Middletown transcript., 1868-02-01
J stlarall .Yeadina.N
"a % l',a ii ( From he Prs,5yt1iiaa. /
Light i'm the Dwelling.

Stopping for short time in village
at the North, during summer tour, aud
having occasion to need some plain sew
ing done, was directed by my humble
washwoman to an old lady, who lived in
i lowly part Of the town, in an upper
chamber, and earned her support by the
needle, On finding the poor dwelling, l
passed by the lower story, which seemed
to be occupied by number Of persons, Of
net very, cleanly appearance, and reached
a narrow staircase in the back part Of the
building. A small room opened at the
head of the stairs, which wore an aspect
Of great neatness and poverty An old |
carpet covered the floor, scrupulously
clean and well-mended, A table, COW
cred with scanty piece of white cotton,
stood on one side Of the room, and few |
books, gave an appearance of cheer to
the otherwise somewhat desolate apart
ment. A very small cooking-stove, well
blackened, added to the look Of comfort.
The only occupant was the old lady to whom
had been directed. She was dressed in
faded calico, very clean; plain collar,
and pure white muslin cap bespoke the
purity of her mind and heart l was
much strnck by the dignity of her man.
ner, which indicated converse with her
self, and forbade too close an approach
by others. l hardly knew how to address
her, being stranger, and feeling an un-
usual, respect, which called for unusual
Difference under the circumstances. How
even, having made known the yerFand, and
received satisfactory answers, L vcntured
to remark, g You seem to be alone here"
-'i''' YesN she replied ~ have lived in
this room thirty years" "''a. a1'
ssa The tear started to my eye, and my
heart melted with pity. - sas y ts1
"Phirty years alone! and have you no
friends I" 'al'7, ~ % = 'rat
-1sf.t / had o husband, and an only daugh-
ter. 1t was pleasant to see her coming
in every night from her work; for she
qnsed to go out sewing in families during
the day; but it is a long time since she
died, and have been alone since; | miss
her very much" r.at ~. ST. H.,
She cast down her glance as she said
this, and thought l saw her eye glisten
but no tear dropped, and the features oi
her face remained in their calm dignity
Twas moved with sympathy and tender.
ness. An old womanl with. ,naught il
retrospect but sad memories! Those van
ished loves those conjugsl and materna
endearments! those voices of kindness
that buoyancy of youth! those, hopes %
,ilife's spring and summer the hearthston,
Of home! all vanished forever! And tn
prospect! An open grave! dark, cole
valley disabled age! lonely death
bedl Poor, poor humanity r Otto b.
born, to live for such fate as this ! +
have a heart full of affectionate yeafninss
ga mind capable of intellectual grati6ca
tions, and imagination, which the bright
est visions of earth can never satisfy an
=. to be an old, bereaved woman, living alon
in an upper chamber Almost in an ae
ony, cast about for refuge for this ship
wrecked one. Was there no loving en-
brace to enfold that aged farta ,? Ne stron
arm to guide the feeble step? No heal
TO do her reverence 2 My eye rested upo
the table, and with an unspeakable feelin
of relief, remarked cheerfully, al a,
glad to see that big Book on the table
,ahope you get some comfort out of that ?
-'a is Yes, indeed, ma'am, do! it is "a
hecomfort l have, and it is enough.
have Friend that always sticks close ,
me. i never feel lonely. That Book r.
comfort enoughw s's = - asr.t
"Yon really feel it to be SO, do you
Most certainly, ma ain :; | never kno
what it is to feel aio6e; / tell Him all
Let me ask you q question. Cou
you now have back your husband al
daughter, and be surrounded with eve
luxury of home, would you take them
exchange for the comforts and hopes v,
enjoy from that Book! Tell me truly
sfHiIn an instant she replied; and her ng
face was illumined with the earnestnoss
her answer. " '-i@i'+ '"i '.s|
ss s-s", No, indeed! Neverl Nothing
earth would take for what l get there
~ How could doubt her r. j came doy
the little, narrow, back staircase full
joy and wonder That human heart h
found its only, its everlasting rest Ear
recedes, i disappears; heaven opens
her eyes! How was my heart stilled /
fore the sublimity of faith which cou
make riches of poverty, ,companionship
dcsolation. hope Of, despair.
ka4 Vain cayillers at the Book Divine! 4
~ fore you sneer away the support, the Go
ISOLATION of the wretched, bring forwa
some more practical delusion for the IN
& erahle of earth. gsla su III ~ r..
This incident was the more impressi,
IS amid the comfortable surroundings o
(, pleasant. city home, but a few days befo
ri / had Heard one speak slightingly of thi
sacred things, which he had been taul
70 love and reverence by godly faith
1.-The cause of Missions, with little
show for all the expenditure of time q
money" GA special Providence an
.smdity.v a" The Old Testament, with
morality or. ipsn,orality, not suited to t
age," &c. His little ones were taught
. kneel at no family altar the harmony
their young voices was not heard in
morning and evening hymn, to which
-La.. Al