During the last year of his stay at home his
conduct had been very rebellious, and his father almost looked upon him
as given over to a reprobate mind. After his departure, his father was
seldom heard to mention his name, but his friends observed that his hair
fast grew white, and upon his brow rested an expression of constant
grief and anxiety. He was a man that seldom spoke of his own troubles to
any one; but it was plain to be seen that his erring boy was never
absent from his thoughts, and there was a feeling and pathos in his
voice when he addressed his congregation, especially the younger portion
of it, which had never been noticed before. It was his custom upon the
first Sabbath evening in each month to deliver an address to the youth
of his flock, and it was noticed that his appeals had never been so
earnest before, as after the departure of his son; but he seldom, if
ever, mentioned his name, not even to his grief-stricken wife. Our
pastor was not what could properly be styled an old man, but it was
thought that his grief, like a canker-worm, sapped at the fountains of
life; his bodily health became impaired, his vigor of mind departed,
and, ere he had seen sixty years, death removed him from earth, to a
home of happiness in Heaven.
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