Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-18
Joy In Bereavement.

The following beautiful letter, written
soon after the death of Nathaniel Haw-
thorne, by his wife appears in the recently
published biography of the late James I.
Fields
Beioued.-When l see that 1 deserved
nothing and that my Father gave me the
richest destiny for so many years of time
to which eternity is TO be added, am struck
dumb with an ecstasy of gratitude and let
go my mortal hold with an awful submis
sion, and without murmur. l stand hushed
into an ineffable peace which | cannot meas
ure nor understand. 1t, therefore, must be
the peace which "passeth all understand
ing" l feel that his joy is such as " the
heart of man cannot conceive" and shall l
not rejoice, who loved him so far beyond
myself2 If | did not at once share his
beatitude, should l be one with him now in
essential essence Ah, thanks be to God
who gives me. this proof-beyond all posi-
BILE doubt-that we are not and never can
be divided
If my faith bear this test, is it not be-
yond the utmost scope and vision of calam-
ity ?" Need | ever fear again any possible
dispensation if l can stand serene when
that presence is reft from me which be-
leved | must instantly die to lose Where,
o God, is that supporting, inspiring,
protecting, enhancing presence which
surrounded me with safety and supreme
content
at is with you, my child" saith the
Lord, "and seemeth only to be gone"
eyes, my Father, know have not lost
it, because still live. will be glad. THY
will be done.'" From child have truly
believed that God was all good and all wise,
and felt assured that no event could shake
my belief. To-day know it.
| This is the whole. No more can be asked
of God. There can be no death or loss for
me for evermore. stand so far within the
veil that the light from Gods conntenance
can never be hidden from me for one mo-
ment of the eternal day, now or then. God
has satisfied wholly my Unsuitable heart with
a perfect love that transcends my dreams.
He has decreed this earthly life mere court
IA vuo noe.s..s." oh, 70, l~~- Lo~-s.iy
Father az will be glad" that my darling
has suddenly escaped from the rude jars
and hurts of this outer court, and when
was not aware that the angel gently drew
him within the palace door that turned on
noiseless golden hinges, drew him in be-
cause he was weary. God gave to his be-
loved sleep. And then an awakening which
will require no more restoring slum-
Der. As the dew-drop holds the day,
my heart holds the presence of the glo-
rifed freed spirit. He was so beautiful
here that he will not need much change to
become " shining onel" How easily shall
know him when my children have done
with me and perhaps the angel will draw
me gently also within the palace door if |
do not faint, but truly live. "Thy will be
DONE"
At that festival of life that we all cele-
brated last Monday, did not those myriad
little white lily.bells ring in for him the
eternal year of peace, as they clustered and
hung around the majesti temple, in which
he once lived with God ? They rang out
too, that lordly incense that can come only
J from q lily, large or small What lovely
ivory sculpture round the edgel ! saw il
all, even at that breathess moment, when
knew that all that was visible was about to
be shut out from me for my future mortal
life. saw all the beauty, and the tropica
gorgeousness of odor that enriched the all
from your peerless wreath and stepped me il
paradise. We were the new Adam and new
Eve again, and walked in the garden in the
cool OF the day, and there was not yet death
only the voice Of the Lord. But indeed, il
seems to me that now again there is nc
death. His life has swallowed it up.
do not fear Tor me "dark hours. L thinH
there is nothing dark for me- hence
forth. have to do only with the present
and the present is light and rest. Has no
, the everlasting
Morning spread
Over me her rich surprise ?"
have no more to ask but that | may b
able to comfort all who mourn as | am com
forted. If could bear all sorrow l woulC
be glad, because God has turned for mi
. the silver lining and for me the darkes
, cloud has broken into ten thousand singing
birds-as ! saw in my dream that told you
So in another dream long ago, God SHOWED
me gold thread passing through each mesl
of black pail that seemed to shut out tn
a sun. comprehend all now, before l di'
not doubt. Now God says in soft thunders
--"Even so"
t, Your faithful friend,