Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-08-04
TIE DYING PASTOR.

ter, lifting his iace, Oh WHicn was d
sweet, sad smile-"bettes 10 wear Out
than TO rust out.
"Bu, Henry, cannot bear to see your
health failing thus. What shall | say TO
ycu, how convince you that i, is your du
,y to give up this vocation it is killing
you"
"Ask me 10 resign all, anything but
that, Alice. Even if went from my par
ish as you suggest, my soul would travel
back and Gnger here-l could not be hap
ipy. But in the glorious work. with you
and our ilIe ones by my side, feeling as
do tina. God is abundantly blessing my
labor.
"Henry," exclaimed Alice, tears CON-
ing in her swee, blue eyes. for her hus-
band had suddenly contract led bis brow as
il with a spasm of pain, "you are very
sick, my Iove--oh, do not try TO conceal
liz from me. Do no, tell me that your ar
duous labors are not taking the ligh, from
your eye, and the blonm from your check,
do feel, dear husband, as if any other
occupation, something that you need not
follow so abs0rhlngly would make you
yourself again. You mus. agree with me
that the oxe.,ion and confnement Of STU
dy are sapping your life away"
"Sii down by MY side, Alice said
Henry, gravely and tenderly; Il have
long wanted TO talk with you upon this
subject. T,u", my health is iai,ing-do
not weep-mees The fact firmly, and even
rejoice lha, am going where there shall
be no pain. But my duties, my profess
sion should sink without the comfort
they afford me. To know that for the
time allotted me, | am to be instrumental
in saving precious, immortal souis! This
it is tha, makes NE willing 10 suffer.
You are mistaken, my love, when you
think an entire change in my calling. my
ciicums tances, would save me. 1T Is a
swee, hope, born OF tenderness but false
one. Had | been merchant, physi-
cian, lawyer, | could not have lived
even as long as have. A heavenly in
fluence has sustained me. Often when
sinking under this wearying disease, the
thought OF my mission has poured life and
light, and hope into my hear,-and l have
gone forth, mighty 10 do my Fathers
will. Alice. you would not deprive me
of this sweet, heavenly solace. You
would no, embi,ter my last days by caus-
ing me by my strong affection for you to
acqnIeGce with your wishes, would you,
Alice Z"
"Never, my husband - exclaimed the
devoted woman lifting her head from his
shoulder: "forgive NE ,lla, have so un'
guardedly panied you. From benceforih
lie, me uphold you, strengthen you if my
weak will can do SO am SO selfish
want you all for. myself cannot bear
the thOughi-'
Again her fortilude gave way. and she
sank sobbing upon her husbands bosom.
Presently he lifted her head gently; she
looked ,earfully upwsrd-a holy triumph
sat upon his face, a divine ligh, shone ii
his deep, bright eyes. They were raised
hea, onward; he slowly lifted his hand a.
he said with a beautiful impressive man
"forever, and ever. there-my own
my blessed vile =
Every Sabbath Henry Warden entered
his pulpi, with slower step. All hl'
pa,ishioners marked the change, Hi:
words spoken with such solemn emphs
sis, the languor of his manner, his angel
like serenity, the wrap. fervor of his elo
quence at times, as if he already saw the
brightness of tina. upper world, prepared
them for the dread and solemn mystery
which was TO make him immortal.
AT las. he came no more !; i, was pleas.
an, summer time. Birds flirted through
the in,erlacing foliage. and sung as sweet
" in their Northern homes as If the sui
try breath OF the South flca,ed through
orange groves. The skies were as blue
as I,ala's-lhe yellow bee, the red rose
the loaded cherry boughs, the crimson
clover and starry bu,tercup, each told the
sweet story of The season. Beauty, fra
GRANGE and love nestled close together,
and the sun shone over all, and gathered
them under his broad. happy light.
Some days the young minister moved
about his little garden, leaning on the arm
OF his guardian angel, his gentle wife,
Alice. But at last the cough became so
FREQUENT that lie sat all day in his easy
chair. And they gathered sweet smiling
roses and brought him, ill the room look-
ed like an Eden. Fresh fruits. too. laid
always beside him, and cage full OF ca
nary birds hung above his window. II
did seem as if their melody was wilder
sweeter and softer in his presence than it
was won, TO be; and every body who went
TO that sick chamber, said it was hike
standing within sight of Heaven.