CHAPTER XXXIV.

In the Almighty Power he placed his trust, Through all the changing scenes of deep distress; His fortune now is better than before; Again the Omniscient Hand has deigned to bless.

Theodore's father was soon in complete re-possession of his former property. The premises from which he had been driven by his creditors, were yielded up without difficulty, to which he immediately removed. He not only recovered the principal of the fortune he had lost, but the damages, with the interest; so that, although like Job, he had seen affliction, like him, his latter days were better than the beginning. Like him, he reposed faith and confidence in his Maker, who had secretly supported him in his misfortunes; and who now, like a cheering sun dispersing the surrounding gloom, again gladdened his heart with returning peace and prosperity. Wearied of the business of life, he did not again enter into its affairs, but placing his money at interest in safe hands, he lived retired on his estate.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo's father was soon in complete repossession of his former property. The premises from which he had been driven by his unfeeling creditors were yielded up without difficulty, and to which he immediately removed. He not only recovered the principal of the fortune he had lost, but the damages and the interest; so that, although like Job he had seen affliction, like him his latter days were better than his beginning. But wearied with the bustles of life, he did not again enter into the mercantile business, but placing his money at interest in safe hands, lived retired on his little farm.]

[_Power of Religion_: Job:

.... At length, the goodness of that God whom he served, and who had secretly supported him under all his sufferings, broke forth upon him with increased energy; and, like a cheering sun dispersing the surrounding gloom, again gladdened his heart with returning peace and prosperity.]

It was also the decided choice of Theodore and Alida to reside in the country. The calm and serene pleasures of retirement were particularly interesting to both, and they were now supremely blest in each other's society.

The parents of Theodore rejoiced at their present happiness, and took upon themselves the necessary preparations for their nuptials, which were to take place as soon as all was in readiness for this happy event.

No cross purposes stood ready to intervene, to disturb their repose or interrupt their tranquillity. It was at that season when nature was arrayed in her richest ornaments, and adorned with her sweetest fragrance. Silk-winged breezes played amidst the flowers, and birds of every description carolled their song in varying strains. The air was clear and salubrious, and the scene enchanting.

[_A&M_:

.... No _cross purposes_ stood ready to intervene their happiness, no determined rival, no obdurate father, no watchful, scowling aunt, to interrupt their transports. It was the latter end of May; nature was arrayed in her richest ornaments, and adorned with her sweetest perfumes. The sun blended its mild lustre with the landscapes' lovely green, silk-winged breezes frolicked amidst the flowers; the spring birds carolled in varying strains....]

And now, reader of sensibility, indulge the pleasing sensations of thy bosom, at the approaching union of Theodore and Alida. To our hero and heroine, the rural charms of the country furnished a source of pleasing variety. Spring, with its verdant fields and flowery meads--summer, with its embowering shades--the fertility of autumn, with its yellow foliage--winter, with its hollow blasts and snowy mantle, all tended to fill their bosoms with sensations of pleasing transition.

[_A&M_:

And now, reader of sensibility, indulge the pleasing sensations of thy bosom, for Alonzo and Melissa are MARRIED. ... To our hero and heroine, the rural charms of their secluded village were a source of ever pleasing variety. Spring, with its verdured fields, flowery meads, and vocal groves; its vernal gales, purling rills, and its evening whipper-will: Summer, with its embowering shades, reflected in the glassy lake, and the long, pensive, yet sprightly notes of the solitary strawberry-bird; its lightning and its thunder: autumn, with its mellow fruit, its yellow foliage and decaying verdure: winter, with its hoarse rough blasts, its icy beard, and snowy mantle, all tended to thrill, with sensations of pleasing transition, the feeling bosoms of ALONZO and MELISSA.]

Their religious principles were the same. They were a constant assistance to each other in the fulfilment of their pious duties, truly endeavouring to follow the life of the Redeemer, who taught by his example and practice, what he required of us. Assiduously cultivating those innate Christian principles and perfections, best calculated to promote the praise and glory of God, and whereby we may obtain the everlasting favour of that ineffable Disposer of all things, in whom we live, and move, and have our being.

But soon a mournful shade was thrown over their peaceful tranquillity and happy anticipations; and manifest was their grief, when they received the dreadful intelligence that Mr. More had committed suicide. At the news of this rash and sinful action, they were thrown into an abyss of sorrow, the painful remembrance of which, for a long time, threw a dark and melancholy cloud over their felicity.

It is to be regretted that a spirit of religion and philosophy had not been more duly exercised in the mind of Mr. More, that at length by patience and resignation, he might have been brought to see how vain and transitory are all these things; and thereby have been led to look for permanent happiness to a nobler source.

POEMS.

[Only the poems whose sources have been identified are repeated here. Titles in brackets are included for completeness.]

[HYMN.]

CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE.

"Be doubly blest th' auspicious day The edifice was plann'd; And may immortal gifts repay The founder's lib'ral hand:" Angels with joy beheld it rise, To train immortals for the skies.

How sweet to mark the artless throng, To hear the ingenuous youth, Raise with one voice the infant song, And learn the word of truth. "Delightful work his path to trace, Who died to save our ruined race."

"Now, Fancy, o'er life's little span Glances her busy eyes, And sees them bear the name of man, Industrious, good, and wise:" Bids them each useful art employ, Anticipates their future joy.

With ardent zeal some students may From hence arise and shine, To wipe the orphan's tears away, And heal with balm divine; "With winning eloquence to tell, What glories in Emmanuel dwell."

Some of the little ones may live To adorn their country's name; "Indulgent heav'n by them may give Fresh lustre to her fame. Some may the blessed Gospel bear, To distant lands, and plant it there."

And many to this favour'd spot, On God's eventful day, O happy, enviable lot, Grateful shall point and say, "There--there--to us the bliss was given, To seek and find the path to heaven."

[Bourne, "The Sabbath School", stz. 1-3, 5. Quoted from _The Christian Visitant_, Boston 1827:

How sweet to mark the artless throng, And hear th' ingenious youth Raise with one voice, the infant song, And learn the word of truth; Delightful work! his path to trace, Who died to save our ruined race.

Now fancy, o'er life's little span, Glances her busy eyes. And sees them bear the name of man-- Industrious, good, and wise: Bids them each useful art employ, Anticipates their future joy.

Some of the little ones may live To adorn their country's name; Indulgent heaven by them may give Fresh lustre to her fame. Some may the blessed Gospel bear To distant lands, and plant it there.

...

And many to this honor'd spot, On God's eventful day, (Oh happy enviable lot!) Grateful shall point and say, There,--there,--to us the bliss was giv'n, To seek and find the path to heav'n!]

FRIENDSHIP.

"Oh, give me the friend, from whose warm, faithful breast, The sigh breathes responsive to mine; Where my cares may obtain the soft pillow of rest, And my sorrows may love to recline."

Not the friend who my hours of pleasure will share, But abide not the season of grief; Who flies from the brow that is darken'd by care, And the silence that looks for relief.

Not the friend who suspicious of change or of guile, Would shrink from a confidence free; Nor him who with fondness complacent can smile, On the eye that looks coldly on me.

"As the mirror that's just to each blemish or grace, To myself will my image reflect; But to none but myself will that image retrace, Nor picture one absent defect."

To myself let my friend be a mirror as true, Thus my faults from all others conceal, Nor ever when absent those foibles renew, "That from heav'n and from man he should veil."

[Tighe, _A Faithful Friend is the Medicine of Life_, last five stanzas:

Oh! give me the friend, from whose warm faithful breast The sigh breathes responsive to mine, Where my cares may obtain the soft pillow of rest, And my sorrows may love to recline.

Not the friend who my hours of pleasure will share, But abide not the season of grief; Who flies from the brow that is darkened by care, And the silence that looks for relief.

Not the friend who, suspicious of change or of guile, Would shrink from a confidence free; Nor him who with fondness complacent can smile On the eye that looks coldly on me.

As the mirror that, just to each blemish or grace, To myself will my image reflect, But to none but myself will that image retrace, Nor picture one absent defect.

To my soul let my friend be a mirror as true, Thus my faults from all others conceal; Nor, absent, those failings or follies renew, Which from Heaven and from man he should veil.]

[TO MARIA.]

[THE SUN.]

[THE VOICE OF TIME.]

[In Memory of MRS. WILLIAM RICHARDS.]

INVOCATION TO PRAYER.

Morning.

To prayer, to prayer; for the morning breaks, And earth in her Maker's smile awakes. His light is on all, below and above; The light of gladness, and life, and love; Oh, then, on the breath of this early air, Send upward the incense of grateful prayer.

Evening.

To prayer; for the glorious sun is gone, And the gathering darkness of night comes on: Like a curtain, from God's kind hand it flows, To shade the couch where his children repose;-- Then pray, while the watching stars are bright, And give your last thoughts to the Guardian of night!

Sabbath.

To prayer; for the day that God has blest, Comes tranquilly on with its welcome rest; It speaks of creation's early bloom, It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb. Then summon the spirit's exalted powers, And devote to Heaven the hallowed hours!

[Henry Ware, "Seasons of Prayer" (first three stanzas):

To prayer, to prayer;--for the morning breaks, And earth in her Maker's smile awakes. His light is on all below and above,-- The light of gladness, and life, and love. Oh, then, on the breath of this early air Send upward the incense of grateful prayer.

To prayer;--for the glorious sun is gone, And the gathering darkness of night comes on; Like a curtain from God's kind hand it flows, To shade the couch where his children impose. Then kneel, while the watching stars are bright, And give your last thoughts to the Guardian of night.

To prayer;--for the day that God has blest Comes tranquilly on with its welcome rest. It speaks of creation's early bloom; It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb. Then summon the spirit's exalted powers, And devote to Heaven the hallowed hours.]