Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-06-09
M 4 ~ Z. I ANEOUs.
From the Episcopal Register.
THE STORM.


1t was balmy evening in June when
an anxious and devoted wife sat before
an open window which overlooked part
ola beautiful bay that formed the har-
hour. of the seaport in which she resided.
Her eye had never rested on, scene more
lovely. The pure blue sky without a
cloud, and the calm clear water sleeping
beneath it in its loveliness like the baby
boy that was pillowed on her own fair
breast.
But it was not the beauty of the scene
that made it so attractive to her. Hers
was not the delighted gaze of one whose
feelings are all absorbed in the loneliness
of nature. On the contrary, her anxious,
eager eye told that she was not satisfied
with the scene before her, though so fair
but she was looking for an object of great
er interest than any that appeared. But
not a speck was to be seen on the silvery
expanse before her, and she turned away
with a disappointed and heart-sickened
feeling.
Emma had looked forth many times in
the day for several weeks on the same
scene, sometimes fair as now, and some
times deformed by storms, for the ship
which contained her dearest treasure
Still the husband and the father came not,
and her thoughts grew troubled and her
heart sad, and now the tears fell fast on
the dear face Of her sleeping infant. But
Emma was christian, and the sweet
promise, Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, -
came over her spirit so soothingly, and
with power so divine, that her heart at
once rested on the promise of her AL
mighty Father, and her perturbed and
anxious feelings were hushed to repose.
While she still sat at the window, her
little boy of about ten years, ran into the
room exclaiming, o mother dear moth
err father is comingp What do you
mean, my child 2 said Emma, turning
very pale Why look, mother! don't
you see that pilot boat? Well, the men on
board of her say that the ship Anne is in
the offing, and will be in the harbour be-
fore morning. Q my dear boy said
Emma, tears Of JOY now filling her eyes,
what gratitude do we owe to our heaven
ly Parent !! But are you sure, are you
quite sure it was the vessel that contains
your father 2 20 YES, mother, the men
said they could not be mistaken-and see
one of them is coming this way now, I do
believe, to tell you about it HIMSELF 1t
was as William had coniectured !; the man
soon arrived with the blessed intelligence
that the vessel would undoubtedly be in
the harbour before morning.
8 What do you think father will say to
you, little Charley, said William to his
lovely little brother, as he opened his soft
blue eyes and smiled upon him am
sure he Will give you so many kisses as to
make you cry, for I don't think you like
to be kissed much Don't you believe,
said he, turning to his mother, that faith
er will think him the finest little fellow he
ever saw expect he will love him even
better than do added he, pressing his
lips tenderly to his soft fair cheek.
The grateful mother smiled upon her
precious boys, while her heart was lifted
in adoring thankfulness to Him who had
bestowed these gifts, and was about restor-
ing to them and to her the life of all their
earthly joys.
Williams exuberance of Joy continued
to overflow at his lips, while the mothers,
chasiened, but far more deep, kept her ST.
lent and thoughtful, though she listened
with complacency, and wonld now and
then reply TO the playful remarks of her
child. They were sitting in this way,
when peal of thunder loud and long rol-
led over their heads, and in moment
Emma and her boy were at the window.
Their eyes having been directed only to-
wards the water, they had not observed
the cloud which had arisen in the east
and which they now perceived had nearly
covered the heavens God in mercy
preserve the father = exclaimed Emma,
for | fear storm is close at band.' 90!
if,'-she checked herself and only added
He who has hitherto preserved him can
still keep him in perfect safety, and thou
in perfect peace if the mind is stayed on
me- was whispered by the blessed Spirit.
Compassionate Father" she responded
inwardIy, " | will lean upon thee, will
trust thee, | will repose on thy faithful
ness" Again was her spirit Gained, and
the painful throbbings of her anxious heart
quieted, although the storm was evidently
fearfully increasing. In one short hour
how had the scene before her changed
Dark and heavy clouds were driven with
frightfa rapidity across the heavens, and
the water was lashed to foaming fury by
the violence of the wind. 1t seemed in
deed impossible that vessel could live
for moment on the heaying pillows of
that stormy sea.
What change too in the Joyous feel
iDgs of Williams little affectionate heart.
The big tears chased each other down his
sweet pale cheeks, and all his childish