Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-12-08
Tadira' nfpurtlrrrut.
= VIC NHVIIVaH WVesVH5VT'
WOman's Faith and Patience.

South Carolina, and who vas early welded G.
to the man other heart. With the accom- a
plishments of education, refinement and n
wealth, she had also, by the grace Of God, il
that Of sterling piety. d
At the death of her father, the husband i
found himselfin possession of avery hand s
some estate but it is hard to resist the t
smiles Of fortune and the sunshine Of pros I
perity. He at once became a devotee Of I
the world, and a lover of pleasure. He t
soon loved to tarry long at the wine, then {
to follow strong drink he became involv-
cd in debt and was forced to sell much of
his property to pay his creditors. After a
while, he removed and settled in the county
of l., where he purchased a piece Of
land for cultivation.
At this time | vent to live with him, and
remained with the family about thirteen
months. And during the period ] never
knew him to go to bed, the night of Sun
day excepted, without needing assistance,
from the effects Of partial ~intoxication. 1t
was a remarkable fact, that though this
evil habit held him with a giants grasp,
and had led him to degrade himself, to dis
grace his children, and almost to break his
pDOI WIG y ntdIb, yCb SUN w tilC I1NlC1lDlC
impression made on him in childhood by
pious parents, in regard to the sacred OBJ
servance of the Sabbath, that Inever knew
him to break thy getting drunk on a holy
day.
That devoted woman-Betsey, he called
her-I have seen meet that drunken hus-
band more than one hundred and fifty
times, laying aside her work, or putting
down her child from her arms, to assist
him, reeling and lettering from his horse,
and conduct him safely into the house.
And during all this, and indeed while ]
vas there, | never heard her use an unkind
word, or give him a rebuke.
One fine bright morning, | saw him start
for court, dressed from head to foot in a
neat suit, every thread of which Betsy had
spun and woven with her fingers. Alas, l
saw him return home again-how changed,
sldly changed. He was not only beastly
drunk, but one skirt of his new coat was
torn nearly off, and he was almost covered
with mud and dirt. His wife met him as
usual, only saying, "Never mind Billy, [
can sew the skirt of that coat so that it
can hardly be seen, and tomorrow | will
rec what | can do towards taking that mud
off"
But again, from the Incorporate habits
Of the father and husband their little farm
was sold, and they removed further back
into the wild, rough mountains of c.
/ did not 90 with them, but | heard that
there they rented a poor piece of land
bought IN old horse, and by this time they
had a son large enough to pillow. lie pillow
ol the land, Betsy sowed the oats and wheat
and planted the corn, pulled the fodder, ant
helped to gather in the crop in the fall
n delicate woman, reared in the lap Of luxu
ry and refinement, brought to such toll ant
drudgery! And yet it is said that at tn
harvest time she would sing and prais
God for his mercies in blessing her handi
work, and giving her family "daily bread.
Time passed on. Being in the village c
C, on Saturday, | met a circuit preach
or of the Methodist church, with whom
had been long acquainted. He asked m
- accompany him into the mountains an
preach at an appointment which he ha
promised to fill on the morrow. Aftt
some hesitation, | consented to do so.
When the hour Of worship arrived and
preached from the words, "Como unto m
all we that labor and are heavy laden, an
! will give you rest while [ was pointir
out to the sinner the happy results of con
ing to Christ, though he might have to
Dor, though sin wearied him, and though
oppressed him as heavy burden grievo,
to be borne, | heard a voice which seen
81 to come from the corner of the congreg
ion, saying, "Thank God [ have expel
cnced all that, | came to Christ, 'laborin
weary, and heavy laden and I found I
lief" [ paused to listen, for / thought
had heard that voice before. 1t was Billy
voice. And soon, in another part of t
house l heard q female voice thanking G,
tor his goodness and faithfulness in hearil
and answering her prayers. That was B;
sy's voice. Then l heard the voice of CHI
dren weeping, and saw them raise up The
hands to heaven in alteration. They we
i}illy's and Betsy's children.
TO my great joy, | learned that BIZ
had for some time been a consistent me
bar of the church, and it was now no mo
cursed, miserable family, but they We
a!ljourneying towards heaven. Betsy 10
hid been, and now Billy was, a pilgr
sad traveller to that "better country"
itheir home was blessed with peace a
joy,
See the power Of woman's faith and
t;oncc. For thirty years had Betsy be
b.Seging the throne Of grace. And all ii
while she staggered not at the promises
God, and lie at last heard her, and $
her hearts desire. Prayer opens heav
My soul wait thou only upon God,
my expectation is from Him."
4. PASTOR