The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-03-27

with flowers, followed ny procession win inuS-
cal Instruments Tears started in Isabel's eyes
MS they following this idle pageant Mt the thought
Of the rational and simple rites of her own be-
uotliul.
The next object that called prayer deep from
| the souls Of the strangers was the worship OF
Juggernaut, the mserabIy painted wooden idol
before which immense muttndes assembled
with overwhelming shouts. Henry aud Isabel
| cast down their eyes at the sacrilege, and re-
membered the simple church at home where
spiritual prayers We're the chosest gift TO heaven.
| Their curiosity was attracted by IL rude kind
OF basiet, snspending from tree. On looking
within they discovered the partially dcvoured
remains OF little child Isabel shuddered, and
thought OF the happy home other childhood and
Rosalie pillowed on her moher's bosom.
| But the most horrible scene TO Isabel in this
memorable Journey, and one which Henry would
willingly have spared her, was the sacrifice OF n
woman 10 the names of her husband In vain
the missionaries tried to move away from that
narrowing scene, there SPELL fascination
even in lis errors, that chained them 10 the spot,
and lisa hc sick at heart, with starting eyes and
painting chest, looked on. "A grave was dug near
the river, large and deep, and after Il few mQ
tory rites as unnteliGlble ns they were fantastcal,
the widow took formal leave of her friends and
descended into the chambe" OF death. 1t may
he that she was supifed with opium, for there
was mechanical insensblity about her that
seemed scarcely human. As soon as she
reached the bottom Of the pitt to which she de-
scended by n rude ladder she was lief; alone WIN
the body of her husband, in a revolving state OF;
decay, which she embraced and clasped TO her
bosom, and then gave The signal for the last act of
this shocking scene to commence. The earth
was deliberately thrown upon her, while two
persons descended into the grave and tramped
it tightly round the sclf-devoted sacrfant. Dur
ing this tardy and terrible process, the doomed
SAT n nj
ally caressng the corpse, and looking with All
expression of almost sublime lliumph as the earth
embraced her body. The hands of her own
children aided in this terrible rite, heaping around
her the cold dust TO which she was soon to he
resolved. At length all but her head was cover
ed, when the pit was hurriedy covered in, and
her nearest relatives danced over the inhumed
body with frantic gestures of extacy or mad
ness
Before the termination of this scene, Isabel
who bad fingered with infatuated interest, tainted
On recovering she said to Henry, Assist me- my
h sband, to hate this act more than do. Again
and again, thought could bear to die thus with
you, rather than live without you. Win God
forgive my idolatryp
AT length tie young Missionaries reached their
home. Home: And was this the abode Of the
delicate Isabel? The late inmates had died OF
the fever of the climate. aud no kind hand had
arranged the few relics that remained. The
dwelling consisted of two rooms, made of bam-
boo and thatch, with doors opposite each other |;
an air of desOlation prevailed every where
Ground. Day after day Isabel labored with those
fair hands so unused to toll until an air Of com
fort wrought its charm around her; then her love
Of the beautiful broke forth; she trained the
native shrubbery around the dwelling, and plant
ed spot on which her husbands eye NIGH
gratefully repose he SAT ut his daily studies;
but alas-hunger, and heat, and debility often
a n
effort. Nothing is more wearing to an ardent Mis-
sonary, who has sacrificed every thing for spirit
aal good, than to find himself tramnelled down
to the physical wants Of life. Isabel felt this
pressure a trial almost more than she could bear,
and it was day of prayerful thanksgiving for
her. when she was permitted by the employment
of other hands in menal occupation, 10 aid her
husband in teaching. His labors were lightened
by her active spirit, and it was Il blessing to her
soul TO toll with him, to listen to his earnest voice
ms ne preached ofsavation. And oh how beau
tifu he was TO her, rs he stood with earnest eyes
and gestures breaking the bread of life the he
nighted souls around him ; and then, when eve.
ming came, they coul sit by their garden, and talk
OF distant America. Were they happy? Tronb-
led thoughts and forcbodings sometimes shot
through their minds like an ce-bolt, for death
might come and sunder them; conversions were
slow british igronance or ingenious skepticisn
bafiled their dearest hopes the seed which they
their hearts were firm; strong prayer went up
daily, hourly from the temple of their heart,
though all others were closed against them faith
looked with her bright, keen glance beyond
the present hour, and showed them precioiis
souls redeemed by their lis.
In the midst of these emotions, Henry was
seized with the fever of the climate. Poor Isa-
bel left all for him. Night and day she bent over
his pillow, and forgot that it was wrong to real
iZe an earth Nv form all mpmOry all hone were
lost i'll the present thought ofhis possible death
He recovered. How sweet it was to present him
the first fruits from their little garden, to bring
him one by one his manuscripts and books to see
the faint glow of health kinde on his cheek, to
aid his alterng steps, to feel the cool hand which
had so lately burned and throbbed henenih her
own touch Isabel sal ut his feet and looked
and looked, until tears started to her eyes for love
and joy. DEATH.
One evening Henry was summoned to his
w!es apartment. She had given birth to II boy
The little one lived but to receive fathers first
and last BLESSING bpforn his porf.ct fa,turo,