The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-18

Nathan Brdseye, one of my own direct
ancestors and one of the most noted OF
Connecticut divines, had sixteen children.
The great Rev. John Sherman had
twenty-six children. Jonathan Edwards
had twelve children. Lyman Beecher,
who was the father of more brains than
any American who ever lived had thir-
teen children. These men, as well as
their leading parishioners, most of whom
were fathers and mothers of large fami-
lies. developed themselves and | believe
became the strong men and women they
were largely through the domestic loads
they voluntarily set themselves to lift.
When young men and young women
shirls the duty of going to the marriage
altar because the duties there are heavy
they stunt their moral and mental and
physical growth instead of increasing
their stature thereby.
A Minister'S Love Burden.
well" says some one, what does that
mean? Do you mean that l must marry,
whether l would or no. and have
homer oh, no. If you do not want to
marry, | am not here TO tell you to
marry. But l am here to tell you that
for your own good, strength and power
you should have a love burden. II you
cannot have wife and children of your
own, then | would have yon at least do
as did the Rev Thomas Marshall the
great missionary field secretary of the
Presbyterian church. He was one or the
gentlest, sweetest, purest and loYehest
men | ever knew. The first time he
was TO preach in my pulpit on Missions
| sent word in letter to him, which
read about like this: Bring alonss Mrs
Marshall and take diner with US When
he came over l asked, Where Is your
wlfe9' lie laughed his gentle laugh
saving, II have no wife" what, are
If unfortunate
creatures, an old bachelorY' NO. he
answered with a gentle smile, i am
not bachelor" Then in the quiet OF
nv study, he told me the pathetic and
beautiful story of his life. lie Is dead
now. He is with his redeemed wlfe' Ana
so | feel no diffidence in telling TINS
beautiful story.
MANY. many years ago Thomas Mar
shall was young missionary minister
in a little western town. ltWas ms nfse
charge He then built a parsonage ana
took to il a beautiful young girl as MS
bride. Time passed and the young
preached dreamed his dream OF JOY lie
thought the happiness OF his nome WIS
about TO be doubled, quadrupled ana IN
0nitelv multiplied But what was hoped
To be was not to be. The death angel
and the birth angel locked wings Inc
Young mother and her baby were buried
in tho same coffin under the shadow OF
the little church she loved.
There sat the old man looking IN the
fire after he had softly told the SAD
story For little while he said noth.
ing. / dared not arouse him. But az
last he heaved big sigh and then SAID
'But God was good. lie has my wlie
and my baby waiting for me. But ne
gave to me FIVE babies besides DID
Won marry again?" / asked. mo, |
could love but one BRIDE he answered
But short time after widow down
the road was dying. AS 1 went to her
bedside | found that she had no one with
whom TO leave the care of her tve pa-
bies She had no money. 80 aiter the
funeral was over / bundled them all up
yes. all the five chiloren, and took
them to my home, and ! have raised
them all. And they are all mine. Yes.
tbev are all minel' YES" | said, land
the raising of that widows babies has
made YOU the noble man OF God that
you are"
An Imported Burden.
o man. o woman, have you not some
love burden to lift? If you are not