New-York daily tribune., 1845-04-25

And earth no longer 5h0ne-
Alas, alas what IS this earth
When those we loved are gone?
A CHRISTIAN COLONY :. BY L. MARIA CHILD.
THE highest gifts my soul has received, during ts
world.piisrimage have often been bestowed by
those vino were poor both IN money and intel
IectuaI cultivation. Among these donors, l par
iiculary remember hard-worklns, nnedscaed
mechanic from Indiana or Illinois He told me
that he was one Of thirty or forty NewEag ganders,
whs. twelve years before, had gone out 10 settle
in the weatern wilderness They were nelghbors
and had been drawn 10 unite together in emlgra-
ton from general unity of opinion on various sub
jects. For some years previous, they had been IN
the habi, Of meeting occasionally al each others
houaes, TO talk over their duties 10 God and men,
in eli simplicity of heart. Their library was the
gospel their priesthood the inward light There
were then no ti;slavery societies. but thus taught
and reverenily willing TO learn, they had no need
OF such agency, to discover that II was wicked to
enslave The efforts of peace societies had reached
this secluded band only in broken echoes, and non
resistance societies had no existence. But win
the volume of the Prince of Peace, and hearts
open 10 His influence, what need had they OF pre-
ambles and resolutions!
Rich in sp;ritnal culture, this little band started
for the Far West. Their inward homes were
blooming gardens; they made their outward IN a
wilderness. They were industrious and frugal,
and all things prospered under their hands. But
soon wolves came near the fold, IN the shape Of
reckless, unprinciped adventurers believers In
force and cunning, who acted according to their
creed. The colony OF practical Christians spoke
OF their depredations III terms OF gentlest remon-
sarsnce, and repaid them with unvarying kindness.
They went farther-they openly announced, You
rnsy do US what evil you choose, we will return
nothing but good" Lawyers came into the neigh
boroed and offered their services to settle disputes
They answered, We have no need OF you. As
neighbors, we receive you in the most friendly
spirit; but tor US, your occupation has ceased to
exist" 80 What will We do, If rascals burn your
barns, and steal your harvess 20 1--WE will re-
turn good for evil We believe this IS the highest
truth, and therefore the best expediency"
When the rascals heard this, they considered il
a marvellous good Joke, and said and did many
provoking things, which TO them seemed witty.
Bars were taken down IN the night and cows lei
into the cornfelds. The Christians repaired the
damages as well as they could, put the cows in the
barn, and at twilight drove them gently home, say
ing, "Neighbor, your cows have been In my field
have fed them well during the day, but would
not keep them all night lest the children should
suffer for their milk"
II this was fun, they who planted the joke found
no heart to laugh al it. BY degrees visible change
came over these troublesome neighbors They
ceased TO cut off horses tails, and break the legs Of
poultry. Rude boys would say TO younger brother,
"Don't throw that stone Bill When 1 killed the
chicken last week, didn't they send it to mother,
because they thought chicken broth would be good
dor poor Magya should think you would be
ashamed to throw stones at their chickens Thus
was evil overcome with good, till not one wa:
found to do them wilfal injury.
Years passed on, apd saw them thriving II
loved by all. From them the lawyer and the con
stable obtained No fees. The Sheriff stammereo
and apologized, when he took their hard earned
goods in payment for the war tax. They mildly
replied, 'Tis bad trade, friend. Examine ii III
the light of conscience, and see lift be not So" Bu
while they refused opay such fees and taxes, they
were liberal to proverb in their contributions FOL
oil useful and benevolent purposes
Atihe end of ten years, the public lands, which
they had chosen for their farms, were advertised
those who had settled and cultivated the soil, were
considered to have the right TO bid it in at the Gov
eYament price, which at that time was 81 25 pc
acre. But the fever Of land speculation theI
chanced to run unusually high. Adventures from
all parts Of the couRtry were flocking to the auc
lion; capitalists in Baltimore, Philadelphia. New
York and Boston, were sending agents to buy Vi
western lands. No one supposed that custom o.
equity would be regarded. The first days sal,
showed that speculation TO the verge OF insanity
fse, and thirty dollars per acre. The Christian
colony had small hope of retaining their farms
As ft settlers, they had chosen the best land ant
perseverng industry had brought il into the highes
cultivation. It's market, value was much greater
than the acres already sold at exorbitant prices In
view of these facts they had prepared their minds
for another remove into the wilderness, perhaps tc
be again elected by similar process. But the
morning their lot was offered for sale, they OBJ
served, with grateful surprise, that their neishbo
and exposlulanng: "Don't bid on these lands
These men have been working hard on them fo
ten years During all that time, they never dii
harm TO man CT brute. They are always ready I,
give good for evil. They are blessing to an,
neighborhood Il would be sin and shame Il
~ her al tha
,nient Price"
The sale came on; the cultivators of the sol
offered 81 25 intending TO bid higher If necessary
Bot among all that crowd of SELFISH reckless spec
ing voice, the fair acres returned TO them, | dc
not know more remarkable Instance of evil over
come by good. The wisest political economy lies
folded up in the maxins OF Christ.
With delighted reverence, listened to this uu
lettered backwoodslran, as he explained his phi
said !. il an idle, thieying vagabond came among
yon, resolved TO stay, bur deernned not &c work 2
We would give him food when hungry shelter
hin when Geld, and always treat HIM as brother
would MOI this process attract such characters
How would you avoid being overrun with them
Such characters would either reform or mol re.
main with US. We should not speak an angry
word, or refuse to minister TO their necessities
but we saonld invariably regard them with the
deepest sadness, as We would guilty, but beloved
son. This is harder for the human soul 10 hear
iksn whips or prisons. They could not stand il
am sure they could not. Itwculd either melt them
OF drive them away. In niue cases out of ten,
believe il would melt them'
/ fel, rebuked for my want of faith, and conse.
qusnt shallowness OF insight. That hard. handed
iaboret brought greater riches 10 my soul than an
Eastern merchant laden with pearls. Again | re.
peat. money ia not wealth. Letters from ~ Y
-R-
a BEAUTIFUL THoueHr. Child. in one OF
her iaie pleasant esi0ns, has this truly poe,ica SEN
timsn.:
-. wo oas .aas ase saneient To each o.he--senti-
harmony, are earths most perfect medium Of
Trough them the angels como and so con,inuai,r 81 A
SONS Of love 10 al tho lower forms OF creation n
bale OF these heavenly vsters that ves the earth ,S
golden glory and makes every ii:,le flower smile It's
hlcssiass upon lovers,s 80