They knelt
down, side by side, at midnight; and the Friend's right hand was
upon his head while they prayed.
"The young man was rescued from his evil ways, to acknowledge still
further the boundless mercy of Providence. The dissipation wherein
he had recklessly sought death was, for him, a marvellous
restoration to life. His lungs had become sound and free from the
tendency to disease. The measure of his forgiveness was almost
more than he could bear. He bore his cross thenceforward with a
joyful resignation, and was mercifully drawn nearer and nearer to
the Truth, until, in the fulness of his convictions, he entered
into the brotherhood of the Friends.
"I have been powerfully moved to tell you this story." Friend
Carter concluded, "from a feeling that it may be needed, here, at
this time, to influence some heart trembling in the balance. Who
is there among you, my friends, that may not snatch a brand from
the burning! Oh, believe that pity and charity are the most
effectual weapons given into the hands of us imperfect mortals, and
leave the awful attribute of wrath in the hands of the Lord!"
He sat down, and dead silence ensued.
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