Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-11-20
THE ALTERED VILLAGE:
Or, Prepare for Changes.

Heigh-hoT said the old shepherd, as
he sat himself down to give me his ac-
count of the village; "heigh-ho, Master
Charles" said he, "strange changes take
place in the world. When l left the vii
lage, the squire was living in the great hall
the minister resided at the parsonage,
Madam Bloxidge dwelt at the old house
with the shrubbery, and the captain lived
at the white cottage with the bay window.
The squire kept his carriage; the minister
rode on his black cob; Madam Bloxidge
drove pony, and the captain walked on
foot; be was one of the best walkers in
the parish. But when 1 came back again,
things were sadly altered, for the squire
had sold his estate: the minister was dead ;
Madam had left the neighborhood to live
in London, and the captain had gone
abroad. The place was hardly like what
it was before; but all earthly things are
given to change. Summer goes and win
ter comes, and fruits and flowers may be
looked for, and not found.
"When 1 left the Grange, Farmer Dyke
was prospering at the farm, and seldom
did his wife let any caller at the door go
away without mug of drink and crust.
Miss Ellen had color in her cheek like a
rose, and the farmers two sons were sober
and industrious young men; but how was
it when l came back again? The Grange
looked like deserted place. The farmer
had been called away from the world; his
wife could hardly keep the farm together.
There were fewer laborers in the fields, and
fewer flitches of bacon in the cupboard.
Poor little Ellen was in decline, one of
the sons had taken to bad ways, and the
other was almost heart-broken; l could
have cried like child, as l entered the
door of the Grange.
"When l called at the cottage to bid
farewell to old Richard Stanley, he said
that it was his birthday. Though his
face was ruddy, his hair was silvery white,
and indeed, no wonder, for he had fourscore
years craven on his brow. Shepherd
said he, you may see the village again,
but you are not likely to set eyes again on
old Richard Stanley. Come what will,
however, Gods time is the best time. /
know in whom I have believed. Christ is
my hope: as poor sinner l look to him
for pardon, and through his merits to be
received into heaven When l came
again to the village the cottage was shut
up, for old Richard slept in the church
yard. Wherever l went, l seemed to, see
strange faces. H.
when 1 crossed the ferry, on my way
home from the village, bald-headed Joel
was putting the minister, with his little
son and daughter, and the parish clerk,
over the river in his boat. Every one of
them appeared to be in good health, and
Joel and the parish clerk shook hands with
me, knowing that 1 was bound for dis
tant part of the country. How little did
l then think of what would happen! Well
may we prepare for changes! When
came back again to the village, stranger
put me across the ferry in the boat; Joel,
and the parish clerk, and the minister and
his son were all dead. One after another
they had been swept away from the world.
"Oh that young people would ponder,
and old people reflect more on the uncer-
tainty of life, SO that they might be pre-
pared for changes which so suddenly take
placeI AS for man, his days are as grass:
as flower of the field, so be fourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is
gone; and the place thereof shall know it
no more Psalm ciii. Is, l6.
"Sure enough ours is an altered village,
and it should lead US to prepare for yet
greater changes, for the 'time is short
But there is another and better world. |
To that happy world the world of God
directs our eyes. Let us now seek it,
through faith in Christ. Let US trust in |
him as our Saviour, knowing that his blood |
cleanseth from all sin, and that he is the |
way to heaven. Blessed state, where
there are no changes; where those who
meet shall dwell together for ever. From
this time let me seek it with all my heart. |