was given
him to drink, and after that he did not know
any thing for long time. When he awoke
his money was all gone. Poor Joseph in an
evil hour he had fallen into sin, and that one
act proved his destruction. OF his subsequent
| life, he could give no account; but that hi!
mind had been disordered there was every
reasonto suppose He remained with hi
mother, but never could be induced to minglt
at all with men, and would not answer if sd
dressed by any other name than that of John
sor. The farm and cottage were never im
proved, but fell from year TO year into stat
of greater decay. Mrs Dean died, and Josepl
was left alone. There he lived a hermit lif
until his locks were white. One day it wa
observed that his door had not been openet
for some time, and on going in Joseph wa
found lying on his bed, dead. He had evi
IDENTIFY died suddenly, probably from diseas
of the heart. ,-. To-
| ~
the promise of childhood and youth the
fail becaute they are not armed for lifes con
fict. Nothing but divine grace can Civ
them the victory and not seeking this aid
when the evil hour comes they fail.-Amerl
can Messenger.