American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-04-27
NARRATIVE.


common place civilities she turned to Mrs. Cliff
ford, saying, : / called to tell you that Mr.. s.
/ is in town, he breaches to-day at -. and you
must positively put on your things, and go with
me to hear him. Gould / consistently do so,'
replied her friend, i should be very happy TO &C
company you; but, excuse me when say, that
were this excellent man to see the dear little group
by which | am surrounded, he would be the first
to forbid my leaving them to listen to his Sermon
"Perhaps the conscious recollection of some du-
ty unperfOrmed at home, Just then stung the feel
| ings of our fair devotee it might be purely
misguided zeal, which REDEEMED on her cheek, as
she retorted somewhat sharply, When, like Mar
tha's the heart is careful and troubled about many
things it is easy to find pretext of duty to pre-
vent our listening to the words Of Jesus
"Mrs. Clifford mildly answered. Il hope | am
aware of this plausible deception, but in the pre-
sent instance | am not conscious OF merlting the
lrebuke. You may remember, my dear Mrs. HAM
mond, that Martha not censured for necessa-
ny attention to her ordinary and relative duties
but for an undue anxiety, an ostentatious and ill.,
timed desire of providing things, more than hos
pitaby COOL Perhaps, too, may remind you
that there subssts visible difference between her
negecting to hear the words of the Redeemer,
when he honored her roof with his sacred presence,
and my declining to attend the discourse of one
of his servants, when such an attendance would
necessarily involve neglect of duties. more strict
deal to say about duties, my DEAR resumed the
lady; sbut if l read my bible Alright, no duties
are so acceptable with God, as an atfectonate
ception of his gospel, and desire to see his king
dom advanced in our own hearts, and in the world
around u.s. She then magnanimously declared
her resolution to persist in her attachment to the
word preached although it continued to expose
her to many domestic sacrifices and involved her
in several petty prosecutions
| 81 believe Mrs. Clifford could have evinced to
her fair friend, that she had not read her bible
Alright but as spirit of recriminaton certainly
was not the temper by which she sought to main
tain the honor of religion, she thought it better to
drop the subject, than to expose her visitor to the
imminent risk of losing her temper.
"a short silence therefore ensued, till Mr.. Cliff
ford inquired of Mrs. Hammond, whether she
had yet had opportunity of visiting the sick
woman, whose case he recommended to her r. NO,
really,' she replied, / have not had one moment
of leisure since you named her to me. On Mon
day, was at bible society's meeting; Tuesday,
went to hear Mr. -p preach; Wednesday, !
ldned at Mrs. Nelson's, where select number oil
serious friends were assembled to meet the Pew
Mr.. II; all Thursday, was occupied In en-
deavoring to procure subscribers to our Dorcas
society; and to-day shall hardly have time to
swallow my dinner, ON my return home, before the
arrival of lady who has promised to 60 with me
I to hear sermon for the benefit OF our Sunday
d school, :
!, GAS Mrs Hammond paused, asked my friend
in low voice. Is it possible to be religiousis
dissipated ); 4 fear it is possibte though not,
IS should hope, very frequent case,' he observed
n then turning to the lady who had given birth tc
e the supposltion, he said, AS your engagements
D are already so numerous, fear your intended
d charity will come too late for poor Susan. Ou
n Emma saw her on wednesday, she was then al
e most incapable of receiving any n0urlshment; ant
| believe, that in few days her suferngs ant
IL her wants will cease
e IF mistake not, Mr.. Clifford designed to con
vey practical reproof to this wandering star,
and perhaps for moment it was felt as such ; bu
soon the salutary effects of her regret eyaporate'
id into extravagant expressions OF sorrow Surely
\ she exclaimed, there never was so unfortunate
of being before. would have made any sacrifice
i rather than to have lost the opportunity OF hear
ID ing the dying language of this poor but pious crea
d ture. Then addressing Emma, sHow | env
We vou Miss Clifford; it must be sweet satistac
to ton, to reflect the many hours which, for thu
al year past, you have spent in reading to the age
IN sufferer. Perhaps. my dear, you will write
,e short narrative of her, it would be a charming
70 obituary send it to me when it is drawn up, an
st I will get it published next month. Don't yo
es think it would be very interesting, Mrs. Clifford
so she continued turning to her, before she gave En-
DIS ma time to reply.
n s. Emma bit her lips to prevent smile, thong
i'd the mention of Susan's name at other times Nigh
e. more easily have drawn tear to her eyes,
in Mrs. Clifford replied. to us, who have so Ion
tn witnessed her patient sufe,ings, every circun
an stance of Susan's death would be highly interest
I'm ing. but doubt whether it would be equally S
so to the public eye. l agree with you, however,
s thinking that Emma has been highly privileged
nd reading to her from the sacred volume, which ha
he furnished the comfort and support Of long lift
d. In witnessing the triumph of faith like Susan
lat b,n,h nd cfr ba haSp