The native American., 1838-04-14
THE MISSIONARY GIRL.
BY JOHN c. ABBOTT.


pious girl becomes the wife of a missionary.
See her standing upon the deck OF me snip, a.
they unfurl the sails to the wind Her heart is
bleeding as she bids adieu to kindred and TRENDS.
A superficial world regards her with ply-lt IS
because thew know not the motives which actuale
her. and the consultations which fill her heart.
AS the breeze propels the ship from the shore,
and the blue haze of her country fades away IN
the distance, consultations of noble nature and
heavenly origin, come as an angel from heaven,
and strengthen her. And as in the solitude OF
the ocean, she gazes upon the stars hung out IN
the midnight sky, and thinks with rapture OF The
mansion prepared for her there's oh! think you,
she would exchange that rich happiness which
mets her heart, and causes the tears to gush
into her eyes, for any enjoyment the fashionable
belle has ever found in illuminated halls, and
pretty ribbons, and gaudy dresses! Angels gaze
with interest upon the moral sublimity of the
work iii which she has engaged, and may always
covet the tolls and sacrifices she is permitted to-
endure. She is engaged in her Fathers work,
and receives those satisfying rewards her Father
knows so we'll how to confer
Look at her again. She has passed weeks
and months upon the stormy ocean, and is Just
gazing upon the distant outline of the dark islands
where she is to pass her life and find her grave
Oh! who can tell the emotions which thrill
through her heart as she leans on her husbands
arm, and gazes upon the opening wonders of her
new and final home9 As the ship nears the shore,
the dim mountains rise to view. The 'luXuriant
forest waves deep and dark over the extended
hills and vaIlies. Wild natives shout along the
shore, or with hasty paddle, propel the canoe
over the waves. As with uncouth geslicuation
and unintegible jargon, they throng around the
ship and climb its sides, her heart almost faints
within her at the sight Of the degraded creatures
with whom she is to spend her days; think YOU,
that hope-heavenly hope-does not animate
her, as in the visions of the future she sees them
elevated through her instrumentality, from sin to
holiness, and presented, rejoicing in pardon, at
the throne of heaven!
Ask her if she is willing to turn from those
shores, and again seek her highly favored Anne
rican home? She will tell you MOI And in
her humble dwelling, surrounded bv uninstructed
heather, she will perhaps experience hours of as
great enjoyment as is to be found on earth. She
is strengthened by faith, and animated by hope
The consciousness that she is in the service o
God, gives her degree of substantial happ
ness, such as the voary Of worldly pleasure never
knew.
Could you hear the silent prayer her heart is
offering, you would perceive it to be the prayer
of praise. She blesses God that she is permitted
to enter into such field of labor, and to engage
in so glorious an enterprise.
Look at her again. She is borne down with
infirmties and cares. A humble hut is her home
and disease and hardship have made sad ravages
upon her feeble Frame But mark her demeanor
How calm, and serene, and subdued! Gaze upon
that countenance. 1t is already lighted up as
with the purity of heaven! Listen to her con-
versation. 1t comes from an untroubled and re-
joicing heart! Ask her if she is happy! Every
feature Of her countenance will say 'Yes!' Ask
her if she looks back with regret upon the choice
she made in early life, and in the funess of over
flowing gratitude she will tell you that she besses
God that she was led thus to choose! She has
entered the way of pleasanness-she has found
the paths of peace. And oh! how triumphant is
the hour of her departure from the world! The
exulting language of the dying Christian is on her
lips:
"Lend. lend your wings mount, / fly!
Oh grave, where is thy victory?
Oh death, where is sting" .u.