Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-09-16
From the Mothers Magazine.
4 Lovely Bride.

\ Lovely Bride.
| was spending an hour not long since in turn
/ ing the pages of a pleasant miscellany, in the
course of which my eye fell upon the follow IN 9
perhaps rare but beautiful and touching incde nj
| in the history of one who that day was to become
a bride.
/ A party Of lively and interested cousins and
friends had early assembled a, the bridal mansion
for the purpose Of decorating the drawing room
where the marriage ceremony was TO be perform
ed At length this pleasant duty being accom-.
plished, they retired happy IN contributing to the
Joy of occasion which, while II would take from
them whom they loved, would unite that one
to the object Of her highest regard. The room,
was beautifully decorated with rich and varega-
ted bouquets, and on centrc.table lag the gai-
~ adorned brides loaf, an object Of great impor-
lance.
| said all had retired from the lovely spot-but
there was one of the cousins, who, u short time
after, stole gently back 10 look once at the
varied beauty Of the scene, and to indulge by her
self the hopes and anticPa,lons OF an atfectlonate
hear, for the future happiness of her friend. She
gently opened the door, and was about entering,
when she noticed the sofa was wheeled round to
the precise spot whore that evening the happy
pair to rise and exchange their solemn vows,
and there The lovely bride was kneellng--so alb
sorbed in her own solemn thoughts tina, the in
trnsion Of her friend was unno,iced. That friend
S'OJb lOT IIUllleuk gazing III dt
the scene--she longed gently to approach and
knee by her side-but the occasion too
cred 10 admit of social union, and she retired.
And what solemn and absorbing occu-
pying the thoughts OF this happy being? Was it
the anticipations Of earthly felicity that had
brought her there? Looking round upon the
beauty and gaety of the room, where IN q few
hours she would give her hand to him whom she
preferred to all others earth, had she in the
wdness and excess of her motions fallen into n
reverle? Nothing of the kind. Delighted she
might be, and Justly was--but she had one duty
to perform--a high and holy duty ere she pIigh-
ted her to the object of her earthly atfec-
ton. There, in that spot where she would soon
stand and surrender her earthly all to her hus
band, she would first consecrate herself to the
Lord. The prior cons ecraton was due to Him.
On that altar she wished to offer an earlier and
boiler incensc--on that spot to make record Of
the prior deed. which she had given Of herself to
her supcrlQr Lord. ,,.,sy .loIe t''Fet. VI
of IN immortal being in similar circumstances, in
an attitude more becoming. And am that
if her 10 ended husband had himself the love OF
God reigning IN his heart and could have seen
her there whatever he might have thought OF
her before. his love would have become more
pure aud intense-he would have said-not per-
hans with perfect trnth, for others, II Is TO be
hoped, have done before her-but he might be
forgiven if, in his ordor aud admiration, he had
exclaimed. ''Manv daughters have done virtuous
Is. but thou excellest them all"
What a beautiful example for the imitation of
those who are about to be led to the hvmen ial
altar! Mos, beautiful, most becoming! know
not the subsequent history of that ''lovely bride,
but / am sure she never repeated OF that act OF
Standardization TO God. She may not indeed
have escaped sorrow and aliction; but if they
were her lot, know that God would remember
the kindness of her youth. He would not iorsake
her She might bury husband and children and
friends--she might suffer from sickness and pow
ertv-but IN hour wouu her heavenly Father
forsake her-he would guide her by his counsel,
and afterwards receive her to glory. Youthful
females. would you lay the foundation of future
peace-would you provide against the reverses
of fortune-would you have friend and pro-
tector through this world of vicissItude-w would
YOU have consolation in the darkest night oil
adversely which may in upon you, initiate
the example af ga lovely bride"
W ~.