On our way back to where we had left our horses, however, we came across a “patch” of Golden Seal.  This is a graceful plant, each one having a single calyx enclosing the seeds, somewhat in the shape of a button or seal of a bright yellow color; hence its name.  “The root of this plant,” said he, “is an excellent alterative and tonic.”  We dug up the yellow roots with zest; but being by this time very hungry, I began to fear that we might come across a “patch” of something else that might still longer delay our return.  But he seemed satisfied with his success, and we found our horses all right.  “Old Nell” had, however, loosed the strap of her halter, and was quietly browsing around.  When she heard us coming she threw up her head; and at the call of his voice she came up to him.

It was past two o’clock when we got back to Brother Judy’s.  Dinner was soon served; and to this day I do feel that if ever I have been truly thankful for the good things of this life it was then.

We followed up the line of appointments to the last one, and returned home.

And now, my dear reader, I can truly say, that if it is as pleasant to you to read these reminiscences as it is to me to write them, you are well repaid.

Sermon by Peter Nead.

Preached at the Linville’s Creek Meetinghouse, Sunday, January 3, 1836.

    TEXT.—­Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.—­I Pet. 2:7.

Dear Brethren, this chapter is full of instruction and encouragement.  Peter knew by experience what it is to backslide.  Now, that he is restored again to full fellowship with the Lord and the church, Jesus seems nearer and more precious to him than ever before.  In the seventh verse he says:  “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.”  I know he must be so, because he is so precious to me.  I shamefully denied him when he most needed my loving support, and swore that I did not know him in the darkest hour of his temptation.  Who can comprehend his grace?  The meekness, the gentleness, the calmness of his forgiving heart under trials the deepest, under persecutions the greatest, even unto death, are surely worthy of God incarnate.

“‘I know not the man’ were the very last words he heard me utter on his way through tribulations to the cross; and I added oaths to the declaration.  I now fail to find words to express my surprise and joy at the message he sent me on the morning of his resurrection.  When he was placed in the tomb I had no hope of his ever coming out thence.  But what surprised and overcame me more than the direct news of his rising was the special message of love he sent me by the women who saw him first.  He said to them:  ’Go and tell my disciples AND PETER, that I go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.’  His forgiving love singled me out as one of its special objects, because I was such a vile sinner, and had treated him so badly.  Brother Paul calls himself the ‘chief of sinners,’ because he persecuted the saints of God; but I feel that I must be, for I denied his Son.  Truly did Paul say of all such great sinners as we are:  ’Where sin abounded, grace did also much more abound.’  Thanks to my risen Lord, I can now with heart and voice join the chorus of those that sing: