Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-09-04
From the Charleston Mercury.
"A Happy Family.

There is now living in st. Peters Pa
rish, widow lady whose locks are sill
versd by age, but whose placid counte-
nance almost tempts the stranger to con-
tradict the universal application of the
sentiment, "man is born to trouble. -
That lady is Mrs SARAH LAwroN. The
sixth day Of last February was the ami
versary Of her birth, and seventy-seven
years had then rolled by, leaving upon
her recollection scenes of pleasure to
cheer the pathway of declining age
The morn was ushered in by sunbeams,
reflected from the hoary frost, and the
old lady whose pleasurable anticipations
had not allowed an hours " slumbcr to
her eye lids" during the night, came
forth in all the dignity Of age, and smil-
ed complaisance upon those who were
making preparations for the feast. AT
an early hour the rafting of gigs and
carriages, the neighing Of horses, the
running to and fro Of servants, the frolics
of the little boys and girls, the civilities
Of youthful companions, and the warm
gratulatiOns of those of maturer years.
presented scene Of innocent gaiety,
which even happy Mulberry Grove had
never before witnessed. This day had
long been spoken of, and the expected
dinner was the theme Of every table talk.
With their best apparel and their happi-
est smiles, children and grand children,
and great grand children entered the
habitalion, and approaching the great
arm chair, received the maternal kiss,
and the maternal blessing. She wept,
and they wept, she smiled and they smil-
ed; and the tear was the tear Of love,
and the smile, the smile of joy. And
having gathered them all about her, she
said, "my children, have long anticipa-
ted this day, with fond wish to see you
all before l die, and now feel that it is a
little heaven below" for already had her
children and grand children been maxi
ing the house resound with songs of
praise to Him, from whom all blessings
flow; and she continued "the Lord has
done wonders for me, he has given me
family cighty-four in number, and what
demands my highest gratitude, all my
children and grand children who are
grown, are professors of religion, and not
one has ever disgraced his family, but
all contribute to the happiness of my life,
Even those who have married into my
family, are all religious except one, and
religion is the only thing he wants. My
eldest and my youngest sons are Minis.
ters Of the blessed Gospel, and two of
my grand daughters are minister's wives,
and till but lately, l had a son-in-law
who was Of the same holy calling My
family is healthy and happy, and they
are almost all living near me. Oh 3
when l look at you all, my heart is full
of gratitude to God, to think how am
blessed with children and grand child
ren, afectionate and dutilul, to comfort
me in my declining years. God bless
you, my dear children"
She then directed little stand to be
brought to her, and upon it was placed
large family bible, and hymn book. =
Her eldest son between filly and sixty
years of age, read from the holy book
"and thou Solomon my son, know thou
the God of thy fathers, and serve him
with a perfect heart, and with a willing
mind" eff thou seek him, he will be-
found ofthee, but if thou lorsake him he
will cast thee off forever" And from
this text, he delivered with as much pa
thos as the interest Of the occasion cal
led for, an address that seemed TO reach
every heart, and TO make every eye pour
forth streams Of love. His youthful bro
ther closed tho exercises with feeling