The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-06-05


fallen far, very far, from the strength and
purity of my earlier loveseven your plead
ngs could not have moved me.'
But the Bible says nothing about such
amusemeE:s, Helen
Not in words, perhaps, but in effect
pas The case to your own heart, Edward.
Would you wish me to indulge in course
of conduct which would estrange me from
you! Would you have me choose for, my
companions those who treat you with neg.
lect? Would you wish me to frequent
places whence should return careless
and cold in my manner towards YOU
An, brother | loved God once. saw his
hand in everything around me. felt his
presence pcrpetually, and trusted, child
like to His protecting arm. But now re-
gard him less, read less, and give less
And then she revealed TO her brother her
beautiful cxperience-beautiful till she
grew negligent and formal with truth,
an earnestncss, loving simpIisity, that,
for the first time, gave hrm some insight
into the nature of true piety. And now,
dear Edward, she said, 'read to me Christ's
prayer for his people, that may fee. sure
that they prayed for me-
AS she listened The varying expressions
of her countenance indicated many and
varied emotions. Submission. sorrow, love
and faith--all were there. When Edward
had finished. they kne't together, and He
lem sorro@fuliy, yet hopefully, poured out
her full soul in confessions, and most
touchngly she bssough. the divine com.
passion upon :,er erring brother.
The carol of birds went up with the
whispering Au.en of the penitent, the
blossoms Of the climbering honeysuckle
sent in thei. fragrance, and the morning
sun smiled on them as they rose from
prayer. The face Of Helen reflected her
inward g.adhess, and restored peace shone4
in her dark eyes and tranquil countenance
Thou art happier than j. said Edward,
and with light ,caress he turned from the
chamber.
One year went by, and Edward Allston
awnke from an uncagy slumber. Slow,
and insldous had been the approach Of
disease. Softly. and in many disguises
mad tho spoiler come to him. He had s,o-
len the strength from his manhood. the
roundncss from his form. the mellow ex.
presslon from his eye, but he brough, no
terror. Bear nc TO Helena rootn,' said
the sufferer, and the attendants performed
his b lding.
II was the anniversary of the ball night.
and the room was unchanged, save that no
testnl garments were scattered about IL
The open window with the lu1uriant hon.
eysuckle bursting through and resting ON
the open pages of q Bible, the chairs on
which tho two had sat, the cushions on
which they had knel,, each with an arm
about the other, all were familiar Tho in.
valid examined each we'll known object,
and then looked iondly upon hiu sister, his
prayertul teacher, and unwearied nurse.
1t was fitting that should come here
TO die, he sad, for il was here that first
learned who uakelh the dea,h-bed easy.
Oh. my sster. had you not been true to
yourself, 10 your God, to me, where now
would be my hope where my consolation!
Oh, dear Helen! il, in yearg to come, the
voice Of temptation be sweet to thee, if thy
foot should falter, and thou should'st step
aside TO gather light flower, or s,oop to a
painted toy, then remember that ball night,
and let thy repentance be ma full, as free,
az humble as it was then. Let nv mem.
ory be with thee, too, as thou walkest on.
ward through life, that so thou may'st win
others as thou did'st me, with the purity,
the vIgor, the warmth Of thine own hopes
and experiences. One kiss dear one, and
then pray with me for the last time.
Unusually earnest and rich in faith were
the low accents that filed the chamber
There was in them tone not of earth,
melody caught from tho heaven towards
which they floated. More and more tri-
umphant grew the thanksgiving of tha.
gentle sister. Ever brighter grew the
countenance Of the dying To his ear,
the song. of angels blended with that
earthly voice which was SO dear More
and more perfectly harn,onized the two
he doubted if there were, indeed, any dis
tinctlon (, he smiled family, and then the
freed and ransoned spirit sped upwards to
the bosom of the Eternal.
From the Boston Transcript, May Is.
Mrs. OsgOod's Last Poem.
We publish below, the las, lines Of
the departed Poetess, Frances Sargcn,
Osgood, who died in New York las,
Sunday, and wt'ose mortal remains
will be carried 10 their resting, place
fbic NV Wp1pae1urN e.