Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-03-10
The Hidden Grief

Soon after engaging in business, Mr. H
married he woman on whom his affections
had long been fixed. His ardeat attachment
was fully reciorocated. The union was q
happy one. The parties enjoyed as much
domestic happiness as was compst bic with
enlargement from God: neither husband
nor vile were professors of religion.
.Dsmes,ie happiness. that only btis
OF Psrsd ise shst has escaped our fall"
God, iE his mercy, grants a high degree
of this b,ppiness to many who are not his
servt nts. The smiles Of his Providence rest
on many family circle in which there are
none to render him thanksgiving and obedi-
ence!
The happiness Of Mr. and Mrs. H was
often the subject Of remark among those
Who knew them. They were prosperous in
their affairs. Their mutual affection was
very strong. Perfec, confidence existed be-
tween them. Every joy and every sorrow
was shared by each. The cause Of the
anxious countenance or of the sunny smile
on the part of the one was Immediately con-
fided to the other.
After a while, the watchful wife noticed
a change stealing over her husband. He
became reserved, especially in the evening,
when he had been wont to converse with
her most freely In regard to matters on
which he was accustomed to speak freely
there was no change: at least he gave promp
and full answers to her questions. 1t was
only when her inquiries related to the cause
of his thoughtful and sad appearance that
he gave evasiv. replies.
These replies gave her exquisite pain
She saw that there was a hidden grief,which
she was not permitted to share, Was he
displeased or panied at anything she had
done! He assured her he was not. Had
he troubles in his business! 1t had never
been SO prosperous. Had he been treated
unkindly by any one! He was not aware
that he had an enemy in the world. Whence
then the cause .: the concealed sigh and the
anxious brow. Why did he. once ST. fond
Of her society, seek to be alone!
One day be left his place Of bu,ine.r
much earlier than usual, entered his dwell
ing without observation, and went to an
unoccupied room. His wife accidentally
entering it, found him IN his knees weep.
ing, with nn open Bible before him.
To her quick intelligence, the hidden
grief was revealed. kneeling by bis side,
with her eyes streaming with tears, she ex-
elaimed: Husband, why did you not tell me
of this, The subject is one which / have
long desired to speak with you.'
why did you BOT do sor was bis reply
Because of the reserve with which you
have treated me of Iste'
And now you know the cause
I'VE have suffered much needlessIv, and
lost time for the great work which we de-
sired to do.'
The barrier of reserve being thus broken
down, they spoke freely upon that subject
which had for weeks been resting with un-
usual weight upon their minds. They did
not leave the room until they had mingled
heir prayers and strengthened each other in
the resolution to seek first the kingdom Of
God.
Ina few days. Mrs. H was rejoicing in
hope, and was Of material service to her hus.
band, whose early religious instruction had
been less perfect than her own. Ere long
they were united in love to Christ, as we'll
as in love to each other.
1t not unfrequently happens that a hus-
band or a wife, or some other memt or Of a
family, becomes anxious on the subject of
religion, and conceals the cause of anxiety
from the other members of the family. InI
most cases, conceaiment causes decay Of
feeling, and the last state of that man is
worse than the first.
No husband or wife should ever carry a
hidden grief-anG least of II, the grief for
sins committed and q Saviur slghted. The
endearing relation between husband and
wife, parents and children, brothers and
sisters, wus not designed to be an hindrance
but help to sa.vation.-Sun. School Times