The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-07-25

THE JEW.

ern part OF Virginia, was much inter-
ested in hearing an old and highly res
pectable clergyman give short account
of a Jew, with whom he had lately be-
come acquainted. He was preaching
to large and attentive audience, when
his attention was arrested by seeing a
man enter, having every mark of Jew
on the lineaments of his countenance.
He was we'll dressed-his countenance
was noble, though it was evident his
heart had lately been the habitation of
sorrow. He took his seat, and was all
attention, while an unconscious tear was
often seen to wet his manly cheek. AZ
ter service the clergyman fixed his eye
steadily upon him, and the stranger re-
ciprocated the stare. The good minis
ter goes up to him; IS Sir, am correct,
am | not addressing one of the sons of
Abraham % "You are" "But how is
it that meet a Jew in Christian as
sembly ?"--The substance of his nara
tive was as follows -
He was very respectable man, of
superior education, who had lately come
from London; and, with his books. his
riches, and lovely daughter of seven
teen, had found charming retreat on
the fertile banks of the Ohio. He had
buried the companion of his bosom be-
fore he left Europe, and he now knew
no pleasure but the company of his en-
deared child. She was, indeed, worthy
of parents love. She was surrounded
by beauty as mantle but her cultivat-
ed mind and her amiabIe disposition
threw around her charm superior to
any of the tinselled decorations of the
body. Nopains had been spared on her
education. She could read and speak
with fluency several different languages,
and her manners charmed every one.
No wonder then, that doating father.
whose head had now become sprinkled
with grey, should place his whole affec-
ton on this only child of his love, espec-
tally as he knew no source of happiness
beyond this world. Being a strict Jew,
he educated her in the strictest princi-
pies of his religion; and he thought he
had presented it with an ornament.
It was not long ago that this daughter
was taken sick. The rose faded from
her cheek, her eye lost its fire, her
strength decayed, and it was soon appar-
ent that the worm of disease was rioting
IN the core Of her yitals. The father
hung over the bed of his daughter with
a heart ready to burst with anguish.
He often attempted, to converse with her,
but seldom. spoke but by the language
of tears. He spared no trouble or ex-
pense in procuring medical assistance,
but no human skill could extract the ar
row of death now fixed in her heart.
The father was walking in a small
grove near his house, wetting his steps
with his tears, when he was sent for by
the dying daughter. With heavy heart
he entered the door Of the chamber,
which he feared would soon be the en-
trance of death, He was now to take
last farewell Of his child; and his relig-
ion gave but feeble hope of meeting
her hereafter
The child grasped the hand of her
parent with death-cold hand. "My
father, do you love me p "My child,
you know love you-that you are
more dear to me than all the world be-
side!'' $ But, father, do you loUe me %
" why, my child, will you give me pain so
exquisite z have never given you any
proofs of my love ~ But, my dearest
father, do you love me % the father
could not answer. The child added, g
know, my dear father, you have ever
loved me-you have been the kindest
of parents; and tenderly love you
Will you grant me one request o,
my father, it is the dying request of your
daughter-will you grant it % my
dearest child, ask what you will, though.
it take every cent of my property, what
ever it may be, it shall be granted: l.
1oiu grant it!'' "My dear father, beg
yon never again 10 speak against JESUS of
Nazareth - The father was dumb with
astonishment.. " know Continued the
dying girl, know but little about this
Jesus, for | was never taught. But |
know that he is Saviour, for he has
manifested himself to me since L have
been SICK, even for the salvation of my
soul ! believe he will save me, al
though | have never before loved him..
| feel that ! am going to him-that I
shall ever be with him.. And now, my