The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-04-20


Speak OF life, Mr. Loring, not of DEATH he
said.
And does he not speak of life?' inquired
Marion, sweetly-'of the true, eternal life p
1t is not really death, father, but the passing
from death unto life. l shall 90 from world
of darkness to world of light. Dear fatherp ?
and the daughter leaned over, and taking her
| fathers hand in both of hers, looked earnestly
nto his face. Dear father she repeated, If
! 1od were willing, would gladly stay with you
here and make the flowers grow thickly about
your feet; but am called and must CO. The
time of my probation is nearly ended l can
| feel myself near the spirit world. God know
| eth better than we, the times and the seasons
for all events. 1t will be drealy world for
you when am gone; but think not of me as
far away and lost but as near to you, and still
your own loving Marion. For shall still love
you, and love will bring me near to you, per-
haps nearer than now. Look up, father, oh,
look up! and say, Thy will be done
Mr.. Librand's face was now buried in the
pillow that supported the head of his child, and
his whole frame quivered with agitation.
Look to Heaven, father, and speak those
confding words. Say, Thy aOiU be done, and
you will feel more resigned
4 cannot murmured the father, I cannot
Marion; you must not 60. Since your moth
er's death you have been all to me. Say you
will yet live,'
Tears dimmed the eyes of Marion. She
tried to say more, but her lips quivered so
that she could not articulate.
with God are the issues of life,' said the
minister, in solemn voice. If he call, the
spirit must answer; if he summon, the spirit
must obey.
Dear father,'--Marion had recovered her
self and now spoke in a calm voice,-'say in
your heart not my WILL but Thine be done.
That is the true philosophy of life There is
none other that can bring peace to the troub-
led spirit l go but little while before you.
and will wait and welcome your coming. Do
not rebel against this dspensation. God is
goodness ITSELF and his wings of mercy are
over US in affection as well as in joy
The father answered not, but his stern 81
lence told how strongly his heart rebelled.
Talk not to me of a merciful Providence he
said to Mr.. Loring on leaving the chamber of
his daugher 1t is cruel to take from me my
child. Is she not all have to love? Was it
not enough to rob me Of her mother, that the
child must be taken also?'
Mr.. Librand,' returned the minister the fu-
ture has been wisely concealed from us. We
cannot know what even day is to bring forth
but we may know, if we will, that every event
affecting us under the control and direction of
an All Wise and infinitely merciful God, who
permits nothing to take place that does not
look. either directly or indirectly to our good
NOT our mere temporal but our eternal good,
for it is this that the Divine Providence re-
/ l.
the things ofthis world engross our affections,
thus preventing our minds from being opened
to what is higher, purer and eternal. But the
Divine Providence, mall that concerns us, ey-
er seeks the elevation of our affections from
natural things to such as are spiritual; and in
doing this, often lays upon us the burden OF
sorrow. But these light Affections, which are
but for a moment, work out for US far more
| exceeding and eternal weight OF glory
i cannot understand you,' said Mr.. Lbrand
| impatientlv interrupting the minister. tAl
that understand or feel. IS the fact that my
child, in whom my very life is wrapped up, is
about to be taken from me. Is that merci
full dispensation? No! it is moekery to say
that it is
Vain were the minister's efforts to give
strength to the heart of Mr.. Librand, or to lifl
up his bowed head.
Talk not to me of resignation he would
reply. 1 cannot, will not be resigned to
this cruel bereavement
But it is in vain that we struggle against
the firmly dispensed behests of infinite wisdom
guided by infinite love. Death calls the aged
and the young, the poor and the rich, the ten
derly loved and the coldly neglected ones, and
his voice must be obeyed. The sands ranlow
in the life-glass of the young maiden, and the
hour of parting at length came. Tenderly did
she urge patience and resignation upon her
half-distracted parent; but her words had, Or
appeared to have, no effect.
| She had lain for some time, with her eyes
closed, and placid expression on her face, af-
ter having uttered many tender and consoling
words, when sudden smile illuminated her
countenance-a bright and heavenly smile
Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Mr..
Librand bent eagerly down to listen.
! Thy will be done were the only words his
ear could distinguish. The motion of her lips
ceased; the smile faded; and Marion slept
When she awoke, her companions were angels
and good spirits.
Sternly did the heart of the stricken parent
rebel against this affiiction. He was angry
| WIN OOdA nuu LINN IuC OtAI
of his finite reason as oppressive, arbitrary and
cruel The minister spoke words of consola-
ton, but his earnest efforts were repulsed; and
in the solitude of his own heart the father
brooded over and nursed his sorrow. The
grass grew and the flowers bloomed over the
grave of Marion, but since the departure of her
pure spirit from the earth, the old family pew
had been vacant on the Sabbath. Her father
sought not the consultations of religion, for he
was angry with God. Many times had Mr.
Loring approached, and striven to break down
the sternness of his grief to pour into his heart
the oil and wine of true consolation; but as
often had the merchant repulsed and turned
coldly from him.
Thus years were added to years, and still
the merchant was solitary, stern and silent in
his grief. Many, very many times during that
long night of af1iction, did Marion come to him
whether while dreaming or awake, he often
hardly knew; and she always pointed upwards