Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-07-30
5 Whole No. S41.
5rlrrtc0 Talfs.
THE
BEAUTY OF FORGIVENESS.
nv MRS rLIzABtrH D. PoPr.

II Forgiveness ~ DIVINE ana Oh, now
iranscendantly beautiful Yet how ma
lIpy forget to exercise this most precious
trait of the human heart, while others
give it only Il partial application in the
many trials and vcissitudes Of HE be-
| lieving there are some faults among man
kind which il would be crime TO forgive.
| We rejoice, however, that We have
among US many great and noble souls,
who recognize forgiveness as means Of
reformation. Mr.. Hargrave was one of
those bright stars in tho shining galaxy
Of human society, that are ever ready to
cheer and encourage e the unfortunate with
pleasant smile and kind word, and yield
timely rcliefio poverty and distress. The
bcggar never turned from his door With
the pangs of hunger gnawing a, his heart
strings nor did he relieve those only
who came 10 aim for assistance (; he
searched for the sorrow stricken that he
might pour into their bosoms the all heal
ing balm of human sympathy ; and ma
ny grateful hearts in The good city Of
"broiherly love" can attest to his active
charities.
/ 1t was bleak December night in the
year l8--, the piercing wind seemed To-
CONCEAL the very hearts blood, as Mr..
Hargrave, with spirit Of benevolence
worthy Of Howard traversed the near
ly deserted streets Of Philadelphia, that
he might relieve any whom hard heated
avarice, penury or intemperance had
thrust out on that bitter cold night. As
he was passing through one Of those mis-
cradle alleys With which our large cities
abound one OF those dark and wreiched
lanes into which the hearess ihrong who
worship at fashions shrine never think
OF entering, hrs footsteps were suddenly
arrested bv sweet childish voice, en-
claiming in touching tones Of pathetic
pleading that might have thrilled the hard.
est heart, "charily in the name Of mercy;
my mother dies of hunger" ., il was
touching sight, that lrail, shivering
child, with her dark earnest eyes up'urn-
ed, as if pleading for the protection of
heaven, at the same time that she asked
charity OF her fellow man.
.,nnn.h not IN oup.tinn
whether it was his particular duty to
shield the unfortunate child before him,
but threaded the dark street in quest OF
her wretched home She pointed ont to-
him dim light in the upper story OF d'-
lapidated building, towards which they
anxionsly FASTENED. SO eager was Mr.
Hargrave 10 do good that he scarcely
noticed the creaking Of the stairs which
shook beneath his feet, but passed on I'M
I'll a door vas opened by the child, aud
the words-'my molher"-brough, MIR.
Harprave to II stand. All, thought he,
the wealthy may talk of poverty, but they
straw in one corner Of the room, lay an
emacia,ed woman, beautiful still, not
wrhs,anding she had been assa'lfd by
poverty, hunger ard distress. A low stool
and a sort oi box, which served the d",i-
5lc office of char and table, were the
Only fixtures of which The apartment coold
boast. The ialni nickcring Of tlbe sinonI-
derirg fre seemed but to render the Geld
more piercing, and shed a pale and sick
ly light over the abode Of poverty aRd
wretcheduess.
The child advanced to the bedside Of
her mother, aud said-in low musical
tones" -"mothcr, the doctor would not
come. lie said he could not live without
money, aud must attend to those who
could pay for his services ; and . moth
or, he looked so coldly on me, and spoke
SO harshly, 1t almost broke my heart
And then | wen, out into the streets aud
asked charity of the passers-by, TIL my
hear, ached aud my blood seemed lr"zen,
but here is a kind gentleman, who, | am
sure will aid US" Ice.
The tear of pity moistened the eye OF
Mr.. Hargrave while listening TO the
voice Of little Amy Pierce. Tears were
mol all he gars. lie LEFT them not iIll
ply yscian had been summoned TO tho
bedside of Mrs. Pierce such noutish-
ment provided as she greatly needed,
and bright fire spa,kled on the hearth,
dlilusing light and warmth through the
before chcerless apartment But few
days passed, ere Mrs, Pierce had so
far recovered her strength, sto be able