The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-06-13

at the spectacle. When health blooms up
on our cheeks, and the life blood flows vig-
orously through our veins, when our eyes
beam and sparkle with hopes effulgcnt
rays, and every pulsaiion would seem to
promise many days yet TO come, at such
time and under urh circumstances, we may
think and speak lightly, MAJ, fippantly of
the terrors of death, and the gloominess of
the grave. But when called to stand rs il
were, upon its crnmhlins verge, and look
the merciless tyrant in the face, unassisted
humanity, horror-strcken and terrified shud-
dcrs ana embles and shriuks from the view.
If this be true in reference to man with all
the strength t" aid his stoical philosophy, can
one, the texture of whose physical and NOR
al frame, is a, a,delicately network of nervous
sensibilty-n perfect cmbodiness of weak
ness and timidity-can such an one at such
time triumphing over natures fears. and
natures tcrrors, joyfulIy shout forth the VIC
tors cry, ''Oh. death! where 10 thy sting!
Oh, grave where is thy victory' The an.
swer to this question may be found in the
dying moments of her, to whose memory
this feeble tribute /, offered. Ye disciples
ofa Paine, Voltaire and Rosseau, pass
with us in the chilling atmosphere of deaths
chamber, and as you stand at the bedside Of
the submissive sufferer, hear her rs she ad-
ministers comfort and consolation to her
weeping sisters, while with countcnance il.
lumincd with n joyous and celestial smile,
she bids her, "sing to me Of heaven" Me-
thinks such scene must carry conviction
to the mind Of the most sceptical, of the
po,cer and divinity Of the religion of Jesus
Christ.
The subject Of this notice was deprived
at an early age, of the fostering care md
protection Of mother, whose place, howev-
er, was supplied by an elder sister, who faith
fully discharged the responsible duties thus
devolving upon her. Shortly after the
death Of their mother, that sister was be-
reared Of her only sou,ce Of support in tho
person Of n fond and afFcctonate husband.
Thus, "Single handed nnd alone" so far rs
earth I, concerned, were they called to ex.
pcriencc the angry bufietings of pitIcss,
mcrcilcss and unfeeling world. But relyiny
with IN unshrirking, answering faith, upon
the word of Him, who hath promised to be
~ husband to the widow. and n father to
The fatherIess," their frail barks were sus
tanned and preserved amid the threatening
pillows Of life's tempcstuous sea, until at
last one has been safely moorcd in the ha-
ven of eternal felicity. II canDot be doubted
but that ut times on ull-wise Providence ft-
YOURS those whom lie loves. and whom he
i. about 10 call away. with Timely notice of
OF his will. That He did 80 in this instance,
there in every reason to believe from the ex-
rrcssions ofthc deceased previous TO the hand
of nltiiction being laid upon her. And when
pros,ra,ed upon bed of pain and languish.
ment although her sufierings were intense
and protracted, no word Of complaint, no
mnrmur WAS permitted 10 escape her lips :;
but with n calm aud holy resignation she
submitted to the Christening rod Other hcav-
enly father. The only source Of uneasiness
or grief 10 her, was the sorrow evinced by
her weeping sisters, to whom she would nd
minister consolation in the following Ian.
guase: 81 know | anr about to die, but sor.
row not for me- have no fears" Just be.
fore the final summons arrived, while her
hearts blood was being congcaled by the
Icy touch of death, raising on high her cma-
ciated hands, she uttered the triumphant
exclamation, 20! bless the Lordr In few
moments after the sounding of this note of
victory, her exulting spirit without n sigh
or groan, scared aloft to her Father and her
God. Thus did Mary suffer, and thus did
Mary conquer!
"lIope looks beyond the bounds Of time,
When what we now deplore,
Shall rise to ful, immortal prime,
And bloom to fade no more"