The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-03-28
Comments on Eyangeline.
Written for The Herald.1


Nova Scotia, once called Acadie, was
owned by the French and British alter
nately, until 1713 when finally it was
ceded to the latter. The Arcadians were
allied to the French by blood and relig-
ion. Being in sympathy with one coun-
try and owned by another, gave rise to
great jealousy and discomfort and Eng
land decided to demand of the Arcadians
an oath of allegiance. The demand was
stoutly refused. Plans were Immediately
made to remove the rebels to different
portions of North America by strategy.
In the confusion and haste of getting
them on the ships, many families were
separated. History gives an account of
one particularly sad case where newly
married couple were rudely torn asunder.
Upon this incident Longfellow built his
beautiful poem "Evangeline."
There is a helpful lesson to be culled
from Evangeline's life, and though she
is an imaginary character, creation of
our poets own noble mind, we can put
her before US as a model. We can cult
vate traits and have an abiding sweetness
of spirit, meek loyeliness of temper as
q central star in constellation of virtues.
Her power to accept disappointment
and sorrow with submission and not
waste the time in idle pining or sink the
pearls OF opportunity in vain regret" is
q point We should note.
During the long search for her hus-
band, she planted seeds in every path
and meath her warm and genial influence
they sprang into flowers, frightening
oh har oil
Next, observe her loveliness and meek
ness of spirit. Can there be more su-
blime .virtues The effulgence of which
is as the fresh ripple from deep foun-
tains of inborn love-" the gentle dew de-
scending from the clear heaven of pure
and lofty mind. Well may her presence
be said to have been benediction on all
she came In contact with and her leaving
as the 'ceasing of sweet music" Oh,
Evangeline, Heavens peace upon thee,
rs thou hast over souls calm of sun
shine cast"
Thirdly her charity. The kind of
charity that "suffereth long and is kind"
That charity that teaches patience and
abnegation of self, devotion to others
with mo wish in life but to meekly fol-
low with reverent steps the sacred feet of
the Savior" Charity that causes fire.
quent visits to the lonely, wretched roofs
where distress, want, disease and sorrow
are concealed from the sunlight The
self abnegation that dictates the moisten-
ing of fevered lips and aching brow, the
closing of sightless eyes, the holdin of
the~hand of the dying as they sink down
through infinite depths of slumber and
death. This is the charity Evangeline
had. The kind that all christians should
have to be worthy of the epithet.
The~story ends in a pathetic scene
The long lost husband is found after
years of prayer, hope and despair. And
though he is marked by death and rests
in an unconscious sleep, she recognizes
him. Her joy at seeing him again, min
gled with agony of having to give him
up to the grave, is clothed in such beau
tiful, simple language, one feels after
reading it they have stood by the humble
cot and felt some Of the panss of sorrow
suffered by the heroine.
Those who have never read the poem,
let me ask that they study it and extract
the noble uplifting thoughts therefrom.
NJ. 0. LANIER.