Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-08-01


removing, We saw, peepiug out from the
door, brothers and sisters ofonr little guides
who quickly disappeared, and then their
mother showed herself ID their stead, exc
pressing, by her raised eyes and arms
folded across her breast, how thankful she
was to see, at Iasf, the Pastor, beloved 10
joy and trusted in trouble
Soon as the venerable old man dis
mounted from his horse, our active little !.
guide led IL away into the humble siables
and we entered The cottage. Not a sound
was heard but the ticking Of the clock.
The matron, who had silently welcomed
us at the door, led US, With suppressed
signs and face stained with seepinss
into her fathers sick room, which even Id
that time Of sore distress was as orderly
as If health had blessed the house. could
not help remarking some old china orna-
meuts on the chimney-pieceand in
the window was az ever-blowing rose-tree,
that almost touched the lofty ROOT, and
frightened that end of the apartment with
its blossoms. There was something taste-
fui 10 the simple furniture; and i. seemed
as If grief could not deprive the hand OF
that malron of its careful elegance. Sick
ness, almost hopeless sickness, lay there.
surrounded with the same cheerful and
beautiful objects winch health had loved;
and she, who had arranged and adjusted
the apartment in her happiness, still kept
ii from disorder aud decay in her sorrow
With gentle hand she drew the cur-
tain Of the bed, and there supported by
pillows as white as the snow that lay
without, reposed the dying Elder. Ii
was plain that the hand of God was upon
him. and that his days on the earth we're
numbered.
He greeted his Minister with faint
smile, and slight inclination of the head:
for his daughter had so raised him on the
pillows. iiIat ne was almost sitting up in ms
bed. II was easy TO see that he knew
himself to be dying, and thai his soul was
prepared for the great change yet a
long with the solemn resignation OF q
Christian who has made bis peace with
God and his Saviour, there was blended
on bis white and sunken countenance, an
expression of habitual reverence for the
minister Of mis- faiiil-and / saw that nc
could noshave died in peace without that
comforter to pray By his death bed
A few words suffered to tell who was
the srfaRgcF--aESEs file dying man, blessing
me by name, held out to me bis cold shriy-
elled hand 10 token OF recognition. took
my seat at a small distance from the bed
side and left closer station for those who
were more dear. The Pastor sat down
by bis bead--and by the bed, leaning on
it with gentle hands, stood that matron,
his dsughter-in-law a figure that would
have graced and sainted higher dwell
ling, and whose native beauty was now
more touching in IFS grief. But religion
upheld her whom nature was bowiog
down; not now for the FIRST time were the
lessons taught by her father to be put in
practice, for | saw that she was clothed in
deep mourning-and she behaved like the
daughter Of man whose life had not only
been irreproachable but lofty. with fear
and hope fighting desperately. but silently
IN the core Of her pure and pious heart.
While we thus remained in silence, the
beautiful boy, who at the risk OF his life,
brought the minister Of religion to the
bed side of bis beloved grandfather, softly
and cautiously opened the door, and, with
the hoar frost yet unmelted on his bright
clustering ringlets, walked up to the pill
low, evidently no stranger there. Heno
longer sobbed--he no longer weeped-ior
hope had risen strongly within his limo.
cent heart, from consciousness Of love so
fearlessIy exerte6, aud from the presence
of the Holy Man in whose prayers he
trusted, as in the intercession Of some
superior and heavenly nature. There he
stood, still as an image in his grandpa
theirs eyes, that, 10 their dimness, fell
upon him with delight. Yet happy as vas
the trusting child, bis heart was devoured
by fear--and he looked as if one word
might stir up the Good Of tears that had
subsidized 10 his heart. As he crossed the
dreary aud dismal moors, he had thought
of corpse, a shroud and graye--he
had been 10 terror, lest death should
strike 10 his absence, the old man with
whose grey hairs he had SO often played
but now he saw him alive, and felt that
death was NOT able TO tear him away from
the clasps and links and letters OF his
grandchild's embracing love.
.If the storm do not abate,s said the
sick man, after pause. sit will be hard
for my friends to carry me over the drifts
10 the kirk yard" This sudden approach
to the grave, struck as with bar Of ice.
The heart of the loving boy. and with long
deep sigh, he fell down with his face like
ashes on the bed, while the old mans pals
sled right hand had just strength to lay
itself upon his head. Blessed be thou