iness to the old man whose
eyes are fixed in grief upon it? "Thou seest, O Christian! the uselessness
of laying up thy treasures here. Where are now the hopes of half thy
lifetime, where the consummation of all thy anxious plans? She who has been
like an angel by thy side, how wearily throbs her young heart! Will she
perpetuate the name of thy race? Will she close thine eyes with her loving
hand? Will she drop upon thy breast a daughter's tear?"

What does the vision say to thee, oh! aged woman? "There is still more for
thee to do, more for thee to suffer. It is not yet enough of this mortal
strife! Thou mayest again see a fair flower crushed by the rude wind of
death; perchance she may precede thee, to open for thine entrance the
eternal gates!"

And what to thee, thou faithful servant?

"There are tears in thine eye, and for me. For me! Whom thou thoughtest
above a touch of aught that could bring sorrow or pain. Thou seest, not
alone on thy doomed race rests a curse; the fierce anger of God, denounced
against sin--the _curse_, falls upon his dearest children. I must, like
you, abide by God's dealing with the children of men. But we shall be
redeemed."

What to thee, oh, mother? Thou canst not read the interpretation--a cloud
of darkness sweeps by thy soul's vision. Will it pass, or will it rest upon
thee forever?

Yet the voice of God speaks to each one; faintly it may be to the mother,
but even to her. There is a rainbow of hope in the deluge of her sorrow;
she sees death in the multitude that passes her sight, but there is another
there, one whose form is like unto the Son of God. She remembers how He
wept over Lazarus, and raised him from the dead; oh! what comfort to place
her case in his pitying bosom!

Many were the friends who wept, and hoped, and prayed with them. Full of
grief were the affectionate servants, but most of all, Phillis.

It was useless to try and persuade her to take her usual rest, to remind
her of her children, and her cares; to offer her the choice morsel to tempt
her appetite, the refreshing drink she so much required. She wanted nothing
but to weep with those who wept--nor rest, nor food, nor refreshing.

* * * * *

It is universal, the consideration that is shown to the servants at the
South, as regards their times of eating and of rest. Whatever may have
occurred, whatever fatigue the different members of the family may feel
obliged to undergo, a s