Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-11-21


in her nrayers for tins great blessing; and the
hone she permitted herself 10 indulge OF hrs per-
msnent reformation, impaired un"onted cheer
fitness to her brow and demssnor. The insa'
lid boy seemed also to gather healing from u"
mothers smiles; for SO great was her power over
him, since sickness had rendered his dependence
complete, that his comfort, and even his counte-
nance. were a faithful reflection otr her own
Perceiving the degree Of her influence, abe en-.
deayored to use il, as every religious parent
should. for his spiritual benefit. She duplicated
that the pencil which was to write upon hts soul,
might be guided from above. She spoke to him
in the tenderest manner Of his Father 10 heaven,
and of HIS will respecting little children She
pouted out His goodness IN the daily gifts that
sustain life; in the glorious sun as it came forth
rejoicing in the east in the gently faliins RAM
the fraii plant, and the dews that nourlsh IT,
He loved even the storm, and the lofty thunder'
because they came from God. She repeated to
him passages Of Scriptures. with which her me-
mory was stored, and sang hymns, until she
perceived that If he was IN pain, he complained
not, If he might but hear her voice She made
him acquainted with the lie OF the compassion
ate Relleemer, and ho~ he called young chill
dren to his arms, though the disciples forbade
them And il seemed as if voice from heaven
urged her never to desist from, cherishing this
! tender and deep rooted piety; because. like the
flower IF grass, he must soon fade away. Yet.
though il was evident that the seeds Of disease
were in his system, his health at intervals seem
ed to BE- improving, and the little household par.
took, for time. the blessings OF tranquility and
content.
But let none flatter himself that the dominion
of vice 10 suddenly or easily broken. II may
seem to relax its grasp, and to slumber, but the
victim who has long worn its chain, II he would
utterly escape, and triumph at last. must do 81 in
the strength of Omnpotence. This James Har
! wood never sought He had begun to experience
that prostration Of spirits which attends the alb
! strsc ton Of an habitual stimuant. His resoiu-
ton to recover his lost character was not proof
! az ,inst this physical Inconvenience. He deter.
mined, at all hazards, to crafty his depraved aP
pc tite. He laid his plans deliberately, and with
the pretext OF making some arrangements about
the wagon, which bad been left broken on the
road, departed from his home. His stay was
protracted beyond the appointed limit, and al his
return, his sin was written on his brow, 10 cha'
racters too strong to be mistaken. That he had
also brought with him some hoard ct intoxicating
poison. to which to resort, there remained no
room to doubt. Day after day did his shrinking
household witness the alterations OF cause'rss an
ger aud brutal tyranny. To-Day waste the com
fort of his wife, seemed to be his prominent ob.
ject. By constant contradiction and m'scon'
sru ton, he srove to distress her and then visit.
ed her sensib,li'ies upon her as SINS Had she
been more obtuse by nature. or m"re indifferent
TO his welfare, she might with greater ease have
borne 'he ,,oss. But her youth was nurtured in
tenderness, and education had refined her sus.
cepfbl,irs, both vt pleasure and pain. She
coold nut !u:g-t the love he had once manifested
for her. NJ. -.rcvpnt the chilling contrast from
filing her with anguish SIZE could not resign
the bnpe tha, the heing who had early evInced
correct feelings and noble principles OF action.
misht vet be woa back To that virtue which had
rendered him worthy of her affections. Still.
this hone deferred was sickness and sorrow TO
the heart She found the necessity OF deriving
consolation, and the power OF endurance, who'iv
from above. The tender invitation by the mouth
of prophe. was as balm to her wounded soul,
-.asa woman tnrsaken and grieved IN spirit.
and as q wte of youth. when thou vast refused,
have called thee, saith thy God
So faithful wa, she IN the discharge Of the df
fcut duties that devoived upon her--so careful
not to irrita,e her husband BY reproach or gloom
that to q casual observer she might have aps
peared to BE- confirming the doctrine Of the an
Gent philosopher, that happiness is in exact pro
portion 10 virtue Had he asserted, that virtue
is the source of al that happiness which depends
upon ourselves, none could have cOntrOverted his
position. Bot. to a woman, wife. mother,
how small is the portion Of independent hapri.
ness! She has woven the tendriIs OF her soul
around many props Each revolving year rem
ders their support more necessary. They can
not wayer, or warp, or break, but she must trem.
bic ard bleed.
There wa. one modification OF her husbands
persecution which the fullest measure OF her pie.
" could not enable her to bear unmOved. This
, was unkindaess to her feeble and suffering boy.
Ii was at 6r,t commenced as the surest mode Of
distressing ner. 1t opened direct avenue to
her heart steings. What began in perverseness
seemed to end 10 hatred. as evil habits sometimes
create perverted principles. The wasted and
wild eyed invalid shrank from his fathers lance
and footstep, as from the approach OF foe,
More than nee had he taken him from the little
bed which r,aerna care had provided for him.
and forced him togo forth in the cold OF the win
ter storm.