SOLDIERS* TRACT ASSOCIATION, ? Nq, 99, ^ — - Richmond, Va. ^ ♦ * OF, THE DYING FATHER AND HIS SON, BY A MINISTER OF THE QOSPEL. ^Ir duties as a pastor brought me into connexion with Mr. *R — , iind I had frequent opportunities of meeting Kim. Ho occupied a. quiet and beautiful residence, Avhich pffered a pleasing and attractive sojourn to all who were permitted to sharo in its hospitality. To this friendly resting-place a Chrislian stranger could find easy admis* sion, and was always welcome. The eye saw^nothing to offend, and the Qar heard nothing to make th# mind un- easy. IcPBtead of cold courtesies and formal smiles, here was apparently, and perhaps really, the warm and genuine feeling of unaffected kindness. But this ♦louse, — where all seemed prosperous and fair, where without was the incense of flowers, the melody of birds, and the beauty of prospect, while rich resources abounded within, — this house was soon ai;d suddenly to be the house of mourning. The messenger of death was at the door, though unseen ; he bad his warrant for the owner, far as the thought of such a visitor was from him. The calmest and most beautiful sky may have upon it 9i email but ihreiatening cloud, which may soon spread its self in dreadfal tdinpest through the heavens. So sti'd- 2 ONE SIN. denly was the sunshine of this abode darkened by afflic- tion and deatli. I missed Mr. R— from his seat in his place of worghip. He was not often absent ; and I called to know the cause. I missed him the more, as it was his custom to stay a lit- tle while after the congregation was ^one, and converse about the sermon. He appeared to, tak§ great interest in what had been the subject of the discourse. In hearing he seemed thoughtful and interested, and his manner waa outwardly such as becomes a worshipper of the Most Hise,h Ood. The pride and importance of property, the ostenta- tion of station or rank, so often painfully seen in tho house of God, received no encouragement from his exam- ple. His [^ood sense, I trust, sitrank from the offensive spectacle of a poor guilty mortal approaching the infinite Majesty with idle parade, from having o little more wealth than his fellow worms of the" earth. He sometimes v^lule listening had an earnest and eager louk, which would lead to an encouraging hope that he might benefit by what ho, heard. But how affecting and lamentable to t-ay that here the matter eeems to have ended. A degree of iutor« est was shown ; but his-after history plainly proved it to be only passing and without root. Real religion ie not a motnent's excitement. It is a principle of holiness in the Boul wrought by the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit> and will be seen in trhe forsaking of all sin for Christ. Sin, though as dear as tho right e^e, will be plucked outi The sacrifice must and will be made if there Ub real con- cern, for the soul, and real love to Christ. When I called upon Mr. R — , I found him very ill, but lying on a sofa. His large and powerful frame was re- duced in a few days to great waste and weakness. Ho lay pale and melancholy, and, for the most part, silent ; the shadow of what he had been. The anoient and with- ered tree when shivered by lightning excites little Bvmpa' thy. bTit the oak ia itg prlja?, aa^l vp-ith its brigbt lives' R3fZ ONE Sllf . . 8 'R>n^* \SJ^ one who so lately had been vigorous, a prostrate and wast- ing man. From the first he was possessed with the idea that his illness was mortal, that his dreaded enemy was not far away. He was miserable ; he trembled ; he would have shut his eyes from the fearful vision that was before him, but it was of no use. His earthly enjoyments were gone, and he awoke as from a dream to his real situation. lie saw himself as a being, not only of time, but of eternity ; and perceived that this was not a thought or theory mere- ly, but a great practical fact. He felt every hotrr to by hastening on the dreadful proof ot its reality, and he per- ceived the great interest he had at stake ; lie had a soul to lose. Ah! who can tell the power of this fact when fully seen ?^ Ev5ry faculty was in tumultuous motion. Thoughts, as fiery darts from the world to come, made him afraid of himself. What was to become of his soul, was now a thought there wavS.no getting rid of. He was really an unconverted man. He haf this son also, through a disease brought on again by the same sinful pract ce. I sat night after night with the son, as I had done with the father. I spoke to hira, I prayed with him also. I labored to do ONE SIN. 7 him good, by urging to repentance and faith in Chriet. The sou had JQfet resisted the warning voice from heaven, louder than many thunders, with which the alarming providence of God had visited him in his illness. He had trifled with God's mercy and his own vows, when bo lately restored to health from the brink of the grave, and his guilt was great. But ho needed not any remonstrance to make him miserable. vSuch was his restlessness, he could hardly lie in bed. , His despondency and gloom were deep as. midnight. The kind attentions of wife or daughter could not relieve him from the horrid haunting of a guilty conscienco. His look was that of a terrified victim in tho clutches of some monster enemj. I fear his spirit gained no relief by prayer or exhortation. Accusing thoughts of his ingratitude and guilt had apparently sot in, in a strong purrent, and it was not long before his spirit was. sum- moned into the presence of its Maker and Judge. Thua also passed aTfay the son of poor Mr R. — . Here are the triumphs and trophies of sin — of even one sin. The power of one sin, let it be what it may, whether the love of gold or the lovo of power, the lust of the eye or the lust of pleaeore, if allowed, can force onward the soul toau endless misery, though warnings', like mount^na with beacon fires, stand in their way. reader! if one particular sin be your chief snare, tremble, and break tho spell. Call on God, the Holy Spirit, to help you with all his blessed influences in the struggle. Flee to the Lord Jesus Christ for safety. Let there be no hesitation. It is a matter of life and death ; eternal life or eternal death ! But it is not one sin only, but all sin that must be given up in heart and practice, and this will be the desire and aim of all who by faith in Christ are truly " the sons of God ;" for of all such it is said, " When He shall appear, wo 8hall be like him ; for we shallsee him as ho is. And every man that hath this hope in hipa purifiotb himcelf, etBB ae He iBftjre.' IJtJhn iii, 2, 3. Hollinger Corp. pH 8.5