Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-06-19
MARRIAGE WITHOUT coURTsH1P.

w onderous are the ways oil froVldence, and Sill
guar are the doings of especially in these latter
days of human progress. The gigantic strides of
science leveling in IFS track prejudice and ignorance
making ''ancient goods uncoulh," has prepared the
humah mind to combat the expression of the wise
man, that there is "nothing new under the sum-
Nothing new, lorsooth !--we flhere is really moth
ing new old customs sometimes appear before us
clothed in strange garb-avery coat Of many colors
"It is not meet that man should be alone"-rom
the very foundation OF the world woman was placed
in it TO love- comfort and cherish In pursuance
of this divine Gift Of God the custom of courshp and
marriage was introduced and al this present day wis
Mom sanctions the former while law binds the latter
Courtship and marriage in all civilized countries, pre-
sent the same phase in the abstract but the success
lul issue of matrimonial negotiation we are about
TO chronicle. possesses spice otromance altogether
out Of the ordinary manner OF every day lille, having
cleaned The facts from authentic and reliable sources
About three years ago, the Rev. r. S. N'Cay, Of
Concord, Franklin county, Pa, (and late OF Geitys-
burg received call from the Board of lForegn Mis-
sions connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church,
to visit China and preach the Gospel TO the benghted
Ceestals of the central fowery land. M'Clay was
Young, ardent and enthusiastic and most willingly en-
braced the high and holy duty assigned him. In
due time he arrived in China, and stationed at Eau
Chua, some seven hundred miles i'll the interior from
Hong Kong There he studied the native language,
and commenced his labors of love among the Cees'
tials, with the most haering success Still there
was something wantlng-a void in the heart 10 be
fled-he sighed for that best soace TO man, either
in veal or woe-a wife. How to get one, was an
intricate question to solve. There were no American
ladies' there from whom he could make choice,and
as for Chinese wife the laws of the land forbade it,
1 l. Il; hat non was
to be done A fertile imagination can accomplish
wonders-a firm determination surmount difficult
ties that would "o'ertop old Pelion" lie wrote TO
the Board of Missions on the subect-he wrote in
pathetic-we might perhaps say poetic-strans, OF
his lonely condition for the want OF one on whom
he could besow his affections, and who would be the
partner of his Joys and sorrows through life, and end
ed by asking that the Board send him young lady
who would be willing 10 become his swe-agreeably
To his directions, which he sent in the form OF blank
declaration TO be filled by the lady accepting the pro-
position.
This was novel proposition, but the Board was
of opinion that it was Just one, and proceeded with
due diligence to search for the object desired, and
strange 10 say, success crowned their effort.
Some time previous TO the receipt Of MIR. MClay's
letter, young lady, Miss Henrietta Sperry, o Brook
lyn, N. Y. made application to the Board TO be sent
as Missionary to China but was refused on account
of being unmarried. To her the application of Mr..
M'Clay was shown; she at once filled up the blank
application, and correspondence ensued which end
ed in her leaving New Y ork, in company with num-
ber of Missionaries, on the 18th of March last, in
the ship Tariar for Hong Kong, where she will be
met by Mr.. M'Clay, and the nuptal ceremony VIII
be solemnized.
The lady's personal attractions have been describ-
ed TO us, by one who had the pleasure of seeing her
previous 10 taking sail her mission of love. She
is described as fascinating in appearance,and possess
ed of that charm of loveliness which should adon
every female characler-a we'll cultivated mind stored
with the richest gifts Of knowledge from the fountain
Of education, and moral refinement which will bear
with it the Jewel of bright inheritance beyond the
confines of time
She is now on the dark blue sea, where ''lhe hol-
low oak" her home must be for at eas! hall year.
Who so dead to all feeling as not to admire such he-
roism '-young and lovely, forsakng home, friends,
and all the dearest ties of earth TO travel thousands
of miles over the stormy pillows, TO dwell perhaps
forever among I1ealhens, for the double purpose Of
afordng consolation to servant OF God, and aid in
spreading light among those who walk in darkness,
is at once moral and sublime undertaking, requir-
ING degree of devoledness and firmness that will
compare lavorabv with the sel-denial OF the Spartan
women of old Heaven send propilious gales to watt
the Tartar TO her destination. Who can doubt but
that a Union formed under such circumstances must
be happy one ?-Blar County Wig.
ABSENCE OF MIND.-Neander, the celebrated d-
vine and scholar, is Prussian Of Jewish descent
/ He has been known to give away his coat 10 some
| cn,tloSc pendicant wbile on his IN an evening