Year: 1869

On the sixteenth day after the
battle OF Gettysburg, l entered a
room where young wounded
colonel was apparently near to death.
AS | entered he was reused from
his stupOr, and he beckoned me to
his bedside, and threw his feeble
arms around my neck.


"Oh, my father, how glad am to
see you! | was afraid you would
not come till 1t was to late. am too
feeble to say much, though l have a
great many things to say to you ;
you must do all the talking. Tell
me all about dear mother and sister"


soon perceived by the appear.
ance Of those in the house that there
was no hope entertained Of his re-
cOvery. But as could NO longer
endure the agony Of suspense, | at
last inquired of The doctor, Doctor,
what do you think Ofmy sous case 7"


Entil ely hopeless.


"But is there nothing more that
can be dc he to save himi"


"NO sir. Everything that hu.
man skill and kindness can do, has
been done. Your son has been a
brave and very successful officer !;
has been great fayOrite in the
army has won the highest esteem
OF all who knew him, but he now
must die. immediately after the
ami'utation the eangrene set in, and
deties all efforts TO arrest it,


Wei; doctor, how long do you
think he can liver


Not more than four days. He
may drop away at any hour. We
are constantly fearing that an arte-
~ will give way, and then it is all
over with the colonel. What you
wish to do in reference to his death
you had better do at once"


Have you, or any one, told him
of his real condition p


40. We have left that painful
duty for you to do, rs we have been
expecting your arrival for several
days


AS entered the room with the
dreaded messenger OF death press.
ing on my heart, the eyes of my son
fastened upon me.


Come, sit by my side father
Have YOU been talking with the doc
tor about mef'


Yes


what did he tell you' Does he
think | shall recoverT


There was pain hesitation for
Il moment.


Don't be afraid to tell me Just
what he said


Gle told me YOU must die


How long does he think can liver


Not to exceed four days, and
that you may drop away any hour,
that an artery may slough ut any
moment, which YOU cannot survive


With great agitation heeXclaimcd:


Father, is that so! Then | must
die , cannot, | must must not die T,
Oh, | am not prepared to die now
DO tell me how | can get ready /!
Make it So plain that | can get hold
of it. Tell me. in Il few words, il
you can, father, for | used to hear
you explain it to others


Twas no time now for tears,
but for calmness and light, by which
to lead the soul TO Christ, aud both
were given.


MY son, see YOU are afraid to
die


Yes, | am


well, suppose you feel guilty :


Yes, that Is it. | have been a
wicked Young man. You know how
it is in the army


You want to be forgiven, don't
your


'Oh, yes. That is what | want
Can | be father
Certainly


Well, now, fa.hcr. make it &C
rl,in that | can get hold of It,


At once an Incident, which occur
red during the school days OF my
son, came to my mind. ! had moi
thought of it before for several years
Now it eat back to me, fresh will
its interest, and Just what was want
I'll to guide the agitated heart of thi'
young inquirer to Jesus.


'DO you remember while at schoO
in--you came home one day, ant
| having occasion to rebuke you
you got very angry, and abused M
with harsh language"


Yes, father, | was thinking it al
over u few days ago, as thought O
your coming to see me, and felt 81
bad about it that | wanted to SO,
lyou, aud once more ask you to for
give me-


do you remember how, after tn
paroxysm Of your anger had subsid
cd you came in and threw your arm
around my neck, and said, MY dea
father, am sorry | abused you 90
1t was not your loving son that di'
it. | was very angry. Won't yOl
forgive me 7


Yes, l remember it very distinct