The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-05-01
From the Ladies' Companion.

BY JULIA Ne IEAhshs
THE PROMISE OF A GLoRI0US ETER-
NIFTY.
Departed day had thrown ito memory across
the scene on which my eye rested. The toll.
age Of the trees stirred gently, as the evening
sighed itTelf to rest within their shadowy bow
era, The dew was chershing with the balm Of
heaven, to which it would return on the NOR
row, the flowers in whose hagfant cups il ley
lovingly nestled while the rising moon, glid.
ing gracefully from behind a pile Of aseting
clouds, silently dropped her silver strand upon
the surface OF the whole. But as gazed in
TapturOus stiffness, a faint murmering, like the
last echoing vibration ofa harp.string, caused
me to turn IN the direction, whence 1t seemed to
proceed. Within recess formed by two moss.
covered rocks. O. er archsd with clustering vines,
maid was kneeling to the great God IN prayer.
Upen her innocent head, scarce sixteen sum.
mers could have smiled, yet the lofty bro bes
tokcned high and rlpened intellect. Her eyes,
like twin stars set in Heavens own blue, BEAM
ed with soft radiance borrowed from the lount
of purity within Her unbound hair fell in we
Wy lresses over the white robe, which drapeda'
form, whose yielding grace and slender prooor-
tions seemed the ambodying Of apoets dream.
Her hands were meekty folded, and from her
aparted lips came the trembling sounds that had
struck my ear. At that instant another Joined
her. HetWas one Just on the verge ofmanbood;
his dark eyes sparkIed with the unshadowed
brilliancy Of enthusiastic youth, and his step
bounded light and free az lie drew near. But
the fisry glance melted away, and his impatient
gesture was quickly subdued ;as with an express
sion of,awe he noted her attitude and tho holy
task in which she was engaged; then. sinking
SLOWLY on his knees beside her, he mingled his
deep tone with hers in supplcation. The rose
tint deepened on the maden's cheek, as she be.
came aware of hispresence. 6ut when after
few moments, both arose: her eyes filled with
tears, as bowling her head upon her lovers boz
som, she faltered forth, 'Azor dear Azor! have
prayed for strength TO endure the trial thou hast
taught me is required, and though still sorrows
ful, can now think upon our approaching sep
aration with calmness.' Heaven bless you,
INV Mary was the reply. But yet, beloved,
why call that separation, which will end with
tims7 Have we not the promise of glorious
sternity. where those who love shall be united
for ever and ought we to neglect, while in our
power, to prove the gratitude; which cannot ex-
ist in connection with an unwillingness 10 sacri.
flee every earthly desire Of our hearts' L feel
all this, answered tho lair girl, hut why, AZor;
tell me, why is it, that while am so weak and
wavering. while the clouds of mistrust and
doubt so olieu obscure for time the bright faith
have learned from thee, that thou art eyer firm
rs the earth whereon we stand7' And she clung
TO him for support as she, finished her earnest ap
neal, For some moments there was pause
during which the youths countenance assumed
more radiant expression than ithad yet worn
aud when he spoke, there was melody in his
voice which belonged moi to earth, for it was
the soul dissoLying In expression. Thou know
est, Mary he said, that in the days Of chlld>
hood my home was on the plains of Judea;
there, with my widowed moshsr, time glded
peacefully on. A fartheps care never knew,
for ere the light had scanned upon my infant
ewes. his own had closed in death. Four years
Of my life had passed away, when, one morn
ing as | was playing in front of our humble
habi,alion. was attracted by the rare spectacle
of a multitude Of people collecting rapidly from
all quarters; / ran to ask my mother the cause.
She lefi her employment and inquired of neigh
bor who was passing quickly in the same direcs
iion, the meaning Of this unusual commotion.
Have you not heard he replied, that agreat
Prophet, from the further side Of Jordan, is
teaching the peoplel My mother Immediately
prepared to follow the man, and as earnestly
besought permission 10 accompany her, she con
sented, and taking me by the hand, we pursued
our way until we came near the place of meet
ing. When we paused, would that ! could de-
scribe, dearest, the view which presented itsell
to our wondering gael The plain sroand US
was glowing with the freshness and beauty Of
early morn. The young grass glistened with
the delicate gossamers which elistened in the
sunlight. The heath blossoms shaking their
tiny bells, nodded their salutstions as thea gleaI
= breeze swept by, and the warbling birds seemed
bestowing their applause upon the harmony oI
Nature. But all things grew dim, as making our
wny through the crowd, we came in sight ofthe
Teacher. Il seemed as though holy atmos.
phere loated around, while listening to his
words. Child as was, my mind clearly com,
pretended the split of all be uttered. II wa:
as though some unseen power had breathed in,
to me an understanding beyond my years. And
the tsacherl Mary, language would fail to con,
vey to you the most remote idea of the maiest,
of his countsnance He was seated in the cen.
tra of the crowd coarse robe was thrown care
lessly around bis noble form, From his Iofl,
brow. the throne Of every vItlps, his long hail
HOatsd on his shoulders, nndsrsund his 6,outI