The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-05-05

il was that Urica renIized that her sacred charge
comprised not only the notherless children, but
the sorrowing parent. Asking strength from n.
hove, to tread in the footsteps of her sauted
mother, she came torwa..., and gave her arm
firmly TO the beieaved man, who, like n reed
shaken by the blast, wavered to and fro, on the
verge Of the yawnug, uncovered grave, where
ny the liteless torM of his idNzel compnnion
II was touching TO see The fragile nature of the
beautiful young girl, grid itself both to shelter
the blossom and prop the tree which the light
ming had scathei
SURPRISING her own greet, she taxed every
energy to s0othe and comfort her father Strong
~ resembling her mother, in person, she had the
same clear, blue eye, the same proiuse haXen
hair the same mild, yet resolved cast Of features
So much like hers, also, were the sweet Inspir-
ing tones OF her voice, that the poor hereaved
sometimes started from his reverie, with n wild
hope, that sank hut in deeper detection. Hourly,
It was her study To- minister TO his comfort.
Carefully did she provide his raimeut, and wi hen
he went forth, so wrap his iurs about him, as 10
defend him from the cold, Tor he seemed less as
siduous than formerly 10 guard his own health
and life. She spread his humble board as her
mother had heen accustomed TO spread it, but
often, when slI3 urged him to take refreshments
he was as one who heard not, and bowed him.
self down TO pray. Then she kne|t softly by his
side, and her s,ppcations assembled with those
Of the deeply stricken in soul. lie would sit
for hours, in silence, with his head resting up.
on his bosom, or during their long, long even
ings gaze motiOnlcsS on his seat which his be-
loved had so long occupied. Amazed at the
weight and endurance OF his grief the younger
children, who often stroye to wait OH and cheer
him, as they had seen their mother do, sobbed
forth their sorro ws, as if they anew babe her
farewell. But Urica never taltered, was never
discouraged, though her heart pierced at
his despair.
One morning. her voice sounded in his ear,
like that OF an angel: "Dear father! dear father!
your son is here!" And the next moment, the
young missionary, Paul Egede rushed into his
arms. lie had returned from Europe, his e,lu
cation completed, to share III the lnbors of his
father. Scarcely had he embraced his sisters
ere the bereaved parent snd:-"Come FORTH my
son, and see the grave Of your mother. Let me
hear you pray there The Reunion with his
first born and the tender assiduities OF UIrica,
aided by the blessing OF heaven, began 10 lit up
| his broken spirit. lie employed himself in his
parochial duties, particularly III ,ranslating into
the rude dialect of Greenland, simple treaties
and cAtechisns, which he circulated widely
as possible among his people. lie accepted
with Kindness the attentions OF his children, and
spoke tenderly to them; but it was evident that
he looked for consolation only towards heaven,
and TO the hope OF meeting his beautiful, kim
dred spriI, where they should be sunGercd no
more.
Three years of his mournut widowhood had
pnst, when Il request came from the king Of
but return, and accept procssorship in new
ly founded seminary for orphan Students
Iniirm health a,nonished him that he conlI
not much longer hope To resist the severity of
Greenland climate, and bidding an atlectonate
adeu to the people, among whom he had
painfully lahored, aud emIrustug them to the
care of his eldest son, Paul, he committed him
self with his three remaining children, 10 the
tossing of The northern deep. What Joyous
wonder fille,; their young hearts, at the prospect
OF a country where there long night,
where the grain would have time to rpen,
the irosls came, and where they might DC able
to live on The surface Of the earth, The whole
year.
return TO the blessings of civilization, the
warm welcome OF friends and the reIiindlng OF
early, healhfu associations, renewed tie spirit
OF Egede aud gave him vigor 70: the duties that
devoived upon him. Ulrca was in his path, as
an everglidng sunbeam, while the pleasures of
intellectual society, with the heightened advan-
tages OF educating her brother and sister, filled
her heart with delighted gratitude, and added
new radiance 10 her exceeding beauty. Her
early history and peculiar virtues, excited the
interest OF all around while the loveliness Of her
person and manners won many admirers.-Ie ct
she seadtnsty resisted every aurement to qnt
her father, sensible that his cnfeebled constltu'
ton required those attentions which she knew
best how TO bestow: and the holy light Which
beatned from her eyes, while thus devoting hei.
self 20 i'm and to his children, revealed the eX.
| quisite happiness of disintcrested viriue
| But it was not long ere F,gede was convinced
that the approaching inirnities Of old age de-
mauded repose. lie, therefore retired 10 love
" cottage in the island Of PLASTER, separated from
Iceland by only narrow channei of the sea.
| There, amid the rural scenery which he loved,
and in the faithful discharge of every remaining
duty of beuevolence and piety, he calmly await
ed the summons to another life. UIrcn rend III
him that sacred Book which vas his solnce, for
his iailugsight was no longer equal TO this office;
and no voice entered his ear readily, and 81
much like song bird, as her own with the
! help of her brother and sister, she cultivated ii
! small gayen and it tonchng 10 see them,
in "A ,Ieyvy summers morn, bearing his armchair
| ont among his favorite tilnnts anu aiding his
tot,ering steps to n seat among them. There,
dignitied and peac sui, like the patriarch be-
. tween the oaks of Mamre, he communea with
the works Of God. or gave lessons OF wisdom to
his descendants. Every new shoot, each tendr
that during the night, had thrust tnrther onward
It's lityle clasping hand, were To him as living
friends. The freshness ola perpetually renew.