Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-11-30

forbid streams over one of the finest por
tons of our land, while there was but little
influence of Christianity aud OF Christian
institutions to resist It. There remained
but little sense Of religious obligation
among the people. The public worship Of
God was not sustained. and when occasion
ally the Gospel was preached, it was but
thlny attended. The Sabbath wac desc.
Grated II had becnmc q dav on which
men did their own pleasure. Luxury was
the idol Of those who conld afford to wor.
ship her. The unfortunate constitution OF
society 10 our southern country opened the
wav for the free and unresisted operation Of
all these injurious Influences; and these
influences had now been prolonged through
half century. With religion, had depart
ed, of course, the best concern OF the peo-
pie for the education oftheir children and
many in the lower walks Of life had grown
to manhood without the ability to read.
Such was he moral condition of the
sweet valley of - -, when a young
lady, who will be known to the reader I'M
der the name OF Martha Atkinson, returned
,hither to the mansion OF her father. She
had lust finished her course Of study OF o
public school, and for this purpose, had
been living, for two years or more. IN the
pious and happy family of ma,erna uncle,
who resided in nelghborhood that had
been recently blessed with large efusion
Of he Spirit Of God.
in these scenes the attention of Martha
had been deeply interested in new subject.
Her heart bad been drawn to centre It's al
fcctlons on the Saviour. She had become
happy, bv becoming a Christian.
Naure had done much for Miss Atkinson,
and seemed TO have distinguished her as a
iavorue child. having bestowed on her a
most amlablc and cheerful temper, uncom-
mon mental endowmens, and symmelr'-
cal form, with a coun'ensnc" and features
which were true index OF the soul Edu
cation had improved these gifts Of God.
and for this end he affluence Of her ialhe
had been freely bestowed: and grace had
now given The finishing touches To char
octcr that made happy both It's possessor and
all around her. So tremendously were the
pure virtues Of Christianity m'Gglcd in her
consistent life and cheerful conversation.
that her most ,houghlcss companions were
attracted. There was something 10 tn"
expression Of her countenanCe. in the tone
of her voice, and in the very glance of her
eve, winch told that she held communion
with a purer world. The fe, influence OF
her pletv was a realization Of the poets
conception:
when one that holds communion with tie skies,
Has flied his arm where these pure waters rise,
And once more mingIes with Us -meaner things,
IT'S cen rs if an angel shook his wings;
Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide,
That tells us whence his treasures are supplied.
On returning home, the subject of our
sketch found very few persons 10 the neigh
torhood who could sympa'hlse IN her new
feelings. Her parents were foil Of natural
kindness and parental affection. They
were lnduigent even 10 fault. Intelligent,
bu, scepl lcal--lhcy were cherlshng hopes
Of we'll being hereafter. which had no COZ.
nexion with Christ. Devoted to pleasure
and to the idea of SHINING IN the world,
they could not understand the feelings OF
III ir daughe r, nor appreciate her new oh
| iects 1t pursuit. She had been Teacher
IN the Sabbath School. while residing III
the family o, her uncle; and she longcd ia
be again employed N this delightful. hope.
FIJI work But she was now IN new moro
atmosphere. Here was no stated worship
of God-no Sobba'h Schonl, and had al.
most sa,d) no Sabbath. Her situation was
irving to a young Christian. The state O
things to her was painful. and equally so
was the fact that the people were content
to nave things remain as they were.
possod hnfopf
Miss Atkinson resolved attempting to col
lee, The children of the neighborhood, on'
establish Sabbath School. She disclose.
her plan TO her parents. They discouraged
her, in,mallng that assuming such re
sponsib|,ty and cond"scenlon wonid b.
unsuitable to her age and sex and station
} A new difficulty now arose: for Maf'h'
confded atfectionately in her parents, an'
feared departing from he properties OF he
sex. Her natural d,ffidence was shocked
by the thought of stepping beyond he
: sphere. In these embarrassments, sh
wrote to her uncle-s'atcd the clrcumstan
ces, and asked his advice In him she loun
a gen,a' friend. HIS counsel, which wa
, promptly given. made her course of dul
, plain, and removed the chief objections G
her parents.
A door was now open, She had resolve
. TO enter It. Obstacles still lay in her pat !
J Where should her charge be gathered
TOR there was no school house or church a
handy who should assist her in he
work? And what will the pleasure lovin
: world think ?'-wcre inquiries, which some
times appalled, young and dltlidenl hear,
Bot that perseverance of which the love {
+, Christ is The soul, will commonly find tb
e means of accomplishing It's end. So
f. proved in the present instance.
o Aiier looking in vain for suitable room
d 10 which she might gather her little hocl
Z she was one May morning riding with h'
father over the plantation TO take the OF
IS and view The crops. AS they rode by It
= Quarter she said, with smile al
h manner which had often subdued the faith,