Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1869-10-27
Fanny l.

Out III tue green country DFlght-eyeu,
rosy-cheeked Fanny L. MIXED her COWS
morning and evening, singing sweet hymns
of praise TO God. Vita her plump white
arms barred for household labors, she
thought not Of herself or her beauty She
had found the Saviour, as did the disciples
of old when seeking for him, and he was
uPPermost in all her thoughts. Happy in
singing, happy at prayer, happy at church,
happy IN her daily labors, even of the
humblest kind, Fanny was one whom all
knew as disciple Of Jesus.
Fanny was an orphan, and poor but
riches were hers which no chances ,cqnld
a4F.,s.f. AMI Of winch no one could rob her.
And she was humble and contented in her
lot
After time, John B., a member of the
same Church with herself, wooed and won
the sweet maiden for his wife He was
one of the faithful believers. slow of speech,
plain in person and in manner. He also
was poor, but Industrious.
John was taken by surprise when on
their wedding night Fanny placed the
Bible in his hands, laid the hymn book be-
side him. ard sat down in silence. He
shrank from the duty thus suggested as
from cross. She looked up, and her ap-
pealing eyes could not be wIthStOod. He
opeued, and in u low and trembling voice
began to read. Gathering courage as he
went on, the precious words gave strength.
Then he found hymn and began to sing.
Fanny's sweet voice took up the melody,
and their united strains filed the room.
Did angels listen? Fanny dropped on her
knees, and Johns voice then found utter
ance in prayer So, " Behold, he pray
eth, was recorded of him then, and each
day of his life afterward.
80, Fanny. it was 50 hard for one like
me" said the young husband some time
after,
But if we had not begun then it would
have been harder yet. and perhaps we
should have neglected it altogether; and
then would God bless US ," replied the
wife
Children came to bless them, and Fanny
as a mother did not fail to lead them to
Jesus with their first feeble steps and lisp
ing words.
\ few years passed, and John b. found
himself heir to wealth He was almost
stunned with the unexpected inheritance,
Did Fanny put on airs? Not even when
she stepped over the threshold of an elegant
mansion as its mistress, and found herself
in possession of luxuries she had never
known. She continued the same humble
happy Fanny. the same Christian wife and
mother
| No longer poor her charities flowed on
apace into every channel God opened be-
fore her The Church looked upon her as
one of its helpers, and the poor every
where blessed her as their friend
With her purse in her hand, she was
about to make purchases. She sat think
ing. s. Ofwhom shall l buy? Mr.. \. has
fine goods, but he is an infdel. dare not
give him Gods money. Mr.. B. is rich,
pleasures. Mr.. G. belongs to the Church,
but he grinds the poor, and does not help
the gospel. I'll 60 to Mr.. D.; he is a
poor man, trying to provide honestly for
his family, and is a Christian indeed. He
has not so great an assortment, nor such
fine goods, but l shall be doing right to en-
courage him.
Fanny could have dressed in the most
fashionable and costly attire. But she
said, g God did not send me riches to spend
in decorating dying body. Besides, if 1
wear such clothing, others who cannot af-
ford it will do the same, and go beyond
their means Nor would she cherish the
pride of dress in her children, lest they
should learn to look down upon their COM
panions at school.
Few palmer dressed ladies enter the
church than Fanny; and yet so neat and
tasteful is her appearance, so sweet and
pure her face, that all love to see her.
Fanny dispenses with needless luxuries
for herself and children even when they are
within her reach. She teaches her family
the Christian duty of self-denial. They
have piano, but she will allow no dance
or opera music in her house. Sweeter mu-
sic than that of the old fashionable world
sounds through her parlor windows. "If
| could do it." she says, as Holiness to the