The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-15

independent eff sects he was q firm and consci
entious disciple. Not that he was indifferen
to the distinguishing traits of his own, but II
his fatherly love he could not bear TO crust
that capacity for innocent enjoyment which n
the delightful privilege Of all young and un
tainted hearts, yet he wisely limited it ant
Elizabeth's diary bore evident marks OF thes'
wholesome restrictions On one page was writ
ten, ~ have set my heart on attending thu
oratorio tonight; the Prince is to be there i
will be grand sight, and there will be TIT
finest music; but If my father does not like m'
TO go, much as wish it, will give it up Will
pleasure, if it be in my power, without muir
muring.n Thus early she accustomed hersel
to regard the wishes of others yet, with thu
gentlest Difference to those she loved, she united
strong self-will and great determination. Fol-
her mother she had displayed an intensity o.
affection seldom witnessed in one SO young
and when she died few years before this time
her deep and heartfelt grief was controlled
only to be more keenly experienced in hel
hours of solitude A dark cloud hung over tht
spot for a long time after this most afflictinl
event But the buoyant hearts of the young
are ever elastic and time mellowed the poig
nancy of their sorrow 1.-The cloud is over us,
said one of the sisters, 9but it has silver lin
ing" And az days and weeks went by, 81
much of happiness was yet in store for the be
reaved ones. that they gradually ceased to weep
yet never forgot the impression left by hei
death.
Upon the oldest sister, Catharine, devolveC
the oversight of this numerous family; she was
a remarkable woman, almost masculine-look
ing. for she was nearly six feet in height; heI
mind seemed to partake Of the strength and
power of her physical deyelopment-its proper
tons were as grand and majestic as those Of
her frmly-knit person. but there was a grace
rarely equalled in both. Elizabeth's figure
was beautiful delineation of curved lines
wilowy, yielding, yet rounded into perfect
symmetry. Catharine's was equally symmetr..
cal, but conveyed an idea Of strength and mas
siveness. One was as a beautiful temple the
eye rested upon with exquisite delight-the
other, lofty structure, regarded with sensa-
tons almost amounting to awe. Both charmed,
but in different ways The younger sisters, the
talented brother, the cluster of girls, and the
little lads, all looked up TO Catharine with a
feeling of reverence and venerati0n'; and the
father, in losing her, would have felt that again
his household had lost its mistress. Her intel
lect was comprehensive and powerful-well
calculated to understand the diversities Of dis
position by which she was surrounded, and
eminentfy fitted for their guidance. Eager for
self-improyement, and embracing every oppOr-
tunity for mental cultivation, she communicated
a degree of her own enthusiasm to those around
her; and IN the long walks and drives which
they frequently took, valuable were the lessons
inculcated by this beloved sister. Many wild
blossom, twned carclesly amid the curls Of
some one of the joyous group, would be chic
sen as botanical specimen, and, interesting
them all in the research, books would be
brought from the library, and hoursdevoted tt
the pursuit of determining its properties. Their
there were the globes, also, standing in thu
well-furnished school-room, and starry night
would often find the sisters bending over them
studying the mysteries of the heavens At such
times the father would mingle with them, and
as their thoughts expanded by the contempla
ton of the infinite power of the Creator, he
would, by the suggestion of some sublime pas
sage of Holy Writ, teach them how the earth
sang his praise and the heavens declared biz
glory. knowledge was in this manner made
so attractive, that it was sought for its owl
sake; and with pursuits so congenial and EN-
Payments so varied, it is no wonder Elizabetl
thought for time this world almost enough
to satisfy the cravings of an immortal nature
But period was coming, when deeper ant
broader view of her own responsibility as al
individual was to be opened to her understand
ing This was through the medium of min
lister of that sect in the principles of which sh
had been EDUCATED
One Sabbath morning the seven sisters sa
in row. as was their usual habit, under til,
gallery in the quaint and antique old meeting
house. Frequently had Elizabeth sat there be
fore, her thoughts occupied with the world and
its pleasures, restless in body, and longing for
voice to break the oppressive and monotonous
stiffness To sanctifed spirit, this divine
silence as Charles Lamb calls it, gives an
added vitality to the spiritual life; to one
struggling to break the earth-fetters which
bind the soul to things of time, it may be sweet
and soothing; but the young and unsanctifed
heart Graves something by which to lift itself
heavenward; and we may possibly imagine,
that at the moment the voice of the aged pa
triarch was heard, Elizabeth's imbued with
quickened aspirations, was peculiarly sensitive
to outward corresponding influences. Her at
tention was forcibly arrested. The preacher
was man of great natural abilities; he had
been, but few years before, gay and dsbe-
lieving; and the remembrance of his own weak
nesses and infirmities doubtless led him into
deep sympathy with the unregenerate. He
evidently produced great impression upon his
hearers; but to Elizabeth his ministry was most
striking-she wept, and was much agitated-
it was the turning point in her life; and when,
next morning, the old man sat in her fathers
house, and prophecied of great and import
ant calling she would be led into, her emotions
were painfully affecting. Doubtless her vivid
imagination also had been somewhat worked
upon and when she received the teachings Of
her friend, she could scarcely believe that a
change had indeed been wrought in her heart
And that strange prophecy-what could il
mean! Was she, the timid girl, to enter into
scenes from which her whole nature sbrank
with reluctance, and to consider her call there
in as holy duty! 1t appeared like an impos
sibility
In this peculiar state of mental feeling she
soon after visited London. that she might be-
come acquainted with those amusements and
Vaccinations the world offers to it's votares
Here, owing to the unrestricted intercourse thu
family had always maintained with those OF
all denominations, she found many friends
ready TO minister TO her pleasure in various
ways Intellectual companionship was very
congenial TO her, and this she had many oppor
tunities Of enjoying. Her diary at this period
was an index Of the conflicting thoughts which
assailed her. On one page was written, "Thi'
morning, had pleasant call on Mrs. S.ddons
then on Mrs. T. who gave me some paint fol-
the evening. was painted little, had my
hair dressed, and did look pretty for me. MIR
Opie Amelia, and ], went to the opera concert
! own ! do love grand company. The Prince
of Wales was there: and felt more pleasure
in looking at his royal highness than in seeing
the rest ofthe company and hearing the music. y
Opposite to these remarks of the outward, il
written, "Went to meeting in the evening
have not enough eloquence to describe the ser
mont was very affecting, from Revelations
- explained his text beautifully and awful
ly-most awfuily, felt it to be. He next de-
scribed the beauty Of religion and the spirt O