Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-07-05
A SABBATH IN THE WILDERNESS.

The stranger, whom Pro violence sent to my
rescue, crossed the river in his canoe, and safe
ly conveyed me to my own camp, where my
companions had prepared roaring fire, and
a bountiful supper. On my arrival was so
chilled could not speak; but change of
clothes, blazing fire, and a substantial sup
per soon restored me. I then wrapped my
self in my blanket, and raising my eyes and
heart in devout gratitude to heaven for my
protection through the fatigues and dangers
Of the day, lay down on my bed of cedar
| boughs, and soon fell asleep i was how
ever, too much fatigued to sleep undisturbed.
/ The image of Katahden, with its precipices
and ravlnes, and the snow storm, of the path
less wilderness, and the conception Of des-
perate struggles To extricate myself from i'm
pending danger, haunted me in my slum-
bers.
In the morning | awoke just as the sun
peeped in through the trees. All was bright
and beautiful. Nota cloud obscured the sky.
The winds were lulled to rest The voice
Of the tempest was hushed. All was deep,
placid repose. 1t was like the repose that
gathers over the fair features of childhood
; when the stormy struggle of disease and dis
} solution is passed, and
Have swept the lines where beauty fingers"
1t was the holy day of rest-the Sabbath.
, 1t was, too, the Sabbath of the year The
, equinoctial storm was passed, and mellow au-
f tumn, with her variant train, had come over
plains, while winter was sitting crowned with
| its wreath of snow on the mountain.
, 1t was the sweet Sabbath day, and was
3 left to enjoy ii alone for my companions
weRt to meet the lingering members of the
} party with provisions. love a solitary ram.
Bile in the forest, or by the sequestered lake
or the unfrequented stream. There are time:
: when love to hear no sounds but those Of
, nature, and to see no sights but the green
2 grass, and the waving trees, and the brigh
i waters, and the blue sky. Such seasons are
b to me the sabbath of the soul-a Sabbath
: not the busiest day of the week, devoted
/, from early morn to late at night, to active ex
n ercises, and on which, having to do or to hea
so much talking, there is no time to think
il but a Sabbath of rest quiet retreat, of holy
c meditation. Such Sabbath was that which
e | spent on that lone isle of beauty, far away
u in the Penobscot waters. 1t was one Of the
S hap piest and the most profitable ever spent
V The next morning we made ready for on
t return home. Fair faces, cheerful hearts
6 sweet smiles, and merry voices, would gree
d me on my return to my distant home; bu
Il yet l could not without regret leave my little
!, island. 1t seemed like the home of child
: hood. While preparations were making fo
G our departure, wandered over it, marking
il each remembered spot, where 1 had passeC
the twilight hour, or the Sabbath rest And
: when all was ready, and | had stepped into
$ my canoe, went back to lovely hower snC
), said, instinctvely, "Good-bye"
n Thus it is that tho heart clings to every OBJ
e ject associated with its joys and its sorrows
i Many year has passed since l saw tina
" lonely isle. And have seen many beau
: tiful and many lovely spot. Yet l still
e love, and sometimes pine for my lonely littl
IS island.
/" Stlll my fancy can discover
Sunny spots where friends may dwell;
Darker shadows round me hover,
Isle Of beauty, fare thee wsll
Through the mists that boats above me-
IT Family sounds the evening bell,
Like voice from those that love me,
Breathing fondly, fare thee we'll
r. What would not give TO wander
Where my cid companions dwell
8 Absence makes the heart grow warmer;
o Isle Of beauty, fare thee well!"