Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-10-25
Anointed rden.Bearers.

God gives TO each of His servants a spe-
cial mission, and in His eyes each is alike
honorable. One reigns over a kingdom, an
other reads the stars, others till the earth.
delve in the mine or plough the sea while
the great mass of all Gods beloyed-be their
station what it may-are hurden-bearers in
His kingdom. Gods burdens are blessed
ones aud, like the sails of ship, though
heavy to carry, are, when once raised aloit,
wings to watt the mariner to his haven.
Not long since there was laid TO sleep in a
little village graveyard, not far away, man
whose burden was the heavy one of poverty
and pain. lie had long been old and poor,
and in one sense, friendless. Passing up
the village street towards Gods house, walk
ing painfully, and leaning heavily on his
staff, one might have thought him nobody"
But he was a noblenan in disguise People
expected him TO 90 to the almshouse--a tidy
place, well kept by the thrifty townsmen.
But still he did not 60. Prop after prop had
given way beneath him, but as they did so,
some other stay was raised mp and still,
every time the bell rang out from the village
tower he was among Gods people, praying
singing and talking, with a look of triumph,
OF the " Blessed Jesus aud gloryng in the
bright future which be saw before him
This old man was, In the worlds sense, a
burden, But God had appointed bearers to
place their arms beneath him and show the
world that, There is no want to them that
fear Him The very feeble church OF
which he was a member cared for this sanity
man in so delicate a way as to spare him all
the bitterness of dependence and the hui
mility Of pauperism The individual mem
bers bore cheerfully their share OF the weight
God had laid on them and there were a
few women who seemed specially auoiutsd
to bear this burden, and so fulfill the law OF
Christ. One OF these, a widow, with queeny
hospitality, opened her doors to the home
less old man, and made him her guest for
long, long months, treating him with the
respect and consideration due to an aged
father When increasing infrmities re
quired care she could not give, the little
band who loved the old saint for Christ's
sake, joiued together and provided him
with home, aud with care such as they
would have given one Of their own house
hold. And never, till the expenses exceeded
their ability, did they accept the proltered
aid of their generous townsnen in the work.
During his long and painful Imprisonment
in the sick-room there was one woman in
particular who nursed him with daughters
care, cheered his heart with Gods promises
of strength equal to this dark day, aud OF
glory inexpressible-ju just beyond. It takes
but few words to tell of the loyalty of this
very little church, and especially of these
noble women; but it involved days and
weeks, aud months and years of patient
watching, giving and nursing, under crcum-
stances too painful and trying to describe
These women were burden-bearers set apart
and sanctificd Tor their work in way those
cannot understand who give few dollars
and make an occasional call to a suffering
brother. Their work was mighty one
and they were herones in the eye Of heaven
A little while ago this holy man reached
the end of his thony way, and some of those
who had so loved aud cared for him stood
beside his bedside at his request; as if he
had desired to say farewell to them on the
very brink Of the river, with the bright
shore in full view. These humble women,
who do not boast that they have done great
work out of love 10 Christ, aud for the honor
of His name, were anointed " burden-bear
ers, and will receive, by-and-by a reward
undreamed Of by those who, in Chfist's
church on earth, do only such work as is
perfectly agreeable and convenient to Them
selves. The memory of Seth Weeks" a
man full of prayer aud the Holy Ghost, will
linger as a benedction over that little church,
aud the Blessed Jesus" whose name was
| ever on his lips, will acknowledge their work
of faith and labor Of love, as done unto
Himself.