a It The whole art of Government consists in the art op being honest. Jefferson. VOL 5. STROUDSB URG. MONROE COUNTY, PA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1844. No. 32 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SCIIOCII & SFJGRIRfCS. T.rnj; --Tivo dollars per annum in advance Two dollars W a quarter, ha'f yearly and if nol pid before Ihe end of the vcar. Two dollars and a half. Those who receive their micr DV a Carrier r eumu u'i;ia uiiiiiun;u uy mc piojinc- ,o will be charged 37 1-2 cts. per year, exlra. N.i papers discontinued until all arrearages are paid, except aA.ie option of Ihe Editors. IE? Vdvertisemcnls not exceeding one square (sixteen lines) uiTibe inse-'tcJ three ivec'.s for one dollar : twenty-five cents fir cverv subsequent insertion : larger ones in proportion. A men! discount will be made to ycaily advertisers jD'All leltcrs addressed to the Editors must be post paid. JOB PRINTING. llavinc a general assortment of large elegant plain anil orna inentalType, we are prepared to execute every description of Cards, Circulars, Bill Heads, Xotcs, Blank KeceipJs, JUSTICES, LEGAL AND OTHER BLANKS, PAMPHLETS, &c. Printed with neatness and despatch, on reasonable terms . AT THE OFFICE OF THE Jcffersouiau Republican.' bv request. From the Ladies' Repository, Iffy Friend's Family. " Edv-ard," said I, to my much-loved friend, who had been my class-male, and only room-mate for many months, one day as we were about closing our scene of studious toil, "Edward, give me a sketch of some of the most important incidents of rour past life ; and, if desired, I will return the fa- j vor. We arc now about to separate for distant j sections of the country, and should the strong bond . of friendship and Christian affection, which has so j long and hrmly cemented us together, continue unbroken, it will be pleasant, in after time, for , fjeach, to refer to any interesting events connected ! vith the other." For a few seconds, during which time Edward's mind probably scanned the whole history of his past lile, he sat silent and motion less, with his eyes fast fixed upon our faithful, though rusty stove, which we had already com-! j r . . ti Ciencea removing mini uui upaiuueut. xncu raising his head, said he, " My own history ap- Ipears quite unimportant. The incidents of but inne period of my life ate worth relating, and you jlhave so frequently heard me refer to them, that I fam sure the subject must, have become to you an eld tale. I refer," continued he, " to the period lofrrr? conversion, and the remarkable conversion of ny father, mother, and only sister incidents, the results of which, I trust, will be the union of cur domestic circle, unbroken, in the paradise of God." Such events," 1 replied, " may well assume ?. vast importance. They extend beyond the r.ar- row bounds of visual objects ; and, indeed, can fnly be measured by the countless revolving cy- fles of eternity. True, I have heard you refer to t ie conversion of yourself and parents, but have ?r.rver heard you give the particulars, the relation I' . which would fully meet the object of my sug gestion." Edward, in compliance with my request, pro- own language, as near as memory will enable me,) I My father, you know, was a man of wealth, and iigh standing in his profession. My sister and nyself were the only children, and on us, irom ":ifancy, was lavished every thing to gratify us "fiat immense wealth and boundless parental af fection could supply. We were, indeed, the idols of our parents. Great expense was incurred to qualify us early in life to act well ourparts in the highest circles of society. Our education, how ever, was entirely of a light character, calculated only for show. My father was a bitter opponent to all experimental religion, and we were conse quently taught, that to be the best dancer, painter, pianist, &c, should be the high bounds of our am bition. Through my sister, who was two years '-lder than myself, I was introduced much earlier than 1 otherwise should have been to the gay and fashionable scenes of youthful vice. When a lit tle more than sixteen years old I was sent to school at II., some ten miles from home, my fa ther having provided me with board in the family of Mr. M., an acquaintance of his, to whoso charge He committed me, with the particular injunction, 'hat I must be kept from all religious meetings or influences. During my stay in this family, which was near four months, I was frequently got into difficulty by being charged, by the children of Mr. I-t with their own mischievous acts, and was as uften severely reprimanded by him. On stating wy situation, and wish for a new boarding house, 'o a student by the name of Frederick A., with w"om I had foimed a pleasant" acquafntanoe, he formed me that his parent,' who resided in the Tl'Iage, had a spare room, and would ;take'"one or 'o boarders. I at once engaged the whole room 51 myself, tojrether w :U board, of which'l suon hrr f'M my parents, as also' ihe reasons for leaving N Here commended .an:enre new era m K Jjfe. In the family of Mr, A all was entirely and Kirano. ri table was approached wuu invocation, and left with thanksgiving. Each day began and ended with prayer and praise The entire family were living Christians, whose altar fires, like that of holy Israel, never waned. I was informed that the ringing of a smalL bell would pive notice of ihe hours of family worship, arid that I could attend or not as best pleased me. From respect to the order of the house, the sum mons of the little bell was always strictly attend ed to. Observation soon convinced me that this family had some source of bliss to which I was a stranger. What was it? Was it their religion ? Perhaps it was. Observing Palcy's Evidences of Christianity -in the breakfast room one morning, 1 carried it to my room, supposing I should ascer tain from its perusal what religion was. In this, however, I was disappointed though its argument satisfied me of its truth. An increasing anxiety to know what religion jvas induced me to get a Ilible to gralify my curiosity. To this hour I be lieve I was as ignorant of what Christianity was as the darkest heathen. Paley had convinced me of its truth as a system, but upon what it was based, or what its object, and of what its impor tance, I was entirely ignorant. J had probably never iead a verse in the Old or New Testament in my life. I commenced reading, and the qoin mandment emphatically came home. I saw what religion was; that it was based upon the relations which man sustains to his Maker, and his entire universe ; that all its commands and requirements, being based upon these relations, were just and right ; and in the consequences of obedience and disobedience I saw, in some measure, its great im portance. I believe, too, I had tolerably just con ceptions of man's lost condition as a transgressor, and his remedy in the death and mediation of the Saviour. I do not mean to convey the idea that this amount of light burst upon my moral vision all at once. On the contrary, it was the result of investigating the subject for several weeks. Here, however, I made a complete stand. I saw, that in order for me to be saved by the atonement, and become an heir of eternal bliss, an entire new course of life was requisite that I must wholly abandon all that 1 had been accustomed to prize. This I could not consent to I concluded, there forevto think no more of the subject, and, indeed, made'every exertion for three weeks to banish it from the mind. But my efforts were worse than useless. The more I labored to keep my thoughts from it, the more complete seemed its influence over them. Every passing day awakened and convinced mc more fully of the importance and value of religion. At this time a vacation of two weeks spent at home diminished greatly my reli gious anxiety. On being interrogated on the sub ject by my father, I told him that the folks ' where I boarded I believed were religious ; but that I had a room to myself, and they said nothing to me about it, (which by the way vas false ;) for as I was highly pleased with my boarding place. I wished to give such an account of it as would in duce him to allow me to continue there to which he assented. On my return to school, the subject of my own salvation forced itself upon my mind more powerfully than before I left. So strong was its influence, that in three weeks I was en tirely incapacitated for my studies, and made up my mind to return home, and get my father to help . me out of the, trouble.- Having packed my books j an occasion, and asked permission to spend the arid clothes, with the view of returning home the' evening at class meeting. In return I received, following day, as I was sitting in my lonely room, j from both parents and sister, nothing but scoffs, the two following questions forced themselves j sneers, and reproaches. When the evening, how powerfully upon my mind: What is religion 1 . ever, arrived, I utterly declined being present, and and what is its price I To the first of which I al-1 did, in fact, go to class meeting. This exaspera most inadvertently replied, Religion is that upon j ted my father to the highest pitch, and he positive the rejection or attainment of which is suspended , ly declared, that if I attended another religious man's eternal interests interests high as heaven, J meeting of any kind he would disinherit me that deep as hell, and vast as eternity. It is an insti-! his roof should no longer be my shelter. Though tution of a God of infinite goodness and wisdom,! n)y grief was inexpressible, 1 still felt determined and must, therefore, be conducive to man's high est interests in time, as well as eternity. But what is its price It is the renunciation of sin. It requires the giving up of myself, and all my J of the next Tuesday my father came to me with a earthly Interests. But as religion makes provis- j large whalebone horsewhip. 'There,1 said he, ions for o'ur highest interests, even in time, it of'jSTed,I think that will cure your religion, and course cannot require the renunciation or giving up of any thing but what really conflicts with those interests. The price is certainly reasonable, and I will have religion. A little reflection, however, convinced me that I must sacrifice much more than I had for the moment realized. 1 felt that I should have to incur the sneers of my sister, and the scoffs of my associates; but this was trilling in comparison to the displeasure and violent op position of my father, who would'doubtless entire ly disinherit, and turn me from his door pennyless, if he could nofinduce me to renounce my religion. On the other hand, I saw that to reject religion now vas, in all probability, an eternal rejection -one vbat would involve, beyond hope, the ruin of Ui.e.soul, I saw, too, that the wealth oi my p- lenfo, uvo.lljird-J of which I had expected to in herit jnight soon be scattered by adverse wiruis; or should I be permitted to possess it, very possi bly it' would he to mc a curse, rather than a bles- AJtl to lhiJJi v' ?ou4 ,sSlr(J 050 tnat 3 sinr should live to mature years to receive, even should my father be pleased to bestow. Instead of living to see my parents, to receive from them the oppo sition I had supposed, the morrow's rising sun might behold me dead, and damned, or (as hope for the moment lighted up the dark scene) some strange influence, like that which had operated on me, might awaken my parents and sister, and all of them, instead of opposing, might possibly ac company me home to heaven. Again, I felt that I would pay the price ; I would have religion. For the first lime in my life I fell on my knees, and asked God to help me make the sacrifice to dis pel my darkness, and enable me that night so to repent of my sins, and believe on his Son, as to be saved. On rising, I felt strengthened to go forward. I immediately called Mr. A. to my room, and told him my feelings. After giving me suita ble instruction, and telling me it was my duty and privilege to experience saving grace and the evi dence of it that hour, he proposed to have the whole family come to my room, and have a fami ly prayer meeting for me, to which I readily as sented. The exercises commenced bv singing a few verses, which was followed with successive ! prayer by all present. While in prayer I believe I gave up myself, and all my interests, in solemn covenant to God. I asked the forgiveness of my sins, and acceptance through the atonement and mediation of Jesus Christ, which I doubt not was granted. The winds were hushed, and the tem pest calmed. J felt a peace' that had in it all the sweetness of heaven itself. I then too saw the depth of the pit from which I had been taken from the total ignorance of having lived more than sixteen years without so much as reading one verse in the blessed Bible from the strongest ' irreligious influences which could possibly be ' thrown around me from my own temple of world- ly ambition from ail this I had been rescued by j the mercy of God, by means, it seemed to me, of j special interpositions of Providence, and was now j placed as a lamb in the very bosom of my Saviour, j My flowing tears, for hours, could only give ex-j pressions to the gratitude of my soul. I still saw ; before me the same opposition that I had before j contemplated; but, 0, to meet it all, or a hundred fold more, for my blessed Jesus, who had done so much for me, I thought would afford me the high est pleasure. The following morning I wrote to my parents, informing them of my conversion as simply and frankly as possible; also detailing mi nutely all the circumstances which had led to such a result. 1 expressed my fears that the step which I had taken would not meet their approbation, and solicited a candid investigation of the whole sub ject before passing upon me a final sentence of condemnation. When my father received the let ter he was deeply indignant. The following day- he came with his carriage, and took me and all i I my baggage home with him. Ife expressed much j surprise and sorrow that I had been so foolish, and told me that I must give it up at once; if I did nor it would ruin all my prospects for my life that he could not think of assisting me in a course so j directly opposed to his wishes. Soon after our 1 It ' return nome a oan was proposed, ior tne purpose of overcoming my religious, feelings,) and the fol lowing Tuesday evening appointed for it. I ex- pressed my unwillingness to be present on such to serve God, whatever might be the sacrifice. The class meetings of the village were held on Tuesday evenings ; accordingly, on the afternoon keep you from class meeting. Should you con clude to go to-night, as you did a week since, a gainst my wishes, you may rely upon having it worn up on your naked back in the morning' 1 had here a most severe trial, not in reference to f.Vie whipping, but as to what extent T ought to obey my parents in matters of religion. Should 1. obey them I must disobey God. But coi'.'d I not give up all my meetings and religious privileges, m obedience to my parents, and still enjoy religion ? After much prayer, I concluded my only way was to claim the enjoyment of all the holps which God had provided mo. Should I stay from clas3 that night, ifwoul'j be considered a victory of the whip, and 1 should be required at once to recommence my Oid course at the same peril. I came to the conclusion that it was not my duty to obey my pa rents, when their requirements . conflicted with .those of God ; .and so with a heavy, heart 1 ngain went to class. On my way I determined that 1 jvould not receive the threatened whipping with out saying something more in justification of my course than 1 had yet done. 1 determined too to say something to my father of his responsibilities as a parent. But what should I say, a boy seven teen years old, to one accustomed to sit in judg ment, and listen to arguments from the finest tal ents 1 Of myself I could say nothing; but the promise of wisdom from on high led me to a grove just without the village, where the whole night was spent in prayer and preparation for the event. Thank God, as day dawned light and peace, like a flood, broke into my soul. 1 was strong as a giant. I knew not a word that I should say, though 1 felt a blessed assurance that God would give me words and wisdom ; and I would as soon have made my defence before an assembled 'uni verse as any way. On my arrival at the house I found my father up, and walking his room. He had, in fact, fastened the doors, and remained awake all night, so as to meet me at the door. Well,' said he, ' this is the fruit of your religion, is it? Where have you been all night, you diso bedient rascal' 'I have been up in the grove praying since class meeting,' said I, very frankly. Pr ng, ha! a pretty story that I. I'll see if it can't be cured after breakfast.' So saying, he left me, and I did not see him again till at the break fast table. Breakfast over, taking the whip, he bade me follow him, and led the way to the stable, where I was ordered to take off my coat and vest, preparatory to the whipping. 'Father,' said 1, 'is it customary for, you to condemn without giving a chance for defence I Of what have I been guilty, that I deserve the severe punishment you propose to inflict?' 'Defence!' said he, 'What defence can you make for willful disobedience You de serve to be punished for trampling on my authori ty, and I will show you that authority shall be maintained.' 'I expected opposition,' continued 1, 4 when I embraced religion ; but I embraced it in view of both worlds. I am prepared for any suffering that may be inflicted in this, but must save my soul in the other. Nothing can induce me to forsake it. Is it not possible that in the ex ercise of a father's authority you have transcended the proper bounds of parental control ? And have you, dear father, fulfilled all the duties growing out of your relation to me as a son? Our duties grow out of our relations to our Maker and each other. It is my duty, as, your offspring, to honor and love you, to study your highest interests, and obey you in all things when your commands do not conflict with the requirements of a higher au thority with those of my Maker: On the other hand, it is your duty, as a parent, to study my highest interests. You have been the instrument of bringing me into being of giving me an exis tence co-extensive with that of the Deity eternal. That eternity of existence, after the passage of the few short years of this life, must be in wo or bliss; and is it not your duty, dear father, the author of that eternity of being, to aid me all in your power to escape the one, and gain the other 1 0, let me ask you, (said I clasping his hands to my bosom) has this been the course you" have pursued with me; rather has not your whole life, and the admin istration of your government, tended to lead both myself and dear sister directly to ruinwith wealth to sink us down to hell? 0, father! father!' Here my feelings overcame me and I burst into tears. I recovered myself as soon as possible, aud raised my eyes to proceed, but observed that the whip had fillcn from my father's hand, who stood be fore me rnotiordess and white as a marble block. I picked up the whip, and placed it in his hand. No,' said he, 'I shall defer using the whip, but you must leave my house.' I told him thatl pre ferred the performance of every duty as a faithful son, but must abide his decision; at the same time reminding him that nothing could relieve him of his high responsibilities as a parent. He dropped the whip, and left the stable, evidently in great ag- nation 1 knelt dowp. by the side of it, and thanked God for his goodness, and prayed that what I had tied, the symbol of the divine presence was mam said might result in the greatest good both to my- fest. 'Ellen,' said , 'God has blessed your self and father. In the course of the day but lit tle was said by u.yself, mother, or sister. They supposed that I had received .the whipping which had been threatened; and as I was silent, they did not feel like broaching that or any other subject. During the whole forenoon, and also from the din ner table, my father was absent. Our residence was in the outskirts of the village, not more than fifty rods from the grove which I have already re ferred to, to which 1 again resorted after dinner for another season of prayer. Soon after entering it, to my surprise, I discovered my father some distance from me, walking back and forward, ap parently in deep study. Seeing that I was not ob served I withdrew, and repaired to my chamber, where the afternoon was spent in prayer, that God would be with my father in the grove; for I was certain that he was under the awakening influen ces of the Holy Spirit. At the usual supper hour he had not returned, and after waiting for him till dark, my mother, fearing some accident had be fallen him, (as sucli an absence had never before occurred,)' requested, me to go and see if 1 could find him. I proceeded directly to the spot where 1 had seen hin a few hours previous. When t first came in sight of him he was sitting with his head leaning against a tree; but on observing me, he rose up and met me". I extended my hand to him, saying, 'I am glad to see you, father. Mo ther feared some evil had happened to you, and sent me to see if I could find you.' He nnde me no reply, but taking my hand in his, walked slow- ! ly toward the hou3C. His heaving sighs bespoke the deep emotions of his soul. Perceiving that lie had not yet settled the great question of life or death, I offered up tjiy silent prayers that God would not leave him in this important hour, upon the decisions of which were suspended heaven and hell. "We had not reached the outer edge of tha grove, whon my father stopping short, clasped ma to his bosom, and exclaiming in tears, 'O, Ed ward ! Edward)! forgive me, O forgive me, my dear son, 0 forgive me.' He never seemed so precious to me before.- I clasped my arms around his neck, and pressed my lips to his cheek, as my only method of giving expression to my feelings, or a pledge of the forgiveness he sought. On arriving: -at the house wo met my mother in the dining-room. My father, bathed in tears, clasped her to his breast 'Will you go with me?' said he. 'I have deter mined to have religion, and acccompany our dear Edward; and will you go with us, daughter?' (ad dressing himself to my sister, who was jast enter ing the room ) 'Yes, I am sure you will both join me; and here is dear Edward, who has for given me, he will pray for us.' So saying, ho drew myself and sister, as near into his arms aa he could, with our mother; and as though he had obtained the assent of all, immediately fell upon his knees. '0 Edward,' said he, the big tears still flowing down his cheeks, 'O Edward, do pray for a wicked father; pray for us all; God has heard your prayers, and he will still hear them.' We all bowed with him, but the doep emotions of my soul forbade me utterance,and nearly overcame my phys ical strength. In fact I did not know when com menced vocal prayer. only know 1 found my self (how long after I cannot tell) in the arms of ray father, our voices both mingling in mighty prayer for his salvation. Our prayers, through the mediation of our great High Priest, were heard oh high, and salvation's tide soon rolled o'er his soul. He sprang upon his feet with shouts of praise for God's redeeming grace. My thoughts then be came wholly absorbed in the case of my mother, the dear mother that bore me, on whose bosom had been cherished, and who had constantly watched over me with all the affection of a mother's heart. My whole soul was drawn out in prayer for her immediate conversion. The chariot wheels for, a time, seemed stayed, but our supplications were incessant. My father, who had again knelt by her.- side, tried to encourage by conversing with her, or rather he prayed and talked together; pray ing a part of a sentence, and talking the balance. My mother and sister were both weeping in bitter accents; part of the time praying for themselves, having taken courage from the speedy deliverance of my father. Their prayers and groans, and the prayers, exhortations, and shout3, with which my father seemed overburdened, together with my own prayers, all commingling together, produced what would generally be termed wild confusion. How long continued in prayer for my mother do not know, but catching the eye of my weeping 3ister, it occurred to me that I had entirely forgot ten her that had not even prayed for her at all. Bitterly reproaching myself, and still upon my knees, clasped her to my bosom, and bathed her with tears of sorrow that had been so thought less. besought God with all my soul for that dear, that only sister, that he would enable her to renounce the world and all its allurements, and cast her naked soul on Jesus for salvation. My parents also prayed with me; and while we wres- Ye3,' said she, (as we bathed each other's cheeks in tears,) ' know love the Saviour.' On risinr: from our knees, we found, to our surprhe, that the morning had dawned. The following sabbath, we all received the the solemn seal of our conse cration; and for months our bliss seemed complete. But the destroyer came, and they have been car ried, one after another, to the silent and lonely habitation of the dead. Over those countenances- once so fresh and lovely, have gathered the cold damps of death, and the unfeeling worm now feed upon those so fondly loved. But two short years had passed ere they had all left me; but they left in joyous hope ihey res: in -.peace Consumption first poised iis fatal dart at my lovely sister , and like ihe early rose, nippr-d hy tho untimoly blast, she soon fell ita wither ed victim. While the rose faded from hrr cheek, and her sparkling eye grow dim in death, joy and hope cheered her soul, and. light ed up her passage through the dark andrery ' waves of death's cold flood." A few jrtomeni " o-v - ':
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