Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-08-10

humble and pious touches all things with the ra-
dance and hues of heaven
have often admired the splendid and beau
tiful cottages with which our Island abounds
the exquisite neatness OF one, the finished deco
ration of another, and the luxurant trees, plants
and flowers of every hue and color which sur
round them. These external attractions, how
ever, differ widely from moral loneliness and in
ternal beauty. love the cottage where Jesus
dwes, and where everything is accomplished,
depending upon his infinite wisdom, and in hum
BILE obedience to his holy directions. If Christ
dwell there its comforts and enjoyments are in
fniey superior to those of the spacious and
costly cdifces. where Christ is not. With HIM
for guest, the cottage can scarcely be too
small too plain, or too secluded.
The religion of the gospel is the great orna-
ment and attraction of the moral dwelling. This
renders it the abode of domestic order, tranquil
ty and happiness, How delightful is the sight
Of the pious cottagers, chershing pure and
ardent attachment toward each other with SUI
preme love to their heavenly parents. Christ
himself abidcs in snch an humble habitaton; its
inmates are unspeakably blessed, and He i'm
parts to it dignity and glory which no other
circumstances can impart What an auspicious
day would that be, if every cottage would resem-
bic Bethel, and become the house OF God, and
the very gate of heaven!
| visited lately this retired and rural spot
The door and windows were closed the gate
shut, the rope of the well, dry and unused
wound around its axle. A portion of the little
garden fence, toward the road had fallen, and
the wooden bench at the side of the house was
turned over. A silence, deeply impressive,
reigned within and without the humble cottage
1t was no longer the habitatioh Of the living
One of the maiden sisters had sjckened, and it
is believed, died in the Lord. The poor pi-
Gus widow, remarkable for her devotion to her
children, had gone to the city to comfort the
last hours of dying son. She locked her little
dwelling; and, while administering kindness and
consolation to another boy, his brother, also sick
of fever the mother herself fell victim to the
same disease. Her last hours were those of a
triumphant believer; and from her humble abode
she has gone to heavenly mansions, and will live
forever with Jesus, priests and kings. Both Of
these pious women now rest in the graveyard Of
Methodist church few miles distant. But
religion does not die with those who have depar-
ted in the Lord AT this very moment, in the
sanctuary surrounded by these and many other
graves, God is pouring out his holy spirit in a
remarkable manner upon the people.
While gazing upon this deserted and silent
dwelling, the leaAess forest directly in.the rear,
and the fruit trees near by, all apparently dead
and ifeless, noticed lilac shrub in the gar
den. Its buds had begun 10 swell thus early in
the season, giving some evidence of returning
life and beauty. And so, with all this seeming
decay around US, when the proper annual tenn
perature comes, like the spirit over the dry bones
in the valley of vision, the whole will be clothed
with being and most beautiful coors. Here
comes gle?m Of immortality from the natural
world This sublime doctrine clearly revealed
by the gospel of Jesus Christ, finds striking and
beautiful analogy in the new creations, which
will spring up on every hand in a few days.
That glorious BEING who preserves and renews
nature, can, and in due time will, restore the
human frame to It's primeval honors. Jesus is
&c the resurrection and the life )" and the joyful
period will come, when beauty shall spring out
Of ashes, and renewed life from the sleeping dust
Therefore, Christian pilgrim, mourn no longer
The friends you have lost, gain by their change
We alone are the losers.
Staten Island, N. Y, Feb. 81, l849.