Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1837-12-02


venerable Father Ephraim, fixing. his aged eyes
picrciDgly upon them, s'f We can conscicntiously
take this charge, speak, that tho brethren may
not doubt Of your fitness
"Fathcr'' replied Adam, speaking with the
calmness Of his character, II came to your village
il disappointed man; weary Of tho worId-wofn
out with contin led Notwithstanding only a secu.
rity against fortune, as ! had no hope Of good
Even INV wishes Of worldly success were almost
dead within me. came hither as man might
come to tomb willing 10 lie down in its gloom
and GOODNESS, for the sake Of its peace and quiet
There was but ono earthly affectionin my breast,
and it had grown ca!mer since my youth; 80 that
was satisfied to bring Martha to be my sister, III
our new abode. We arc brother and sister; nor
would ! have il otherwise And in this peaceful
village have found all that hope for-all that
desire. I will strive, with my best strength, tor
the spiritual and temporal good Of our communi-
~. NV conscience IS not doubtful in this matter.
I am ready to receive the trust.
.sThou hast spoken well, son ADAM" said the
father. "God will bless thee in the oifice which
arm about to resign"
"Isut our sister, observed the elder from Har-
ward ''had she not likewise gift to declare her
scntirncnts?"
Martha started, aud NOV cd her lips, rs il
she would have made formal reply to this ap-
peal
But, had she attempted it, perhaps the old re-
hood, youth and womanhood, might have gushed
from her heart, in words that it would have been
PROCLAMATION to utter there.
..Adam has spoken,'' said she hurricdly, shis
sentiments arc mine" After utteriDg these few
words, Martha grew 50 pale, that she looked mt
ter to be laid in her coffin, than to stand IN the
presence Of Father Ephraim and the elders; she
shuddercd, also, as II there was something awful
or terrible in her situation and destiny. Hrcquir-
CD, indeed, q more than feminine strength OF
nerve to sustain the fixed observance OF men so
exalted and famous throughout the sect, as these
wcrc.-Tbev had overcome their natural sympa-
,hy with human fra,ties and affections. One,
when he joined the society, had brought with him
his wife and children, but never, from that hour,
had spoken a fond worl with the former, or taken
his best loved child upon his knee. Another,
whose family refused to follow him, had been en-
ablcd--such was his gift Of holy fortitude-to
leave them to the mercy Of the world The young
est Of the elders, u man Of about nifty, mad Dech
bred from infancy in a shaker village, and was
said to have never claspcd a woman's hand IN his
own, and to have no conception Of q closer tie
than the cold patcrnal one Ofthe Sect Old fath-
er Ephraim was the most awful character OF all.
In his youth, he had been dissolutc hbcrtine,
but was converted by Mother Ann herself, and
had partaksn Of the wild fanaticism OF the early
Shakers. Tradition whispered, at the hresides
Of the village, that Mother Ann had been compel
led to scar hts heart Of flesh with rcdhot iron,
before il could be purified from earthly passions
However that might be, poor Martha had
woman's heart, and a tender ono, and 1t quaiico
within her, rs she looked around at those strange
old men. and from them to the calm features OF
Adam Colbun. But percciving that the elders
eyed her doub.fuy, she gasped tor brca'h, ana
then spoke.
sWith what strength is left me by my many
troubles, said she, IL am ready to undertake. this
charge, and do my best in It,.
'Nly children, join your hands,, said Father
Ephraim. :,
They did Co. The elders stood up around, and
the father partly raised himself TO a more erect
position, but continued sitting in his great chair.
81 have hidden you join your hands, said he,
mot in earthly affection, Tor We have cast Oft ITS
chains forever but brother and sister IN spirit
ua love, and helpers OF ono another IN your ailot-
ted task. Teach unto others the faith which we
have received. Open wide your gates-l deliv-
or the keys thercof-oPcn them vide to all VINO
" III give up the iniquities Of the world and come
hi,her to lead lives Of purity and peace. Receive
Tho weary ones who have known the vanity OF
carth-rcccivc the little children that they may
never learn that lesson. And blessing be upon
YOUR labors; SO that the time may hasten on, when
The Mission of Mother Ann shall have wrought
its full cffect-whcn children shall no more be
born and die, and the las, survivor Of the mortal
racc some old and weary man like inc, shall see
sin and sorrow"
The aged father sunk exhausted, and the sur
elders deemed, with good reason, that
Inc hour was come, when the new heads OF the
village must enter on their Patriarchal duties.
In their attention 70 Father Ephraim, their eyes
we're turned from Martha Picrson, who grew pal
r. and palcr, unnoticcd even by Adam Colburn
lie. indeed. had Withdrawn his hand from hers,
md folded his arm with sense Of satisfied ambi-
.ion But palcr and palcr grew Martha by his
,i,c till like a corpse in its burial clothes she
sank down at the feet Of her early lover; tor, at
Ter many trials firmly borne. her heart could en-
Iurc the weight Of its dcsolate agony no longer
Token and Atlantic Somrcnr for 1888
THE CHANGES OF FORTUNE.
The following tale, (says the New York MIR
ror,) illustrates Of the many instances OF dls
.rcss existing among the poor seamstresses OF the
CITY. and the lady who has communicated It tor
publication in the Mirror, vouches for its anthem
licity.
40 YOU give out work hcrcg' said voice, so
soft. so low, 50 lady-like, that invountary look
ed up from the purse was about purchasing tor
INV darling boy, birthday gift from his papa
~Do YOU give out work hcre!"
.'Not to Strangers" was the rude reply.