The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-07-04

was from no higher motive than the in
ssinc!s which prompt the fowls Of the air
10 cherish their Brood, and tho she perhaps
did not believe ,ha. Habor was the end of
lire,' still her conduct would have given
birth 10 that supposition.
| had been for some Tins the youngest
of ,he family, when a little brother was
born. From that houI my mother never
knew perfec, health She had previously
injured her constitution by unmligaieG toll
and now were the eif3c,s 10 be more sen j.
bly, felt. She lived very many years but il
was the life Of all invalid.
Reader! did you never hear Of the thirty
years consump,on!' a disease a, presen'
unknown in New Englsnd-for that scourge
Of our climate will now complete in a few
moths the destruction which il took yesrs
Of desperate struggle 10 perform upon the
constitutions of our more hardy ancestors
My mother was in this consumption
the disorder which comes upon its victim
like The aurorean flashes in an article sky
now vivid in its pure loveliness and ,hen
'hrouded in sonbre gloom. Now we
hoped, nay, almos, believed she was to be
again quite well, and anon we watched a.
round bed from which we feared she would
never arise.
1t was strange to us, who had always
seen her so unremiuing in her tolsome la
bors, and so careless in her exposure to the
elements to watch around her now-to
shield her from the slightest breeze, or
dampness Of The air--to guard her from
inirusions, and relieve her from all care-.o
be always reservEg for her the warmest
place by the tire-side, and the choicest bill
Of food--io be ever ready to pillow her
BROWN short, TO be never unconscious OF
the presence Of disease. Our steps grew
softer and our voices lower and The stiffness
Of our manner had its influence upon our
minds. The hush was upon our spirits.
There an surely be nothing so effectual,
in carry ing The soul before its Maker. as
disease. 1t may truly be said to every one
who enters the chamber Of sickness The
place whereon thou s,andest 10 holy
ground
My little brother was 10 us an srgeI sen,
rom heaven. He possessed far more del
lcate frame and lofty intellect than any OH.
9r member Of the family, and his high, pale
brow, and brihian. eyes, were deemed sure
tokens of uncommon genius. My mother
watched with pleasure these indications Of
talent. altho' the time hsd been when a pre-
objection for literary pursuits would have
been lho'l inconsistent with the duties which
we were born to fulfil.
We had always respected the learned
md talented, with feeling skin 10 The
veners,ion we felt for the inhabitants OF
he spiritual world. They were far above
US, and we were content 10 bow in rev
erence. Our rhot's had been restricted
o The narrow circle Of every day dutiee
and our highest aspirations were 10 be
admitted at length, as spectators, TO the
glory OF material heaven, where streets
of gold and thrones Of ivory form tht
mOgnfcence Of The place. II was difle-
re nt now. With nearer view OF that
better world 10 which my mother had
received her summons came also more
elevated spiritual and biissGul views OF
ls glory 81 PERFECTION. Ii was smother
heaven for she was smother being; aNG
she would have been willing at any
moment to have resigned the existence
which she held by so frsil tenure, had
it not been (or the sweet child which
seemed TO have Leen sent from tha'
brighter world 10 hasten and prepare her
for departure.
Our pastor was now constant vis
liant Hitherto hs had found but lt,le
Ito invite him 10 our humble habilation
He had been received with awe and
constrant, and the topics upon which
he loved 10 dwell touched 70 chord in
/ the heart Of those whom he addressed
! But now my mother was 0nXjons to-
Dour into his ears all the new felt senli