The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-11-18

mother; one sentiment they held in common But
week before had any one doubted in their presence
that their cottage was an elySium, each would have
eoquently defended It; but now to each il seemed
already chnrna!-h house, and they folt as f the damp
of death was on its walls. The mothers mind
dered back 10 the home OF her childhood, to the pleas
ant places which she had deserted for the forest, to
the cheerful house. aud friends sympalhzing in her
Joy, when Mary, her eldest, was born. Shc COINED
over, one by one, the kind faces which would there
have crowded around her in scene like this, She
remembered the village pastor, who would have
been ready with his words Of consolation, words ty
chosen, "ike apples of gold, in pictures Of silver"
She recollected the kind physician, and can won
der if she elt in her grief that his skill might least
alleviate and postpone, If not avet the death which
threatened her dearly beloved infant? I.ar.... =
The father, as he mused, thought not of the past,
but of the future To him. TO her, longer residence
in that spot seemed nsupportable; but while visions
ofihe home she had left occupied tho mind of the
mother the father looked forward to still another
new home, as if, by retreating from mankind, he
could move from exposure to disease and death To
reither could their recently pleasant dwelling longer
be tolcrable; with both, the place woud seem TO
but melancholy assoc atoms. But he felt at
last that ii his duty to check repinings against
Gods providence; and looking for aid to that
whence alone support in all affection should be sought,
he opened the sacred volume
Ills eye fell upon TIE history ofIIagar in the des
ert. In low but distinct tone he read of the des-
pair Of the exile in the Wilderness, and while their
daughter expiring far from human aid the parents
felt with the Egyptian woman they "could not
the death Of the child, " and like IIngnr they ''li6ed
up their voices and wept." AS he proceeded in
reading, 'and the angel Of God called TO IIagar out
of heaven, what aieth thee IIagar' Fear nol!'-the
quick perception Of the mother caught movement
in the cradle, All flew ut to the chiId's side,
prepared TO witness its last breath But as to Ilagar
in the wilderness so had God been rnerciful to them.
The crisis was past. gentle pefsprnton stood upon
tho sufferers brow, its eyes opened and faint smile
played around its lips. Affection, ready to catch
NJ the slightest ground Of hope, this time de-
ceived As the child feel again into sleep, but
sleep like that of welcome rest, nstend OF the fever
sh slumher which had before harrnsscd their afec-
ton, the emgrant family knelt in oyru thanksgiving,
too deep and heartfelt for loud words The dead
was alive again.
Joyous was the following Sabbath; nor did the hap.
py family forget that Being to whom their gratitude
was due for the great mercy vouchsafed 10 them
The mother had already renewed tho youth Of which
affection had despoiled her, and little Mary, she
leaned afectonately on her mothers shoulder, sm-
cd that awe mingled gratitude which children as well
as adults may feel though incapable of other express
sion than the silent and natural workings Of heir hap
Ply faces. With cheerful hearts they worshippcd
him who "dwelleth not in temples made with hands,"
and heart and voice responded Amen! tho father
Of the little household said with the sweet singer
Of Israel, 80 give thanks unto the Lord, for he is
good: for his mercy endureth forever"