Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-05
From me woiehman Of hs South.
1IGS M ADJ nuNnI. IN An % -

n MISS CHARLOTTE A. HARRIS.
Brother Plumer-Ahhough n short obituary no.
ice OF Miss Charlotte A Harris was published short
y after her deceasc; yet think IL may 10 gtoufy-
M tn the pubic and peth,ps profitable To some, TO
DrIin(or red more PARTICULARLY ofGods deal
logs with her in her long confinement. and hap.
py end. Notwithstanding her great Affections, ard
ons and protected bodily suffsrings, sho may be
reg udcd, tis shc certainly regarded herself) rs
no ,ument OF Gods rich mercy and saving grace. |
ieeca ought to be comfort and cement TO
uch asorc cas-, down, and suffering under heavy
emp,ral caomilies. She could bless God that she |
~as lc,ed, and olten did she say in review of tho
suilerings through which she had passed--"I can
now the hand Of Of God in il ali-lt was all in
tended for my good"
IL will FIRST he proper to give a brief history Of
her case, which was very peculiar, and as FAR as
known, has produced very great sympathy. While
in the hIoyancy Of YOUTH and in the joyful nnticpa-
ton OF the speedy contamination OF union in mar
rsgc with young man Of singular promise and the
object Of II strong attachment, the melancholy
was brought To her, that no had been suddenly cut
by tho hand of violence. She at sank dow
in state of unuttsrablc grief and dependency, ut
terly refusing TO DC comorted and desiring not to
live. For months she remained in this melancholy
and rcbcllous state of mind, day and night BROOD
ing over her troubles; and saying like JONAH at tho
loss of his gourd 81 do well to he angry, unto
DEATH" She times almost frantic W ih grief:
p that her friends greatly feared that she would
6se her reason. But il was not long before her
health began to dccline mud she rejoced in the
approach of bodily disease. which she hoped might
Don terminate her miserable existence. But ut
length, by tho grace Of God she was brought to see
the wickcdness Of her heart and the great sin Of thus
rebelling against God and desiring death when she
was not prepared to die. She spent large portion
of her time in reading the Scriptures, meditation
and prayer ne her diary, in which she gives full
account Of the daily exercises of her mind nbun.
dainty shows. An entire change took place in her
views and feelings, and she desired to live and
to 10 useful. But her dsccsc, which was OF ncr-
vous character, confined her chiefly 10 her bed and
caused her much bodily suffering. II was not until
after length of time spent in earnest seeking ate
God and in very gradual manner, that she be.
gan entertain comfortable views Of her interest in
the Saviour. Doubts and fears often prevailed and
her hope she entertained with fear and trembling.
Never have known person who seemed to have
more tender conscience, greater adherence of
sin, stronger desire TO do good a,d TO DO useful
and nj the same time, greater fear of deceivne
herself, and OF resting upon any wrong foundation
or false hope. She had strong convlc,ios Of her
entire dependence upon the grace OF Go.-Hcr trus,
was IN her SAVIOUR alone. Her doubts and fears
gradually gave place TO n serene and comfor,a bic
hope. The Bible her constant compa non and she
took great delight IN religious exercises, which she
observed with much punctuality. Sbo commit
ted much scripture Tn memory, and the attention
yiih which she read her Bible may be inferred from
the pencil marks she has lcft on the margin of al
most every page. Her religious feelings were COM
Portable and rationale but never believe, rupturous
or extalc. At length she made up her mind TO con
nee, herself with the Presbyterian Church. and ne
yer will the writer forget the solemn and interesting
scene when IN the presence of few christian friends
pm her chamber, he ras permitted 10 administer 10
her the sicramcnts Of baptism and the Lords sun
per rs she lay upon her bed, which she was unable
70 Ieavc or even to bear much company in her
room That bed she never after wards left exccnt
Tor nm hour two at mc until she left it for the
tomb; although that took place not until nearly IL
months after.
During this period, although she suffered much
being scarcely free from pain. which was somo-
q he Sbc
her family and friends as little trouble as possible
nnd manifested the kindest feelings towards every
nnc, and high sense of gratitude for any favour or
httenton shown her She suffered partial nara v-
BIS OF ono side, which deprived her in grea, mes =
Purc OF the use her right hand But whenever
nbe, she suffered not herself 10 be idle; and did
good deal OF work while lying her bed in the
way Of sewing and knitting; which she devoted to
charitable purpnses-She wrote too every day in
her Diary; which done after her paralysis.
with her left hand. She expected to live but n short
Ime. few weeks before her death, which took
Mace IN the month al August last, in interesting
ponverslton which had with her. she told me she
expected not tn live till the end of the year. She
expressed entire resignation 10 the will Of God, and
ontcntmen with her condition. either u live or die
suffer pain or any thing else that might be for his
ory, and the good of others. She said tho thought
being laid in The cold grave, and the bodily pains
death, had been terror TO her mind; bot that
ow she had gotten over Il all, and was willing to
lie whenever II was her Fathers good pleasure TO
axe her. She made every preparation and arransc-
,cnt Tor her end before il came. She disposed of
er property by will, and left sovera! servants that
ell 20 her in the division of the estate To be liberia
ed and sent To Africa. Snc addressed several most
tiectionate letters to her family and friends, to be
pened ADD read after her death. She chose text
nd hymns for her funeral. The last few DAYS of
or life, were days of extreme bodily suffering and
ng"sh. But her mind was at peace. When
SIZED her it she was willing TO go, her answer was,
eriecily. She had no fear of death. About the
ST words she spoke were, (when told she would
BON go to Jesus,l rejoice, | rejoicc-repeating il
fveral times Tins died this greatly afil cted, vet
realty comfortod child of God, in the trumpbs of
nh, and joyful anticipa,ions of n glorious and
'ppy immortality She young in years and
hunger III grace: but her nttninments, as well as
Pr triiIs, were far greater than common j. w.
NEw CANDLE has hocn invented in England
is made wi'hou; wick, hole running complete
through tho centre, into which n movabl wick
inserted not filling the space. Air is thus ad.
tted through this hole, To feed the Il ,me and thus
amount of light is quadruped. Whether four
mes the quantity Of tnlow is consumed, or not is
Pt stated. Quere-Woud not the tallow in burn.
&, melt, so as to run down the central orifce and
up the passage between the candle and the wick
US excluding the current of nirl We would sug-
81 the use of wick of rye straw, wh oh would
NIT current of mir through its centre without
liability OF its being fllcI up.-Bosiom Coxr.
BY LAST EVENINGS MAIL