Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-16
SUNDAY READING.
The Last Communion.

II was a homely room. Curtains OF plain
muslin swayed in and out at the little win
dows round the wall was r,n yed the hum-
blcst furniture. Flowers stood in tumblers
on the window stills. In truth it was the
home Of a poor widow. Every thing wasin
order, from the chintz cricket on the hearth
to the dimity covered bedstead.
But on that bedstoad, all! such a sight,
youth decaying; beauty perishing, a young
man struck down on the threshold of fresh
and glorious life-the sinews unstrung, the
nerves, those microscopic engines of torture,
shrinking at every throb Of the viewless
wind, the temples shrunken, the eyes drag
gcd down in the depths of their sockets, the
limbs palsied and w%ithered, the strength
struck out Of what should have been an iron
frame, by the merciIess hand of consump-
ton.
-Four or five snowy pillows were heapcd
beneath his attenuated shoulders his head
leaned languidly u little on one side, and
his hands, with the waxen fingers twincd to-
gether, laid p%assivly on his breast. Long
and fair locks curled over the thin face and
against the neck, and the eyes, apart from
their sunken look, wore an angelic miIdness
and sweetness Of expression.
1t was past the noon now and then the
outer door opened, a neighbor came in, and
the low hum of earnest conversation sue
ceeded. Presently they entered the sick
chamber, and with soft footsteps neared the
eonsumptiye, pressing tendegly his wasted
hand, and making gontle enquiries. One
after another they came till the room was
nearly full. The widow with accomplishing
sorrow stamped on her worn features sat
close by the side of the bed, watching every
movement Of her child, so tendcrly beloved.
How sweet the silent communion between
them How quick the love-lash lighted in
each eye as glance met glance! What a
y----1 @I1o -
What melancholy depth of affection in his
A little pine table sat on the opposite
side of the bed. A spotless napkin covered
its contents-the sacred clements of COM
munion.
Often did the fragile being cast a wistful
glance towards it, and watch with a peculiar
carncstness, the low entrance. All at once
his eye frightened be held out his thin
hand with an eagerness quite touching.
1t must have been him they we're waiting
Or, that tall man with the eloquent face,
NNos oNSHIiy oNOVPl"Sj SHAOlSu h a INV
ment, and with a grave smile saluted the
company. Alvin, the sick man, half raised
himself from his pillow as he came forward,
then sinking back again, said family, Il
feared-I-might not see you again
Add are you ready, my dear Alvin, to
partake Of these elements these embIems
Of the suffering and death Of the blessed Re.
dcemer? Do you feel at peace with Him
our Divine Intercessor?
A smile played over the features of the
dying man, such as might have been the re-
flex Of some bright angels glaneO-his eye
was closed, his lips nsved, and STOPPING
down, the pastor heard him whisper
81 the CHIEF of sinners am,
Yet Jesus died for ME-"
"Yet Jesus died for me-" repeated the
pastor-'yes Alvin, and he waits for you q
little beyond. Soon shall his loving arms
cnfold you-soon shall you be past the dark
river, and like a Christian, behold the fash
ing Of the golden gates" and in a clear
soft, musical voice. with his eyes raised
hcaven-ward, he began asweet hymn-afev
trcmulous voices joining in now and then
"Jesus can make a dying bed,
Feel soft rs downy pillows are,
While on his breast lean my head,
An breathe my life out sweetly there
I'm going home,
I'm going homo,
I'm going home,
To die no more"
No language can express the serenity Q
the dying mans countenance.
1t was inefYable-holY beyond portrayal
: to die no more, he said, turning a linger
ing look Of fondness upon his mother
I'm going home, mothcr--nuME-oh (! no,
sweet that word--ETERNAL home, blesse
home, HEAyESP
All was silence now. The pastor ha
broken tho emblems, and none there bl
looked through tears upon that solemn seen,
Turning to the sick man, he spoke wit
him for a few moments in a low voice. Sul
ported by his mother, he lifted his feeb
form, and haR reclining like a tired chi
upon her breast, listened to the holy servic
When the man of God came 10 the word
'he body of orr Lord and Saviour Jes,
Christ phich oOas broken for you,' a sligI
sob shook his frame, and a tear rolled ov,
each pallid check. His lips quivored, ar
he nestled his face more Rearly to the hea
that through all his life had beat but f
him. The widow turned her moisteaed ey
from his. There was that ia the stern al
classic rspose Of her features, in the Ii
compressed, the glance thrown upwards, 4
involuntary closing Of the fingers that to
the strength and 6rmness of her characte
Tho tears should not fall her selfish pr
should not disturb these sacred moments
Poor widow poor mother soon to be
privod Of one who had been The stay and
lace other declining years, with what o m
tyr spirit did she struggle against despair