0^01,06145+ 
 
No. 110. 
 
 MILITARY EXECUTION: 
 
 SIN FOUND OUT— THE MELTING POWER OF 
 KINDNESS. 
 
 Toward the end of last century, during the war with 
 France, Mr. Griffin received a letter from a friend in 
 London, mentioning that two young men of a highly 
 respectable family, offended at some restraint imposed 
 on them by their parents, had left their father's house, 
 with the determination to go to sea; that it was likely 
 they would be found at the rendezvous at Portsmouth, 
 and requesting him to 1 inquire about them, and, if 
 possible, persuade them to return. He soon found they 
 were there, though they assumed a false name. Having 
 prevailed on them to call upon him, he expostulated 
 with them on their conduct, representing to them in 
 as strong colors as he could the distress they had 
 inflicted on their parents, and particularly that their 
 affectionate mother was in a state of the deepest an- 
 guish. He succeeded in persuading the younger to 
 return under his paternal roof. When he seemed some- 
 what softened by Mr. Griffin's expostulations, he said, 
 " Well, I think I will go home again. " His brother, 
 with a most determined air, looked on him with a scowl 
 of indignation and contempt, telling him he was a poor 
 milksop, and adding that he might do as he pleased, 
 but for his part he was determined to go to sea, and, 
 
M MILITARY EXECUTION. 
 
 after the manner he had been treated, he would never 
 return to his father's house. 
 
 When Mr. Griffin found he could make no impres- 
 sion upon him, the last thing he said to him before 
 he left him, was: "Well, young man, remember one 
 thing: your sin will one day find you out." The 
 younger son returned to his father, and the elder went 
 aboard a man-of-war. 
 
 Several years passed, and Mr. Griffin had almost 
 forgotten the occurrence, when, one Sabbath morning, 
 a ship-of-war came into the roads, and a message was 
 sent to him to come and see a young man who was 
 sentenced to death. As soon as his other engagements 
 permitted him, he went aboard, and found this bold and 
 resolute young man lying in irons, while he was con- 
 demned to be executed during the following week. On 
 Mr. Griffin's inquiring what was the cause that had 
 brought him into such distressing and disgraceful cir- 
 cumstances, he was informed that he had struck one 
 of the officers : an act of insubordination which could 
 not be passed over without all discipline being de- 
 stroyed. At his trial every advantage was given him 
 to plead some palliation at least of his offence, as the 
 officers saw he was quite a superior young man, and 
 one born to better prospects. He was asked if he was 
 drunk. "No!" Had he not drunk anything that day 
 (as they were anxious to mitigate the punishment, if it 
 could be done consistently with the discipline of the 
 ship)? He replied, "No!" In short, it was found nec- 
 essary to condemn him to death. Some of the officer 
 remarked to Mr. Griffin: "We see he is a superior 
 young man, of a very high spirit; he would have made 
 a capital officer, but one guilty of such insubordination 
 cannot be allowed to escape." 
 
MILITARY EXECUTION. 3 
 
 Mr. Griffin conversed with the prisoner. He still 
 maintained his high bearing, would make no apology, 
 and seemed determined (as the phrase is) to die game. 
 Mr. Griffin immediately came ashore, and got an appli- 
 cation forwarded without delay to the Admiralty, stating 
 all the circumstances of the case. In short, through the 
 instrumentality of the gentleman who was then member 
 of Parliament for Portsmouth, he procured a pardon 
 just in time to save the young man's life. 
 
 All the preparations were made for having the sen- 
 tence executed when the pardon was communicated 
 to him. " Here," said Mr. Griffin, " we saw the effect 
 of unexpected kindness. That heart which nothing 
 could subdue, which even the terrors of a violent and 
 ignominious death seemed incapable of appalling, was 
 completely melted when a pardon was announced to 
 him It was too much for his feelings. He fell before 
 it, and burst into tears. " 
 
 When the circumstances of the case were known, 
 having obtained his discharge, he returned to the bosom 
 of his father's family. As he had assumed a false name 
 while at sea his history was only known to his own im- 
 mediate connections, and to Mr. Griffin himself, who 
 most properly concealed the name. Mr. Griffin also 
 informed rne that he was in the habit of visiting the 
 family when he went to London, and at the time he 
 related the story this condemned seaman, now trans- 
 formed into a young gentleman, was engaged in busi- 
 ness, and held a respectable station in society. 
 
 It is not easy to conceive with what very peculiar 
 emotions this runaway, headstrong youth, who had so 
 nearly escaped a public execution, must have met so 
 kind a benefactor — one to whom he was placed under 
 such extraordinary and incalculable obligations. 
 
4 MILITARY EXECUTION. 
 
 We have here a specimen of the melting effects of 
 kindness. It accomplished what stern law, and the 
 mere dread of punishment, nay, of an ignominious 
 death, never could. Such is the effect which the grace 
 manifested in the gospel is eminently fitted to pro- 
 duce. Many who have set at nought all the thunders 
 of Mount Sinai have been effectually subdued by the 
 still, small voice from Mount Calvary. It is the precious 
 proclamation of pardon through Jesus Christ that wins 
 the sinner's heart, that brings down every high thought 
 and lofty imagination, and, bringing him to the obedi- 
 ence of faith, makes him bow to the sceptre of the 
 Prince of peace. My dear reader, God so loved the 
 world as to give his only begotten Son that whosoever 
 believeth in Him might not perisli but have everlasting 
 life. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt 
 be saved. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
 PrinUd by Eyans k Cogswoll, No. 3 Broad itreet, Charleston, S.C. 
 
Hollinger Corp. 
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