Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-02-09

light, and hope into my heart-and have
gone forth, mighty to do my Fathers will.
Alice you would not deprive me Of this
sweet this heavenly solace. You wspld
not embitter my last days by causing me by
my strong affection for you to acquiesce
| with your wishes, would you, Alice!"
"Never, my husband" exclaimed the de-
voted woman, lifting her head from his
shoulder; forgive me that have so unguard'
edy panied you. From hencetorth let me
uphold you, strengthen you, if my weak
will eau do so; am SO selfish | want you
all for myself; cannot bear the thought"
Again her fortitude gave way, and she
sank sobbing upon her husbands bosom.
Presently he lifted her head gently she
looked tearfully upward-a ho y triumph
sat npon his face, divine light shone in his
deep, bright eyes. They were raised hea-
venward; he slowly lifted his hand as he
said with beautiful, impressive manner
"lorcvcr, and ever, there forever and ever
my own, my blessed wife,
Every Sabbath, Henry Warden entered
his pul pit with slower step. All his par
ishouers marked the change His words
spoken with such solemn emphasis, the
languor of his manner, his angel-like sereni-
ty, the wrapt fcrvor of his eloquence at
times, as if he already saw the brightness
of that upper world, prepared them for the
dread and solemn mystery which was to
make him immortal.
At last he came no more it was pleasant
summer time. Birds fitted through the in
teracng foliage, and sung as sweetly in
their Northern home as if the sultry breath
of the South hoated through orange groves.
The skies were as blue as ltaia's-the yell
low bee, the red rose, the loaded cherry
boughs, the crimson clover and starry but
tercup, each told the sweet story of the
season. Beauty, fragrance and love nestled
close together, and the sun shone over all
aud gathered. them under his broad, happy
light.
: Some days the young minister moved
about his little. garden, leaning on the arm OF
his guardian angel, his gentle vile Alice.
But at last the cough became so frequent
that he sat still all day in his great easy
chair. And they gathered sweet smelling
roses and brought him, till the room looked
like ai. Eden Fresh fruits, too, laid always
beside him, and cage full of canary birds
hung above his window. 1t did seem as if
their melody was wilder, swecter and softer
in his presence than it was wont to be; and
every body who went to that sick chamber,
te.r;a-i.-.use-ltlse=s ndi..e,-'--.'
heaven. -
Without murnur sat the patient invalid
wai.ng.til lie should be called. When he
had been well, the cloquence OF his tongue
had charmed thousands now that he was
sick, the coqucncc of his silence wrought
deeper work. None who called upon him
we're denied admittance; and the young,
the thoughtIess went from his presence to
pray God silently, ii may be, but icrvently,
that He would give them the grace to bear
atllction that seemed vouchsafed to this
Young servant of the Most High. Those
who had listened to him for years unmoved
by anything like genuine contrition, melted
into tears when he took their hands in his;
so thin and wasted, and burst out IN such
expressions of rapture, while from his face
bcamed forth glory that was never OF
earth.
"Put back the blinds, love, and let me
see all Of earth may; for my Father will
call me tonight. The bitterness has passed
Alice, the exceeding bitterness of parting;
leaving you and,my precious babes am
as it were, almost transformed; ! seem to
be bathing in an ocean Of light, and the
whole way of heaven thronged with angels
is open to my vision.
A slight sob was heard.
alt is Mary" said his wife, " she has come
to tell you that she has found peace i'll be-
lievng." 80,
A sudden Joy flashed from his beautiful
face Come here, Mary" he said; Z" lamb
over whom have wept and prayed, receive
my blessing Tell me what has wrought
this change; you so gay, you who SAID you
hated serious things, can it be that see you
thus? Oh, God, be thankful"
"Dear minister" said Mary, checking
her grief, "when have heard you preach
Sabbath after Sabbath, though your words
often touched my heart, | would not believe
that you did more than talk because It was
your profession said, thought, religion
is nothing but name: it bars us from plea.
sure it makes us moping and sad; and
while you have been sick, oh how have
watched that might say you was but as
others. But it has not been so. In pain,
that same light shone on your brow; you
praised and glorifed God. You said-how
happy-how happy beyond all power to
tell, this beautiful faith makes me! You
have talked of heaven as reality; your
very smile was sermon. could not rest;
knew must die sometime; too wanted
to rejoice. have given up all; my Saviour
has accepted me"-and she bowed her head
upon his hand and wept.
Henry turned to his wife. "These words
make pillow of roses for my dying hour"
he said, smiling family, "oh! Alice has my
sholt life been in vain e
"No," responded manly voice, and the
Oldest of three brothers, stood before him
"Dear Sir" lie continued, if it will afford
more peace in your last hour, know that my
brothers and myself with whom you have
so often labored, have at once and forever
renounced our skepticism. We have seen
Your faith tested Asonished have we en-.
tered your room and listened, while you told
of the eternal world. In your face we have
was secured by the Compromise, and was
so regarded by Clay, Clayton, Jackson, and
other great men of the day.
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