The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-03-02

oho oo'hoWou uoij uS We uiu. tiat ouo wa
going. She was too happy in the though
that her daughter had found that "pearl o
= great price, in cold and evil world;
, true, loving, noble heart 10 guide and pro
iect her. .'. O. -
Father sal in The chimney corner, read
ing the family Bible. He was looking far
lher than any Of us---io the perils tha
would environ his dearest daughter, ant
the privations that might come upon he
lie, in that unhealthy, unoivilized oorne
OF the globe whittier she was going. Boil
our parents had dedicated their children il
God; and they would not cast even shad
ow on the path Of self sacrifice and duty
their darling had chosen. 1'ara rlsa -
To come down TO tho unromantic little
details of wedding preparations, how we
stitched aud trimmed, packed and prepared
STONED raisins with tears in our eyes, and
seasoned the wedding cake with sighs
But there is little use in thinking over these
things. Ellen was the first and foremost in
all, as she had been in every emergency
grea, and small. Nothing could be done
without her. Even the BRIDES cake was
taken from The oven by her own fair hands,
because no one-servant, sister or even
mothsr-was willing 10 run the risk OF burn.
ing sister Ellen's BRIDE cake; aad she
knew just how TO bake it. .....-.
We were not LEFT alone in our labors, for
Ellen had been loved by more than the
home roof sheltered. Old and young, poor
and rich, united in bringing their gins, re.
grels and blessing, 10 the chosen companion
OF The pastor they were soon 10 lose. There
is something in the idea Of missionary life
that touches the sympathy Of every heart
that nam non las not TOO long scared. To
SEQ ono with sympaihies and refnemenis
like our own, rend the strong ties that bind
TO country and home, comfort and civiliza.
ton, for the good of!he lost and degraded
hea,hen, bring too strongly into relief, BY
contrast, the selfshness OF human lives led
among the gayeiies and luxury OF time.
The day, the hour came. The ship was
TO sail from B. on the ensuing week, and il
mus, take away an idol
She stood up in the village church, that
all who loved her might look upon her, 10
speak the simple words that would link
hearts for eternity. We sisters all around
her, but moi loo near, for our hearts were
|
happy faces that should grace train OF
bridesmaids. She had cheersd us through
The day with the sunshine from her own
heart, and even while We were arraying her
in simple white muslin, like lamb for sac.
rifice, she had charmed our thoughts into
cheeriulness. II seemed like some dream
OF fairy land, she The embodiment OF grace
and loveliness, acting the part Of some
Queen Ttania for while. The dream
changed into a far different reality, when
al the door OF her molhsr's room she placed
her hand into Henry Neville's and lifted
her eyes with look that said, "Where thou
socst will ! go,' even from all beside.
Tears fell fast in that assembly, though
the good old ma,rons tried 10 smile as they
passed around tho bride 10 bless her and bid
her good bye. A little girl in patched bu,
clean frock, pushed forward, with boquel
Of vlole,s, and strawberry blossoms in her
hand.
"Here, Miss Nelly-please, Miss Nelly"
she cried half laughing, half sobbing. 81
picked them on purpose for you"
Ellen stopped and kissed the little eager
face. The child burst into tears and caught
the folds of her dress, as though she would
have buried her face there. But strong
armed woman, mindful Of the brides attire,
snalched the child away. "And for what
would ye be whimpering in that style, as il
you had any right 10 Miss Ellen !'
"She was always good 10 me, and sh e's
my Sunday school teacher" pleaded the
lie girl in subdued undertone.
| Agnes drew her aside and silently COM
forled her. .
"S,ep aside-Faiher Herick is here"
said one just then.
The crowd about the bridal pair opened
to admit while.haired, halfblind old man,
who came leaning on The arm of his rosy
granddaughter. Father Herrick was a
superannua,ed Deacon, whose good words
and works had won place in every heart
in that assembly.
They told me she was going" he mur-
INJURED 10 himself, "ihey say Ills her wed.
ding. wan, 10 see my little girl again and
bless her."
Ellen sprang forward and laid both her
white trembling hands in the large hand
Of the good old man. He drew near her
his falling eyes and looked searchingly into
her young soul.l, coun,enance.
"l can just see you, darling, and they
tell me shall never see you again :" He
raised his hand over her head. aud repeated
solemnly "ihe blessing Of blessings be up
on thee, my child. Amen"
"Amen" echoed tho voice Of Henry
Neville.
And Ellen looked up with the look Of an
gel.
So she went from us. Oh, the last mo-
ment Of that parting hour has burnt itself
into my heart forever. Could the human
heart bear The agony oil parting like that,
realized to be indeed the lasi-ligh,ed by
no ray Of hope for eternity. Would not
reason reel under the pressure F?
II was hard 10 bear, bu, | have no words
10 tell oi bitterness. She went to her mis-.
sionary life, and we learned at last to live
wilhou, her. though il was many month
before the little ones could forget 10 call on
"Ssler Ellen," in any impulse Of Joy, grisi,
or childish want. Then the start aud the
sigh. "Oh, dear, she's gone"-und fresh
tears would flow.
Gone bul not lost, for The frs: marriage
in The family opened 10 US fountain Of
happiness, pure as the spring of self-sacri-
fee could make il. Our household darling
had linked us TO world Of needy and per
ishable spiriis-a world that asks for the en-.
ergy and aid Of those who remain in the
dear country Of their birth. God ble-s her
aud her charge. Dear sister Ellen, there
may be other breaches in The family-we
may all DO scattered 10 The four winds of
Heaven, but no change can come over us
like lha, which marked the first marriage.
cT At a revival, not long since, un old