The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-05-30

lholluS was lll-uDeu, )sne stopped one calm
ing instant to gain strength of God for that
dreaded interview, and to check herself from
bursting in upon the chamber of sickness, so
as TO disquiet that dear weak patient. SO,
she prayed, gently turned the handle, and
heard those thrilling words-Come my Maria.
II was enough;their hearts burst out togeth-
or like twin fountains, rolling theirjoyfu sor-
rows together towards the sea of end
less love, as n swollen river that has
broken through some envious and con-
straining dam 1t was enough; they
wept together, reioiced together, kissed and
clasped each other in the fervor of full love:
the babe lay playing on the bed: Maria, in a
torrent of happest tears, fondled that poor
old man, who was crying and laughing by
turns was pruising God like saint, and
calling down blessings on his, daughters
head in all the transports of n new-found
Heart. What world ofthings they had TO
tell of,-how much to explain, excuse, forgive
and be forgiven, especially about that wicked
lettor--how fewently to make up now for
love that long lay dormant-how heartily to
bless ench other, and 10 bless again! Who
can record it all? Who can even sketch a.
right the heavenly hues that shone about that
scene ofthe affections? Alas,my pen is pow
erless,-yea no mortal hand can trace these
heavenly hues Angels, that are round the
y
witness it, can utter what We see: We alone, re-
Ijoicingly with those rejoicing gladly speed a.
loft frequent ambassadors to Him the Lord
of Love, with some new beauteous trait, some
rare ecstatic thought, some pure delighted
look, some more burning prayer, some gem
of heavens jewelry more brilliant than the
rest, which raises happy envy Of your bright
compecrs. l see your shining bands crowd
idg enamoured round that scene of human
tenderness; while now and then some Peri
like soraph ofyour througing spiritual forms
will gladly wing away to find favor of his
God for tear, or prayer, or n holy thought
dropped by his ministering hands into the
treasury of Heaven.
But the cup ofjoy is large and deep: it is
an ocean in capacity: and mantling though
it seemeth to the brIm, Gods bounty poureth
on.
Another step is on the stairs! You have
guessed it. Henry Clements Returned home
YEARLY, after disheartening expedition, and
finding his wife, to his great surprise, gone
out, sick and weak, MS still he thought her, he
had calculated Justly on the direction where
unto her heart had carried her; he had fol-
lowed her speedily, and, with many selEcon-
FUNCTIONS, he had determined 10 be proud no
more, and TO help with all his heart, in that
holy reconciliation. See at the bedside fold
ing Maria with one arm, and with his other
hand tightly clasped in both of that kind
and changed old mans stands Henry Glenn
EeisfssiSs s1a-'A, -.-s--r---A--,,. H"H'
Aye, changed indeed; who could hive dis
covered i'll that joy-llumed brow, in those
eyes full ofpenitence, and pity, and peace,
and praise, and prayer, the harsh old Insurer
the catty money-cankered kuave of dim St.
Bcnet's Sherehog-the cold husband--the
cruel father--the man without heart? Aye,
chauged-changed for ever now, an ever of
increasing happiness and love. Who or
what had caused this deep and mighty
change. Natural affection was the sword,
and Gods the arm that welded it. None
but he could smite so deeply; and when he
smote, pour balm into the wound; none but
He could kill death, that dead dried heart,and
quicken life within its mummed caverns,
none but the Voice, which said Let there be
| light could work this common miracle of
Let there be Love-
| He grew feebler, teebler, that dying kind
old man: it had been too much for him doubt
lessly; he had been i'll, and should long ago
have died; but that he had lived for this; and
now the end seemed near. They never left
| his bedside then for days and nights, that
new-found SON and daughter: physicians
came, and recommended that the knight he
alone, quite undisturbed; but Sir Thomas
would not, would mott would be cruelty to
force it; so he lay feebly on his back, holding
on either side the hands ofHenry and Maria.
! 1t was not so very long; they had come al
most in the nick of time; n few days and hours
at the most, and all will then be over. So did
! they watch and pray.
And the old man family whispered
Henry, son Henry;--poor John, forgive
him. as you and our God have now forgiven
me; poor John,-when he comes back again
from those long years ofslavery, give him n
home, son, give him home, and enough to
keep him honest; tell him | love him, and
forgive him; and remind him that | died,
praying for my poor boys soul.
Henry and Naria,--I had since my great
distressesJ well nigh forgotten this worlds
wealth; but now thank God, have thought
of it all for your sakes: in my worst estate of
mind, l made wicked will. 1t is in my
drawer--quick, give it me. H.Hl 'a
| Thanks, Standardization is time to tear it;
and these good friends, DIR Jones and MIR
Blair, take witness--L destroy this wicked
will and my only child, Maria, has my wealth
in course of law, Wealth, yes,-if well used
let lis call it wealth; for riches may indeed be
mine of good, and Joy, and righteousness.
/ am unworthy to use any oft wei, unworthy
ofthe work, unworthy of the reward: use IL
well my holier children, wisely, literally,
kindly: God gave you to do great good with
it; God give you to feel great happiness in all
your doing good. My hands, that saved and
scrapedit all, also oftentimes by evil hard
ness, now penitently washed in the Fountain
of Salvation heartily reuounee that evil. BE
we my stewards;give literally to many needy.
Oh me, my sin! children, to my misery you
know what need is; | say no more, can say
no more; poor sinful man, how dare i
preach to others? Children, dearest ones i
am father stlland would bless you---biess