The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-07-20

| sunset similar TO the one we nave witnessed
to- night. was gazing upon the golden SKY
and molten ocean. and watching with the de
| light which the glories of nature Away:
awakened in my soul by the variety ant
| beauty of the magnificent scene. 1t was 3
pleasure Of the taste, not an enjoyment oftht
| heart. 1t kindled a species of sublime ordi
| nation in my intellect. but touched no chorc
| oil love or gratitude in my bosom, My reason
confessed Coos power and glory, while my
life refused to acknowledge his government
We can all say, How great is the CIeatorl'
How glorious are his works! How vast bis
power, without one spark Of love-one res
oIurion of submission 10 His will
Adelaide inv oIuntary sighed, but remained
silent. She felt the truth of his words mos
acutely. She heaved the sigh with an emo.
ton of pleasure.
While was musipg upon this gorgeous
sunset in the Mediterranean, and watching
with deep delight how the amethyst and gol-
den in blending formed most rich aqua
marine sky-green as The transparent sea, a
pleasant voice said near me
This is scene of wondrous glory, sir!'
turned and saw the quiet missionary.
Grati6ed TO have one to share and imparl
my pleasure | answered him with courtesy;
though made it point in travelling. in silly
limitation Of the selfish English, never 10
speak with travellers unless formally presen-
ted. But had been two days surrounded
with noisy and senseless foreigners, who did
nothing but drink wine or play at cards or
quarrel, and | was glad to converse. Besides
the few words uttered by the missionary
were spoken in that cultivated, high-bred
tone which made me feel that i was in the
presence Of gentleman.
Il cannot now repeat The conversation into
which we insensibly were led, 1t most nat
urally turned from the glories before us to the
Great Creator of the Universe. He was man
Of wonderful eloquence, profound piely, and
noble taents-and all concealed under a
manner the most supple and chid-like.
listened TO him, Abel aide. till the stars came
out, and the rising moon flung her silvery
scarf upon the sea. He discourseG 10 me
of life here and Of life eternal; Of God as the
Creator, Father, Saviour. and guide of all
our race! Every argument of mine became
powerless before him He showed me as in
a mirror the evil of my own heart! Unfolded
to me the noble destiny.to which man is born
and kindled in my soul aspirations after it.
The moon which had risen upon our con-
versations had passed the zenith and began
to decline towards the West ere we separated
for the night, TO kneel by my berth and
offer to God my heart-he, to pray for mel
'What weakness. Edward! j must confess
my establishment! Kneelng! should like to
have seen the Handsome, rich, fashionable
EDWARD Kent on his knees praying!
From that night, Adelaide, became new
man! The conversation which had lasted so
MANY hours, was resumed. though in diff
erent form, on the next evening when the
boat was still He had now no longer to ar
cue for was convicted; he had now TO in
struct. to teach, to guide, and faithfully did
he perform his holy duty to me in the months
we were together.-He became as brother
TO me- loved him for himself-I loved him
more as messenger sent from God, Hith-
erto, | had been a wanderer through life be-
tween an unknown past and a gloomy future,
by turns the sport Of passions and Of reason,
a prey to infinite desires which nothing could
satisfy, cheated with the counterfeiters OF
happiness; tired Of living, and afraid to die
Afraid to be judged. / trembled 10 approach
without guide or support, that frigh tful limit
,chere the earth gires 'cdy under our .teet!'
Adelaide involuntariIy shudderGd. He had
portrayed precisely her own state. She did
not speak, ard he Continued
my friend and guide, the excellent young
missionary. at length parted from me; for at
ter our arrival at Constantinople, / would
not leave him, and we occupied lodgings to-
gether. But his noble duties called him far
Their Eastward into Syria. He left me his
blessings and followed him with mine! Oh,
what invaluable treasures do / owe, under
God, to that man, Adelaide. From that
hour ! never went about seeking happiness.
| found it within. no longer plunged into
the vortex ofpleasufe TO find delight! ex-
perienced it in everything. The earth. the
universe, from humble flower to the starry
sky. all enjoyment. had found the Source
Of Beauty | had found this origin ofhap
piuessi have discovered The secret of lifei
From that hour the sweetest serenity and
profoundest peace has filled my soul. All
The world to me is God, nv Fathers world,
and as such enjoy it, as son enjoys the
blessings and privileges Of his earthly fathers
home. With heart that shrinks fiom i'm
purity and guilt, and a spirit that embraces
all mankind in the wide circle of benevolence,
] mingle with the world without danger, en-
Joy its delights with gratitude, and in every
man find something to love, for see in him
the image of my Father As Christian,
find virtues unknown to the practice Of the
man of the world As Christian, | can
make sacrifices of which Christians are only
capable. All human love has its limits but
the love of God has none. Now, dearest Ad-
elade, have unfolded to you my heartl You
see in me Christian, and one who doesnot
shrink in confessngit. Ihave found the philos-
ophers stone, whichiurns every thing TO gold,
In the alembic ofthe Christian faith all things,
The lowest and basest, become priceless. Now,
have you not one pulsation of the
heart TO give to the Creator and Father of US
all! Can you be brought seriously to con-
template this theme!"
1t was some minutes before she replied. |
She was strongly agitated. She had no
heart for such a subjecr, She had been
moved now by pity. now by contempt, now