Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-01-22

nor have | yet forgotten, the wide difference in
our relative circumstances in the world and
hence | have many times wondered that you
should love so humble a persen as myself! /
know, Robert, that am not worthy of your aftec-
ton and | will now say to you that am CRATE
full that / have enjoyed it so long. Robert,
when the revival first commenced i'll Mr. Grundy's
church | thought lightly of it | even laughed
at the idea of being converted but the Lord, on
a memorable night, opened my eyes to see the
sinfulness of my heart, and my n%nftness for
heaven | trembled when | thought of dying
and standing in the presence of a holy God. |
saw that without a great change in my moral
feelings and habits ! could never 60 to heaven.
l wept l read the Bible; | prayed but still |
was comfortless. You, dear Robert, was the
last idol with which | parted. knew your cir
cumstances-your neutrality-suspicious. ]
Judged what would be your probable feelings
but the grace of God enabled me to decide as
did, hoping that you too might be persuaded to
seek your present, personal salvation. Say,
Robert, is your heart right in the sight of God
Are you happy Are you ready to die?-
Will you be d Christian ?
None of your preaching, Jane. do not
comprehend it, nor do | wish to. see plainly
that fanatici>m has robbed me of your heart, and
that you are singularly infected with the ortho-
dox views. am half frantic with the thought
but tell me plainly your decision
You mistake, Robert l only love you less
AS | am bound to do-than my Saviour and
in this am fully decided
Let me understand you, Jane it is import
ant that | should. You are resolved to hold your
present views, and continue in your present
course?-to all of which I can never consent
Yes, Robert. | cannot-T dare not deny my
Saviour who has done so much for me. Could !
consistently make the sacrifice you ask, | would
gladly do it but though your claims upon me are
high, yet the claims of God are higher. | can
not give up my religion
But, Jane, l hope you will remember how
much you are going to loose by this stubborn
adherence to your religious %vagaries. You are
certainly paying a price for your DEVOTION
True, | may lose many earthly comforts and
temporal advantages, but what are they when
compared with peace of conscience and the favor
Of God Or what is all the world, Robert, when
placed in juxtaposition with eternity? | choose
rather if necessary, 'to suffer affection with the
people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures Of
sin for season.
A pause ensued, and Robert sa some mo
ments in a kind of %reverie. The deepest anxi,
ETY. was depicted on his countenance his bosom
throbbed with conflicting emotions-a storm was
sweeping over his soul 1t was a period of terri
BILE interest to him. He felt that Jane was far
happier than himself, and, like Agrippa, he was
almost persuaded to be a Christian But the
trial and sacrifice he could not make or eudure
He would rather break his plighted faith to Jane.
than wed her with her religion.
$50, Jane, we must diSsolve our engagement
must we =
of you insist upon it, Robert. I can only
consent to so rude a measure with the deepes
sorrow and reluctance. But if affections avail
me, God will be my portion"
"Well, only abandon these %fancilul and mel
ancholy notions that's all | ask then all thu
other Obstacles to our union | can clear out o
the way"
"Robert, you ask too much. You invade m,
conscience,-the sanctuary of my heart,-anc
compliance with what you propose would rob mt
5 of eternal bliss. | cannot give up my hope il
S Christ-whatever fidelity to him may cost ne
Gas you please, Jane. You may think differ
! emily of this matter, by and by, when it will a
5 vail you nothing"
eyes, It's possible and SO may you, Robert
"Ncocr My mind is fixed but, Jane,
wonder beyond measure at your strange p%ertinaci
ty p And he arose and extended his hand t.
Jane, saying,-but his tongue faltered, and tn
ashy wilderness of his qui'ering lips plainly ind
Gated the severe struggle of his heart.
ooh Robert Robert =" exclaimed Jane
chow can you treat me thus on account of m,
S religion! Had you detected infdelity or un
t worthiness in me, it would have been Just but
r But | say, Jane, we must part !-Adieu =
and in a moment Robert Ellison was threadin.
his way, wildly through the village-literall
staggering under his mental load. Jane shrek
ed and threw herself into her mothers old arm
chair The rude steel of persecution 70
1 righteousness sake had, for the first time, enter
y ed her soul, and by the very last hand she thot
would perpetrate so foul a deed. The effect 70
5 a short time, was almost p%aralytic but she sool
! recovered, and remembered the promlse-'The,
Z that will live godly shall suffer persecution
c In the mean time Robert was distanClng him
self from the widows cottage BY slow and ftfu
a progress. His heart sunk within him in view o
: what he had done! He ~sigheddeeply; he evel
n groaned audibly his brain reeled his bloc,
, flowed like molten lead through his veins III
stood on the frightiul borders of delirium !
What should he do? He turned himself abou
and in a few moments was again at the cottag
r door. He listened-Jane was at prayer an
|, such a prayer So %tervent, rich, eloquent, pa
o thetic, subduing
d He heaped bitter reproaches on himself for hi
Is rude his cg.ue} Treatment Of her hn loved SO we