The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-04-18

ments. Tears started to Isabers eyes,
as they followed this idle pageant, at The
thought of the rational and simple rites Of
her own betrothal.
The next object that called prayer deep
from the souls of the strangers, wns tho
worship OF Jueeernaut, the mserally paint
ed wooden idol before which immcns multi
tudes assembled with overwhelming shouts.
Henry and Isabel cast down their eyes nt
the sacrlcse, and remembered The simple
church at home, where spiritual prayers
were the choicest gift TO heaven.
Their curiosity was attracted by a rude
Kind of basket, suspended from tree.
On looking within they discovered the par
italy devourcd remains Of liile child
isabel shuddcred, and thought Of the hap
py home of her childhood, aud Rosnlic pill
lowed on her mothers bosom.
But the most horrible scene TO IsnbeI in
this memorable journey, and one which
Henry would willingly have spared her,
sacrifice of = woman 10 the names Of her
husband. In vain the missionaries tried lu
move nway from this narrowing scene,
there was n spsll, a fascination even iu its
,errors, that claimed them to the spot, aud
Isabel, sick n. heart, with starring eyes and
painting chest. looked on. /" A grave was
dug near the river, large and Deep and nf-
ter few ini'atory rites, a. uninteligihle as
they were tanlastical, the widow took 4
1 formal leave of her ficnds and descended
into the chamber of death. II may be that
she was stupiiied will, opium, for there was
u mechanical inseusihiIity about her that
seemed scarcely human. As soon us shc
reached the boIto,n Of The pit, to which she
descended bv a rude Inddcr, she was lcft
alone with the body Of her husband, in
revolving state of decay, which she snlrac-
ed and clnsped TO her bvscni, and lIleu gave
the signal for the last act Of this shocking
scene to commence. The enrlil was DELHI
cratcIy thrown upon her, while two persnns
descended into tho grave and ,ra.npcd il
tightly around the self-deys,cd sscrificnnt.
During this tardy and terrible piocess. the
doomed woman sut an unconcerncd specta-
tor, occasionally catessing the corpse, and
lnoksd with an expression If almost divine
!, triumph as the earth embraced her body
The hands Of her Town children Aided in
this terrible rite, heoping around her the
!, cold dust to which she was 90 soon 10 bo
e resolved. At length all but her head was
covered, when tho pit was burriediy cover
ed in, nnd her nearest relatives danced over
the inhumed body with frantic gestures,
either Of ecstncy or inadness."
Before the termination Of this scene,
Isabel, who had fingered with infatuated in-
ierest tainted. On recovering she said to
Henry, "Assist inc, my husband, to hate
this act more than do. Again and again
thought, l could bear to die thus with you,
rather than live without you. Will God
forgive my idoIairy7 7"
4 AtIengtll the young Missionaries renched
their home. Home And was this the
abode of the delicate Isabel The late in
mates had died Of the fever Of the climate,
and no kind hand hnd arranged the few
! clies that remained. The dwelling con-
sisted Of two rooms, made of bamboo ond
thatch, with doors opposite each other
and an air of dssolntion prevailed every
where around. Day after day Isabel la
bored with those fair huHas so Unused to
toll, until nn air Of comfort wrought its
charms AROUND her; then her love Of the
beautiful broke forth she trained The ma
live sbrsbbery around the dwelling, aud
might gratefully repose as he sat at his
daily studies but nlas, hunger, and heat,
and debility, often took from her the power
Of more thnu necessary effort. Nothing is
more wearing TO an ardent Missionary, who
has sacrificed every hing for spiritual good,
than to find himself tr-mmeled down TO the
physical wants of life. Isabel felt this
pressure trial almost more than she could
hear. aud il was a day Of prayerfaI thanks
giving to her, when she was permitted by
the employment Of other hands ia nenial
occupation, to aid her husband in teaching.
Ills Iabois were ligbtepcd by her active
spirit, aud il was blessing to her soul to
toll with him, to listen To his earnest voice
rs he preached Of salva,ious. Ard oh,
how beautiful he was 10 her, as he stood
with earnest eyes and gestures breaking the
bread Of life 10 the benIghtsd souls around
him; and then, when evening came, they
could sit by their open door, and inhnle the
perfume Of their garden, and talk Of dis
taat America. Were they happy? Troubled
thoughts and forebodiugs sometimes shot
through their minds like az icc-boIt, for
death might come and sunder them con-
versions were slow british ignorance or
ingenious ,kepticism bafied their deniest
hopes the seed which they planted seen cd
thrown on stony hearts, but still their faith
was firm strong prayer went up daily,
hourly from the temple Of their hef fts,
though all others were closed against them;
faith looked with her bright. keen glance
beyond the present hour, and showed them
precious souls redeemed by their tolls.
In the midst Of these emotions. Henry
, was seized with the fever Of the climate.
Poor Isabel felt all for him. Night ard
, day she beut over his pillow, aud forgot
that il was wrong to idoIize an earthly form ;
all memroy. all hops was lost in tho preset n