The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-22

most spiritual OF the four, was becoming VIC
tim to consumption. A slight cough had been
its unfattering herald, and now, although the
symptoms were not alarming the faint and
feyerish flush on the cheek betokened that the
arrow of disease had but too surely chosen
shining mark The lads, with the exception
of the one placed in London, were pursuing
their studies at home, preparatory to entering
college
They were now all gathered once more in
this endeared home of their childhood but with
feelings how different from those with which
they had individually left it,
la the shaded chamber of the invalid all was
quietness and peace; holy and serene express
sion beamed on his features, his eyes rested
frequently on the beloved ones, and tender
smile conveyed to them his comfort and salts
faction in their presence. 1t was sacred yet
touchingly beautiful scene. Catharine, quiet
alike in her sorrow as in her joy, appeared self
sustained and calm. She felt the solemnity of
death, but for her it had no terrors. She knew
over the believing Christian the grave obtained
no victory. Elzabeth's more highy-wrought
feelings were by turns Responding and enthu-
siastic-despondng in the contemplation of
this irreparable loss, and enthusiastic when, in
her moments of spiritual exaltation, she APP
peared to behold "heaven opened for the en-
trance ofthe departing spirit. To the girls
for being thus together in the old home, the
intervening years were forgotten and they
were his again-the anticipation of the dread
ed event was almost overwhelming and they
would gather as in times gone by, in the study
or drawing to mingle their tears, rs they
had once their joys together, feeling in the out
bursts of their common grief as if there was
consolation in companonship. But they also
looked to higher source, and the soothing in
fuences of religion were not wanting in this
hour of deep distress. 1t is the lot of even the
most experienced Christian to pass through
many conflicts of spirit and of these the good
old man had his share; but as his day waned
into night and his sun was near setting, all
was peace, light joy. He was sinking to slum-
Der in the full assurance of a glorious immor-
| tality. A holy radiance illuminated his coun-
| tenance, and the voice of Catharine was heard
| at his bedside chanting, 'to him who forgave
much, much shall be forgiven" With sim
| plicity and child-hke faith he took hold of this
Divine promises his mind for few moments
| shone forth in wonderful brightness, and, ex,
pressing his trust in his Saviour, he sank away
to rest in the bosom of the Father.
| Elizabeth, forgetful Of self and alive only to
the infinite mercy extended to the now redeem
ed spirit, broke forth into a song of thanksgiv-
ing expressing a hope that. the band now
gathered in the hushed chamber might one
day be unbroken i'm Paradise.
| Once more in her own beautiful home which
seemed, from the sweet influences of her gentle
spirit, almost like heaven upon earth, she de-
| voted herself much to the education of her
children and, though the chords of her heart
often vibrated with grief she found in their
innocent pleasures perpetual counter charm.
| The exercise of her benevolence was another
source of relief from the too-freqnent recur-
| renee of sorrowful thoughts
| In her visits to the distressed, her elder chill
| dren often accompanied her, and their hearts
were touched and impressed in witnessing the
| deep affection almost veneration, their mother
| excited by her unostentatious and unas-
suming goodness. A peculiarly touching in
stance occurred one clear morning in De-
eember. A heavy rain had fallen the night
before and every tree was bending under its
garniture Of ice crystals; long glttering sta
actites hung from the caves of the old school
house, and the earth sparkled all over with ma
lures Jewelry; diamond sprays were scattered
among the bushes little round frozen pearls
rested on the stlfiened leaves, and the crimson
berries of the hawthorn were sheathed in ice
| clear as glass, The brilliant sun lighting up
this scene of magnifcence it was impossible
TOR Elizabeth, with her deep love Of the beauti-
fu, to resist calling the attention of her little
flock. They clustered round her, and their
sweet faces expressed so wildly their emotions
of surprise and delight, that the indoor scene
was to the proud parents source of the keen
est enjoyment The little four ear-old Eliza
beth, the mothers namesake, 10 the exuberant
gladness of childhood could scarcely control
the expression of her joy.
ooh, dear mamma" she exclaimed sob do
love everybody; and | love Almighty better
| still" Then, clapping her hands in an ecstacy
she ran eapng and dancing about, almost be-
side herself with admiration of all the great
trees silvered and FURNISHED as though for her
especial entertainment
In the midst of this, ragged child knocked
timidly at the hall door; and little Elizabeth,
who had watched her approach up the avenue
ran to meet her. The tears stood frozen on her
wan cheeks, as she timidly asked for the lady,
saying with frightened apology, Mammy's
| all froze dead"
The warm-hearted little one genuine in her
sympathy as in. her joy, brought the trembler
| forward, and in her dim notions that He who
gave life only could take it whispered, awe
stricken
"Dear mamma, did Almighty kill poor little
Amys mother!'
Elizabeth, too intent upon the relief of the
sufferers to satisfy her mind then, lifted her
lovingly into the lap of her husband, and print
ing kiss upon the brows of both, said
| "Do thou enligbten her simple understand
ing, dearest, while hasten with our girls to
this sad scene, and endeavor to minister to the
Affections of the bereaved ones'
| "May God bless thee, dear wife" was the
reply. "ThOu art indeed one of earth's min
istering angels"
Leaving little Amy at the Hall, they pro-
ceeded on their mission of mercy. IL was a
poor howell the halfopened doorway hung
upon broken hinges, and the windows were
dingy and diseolored. On the floor, group
of children were crouching round a turf fire,
marvelling at the strange quiet in their dwell
ing the poor husband sat leaning with folded
hands upon table before him, unconscious of
all around; upon tressle in the corner was
extended the form of the young mother her
face, which had been fair, bore the traces Of
want and suffering; but in its marble repose
there was no distortion. The wcaried and
care-worn look had given place to an express
sion of perfect rest On her bosom, over which
her hands were meekly folded had been placed
paper cross symbolcal alike Of the faith in
which she had been reared, and of her hope Of
Immortality. AS Elizabeth bent over the ema-
ciated figure, her thoughts reverted to the
death of her own beloved father; and softened
into tears by the mournful remembrance, she
spoke soothngly to the solitary husband, be-
| sought him to remember that the Saviour wept
with human sympathy over the grave of Laz-
arus, and was still touched with feeling of
our infrmities" In her womanly tenderness,
| she promised assistance for his motheress little
one, and soon left TO fulfil her promise. The
lessons inculcated by such teachings were never
forgotten by her daughter--they were stri-