Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17
The Victory,
THROUGH THE FAITH WHICH ovERcoMrrH.

bridegroom, as in the triumph Of perfect
health and worldly success, tempered 10y real
Christian conservation, he carried his dar-
ling wife to his elegant home Il never
thought I could be so happy" they said to
each other, over aud over strolling through
their beautiful grounds, or walking up and
down the ample rooms Of their new home /;
81 never thought it was possible for any
body to be so happy"
Mrs. Harkness had cousin, an old maid
they called her though she was only twenty
eight. She had lost her love when she was
a Young, buoyant, enthusiastic girl, and
strong in soul, she had stepped from the
earthly love 70 the heavenly. Cousin Clara
was, thereafter available for everybody in
need. In the large circle of her friends and
relatives size was constantly busy, helping
guiding, soothing, teaching. II there was
a family quarrel, OF a family loss, or a long
painful sickness, Clara was the one first
thought Of, first sent for. In joy she was
desired, as well as in grief, for her quick,
spiritual sympathy reflected the happiness Of
those around her, and made it seem doubly
blessed.
SO it happened. that when Ellen Harkness
was established in her new home, she very
soon sent for cousin Clara to spend few
weeks with her. and help her appreciate her
good fortune.
you are puzzle 10 me- Clara, she said
one day; if / should lose George, | could
not live know could not live in him I;
from the time he leaves me in the morning,
till he comes at night, ! wait for him; have
no separate life how did you live after Henry
died p
He is not dead, said Clara, in a tone SO
assured and earnest, that Mrs. liarkness
started with surprise.
"But he is what we call dead he died and
was buried"
q" His body, you mean.
"Of course you saw him no more; you
have lived alone since then
No. Ellen: | have never been one mo
ment alone. You ask me how | lived |
will tell YOU; | did not rebel, but believed
that God loved my darling. aud could take
care Of him in one place as well as another.
There was great and awful fear, and dread,
while | anticipated the separation but
when the soul OF my love was free, God en-
abled me TO feel that lie had only taken His
child into another room. ! seemed to hear
nv darling say: Wait patiently till you
can come all worlds belong TO our Father,
and His love and care extend over all in
Christ our souls can meet and while We
serve Him, in one place, you in another, we
shall never be separated
In that moment Of heavenly communion,
dedicated my life to feeding Christ's lambs
all thu needy the errine. the straying the
sorrowing and in proportion as ! have kept
near Christ, have felt the spiritual presence
OF my love"
Was it a Providence, this conversation
In less than a week thereafter Ellen liark-
ness was a widow. Absence on business-a
railroad accident telegram-the horrible
Homecoming of the soulless body-the burial
the desolation-that was the story so com
mon to the great public, so terrible to the
stricken.
A mcrciful illness kept Ellen from realiz-
ing all at once her loss, and in that illness
Clara was a ministeriug angel indeed. The
siok-room was very heaven Of consolation
and the invalid missed no tenderness, nc
care, that love could give. At last she slowly
rallied, and was able by and by to be lifted
| from her bed to the cosy chair, in the cosy
| little sitting-room adjoining her chamber
As she made this first movement towards
| the life awaiting her, the past threatened tc
oyerwhelm her with its lost joys, and the fu
ture held up before her its endless process
| sion of empty, miserable days. 40, can
not liyel" She exclaimed "wby did moi
die and 20 to YOU my darling Tell me
Clara, what shall | do o, the dreadful
dreadful futurel"
Claras tears were freely mingled witt
those of her despairing friend and sh'
spared not sweet caresses, and that loving
| human contact which so comforts the sor
rowing. After Ellen had grown calm, shl
| opened the Bible and read portions of thu
| fifteenth chapter Of First Corinthians. A
she read that triumph-etter of the Apostle
Ellens attention was irresistibly attracted
and look OF pathetic yearning stole owe
her pale face.
"What is written there you have felt your
self" she said presently, interrupting he
cousins sweet voice.
"Yes, darling" said Clara, looking ~
with bright smilei 81 can say from
happy heart Thanks be to God who Civ
eth us the victory through our Lord Jesu
| Christ"
"And you feel as You might if Henry wa
only in some foreign country, and woul
send for you by and by y
Far happier than that; in that case
might hear any moment OF sickness or acc
dent or he might be tempted to wrong
Now am satisfied Of his perfect safety, c
his constant Joy"
And you feel that he loves you still, an
waits for you
"Would his soul love me less because
has moved out of the body into a spiritui
habtation That is not possible. Bu
you must remember, dear, that the victor
is given us through our Lord jesus Chris
To be in Christ involves giving up all tbs
lie does not approve. As we give up an
triumph over that which opposes the spiri
ual, through the help of divine love, en-
bodied in Christ, we enter a spiritual spher
where death has no sting, and the grave u
victory. In that sphere of love we meet OF
, beloved, and there we are forever satisfied
Little by little, through many trials an
much stumbling over the rough way, Ellie
found the still waters of peace and at la
she was able to thank God for the gain
I loss, In her turn she became teacher an
! consoler, and rejoiced daily in the belt
j that, as we have borne the image of Il
earthly, we shall also bear the image
, tho hpaVpplv r. AN 0ra 00ioDoIt