The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-10-04
miscellaneous.
Afraid of a Shadow.


port, which stretches so gracefully along the
curves of Tor Bay. The place has many as
socialions which mNde 1t interesting, apart
from all its beautiful scenery Of land and
shore. 1t was natural 10 call to mind that in
one OF the tall HOUSES about halfway up the
wide street that fronts the quay, Elizabeth
Barrett was living, n secluded invalid, when
she witnessed from the windows on which we
looked the sad catastrophe which left its i'm
press upon her life-that of the drowning be-
fore her eyes OF her mvOrite brother and
young friend by the capsizing OF their
boat just shortly after they had stepped from
the quay. Those who know anything of the
inner history Of this beautiful life will remem-
Der that SO great was the pOignancy of the
young poets grief, that for fifteen months she
was never able to be removed to her home in
London. In this secluded chamber, which
overlooked the lovely bay which had engulf-
I'd 50 much that was precious to her, many
a tender poem was written which has since
helped to build up her world wide fame
The readers OF Augustus Hares Memorials
of Quiet Lite"-a book which has commend
ed itself to such multitudes of American
heartS-will not have forgotten the beautiful
character of Lucy Stanley Che youngest sis
ter Of Dean StanleyO who WAS married to the
younger brother OF Augustus and Julius Hare.
TOrquay is closely associated with her mem
DRY, lOr during the latter years of her life she
lived on her estate near Torquay, and was SO
Cunvcrsant with the whole neighbOrhOOd that
she gives vivid glimpscs Of its beauties in her
many letters scattered through tie Memorials
"AbDott's Kcrswell," she writes, ''the two
Tors, and all the high ground one sees from
ROckend-wild eXpanses of moOrland heath,
distant hills and villages, TeinmOuth water,
and beautiful Bradley wood how surprising
ly lovely is all !"
1t was here, too, that Charlotte Elliott,
the author OF one Of the most popular hymns
in the English language, Just as am lived,
and her did her noble work. DevOnshire is
also closely associated with the memory of
Augustus Topady and not far from TorQuay
Is said to be the spot where he wrote bis
immortal hymn, Rock of Ages" We, there
fore, had poetic and Christian associations
filling our minds as we walked about the
streets of this pretty Devonshire town. To
me TOrquay had tenderer memory still for in
one OF its quiet cemeteries lay buried lovely
young English friend, whose going hence had
left tue world less bright for those who stay
ed behind.
The air was palpitatng that fair Sunday
morning with the rich melody of the Sunday
bells We Joined great thrOng Ofpeople, and
were swept along III their current to one of
the largest dissenting chapels of the place.
We soon found ourselves in a comfortable
and substantial house of worship, which the
good AngliCAns refuse 10 allow the name Of
church. The house was filled with a
quiet and orderly congregation. The regular
minister was absent, and IN his place OiiiCat-
ed young Scotch clergyman, who gave us
one Of the most delightful sermons | ever
heard preached in foreign land. His MN.
ner was simplicity itself; but he had a vivid
and dramatic way OF putting things, which
made each listener feel us il he was singing
him out and addressing himself specially to
him. His text was the twenty-third Psalm,
of which he gave fine running commentary.
When he came to the verse, Though | walk
through the valley OF The shadow Of DEATH"
he abruptly paused, and said; II am a
Scotchman let me tell you little incident
which occurred not long ago in the Scot
fish parish where | WIS laboring" He leaned
from the pulpit, and with the sweetest Scotch
accents, began in a low tender voice:
II was sitting in my study one Saturday
evening, when message came to me that
one Of the COOLEST among the shepherds who
| tended their ilocks upon the slopes oil our
Highland hills was dying, and wanted to SEE
the minister. Without loss of time, crossed
the wide heath to his comfortable little cot
lHEc w utn L tHltItN NV W" lObin lOuuu
the old shepherd proppea up with pillows, and
breathing with such difficulty that it was ap-
parent that he was near his end"
JEAN he said to his wife, gle the minis
Ter a stool, and leave US for bit, for | wad
see the minister alone"
LAS soon rs the door was closed he turned
the most pathetic pair of gray eyes upon me
/ had ever looked into and said, in Il voice
shaken with emotion, Minister, I'm dying,
and-and- afraid
81 began at once TO repeat the strongest
promises with which Gods Word furnishes
us but in the midst of them he stopped
me-
~ ken them a he said mournfully 4 ken
them II but somehow they dinnah gle me
comfort
"DO you not believe them
"Wi a my heart he replied earnestly
"Where, then, is there any room for fear,
with such saving faithY
For a that, minister, I'm afraid--I'm
afraid!
Il took up the well worn Bible which lay
on his bed, turned to the Psalm which have
read to you to-day. You remember the
twenty.third Psalm, began
RememberitT he said vehemently, 4
kennel it lang afore We were born We need
no read it: I've conned it a thousand times
on the hillsidey"
"'But there is one verse which you have
not taken in"
He turned upon me with half-reproach-
full and even stern'look. Did ma tell We
kennel it every word lang afore ye were
born"
SLOWLY repeated the verse, Though |
walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, | will fear no evil, for thou art with
me-"
"'Iou have been shepherd all your life,
and you have watched the heavy shadows
pass over the valleys and over the hills, hid.
ing for a little while all the light of the sun.
Did these shadows ever Brighten your
Brighten me |? he said quickly, Ma, ma
Davie Donaldson has Covenanter's blud
in his veins neither shadow nor substance
could wecl frighten him
"'But did these shadows never make you
believe that you would not see the sun again
that it was gone forever"
"'Na ma, l couldna be sic simpleton as
that
Nevertheless, that is what you are doing
now He looked atme with incredulous
eyes.
"'Yes' | continued the shadow of death