Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-03-01


am so overwhelmed with Il sense ofmy re.
sponsibility, that I tremble ut every step
take, aud my daily prayer to my heavenly
father is, for grace tn walk worthy of the
vocation wherewitl nnl called"
Such was the language ofJulia Cieavelanr,'
when nineteen years old, and her daily tYe
bears testimony to the sincerity Other desiree:
She is constantly aiming at ,he high standard
she has set before her, and every day de-
velopes growing conformity to It. II Is not
the mere expression OF the lips with Julla, II
\ is deep conrietion Of her duty which con
slanly influences all her actions Blessed IS
the mother who has such child and bless
ed is the family where such an elder sister
dwel,s. She resembles some guardian angel
ever lowering over the objects of her tender
est love, and gently expanding her protecting
wing to shield them from the impending dan
ger.
H Mrs. Grey had been so animated in portray
ing the character of Julia Cleavcland, that
she had not noticed the agitation which had
affected her friend, and which now increased
so violently that she abruptly stopped and IN
qured the cause.
'Oh, my dear friend,' she replied, the ac-
count you give Of this sweet young lady
plants dageers in my soul. My eldest daugh-
Ter, Emily, might have been all this to me,
but, alas she is now reaping the bitter fruits
Of what my own hands so abundantly sewed
in her childhood, and am enduring the re-
proaches ofconscience, e, armed by myself with
len thousand siings!' Here Mrs. Grey's
friend burst into tears, and the gush of feel
ings long struggled with, gave reliefto her
sorrowing heart. When a little composed,
she continued, You know that Emily was my
Oldest daughter. From childhood she was
arrogant and self-willed always contending
that her station as the eldest sister entitled
her to more indulgence than the younger
children. She insisted upon her brothers
and sisters serving her, and when favors
were to be shared by the little group, she
claimed the first and the best. AS she grew
up, she became selfish proud, and unamiabe.
For long time my blind partiality never dis
ccrned the dreadful consequences of my own
foolish indulgence, and her faults grew with
her growth and strengthened with her
strength Disputes and quarrels became
common among my little ones, and when
rep:oved them. they would all reply, Oh,
mamma, sister Emily did this, and you never
1 found fault These replies opened my eyes
competely to my folly. ] reasoned, ex-
postulated with my oldest daughter, but alas,
III IL WIS tOO IcpIy
was, Il am the oldest, it is my right, and |
will have it so.' Alas my family soon pre-
sented scene of discord and confusion,
which, with all my efforts, was unable to
control. 1t is now but few days since my
poor misguided girl eloped with profgate
young man, and in her eighteenth year has
commenced career which will terminate in
misery in two worlds, unless Almighty grace
II Iinternose for her rescue'
Here the distressed mother was obliged to
pause. Sighs and sobs, too bitter to be sup.
pressed, almost overwhelmed her. Her sym
pathisng friend, Mrs. Grey, FASTENED for
ward to her dwelling, and when she had seat
ed the afflicted mother upon the sofa, she
mentally exclaimed, How much is the power
of the elder sister,
\ Mothers look at the contrast! Have you
in your own peaceful dwellings no portraits
which resemble these? Examine the like
ness, and however unskilful the artist may
have been in poftraying the features, you
may perhaps trace some resemblance which
may rouse yoar apprehensions lest an Emily
should be your child, and you may become
the sad and sorrowful parent, over whose
simple tale your sympathy has just wept.-
Mothers, who have in your elder daughter a
Julia, watch well the tender child pray
earnestly that she may be all, yea more than
all here described; for much, very much de-
pends upon the influence of the elder sister.