Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-11-20
For Young Ladies'.
A Lovely Bride.

was spending an hour, not long since, in
turning the pages of pleasant miscellany, in the
course of which, my eye fell upon the following
rare, but beautiful and touching incident 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 at the bridal man.
sion for the purpose of decorating the drawing
room, where the marriage ceremony was to be
performed. At length, this pleasant duty being
accomplished, they retired, happy in contribute
ing to the joy of an occasion, which, while it
would take from them one whom they loved,
would unite that one to the object of her high
est regard. The room was beautifully decora-
ted with rich and variegated boquets, and on a
centre table, lay the gaily adorned brides loaf,
an object of great Importance.
| said all had retired from the lovely spot
but there was one of the cousins, who, a short
time after, stole gently back to look once more
at the varied beauty of the scene, and to indulge
by herselfth hopes and anticipations Of an af-
f%ectionate heart, 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, where, that
evening the happy pair were to rise and ex-
change their solemn vows and there the lovely
bride was k%neeling, so absorbed in her own sol
emn thoughts, that the intrusion of her friend
was unnoticed. That friends stood for a mo-
ment, gazing, in holy admiration, at the scene
,bO 1o,roJ crOnttv tO oporooob oDA kynol bu hor
side but the occasion was too sacred to admit
of social union, and she retired.
And what SO solemn and absorbing, was oc-
%cupying the thoughts of this happy being! Wa
it the anticipations of worldly felicity that had
brought her there! Looking round upon the
beauty and gaiety of the room, where, in a few
hours, she would give her hand to him, whom
she preferred to all others on earth, had she, in
the wiIdness and excess of her emotions
fallen ivto a %reverie? Nothing of the kind. De
lighted she might be, and justly was; but she
had one duty to perform a high and holy duty
ere she plighted her vows to the object Of hel
early affections. There, in that spot where she
would soon stand, and surrender her earthly al
to her husband, she would first consecrate her
self to the Lord. The prior conservation Wa
due to him. On that altar she wished to offe
an earlier and holier incense; on that spot, tt
make a record of the prior deed, which she hac
given of herself, to her superior Lord.
| know not of an earthly scene more lovely
or of an immortal being in similar circumstances
in an attitude more becoming. And | am sure
u .b.t e L. ;nkonJad h,-hoDJ b,1 h;pnealf Al
love of God, reigning in his heart, and could h
have seen her there, whatever he might hav
thought of her before, his love would have sal
not perhaps with perfect truth, for others, it i
I to be hoped have done so before her-but h
might be forgiven if, in his ardor and admire
ton, he had exclaimed, "Many daughters hav
done virtuousIy, but thou e~xcellest them all"