The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-24
MISCELLANEOUS.
komamte in ReaI Zife.


Miss Jane Howard was the daughter of
n very wealthy merchant residing in the
city of Baltimore. Her personal appear.
ance was truly preposSessing but the grace
of her mind, polished as it was by superb
or education, and the benevolence of her
naturally warm and virtuous heart, render
ed her an object of universal esteem and
admiration, among all with whom she was
acquainted. At a very early age she en-
braced the christian religion, and much of
her time was spent in promoting religious
and benevolent objects. In the fall Of 1928,
Jane with her elder brother, embarked on
board a packet for Charleston, for the pur-
pose of visiting their friends. The captain
of the packet was about twenty-five years
of age. His person was comeiy and his
manners agreeable, with the exception of
one fault, too common among sailors, he
was profane. The modesty of James APP
pearance attracted his attention he gain
ed an introduction to her by means of her
brother, and was still more charmed by the
sweetness of her conversation than he had
been by the graces Of her person. 1t was
not long, however, before an oath escaped
his lips, which shocked the delicate sensi>
bility of Jane. She politely requested that
he would desist from such language while
she WAS On board to which he Immediate
" asscuted With deep blush of chagrin.
During the remainder of the voyage the
captains attention to Jane was rather in
creased than diminished. He spent much
of his time in her company, but cot anoth-
or oath was he heard 10 utter until they ar
rived at Charleston. They were now a.
bout 10 part; but Jane, feeling no small
interest in the welfare of one whose unre-
mitted attentions more than indicated his
solicitude for her own, ventured TO ask il
he would grant her one request. The cap.
tain, with all the enthusiasm of an infatu.
ated lover. replied that whatever request
she was pleased to make. if possibly within
his power, il certainly should be granted.
Then said she, accept this Bible, and my
request is that you will read portion of il
every day. He felt surprised, but consid-
ering that he had given his promise, he fell
himself bound 10 fulfil it.
In the fall of 1888, Jane went TO spend
the winter with her uncle who resided a
New Orleans. The first Sabbath after she
arrived there, she accompanied her rnclt
and his family TO church, and heard ser
mon of uncommon interest, delivered Will
eloquence and religious pathos. The min
lister was evidently man of superior tai
cnts his voice deep toned and agreeable
His figures were applicable though hIgh
wrought and beautiful.
He possessed, IN fine, the rare faculty Of
claiming an audience in almost breathless
silence from the commencement to the
close of his discourse. But Jane whose
tender heart was so exquisitely susceptible
upon the subject of religion, that she en-
tirely forgot, for time, the distance which
separated her from her friends, and all the
circumstances by which she was surroun-
ded, with the exception of the rolling sen.
fences as they flowed from the lips of the
speaker.
The meeting closed; and while Jane md
her friends were waiting in their pew fol
the aisle to be cleared the preacher came
down from the pulpit, advanced towards
and addressed Jane as follows:
If mistake not, | am addressing Mis-;
Howard
A confused succession of ideas fitted fol-
an instant across the mind of Jane-bu
recollecting herself, she politely replied:
That is my name, sir, but do not rec
olect to have had the pleasure of seeing
YOU before
Perhaps you recollect having saile'
from Baltimore to Charleston, about fv
years ago in the Packet Thomas Jefferson
and of having given Bible to the Cap
tain.'
Il do she replied, Il recollect it well
and If mistake not, recognize the Cap
tain in the person before me But can
be possible?'
1t is possible he replied, it is so, an
the man and | shall ever feel the deepes
gratitude to you, Miss Howard, for the in
terest you manifested in my welfare. Tha
Bible and the reading of it has made M
what | am
will not attempt to describe the feel
ings produced by this unexpected meeting
Suffice TO say, that the minister was invi
ted home with them and during the winte
lis visits were neither few nor far between
In the spring he married Miss Jane, an
lney are now on a missionary tour anon
me dark and benighted sons of India, wher
,he blessings of Heaven are attending thei
iaOofs in wonderful manner, and man
SOUS are brought to a saving knowledge {
'He ruin through their instrumentality.