The Litchfield County post., 1827-12-06
THE BURIAL.

1nEf ~ AAAHA~
smsl, ,own on the Green Mountains in
massachusetts. lived milIer'by occupation,
who has long since gone to the grave, hut
whose memory is dear 10 the hearts of thou
sands. He had a daughter lovely girl
whose mind, like the scenery around, was rO- |
mantle: and somewhat inclined to peusiveness.
He regarded her with a fathers tenderness.
and seemed always to feel a kind Of resigned
distress, lest that interesting child shoa!d tail
at last of Heaven, with all its unspeakable
lows. Such charmer would not long escape
the notice of those who hoped for happiness
in this life. She was soon affianced and mar
ricd to a young man of respectable eonnex-
ions and standing in society, but tar below her
In pcint of real excellence. They, however,
were mutually happy in each others society
and friendship; and in contemplating the flu
ture. there seemed to rise before them luxu-
rant fields aud fowery paths and beautiful
habitations.
But he who seeth not as man seeth had
otherwise determined. This mountain flow
ret was doomed to wither and die. Scarce
" had one heeting year dispensed IFS bles-.
sings, when fever seized on her delicate
frame, and she gradually sunk under its bur-
nings. With her husband and her father it
was now time Of indiscribable interest. The
former loved her for her gentleness and
endearing mental qualities, and wept at the
bare thought of bidding last adieu to all he
held dear on earth. Her father too, knew
well how to admire the exercise of the virtu-
Gus affections. A thousand nameless endear-
u7ents seemed to have entwinned his very
existence with her own. But what threw
hal!0wed pensiveness over the scene, was,
that she had been the child of his prayers. He
had carried her in his arms before the bap-
tsmal altar, and there given her away to God.
Often IN the darkness and solitude of night,
he bad knelt before the eternal throne and
commended her to the blessed Jesus. How
could he now see her laid in the grave, with
out hope of his atoning blood How could he
look upon her cold, lifeless clay. when the
spirit that once animated it, was in the world
of despair! Poor man !" said many heart,
"he cannot survive if she dies thus,-so in
tense is his vision Of eternal things" Mean
while the disease was gaining ground ;-she
saw she was going mot without serious a
larm, but with no hope Many time when
her kind father bent over her bed side with
the voice of affectionate entreaty, and
eountenance struggling between the emotions
of anxiety and resignation, she would look
on him with despairing eye, and say that
vest wa past, her summer ended, and she was
not saved! Then the broken hearted miller
would go away & commune alone with God !;
till every tear was dry and every tumultu0us
feeling hushed in the sublime contemplation
that "the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.'
The sad, the melancholy day, at last came.
The lovely green that spread its mantle around
the secluded habitatiOn, seemed now to be
tinged with sorrow. The bereaved husband,
with broken heart, believed the cold clay
with many tears. Other relatives and friends
sat weeping around the remains of SO dear an
object st was verify house Of mourning.
But amid this afflicted group stood the vene-
rable father, alternately raising his melting
eyes to heaven, and then casting them affec-
tiOnately upon his departed child. No MUIR
muring, no complaint, no inordinate sorrow.
"The Lord gave" said he, the Lord hath
taken away, and blessed be the name Of the
Lord" He then kneeled down by the bed
side and poured forth his heart in fervent sup
plicatiOn to God, recounting his mercies, and
praying that his affection, though for the pre-
sent not joyous but grievous, might work out
for them all far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory. 1t was affecting to hear such
notes of thankfulness ascend from the abode
of poverty and tears, while many-ah too
many-whose lives have been crowned with
goodness, never felt one emotion of gratitude
to him from whom all their blessings flow.
Thesmorrow came. After the usual servi-
ces at The afflicted dwelling. procession was
formed, and moved slowly toward the grave.
Around it all were quickly gathered, and
the damp earth was closed over the loved re-
mains. The last impress had been sealed
the last look had been taken-earth was re-
turDed 10 earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
The hoart of the bereaved husband seemed
rep Nth anguish. Even now we seem to
hear his atided groans. Many hardy vete-
RAJ who Lad seldom wept before. now Joined
Their vmpathies with the throbbing bosoms
ofyou.o. on heholding a scene like this.-How
slr202e ~sa the contrast presented by the IA
the I'll shed no tears he raised no sigh.
E'a-y feature vas softened into serenity, and
q hau7eatY smile sat upon his countenance
gill az length, his heart bursting with feelings
inc paaa OF utterance, he uncovered his head
ans ad5Fr3sed the assembly nearly as follows:
:" My frieads you know.how strongly my af-
fectlons were bound to this child, now gone
fore'er and you wonder why it is that drop
no tear upca her grave. But cannot weep
if | do they mast be tears of Joy. The God
] serve has SOuChsafed to me this day such a
glimpse of his glory, that my thoughts are
swallowed up in him. can truly say that it
has been the happiest day of my life. Shall !,
poor worm, ,exalt myself against God