Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-04-27
SUNDAY RgADgn9a
The Contrast.
BIZ n FULTON.

NAhOh ~ -" |
All in and about the house is perfectly quiet.
and even the street is fenced across 30 that
no carriage may pass the house, for one dear
~ beloved By all who knew her is dying
there. His restless hand spares not youth
nor b~eauty-for Death comes to all. One
little week ago, The only daughter of the
owner of the mansion celebrated her 18th
birthday with gay f~estivity, and the whole
house resOunded with the mirth of assembled
guests.-Drightest and gayest among them
all shone the beautiful one in whose honor
they were gathered. | said she was beauti
ful-she was. In all the symmetry of form
and feature. and grace of motion. she was SO.
[ need not describe her as she fitted gaily
from one room to another, giving here a merry
word, and there a cheerful smile, and entranc-
ing all by her sweet voice when she sang
Tis enough to say that she was happy, and
her fond parents gazed with delight upon
the idol Of their hearts, and were fattered
by the admiration she excited. But their
dream was short-they soon awoke to a fear
full reality.
The day after the party, she retired to her
room complaining of a severe headache, and
next she was raVing in the delirium of fever.
On, how anxiously did her fond parents bend
over her couch, using every means in their
power to save her. Did | say all? No,
there was one source to which they looked
not for help. They did not cast their bur
then on the Lord and forget that He who
gave had a right to take away their only
:. daughter-their beloved Ella. For five LONG
days and nights they watched for some look
or token of recognition. but she knew them
not. On the sixth, however, her reason
suddenly returned, and she inq uired for
her mother, who had just left the room. She
came Immediately, and as she entered the
room, the physician drew her on one side.
Mother, why do you look so sad, and
why is the doctor standing here, and all Sc
quiet ?
You have been very i'll, my dear, ant
you must not talk now, but try and 90 t.
Sleep
But, mother, I'm not very sick, am
Shan't ] get we'll againF
I'VE hope SO, Ella but you mast 90 t
/, sleep now and not talk any more
!, She slept, but twas the troubled sleep
illness. She seemed to sink rapidly, an
the doctor told her father there was no hop
for her. No Hops-it rung in his ears lik
a death-knell.
= Have you done all that human powe
can do e.
i have, and I fear she must die
You must tell her, then, for I cannot,
AS they re-entered the sick room, 81
All All looked up.
, !. I'm very sick, am I doctor 2 she aske
l earnestly.
.esy We think you are Ella, was the cal
fr"I reply.
81 But shall get we'll again soon, shan't I
He hesitated a moment, and then sal
o" should you fear to die, Ella?
Tue To die-O no, l cannot die-you nv
pro not let me die; | dare not die
over We have done all we can for you, Ell
ID" and we find you can never be any better
."e mo, no, | cannot die-Ia am not fit to di
'nS what shall | do? Oh mother save me, sa,
'nI me do not let me die she said wildly, al
eve, twined her arms around her neck as if S.
''" could shield her. The doctor, who was
; . Christian, tried to point her to the Savi(
''e but she would not listen. She %continu
eeNS wildly begging them not to let her die, t
t'o death ended her suferings. Oh! what
fearful death 10 die.
'eoI Let US turn, dear reader, from tie ma
sion Of luxury, though Of sorrow, to You'd
cottage. The scrupulous neatneSs of
was around the house betokens tidiness with
! was An aged female, quietly engaged in knitti
u = and reading at the same time, and a you
h" lady, apparently not more than seventeen
.pns eighteen years of age, lying on rude cot
-. at the other side of the room, are the or
'.ns occupants present. Mark you the flush
'.i"s cheek, the eye sparkling with almost unour
: '"e ly brightness, and hollow, raking cou!
n0'" which til but too plainly of the working
the fell destroyer, Consumption.
,ping Alas It's ever so. Death has mari
iaOo' her for his own. But listen. "Those
way sweet words, mother dear, and how true!
year. wish every one knew how gentle yet h
Inc firm, is the supporting arm of Jesus. W
slabs should | do without HIS strength and grac
be Her mother had been reading the beauti
nhey hymn beginning,
oe "Thereis an hour of peaceful rest
their To mourning wanderers given"
and its sweet words conforted her as
slabs, passed down toward the dark valley whe
Smali none ever return. Yet though she pa,
W." through l0aG valley, sue IeaFS no evil,
Y. her Saviour, in whom she trusts, is her gu
on OF and support. A severe fit of coughing
and ceeds the effort to speak, and as her mot
"'eai hands her a glass of water, the gentle tn
OF you and the sweet smile accompanying
them are an ample reward. But she is soor
which pass away from earth, and her place viii
w vacant.
0dtor. Mother. will you raise me a little
mount that | may see the sun set once more ?
J. II do not think l shall see it shine again"
!, and Why. my child, do you feel worse I?
ured feel weaker, and have all day, an
in is shall not see another day but l am
afraid to die, for my Saviour is with
round and He will support me. I place all
.cr. hopes upon Him and His strength is s
fonr cirnt for me. If l do not see George ag
;,v oil tell him that to the vows he has taken Il
colti him he must be faithful, to endeavorto