Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-08-10
The Return Of an Erring Child.


About eighteen months since, the daughter of
respectable merchant in the city, coped from
the residence Of her father in Walker Street
No trace could be had Of the unhappy girl for
some time, when il was ascretained that she had
left the city in company with female and had
gone to Mobile. Since then she had not been
heard Of and her afflicted parents had mourned
her as dead. On Sunday night last, while the
family were seated in the psrlor, a servant en-
tered the room and told the father that female
wished 10 see him he went INTO the hall where
he beheld female closely yelled. Upon his in
quring what she wished, she advanced step
TOW ards him, and fell senseless on the floor
lights were procured, and she was taken to a
sofa in an inner room, where her veil was re-
moved, when she was at once recognized as the
long lost child The feelings Of the parents can
better be imagined than described. Alter she
had sufficiently recovered, she proceeded to re-
late to theu the history Of her life since she had
fed from her parents roof; but her parents at
once refused TO hear her. saying that she had re:
turned once more to them, and whatever had
occurred was all forgiven and forgotten. The
poor creature was overwhelmed by this act OF
kindness, and again tainted; for some time, il
was impossible TO recall her senses, bnt she final
" recovered, and we trust her future conduct
will be such as will make amends for her prcvi-
Gus misguided actions-N y Morning Star.
Here is a lesson that should sink deep into the
minds Of all true Christians and philanthrcpists.
The quality Of mercy is beautifully exhibited in
this case, and calls to mind the noble sentiments
Of Natures great interpreter:
1.-THE quality Of mercy is not strand;
It droppeth the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath; il is twice blessed
1t blesses him that gives, and him that takes;
IT'S mightiest in the mighty; il becomes
The thrond monarch better than crown;
His scepire shows the force Of temporal power
The attribute of awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear Of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptercd sway;
II is enihrond in the heart Of kings
1t is an attribute Of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest Gods
Where mercy seasons justice"
Men are merciful enough towards the trans.
gressions of one another but il woman of.
tends, she may expect to live an unpardoned
being the rest Of her days. There is a most ar
bitary rule Of morality in these matters which
we never were able to understand. When the
celebrated Irish orator, Curran, prosecuted his
wife for a divorce on the plea of adultery, the
counsel Of Mrs Curran brought before the court
the long continued, numerous and notorious in.
stances Of adultery that had marked his career
long antecedent 10 the date Of her crime Cur
ran confessed his crimes, but commended that
the husband had privileges which the wife did
not possess, and that what was utterly black and
objectionable in her, was a trivial matter in his
case. With all bis powers Of eloquence, he fall
ed in making out his case.
When rakish youth goes astray, friends
gather around him TO restore him TO the paths Of
virtue. Gentlehess and kindness are layished
upon him 10 win him back again to innocence
and peace, and when he returns, his offences
are all forgotten. No one would suspect that
he had ever sinned. But when poor, weak,
confding girl is betrayed, she receives the brand
of society, aud is henceforih driven from the
ways Of virtue. The betrayer is honored, re-.
spected, and esteemed, but his ruined, heart
broken victim knows there is no peace for her
this side the grave. Society has no helping
hand for her, no smile of peace, no voice Of for
giveness. She is forced, often reluctantly to
plunge into degradation at which her heart re-
volts-for this is the only course left her
These are earthly moralites they are unknown
Of heaven. There is a deep wrong in them,
and fearful are the consequences.
year or two ago, Mrs Child, an accom-
plished lady and authoress, most noby vindicat-
ed the principle Of forgiveness, and Of restoration
to society Of one Of the fallen ones poor,
miserable, wretched outcast, whose deep wrongs
aud poignant suiierings, inflicted upon her by
one Of the lords of creation, had driven her
nearly 10 insanity, was placed upon trial before
one Of the courts of the city Of New York, for
attempting to ayenge herself ~P0s. the --.~.sI.
who had brought her sorrows upon her. Mrs
Child had learned enough of the condition Of
the poor unfriended being TO awaken her SYM
pathies, and she visited her prison as a minister
Of kindness and peace. Upon the day of trial,
Mrs Child appeared seated by the prisoner as
her friend, and threw her protecting arm around
the unfortunate victim, sustaining her, and en-
deavoring by love and forgiveness 10 win her
back to the path of virtue.
Pd,sbtrg Saturday Visiter.