Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-11-01
But we must return again to yalens and his


family.
ssWhy! what's the matter here said Valens.
as he re-entered the hall, and observed Verti-
tia imploringly at her mothers feet.
ssI guess she heard you say something to
Marcus that has distressed her." said Valen-
cia at the same time turning away her head,
she burst into tears.
81 have only,'' said Valens, ssexercised the
rights and duties of Roman parent and chris
tian man. 1 supposed had been sufficiently
explicit in stating my wishes few evenings
ago, and that 1 should not have been under
the painful necessity of recurring to this mat
ter again.
81 wish my daughter to rise," he added,
ssand listen to the counsels of father who on
ly consults her happiness and the safety of his
family" saying which he took Vertitia affec-
tionatcly by the hand, and seated her at his
side.
ssI trust,'' said Valens, after few moments
thence, ssmy daughter sufficiently understands
me in this affair. In q union so lasting and in
innate as that which you now propose to your
self, there should be perfect harmony of feel
ing, a oneness of sentiment well as of heart,
in every thing pertaining either to the present
life or the life to come. Otherwise, such
union must necessarily be productive of dis
cord and misery. A house divided against
itself cannot stand, or be the abode of domes
tic joys. Now Marcus is a Pagan, and wor-
ships at the alters of her Gods you, my
daughter, if not now, / trust ere long, in an
swer TO my own and your mothers prayers,
will worship the God of heaven, and rejoice
with us in the glory to come.'
ssDo you mean by that that 1 will become
one of your fath--a Nazarene 2" said Verti-
tia quickly.
ssIt's our heart s desire-our earnest, constant
prayer,'' said Valens, with deep emotion.
ssNever no, neveri'' exclaimed the indulg-
ed Verttia, looking Indignantly at her father,
ssI'm of the same mind with Marcus, and I'll
worship with him at the same altars; and if
that's your reason for opposing my wishes, its
a needless one.''
ssMy daughter will remember the respect
due to parent,'' said Valens kindly, and yet
in tone of voice that conveyed a smart re-
proof
esWell, it's just as tell you; I'll never be
a christian
ssThcre is an invisible agent,'' said Valens,
ssgoes along with our faith, and subdues the
will into glad and cordial reception of it. 1t
broodcd over the chaotic masses of an untin-
ished world, and by its omnipOtent touch
formed them into order and beauty SO doth it
come at its own pleasure, or at the request OF
importunate prayer, and renew the disordered
elements of the soul, and spread over it the
beauty and freshness of a new creation. In
the readiness, and the irresitable, efiectual
working of this divine agency, is our hope.
s.But if l am not tcilling; what then 2" in
quircd Vertitia.
e.Thou mayest be made willing,'' said Va
lens.
Vertitia seemed greatly alarmed at this, and
even terrified. Her feelings were all averse to
the new faith, and the thought of power that
could subdue her into willing reception oft
caused her to tremble. And then the known
antipathy of Marcus to the christians, in con
nexion with her own fondness for the pleasures
and gayeties of the world, had determined hel
to turn a deaf ear to all the counsels of her pa.
rents, and persue that course of life which she
had inconsiderately marked out for herself.
s.But will not my daughter, in this affair, re.
gard our personal safety. AS intimated be-
fore danger threatens us, and in fact, is now
upon us. l am christian, and your mother
and sister are the same. Because of our faith
we are vilified, prescribed, and charged with
the most monstrous crimes and even tonight
hundreds are suffering death, ostensibly at
least, for an act of which they are innocent be-
fore heaven. Should our faith be discovered
nothing can save us. Marcus might betray u.s.
and shall Vertitia, by her persistence in this
matter, be concerned in bringing upon us
such calamity
Valens made these remarks in moving
melting tone of voice, and with tears in his
eyes.
Vertita sat for some minutes in silence at
his side, evidently in great mental ogony;
| when suddenly throwing her arms around his
neck, she impressed a fond kiss upon his cheek
and burst into tears.
They all wept. Nothing was heard for some
| time but their sobs and sighs. Valen's eyes
were up-turned to heaven at length, in earnest
fervent supplication; while Vertltia's arms
| still continued to encircle his neck in thell
| embrace.
ITO be Continued.1
"One way to get on is to put up your
modesty and sell it to the lowest bidder. Ii
no one will buy it, give it away y,-send it as a
/ hr.t