The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-04-09
Love in the Valley of the Juniata...A
True Tale.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.

BY GRACE GREENWOOD.
A moonlight night, in forest, in the
northern part of Virginia, many lights
cleaning in the distance. But what
am 1 about? l beg your pardon, my
sober minded reader, for my theatrical
commencement. The truth of the mat
ter is, / just "dropped inn at the play,
the other night and my head is even
now full of the vain things which l
there saw and heard. But l should
not seek to give stage effect to the real
ly authentic tale which l am about to
relate to you, and which ] only desire
to "tell as it was told to me-" So, to
begin again, soberly and in order it
was a glorious June night, some fifteen
years ago, when Henry Elbridge, the
younger son of a rich and aristocratic
Virginia family, rode up rocky path
way which wound through one of the
magnificent forests of the "Old Do
minion." He was superbly mounted,
and followed, at distance by black
groom. Suddenly, at a turn of the
road, he checked his horse, and an ex-
clamation of wondering delight escaped
his lips. The forest far behind him
was lit up for festival; and multi
tude of snowy tents were pitched be-
meath the trees cleaning through the
oyer-hanging branches. A crowd of
people, of all ages and conditions, were
lifting up the voice of prayer and praise
in that grandest cathedral of natures
God-the gorgeous wood, with its lof-
ty, rugged pillars, and its thousand
sounding aisles."
1t was that most unique, that most
wildly beautiful of scenes, Methodist
camp meeting at night. 1t was entire
ly new spectacle to our hero; for,
though born in Virginia, he had been
educated in New England, having but
just graduated at Harvard. He was
an ardent, enthusiastic, intellectual
young man, with heart peculiarly i'm
pressible in matters of love and relig
ion. He had been led by curiosity
alone 10 witness the scene which he
now contemplated with SO lively an
interest.
AT the close of the prayer and hymn
he dismounted, and approached nearer
to the preachers stand-a rude plat
form erected on the highest part of the
grounds. Taking rather retired pos
ition, he stood, carelessly leaning
against patriarchial oak, and awaited
the evenings discourse. The preach.
er, the celebrated B, had not ye.
arrived ; but presently a hush of re-
specttul expectation fell upon tho as
sembly, as man of imposing form
and massive features, ascended the plat
form. He commenced in a manner
calmly impressive, but soon his impas
stoned and over-mastering eloquence
awoke within him, in might and grand
eur. His dark eye flashed with fervid
zeal-his every word seemed freighted
with solemn meaning-the very tones
of his voice pierced the heart, sword
like, through the double armor of pride
and unbelief. His theme was the cru.
cifction of our Lord and as he pro
ceeded, the groans of the strong mer
and the cries of women, attested the
power of the orator and the subject
Bound by the mighty spell of truth
genius revealed, stood young Elbridge
the burning exhortations of the speak.
er falling like a storm of fire on bis
overwhelmed and shrinking spirit.
Every sin, every error, every unworthy
act of his life, seemed passing in dread
review before him-his features became
convulsed, his head bowed, and his breast
heaved tumultuously. He seemed to
behold the mocking trial of our blessed
Master-the crown of thorns, the Grim.
soned scourge, the spear, the cup of
gall all the human suffering, and di.
vine meekness of that life giving death;
and, while his heart was rent with an
guish unspeakable, flood of despair,
like wave from the seal of eternal
wrath, swept over his houl he raised
his clasped hands, cried frantically,
"F'or me He died for me, for me !" and
fell PROSTATE. He had swooned.
When he revived he was lying in a
tent, his head supported by his SER
want; and beside him stood the preach
er, whose exhortations had so stirred
up the great deeps of his soul. Then
followed words of hope, and peace,
and pleading prayer; and ere the
morning dawned, new life mystical
and holy, awoke within the bosom of
the young convert; sweet, confding,
child-like sense of reconciliation with
the Father, thrilled his heart and the
Joy of the saint, sudden, "unuttsra BILE
and full of glory" burst upon him like
Q tropical day.