![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I felt a weight of worlds, of eternal worlds resting upon me for fear I might still remain in uncertainty, and at last fall short and still sleep on in the cold embrace of death while the great, the good, the blessed and the holy of this world would awake from the gloom of the grave and be renovated, filled with life and joy, and enter upon life with all its joys: while for a thousand years their busy, happy tribes should trample on my sleeping dust, and still my spirit wait in dread suspense, impatient of its doom. I felt a longing desire and an inexpressible anxiety to secure to myself a part in a resurrection so glorious. O, what an impression this made on my mind I retired to rest after an evening spent in this way but I could not sleep. I read of David and Goliath of Saul and Samuel of Samson and the Philistines-all these inspired me with hatred to the deeds of evil doers and love for good men and their deeds.Īfter this I read of Jesus and his Apostles and O, how I loved them! How I longed to fall at the feet of Jesus to worship him, or to offer my life for his.Īt about twelve years of age I read of the first resurrection, as described by John the Apostle, in the 20th chapter of his Revelation how they, martyrs of Jesus, and those who kept His commandments would live and reign with Christ a thousand years, while the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years were ended. All this inspired me with love, and with the noblest sentiments ever planted in the bosom of man. ![]() If I worked hard, a book was in my hand in the morning while others were sitting down to breakfast the same at noon if I had a few moments, a book! a BOOK! A book at evening, while others slept or sported a book on Sundays a book at every leisure moment of my life.Īt the age of seven years my mother gave me lessons to read in the Scriptures I read of Joseph in Egypt, his dreams, his servitude, his temptation and exaltation his kindness and affection for his father and brethren. My opportunity, even in these institutions, was far more limited than most of the youths of my country, on account of my time being mostly required in physical exertion to assist in sustaining the family of my father.īut I always loved a book. His means to educate his children were very limited but that excellent system of common school education early established in the Eastern and Middle States afforded to them, in common with others, an opportunity to learn, and even to become familiar with the four great branches, which are the foundation of literature and the sciences. Though my father did sometimes manifest a decided disapprobation of a hireling clergy, who seemed, in his estimation, to prefer the learning and wisdom of man to the gifts and power of the Holy Ghost. We frequently attended public worship, with Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists in turn, or, as circumstances rendered convenient-having equal respect for these several forms of worship and their adherents. #JOHN NICKERSON RECORD IT SPRINKLED IT RAINED AND IT POURED FREE#He taught us to venerate our Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, His prophets and Apostles, as well as the Scriptures written by them while at the same time he belonged to no religious sect, and was careful to preserve his children free from all prejudice in favor of or against any particular denomination, into which the so-called Christian world was then unhappily divided. He was a man of excellent morals and he exerted himself diligently, by stern example as well as precept, to instill into the minds of his children every principle of integrity, honesty, honor and virtue. My father was a hard working man, and generally occupied in agricultural pursuits and, although limited in education, he sometimes taught school, and even vocal music. Of my early youth I shall say but little. Parley Parker Pratt, the subject and author of these sketches, and third son of Jared and Charity Pratt, of Canaan, Columbia County, New York, was born April 12, 1807, in Burlington, Otsego County, N.Y. ![]()
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