Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-02-03

ter
The snow was falling fast, as they passed
quickly on to the home Of the sufferers Henry
was about knocking at the door, when voice
of melody and sweetness struck his ear. TWAS
Elsie singing that beautiful hymn, 81 would not
live Away They approached the window with
out noise, and beheld Elsie sitting by the cradle,
sewing The youngest child was by her side,
and with its little, dimped hands, was smoothing
her hair, and kissing her cheeks, down which the
tears we're streaming. She seemed trying, by
thousand winning ways, to divert her aunt from
her sorrows The listeners were charmed by
every word which hoated on the rich tones Of
her voice They stood rivetted to the spot,
scarcely daring to breathe, lest they should break
the charm, until the music ceased. How love-
ly she is exclaimed Henry Clark, as he stepped
gently back, and knocked at the door. Elsie
opened it, and asked them in. Her face was
pale, the expression of her countenance care
worn and sorrowful, but highly intellectual
Oh how kind you are SAID she as tears of
Joy and gratitude ran down her cheeks. am
glad to see you, Anna said the pious Old lady,
with voice tremulous with age and grief, as
she presented her some of the good things from
the basket. Mr.. Clark and his sister brought
you this said Anna. The Lord will reward
you, my young friends said she; feel that he
will reward all who pity and relieve us. do
not complain, although am great sufferer, for
there is good, even in the bitterest cup. know
that my Redeemer liveth; that there is house
not made with hands for me in heaven. The
assurance of rest there, comforts me amid all my
sorrows and affections
In heaven there's rest that thought hath power
To scatter the shades of Iifes dearest hour;
Like sunbeam, it dawns on the stormy sky,
Like the first glimpse of home to a travellers eye;
IT'S the balm of the heart, of sorrow a cure,
The hope that deceves not the promise that's sure"
Henry and Agnes gazed upon the sufferers
with true sympathy. There is something in re-
al and deep sorrow, which goes straight to the
feelings of youth. They had learned more of
ile's state from this scene, than they could have
acquired from volumes. How such spectacle
of woe brings down all our vanity and little re-
pinings; it shows US what can be endured
They left the scene with impressions never to
be efaced. They felt further purified from the
dross of human fraIty, and that true religion in
the time of affection is balm for the body and
soul that the sun of Righteousness, with heal
ing in his beams, chases away the g loom which
surrounds the sorrowng, and raises their souls to
holy breathings after God and heaven,
Do you wonder, reader, that Henry Clarke
felt more than a common interest in the gentle
and dutfu Elsie? 1t was even so. He beheld
her with those high and exquisite emotions that
an evening sky, radient with light and beauty
awakens in the soul Of feeling. Her image con
tnued to haunt him through the night: if he
slumbered for moment, her pale and sorrowlu
though lovely and interesting countenance, was
ever present in his dreams In vain he strove
to master his thoughts, to conquer his SENSIBLE
ties That gentle being continually floated be
fore his vision.
Henry and his sister entered warmly into al
Annals plans for relieving them. Need | men
ton the rapid improvement of that suffering ant
. interesting family, by their ministerng offices o
tenderness, compassion, and aid? When the,
left Mrs Newman's, Henry deposited a sum will
! Anna sufficient to supply them for several months
9 Anna visited them daily, and often sewed fol
Elsie, while she was busy about other things
or read to the old lady from the sacred volume
> while Elsie was sewing; or, theytog ether would
sing for her some favorite hymn. Anna wa
ready to mpart every comfort and consolation
in her power, to soften the horrors of their power
, ty and the balm of kindness seemed to relres
their weary and sinking spirits.
- with this holy book to be the oracle of m
Savior's promise to me- said the aged saint on
= day, after Anna had been reading to her, as sh
laid her withered hand on the sacred volume
= how could we fail to be comforted in tine mids
y of our affections? The afflicted are peculiar
dear to God; their suferingS and tears are al
known to him. Elsie, my dear child, pardo
y me if ever taught thy heart to dwell on tn
" vanities of the world. Wealth is as nothin
compared TO Gods mercy and forgiveness
Trust in divine grace to nip in the bud, ever
" root which, springing, may trouble you, and III
iure that happiness which flows from peace wit
God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ar
olu anu leel uedtH upon Ine' IL Is hdpPy tldt !"
comes SO gently, and when am so we'll prepare
o to meet him. The grave has views no othe
/ scene offers. go with joy to meet my Lore
d [ grieve only that leave you friendless an
d alone
o Not friendless, said Anna, for will be he
n friend when you are gone.
n She had other friends for every one who kne'
n Elsie Lee loved her for her gentleness, and tn
+ love and affection and the untiring attentlo
f she bestowed upon her aged and feeble CRANE
= mother, over whom she watched during lon
Is illness, until she had worn away the fair rount
s. ness Of her form, and the color had faded fror
r her cheek. Yet she was still lovely, though til
Il rose had left the same gentle being, with feel
ii ings more pure, because they had been refine
is in the furnace of affection.
y Night winds descend not more gently, an
n. the worn out wind dies not more calmly ;ha
e, did this aged, meek and lowly christian descen
IN into the valley and shadow Of death. Her NEE
I'd spirit broke away from its Imprisonment, an
IL went to be forever with the Lord As Els
L p ~ L.. Il