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^11 
 
 OF THE 
 
 fy 
 
 [UNIVERSITY] 
 
They overheard one of these boys remark sneeringly to the' 
 teacher, there go the Saints." p. 31. 
 
ALICE ROSEDALE, 
 
 POWER 
 
 CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN LIFE. 
 
 BY 
 Mrs. CAROLINE L. BLAKE. 
 
 UBQ 
 
 OF THB 
 
 NIVERSIT Y' 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION. 
 
 NO. 821 CHESTNUT STREET. 
 
JB5 
 
 Entered according to Act of CoDgress, in the year 1860, by 
 
 JAMES DUNLAP, Treas., 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District 
 of Pennsylvania. 
 
 ^ r/^/ 
 
 eiERKOTTFED BT WILLIAM W. HARDING, PHILADELPmA. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Home Influences 5 
 
 CHAPTEE II. 
 Youthful Days 41 
 
 CH^ASTER III. 
 Afflictions and Duties 74 
 
 CHAPTER lY. 
 A New Sphere of Action 107 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 Missionary Labour at Home 137 
 
 CHAPTER YI. 
 Conclusion 165 
 
 (3) 
 
0¥ THE 
 
 fUNIVEESITY 
 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 HOME INFLUENCES. 
 
 J^ESTLED down amid embowering 
 shrubbery and over-hanging trees, 
 near the margin of a crystal stream- 
 let, stood the substantial farm house 
 at Riverside, in which the little 
 Alice Rosedale first opened her blue 
 eyes to the light of day. 
 
 Onward through the valley the 
 
 windings of the silver stream were 
 
 marked by rich and fertile vales, 
 
 while in the blue distance the cloud- 
 1* (5) 
 
6 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 capped summits of lofty mountains 
 embraced the azure sky. 
 
 Nature had been lavish of its 
 charms around her quiet home, and 
 from her earliest childhood Alice 
 had a just appreciation of the beau- 
 tiful. Long before she learned to 
 look " through nature up to nature's 
 God," she had often felt the deepest 
 admiration in gazing upon the starry 
 heavens, and the ever varying beau- 
 ties of earth. Her mother was a 
 devoted follower of the meek and 
 lowly Jesus. Prayerfully she re- 
 ceived this child as from the Lord, 
 and most earnestly she desired that 
 her life might be devoted to his 
 service. When in her youthful days 
 Mrs. Rosedale accompanied her hus- 
 band to the beautiful home we have 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 7 
 
 described, she saw not a Father's 
 hand in all her joy, for she was without 
 God and without hope in the world ; 
 but affliction came — the lovely babe 
 which was first sent to gladden her 
 heart sickened and died, and then 
 in the darkness and agony of her 
 crushing sorrow she found she had 
 not made provision for the hour of 
 adversity. Her proud heart rebelled 
 against the hand which had smitten 
 her in love, and she asked impa- 
 tiently, '' What have I done that I 
 should suffer thus?" Like the 
 young man in the gospel, she felt 
 that she had kept the law from 
 her youth ; and she had been so long 
 accustomed to compare her outward 
 conduct with that of other people, 
 and especially with that of some 
 
8 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 professing Christians, and had felt 
 so confident that she was not a great 
 sinner, that her conscience had 
 almost ceased to trouble her, and 
 3he felt sure of heaven. Many de- 
 ceive themselves in this fearful 
 manner, until the grave opens be- 
 fore them ; but Mrs. Rosedale was 
 most mercifully aroused to see her 
 character in its true light. The 
 Holy Spirit was striving with her 
 to convince her of sin ; and one eve- 
 ning, as she was reading the sermon 
 on the mount, the truth reached 
 her heart, and she saw herself, in 
 the light of that sacred moral code, 
 a lost and ruined sinner. This 
 conviction was so deep and abiding 
 that she almost despaired of inercy ; 
 yet in the depth of her anguish she 
 
HOME IJS^FLUENCES. 9 
 
 was assisted to grasp the only link 
 connecting us with heaven, salvation 
 through the atonement of the great 
 Sacrifice. Then old things passed 
 away, all things became new, and 
 Mrs. Ro^edale was a changed being. 
 Henceforth everything was regarded 
 in the light of eternity, and all that 
 she did she endeavoured to do for 
 the glory of Grod. Her companion 
 was a man of business — a man of 
 the world. He could not understand 
 the change that had taken place in 
 his wife, and her faithful efforts for 
 his best good were extremely annoy- 
 ing to him, therefore she ceased to 
 speak to him upon the subject nearest 
 her heart, but, often did the silent 
 midnight witness most fervent 
 prayers for his conversion. Alice 
 
10 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 Rosedale was indeed favoured above 
 most cliildren in the faithful instruc- 
 tions of such a mother. To her 
 infant mind right views of life were 
 given, of the life that now is and of 
 that which is to come. Daily her 
 mother took her away to her quiet 
 chamber and commended her in 
 prayer to God. It seems compara- 
 tively easy for the min d of a child to be 
 drawn by the cords of love to Christ, 
 because bad habits h ave far less power 
 to influence than in after years. 
 Many times in her childhood, Alice 
 was almost persuaded to be a Chris- 
 tian ; she could see, even then, the 
 beauty and consistency of her 
 mother's example; she knew that 
 her mother had some rich source of 
 happiness of which she was ignorant; 
 
HOME influe:n^ces. 11 
 
 she longed to experience its rich- 
 ness, but there was a serious obstacle 
 in the way. Her father was a wise 
 man, much older than herself ; why, 
 if religion was so important a matter, 
 was he riot interested in it as well 
 as her mother? This was the 
 question that arose in her childish 
 mind, and it was perfectly natural. 
 Mr. Rosedale believed that in per- 
 mitting his wife and daughter to 
 attend church, and in allowing them 
 to pursue their own course undis- 
 turbed, he was placing no barrier in 
 the way of the religious education of 
 his children. He admired his wife's 
 consistency, and would have been 
 pleased to see his children outward- 
 ly like her ; but, alas ! how potent is 
 example for evil as well as good ! 
 
12 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 Over his son, some few years older 
 than Alice, Mr. Rosedale's silent 
 influence was unbounded. He early 
 tore himself away from his mother's 
 faithful instructions, and thought it 
 was beneath the dignity of man to 
 study those things into which angels 
 desire to look. 
 
 In the commencement of her 
 fourth summer, Alice attended a 
 private school taught by a young 
 lady of great intelligence and piety, 
 whose delight it was to direct the 
 youthful minds entrusted to her 
 care in the path of true wisdom. 
 
 The little girl became most ten- 
 derly attached to this teacher, and 
 so rapid was her progress in the 
 rudiments of her education, that she 
 soon excelled her youthful com- 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 13 
 
 panions. At the same time her 
 disposition appeared so very ami- 
 able that soon those who were best 
 acquainted with her saw little to re- 
 gret in her character, and she 
 frequently heard herself spoken of 
 in the most flattering terms by in- 
 discreet persons conversing in her 
 presence. Yet even then the child 
 felt something of the hidden evil of 
 her own heart, she knew that it was 
 not right in the sight of Grod. 
 Sometimes thoughts of her unfitness 
 for the blessedness of heaven would 
 make her weep, and at such seasons 
 she poured her sorrows into the 
 listening ear of her mother, who en- 
 deavoured to direct her precious 
 child to Him, who said, ^^ Suffer 
 little children to come unto me and 
 
14 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 forbid them not, for of such is the 
 kingdom of heaven." 
 
 Yet these serious impressions 
 passed away as the morning dew, 
 and she entered with eagerness into 
 those giddy sports which even in 
 little children cannot be called in- 
 nocent. One of these consisted in 
 listening to immoral stories which 
 she knew to be false, told for the 
 amusement of her schoolmates by 
 the oldest girl in school, a miss of 
 fourteen. Alice had been so well 
 instructed in these matters that she 
 knew it to be wrong, and yet she did 
 not tear herself away from the fas- 
 cinating influence of that bad girl, 
 whose power of deception com- 
 pletely blinded her teacher in re- 
 gard to her real character. This 
 
HOME INFI(p^]|f J^ IT. I?. £3 T i 
 
 seemingly trivial cirot^^iance was 
 a serious hindrance to Alice ; for 
 even in after years, when she was 
 striving to lead a godly life, these 
 *' evil communications" frequently 
 arose in her mind to her inexpres- 
 sible sorrow. At ten years of age 
 Alice was sent to the public school 
 at the distance of a mile from her 
 home, where her associates were all 
 the children of the village. Great 
 pains were usually taken to supply 
 well educated teachers for this 
 school, but, as there was great 
 diversity of opinion in regard to 
 religious matters, it was frequently 
 the case that unprincipled young 
 men and women were employed. 
 
 Frequent changes were great 
 drawbacks to the progress of the 
 
16 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 youth in their studies, yet the really 
 earnest and industrious pupil could 
 find sufficient assistance in this pub- 
 lic school to become well instructed 
 in common English branches. 
 
 Alice was a studious little girl, 
 and, as before, her progress was very 
 rapid. Her tasks were thoroughly 
 committed in less than half the 
 time required by other members 
 of the same class. In consequence 
 of this, much unemployed time re- 
 mained, which was a fruitful source 
 of evil to a child of active tempera- 
 ment ; and, unless particular pains 
 were taken to occupy these intervals 
 of leisure, the wise saying of Dr. 
 W atts was sometimes verified : 
 
 " Satan finds some mischief stiU 
 For idle hands to do." 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 17 
 
 Some of the teachers well under- 
 stood this principle, and took a very 
 wise course in relation to their 
 precocious little pupil. They allowed 
 her to hear the recitations of the 
 lower classes in one of the adjacent 
 rooms, and thus early commenced 
 her preparation for the duties of a 
 faithful teacher. 
 
 Frequently, during these years, 
 the still small voice of the Spirit 
 was heard in the mind of Alice, in 
 such passages as these, " I love 
 them that love me and they that 
 seek me early shall find me." " Re- 
 member now thy Creator in the 
 days of thy youth." Her conscience 
 and her intellect gave a hearty ap- 
 proval to the duty of the immediate 
 
 consecration of her youthful heart 
 2* 
 
18 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 to the service of Christ, but her in- 
 clination induced her to put it oflf — 
 as if a known duty could be per- 
 formed any more easily to-morrow 
 than to-day — to procrastinate in 
 this all-important matter, although 
 frequently the opening grave of 
 some young friend reminded her 
 that youth and health were not 
 proof against the destroyer. At 
 the same time she took a sort of 
 pleasure in all religious exercises, in 
 prayers, sacred songs, and the study 
 of the Scriptures, in the Sabbath- 
 school, where she had a devoted 
 teacher Avhose chief aim was, as it 
 ever should be, the conversion of 
 his class ; and when a new instructor 
 entered the village school, it was a 
 great disappointment to her if he 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 19 
 
 did not open the school with prayer. 
 Many, knowing these circumstances 
 would have pronounced her a 
 christian ; but Alice knew that she 
 had never experienced that radical 
 change of heart, without which no 
 one can see the Lord. She was 
 exposed to temptations many and 
 great, for on account of the distance 
 from home she was obliged to pass 
 the noon intermissions at the school- 
 house, and many other children did 
 the same. The conduct and con- 
 versation of some of these were 
 wicked in the extreme, for they were 
 away from the watchful care of 
 parents and teachers, and seemed 
 to delight to give vent to the pent 
 up depravity of their hearts. The 
 impurity and profanity of these 
 
20 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 children would have silenced the 
 upholder of the native innocence of 
 man, and would have been a sad 
 commentary on that text: ''They 
 go astray as soon as they be born, 
 speaking lies." Happy was it for 
 Alice then that parental instruction 
 and example had, in a measure, for- 
 tified her for these things, so that 
 disgust was produced in her mind 
 by these exhibitions. 
 
 There was a sweet friendship of 
 her early years which claims notice 
 here. Mary Allston was a child of 
 quiet, winning manners, of nearly 
 the same age of Alice, around whom, 
 almost from the commencement of 
 their acquaintance, her warmest 
 aflfections twined. Gentle, unassum- 
 ing, and far less excitable than 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 21 
 
 Alice, she was a very valuable com- 
 panion for her, as Mrs. Rosedale 
 readily discovered ; therefore she 
 was frequently invited to visit at 
 the farm, which was a very easy, 
 but efficient way of conferring hap- 
 piness upon two little girls. To- 
 gether they studied, together they 
 roamed over hill and dale, together 
 they attended the same class in the 
 beloved Sabbath-school ; conversing 
 freely upon topics of mutual interest, 
 until they attained their thirteenth 
 year. Then a new era commenced 
 in their Hves. 
 
 A most interesting revival of re- 
 ligion was in progress in their native 
 place, and Mary and Alice were 
 made subjects of renewing grace. 
 Alice, whose mind had ever been 
 
22 ALICE KOSEDALE. 
 
 subject to serious impressions, was 
 first aroused to a sense of the guilt 
 of her conduct in so long resisting 
 the influences of the Spirit, and she 
 felt that it would be perfectly just 
 if God should cast her off for ever. 
 She became aware that her heart 
 was not in the state to be capable 
 of entering with pleasure into the 
 employments of the redeemed in 
 heaven, and yet she feared exceed- 
 ingly that state of hopeless remorse 
 and agony of which her present 
 feelings seemed only a slight fore- 
 taste. 
 
 Her distress incapacitated her for 
 her ordinary occupations. At school 
 she could only weep, and at noon 
 she endured the taunts of her 
 wicked schoolmates, who sneeringly 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 23 
 
 proclaimed that Alice Rosedale had 
 turned saint, with hardly a percep- 
 tion of their wanton cruelty ; so much 
 was her mind engrossed with the all 
 important subject. Mary, for her 
 comfort, tried to repeat the cheering 
 promises of the gospel, but they fell 
 upon unheeding ears, for she was 
 convinced they could not be in- 
 tended for her. She returned home, 
 and entered her mother's chamber 
 with so heavy a step and so sad a 
 countenance that Mrs. Rosedale was 
 seriously alarmed. Throwing her- 
 self upon a low ottoman at her 
 mother's feet, she exclaimed, '' Oh 
 mother, I am lost ! What shall I do 
 to be saved ?" The answer of Scrip- 
 ture rushed to the mother's lips, 
 " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ 
 
24 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 and thoushalt be saved." ^' But can 
 he, will he receive a poor sinner 
 like me?" "Alice," said her mo- 
 ther, " do you believe me when 1 
 tell you that I love you?" " How 
 can I doubt you when you assure me 
 wdth your own lips?" replied the 
 daughter. '* Then why do you 
 doubt the very words of Him, who 
 is infinite Truth, ' I came not to 
 call the righteous but sinners to re- 
 pentance, ' and ' Him that cometh 
 to me I will in no wise cast out ' " ? 
 
 Thus saying, Mrs. Rosedale arose 
 and left the room, closing the door 
 after her, and in a retired place not 
 far distant she knelt in earnest sup- 
 plication for her beloved child. 
 
 Left alone, Alice arose and paced 
 the floor with great agitation. '' 
 
HOME INF^ENCES>'^'^^^25 
 
 fUNIVEESIT'! 
 
 had I regarded the t?^n(^ that belong >^. 
 to my peace," she e^laimed, "I 
 should long ago have been at rest, 
 but now my unbelieving heart will 
 not submit. There is now but one 
 thing that I can do, as my last hope. 
 I'll go to Jesus. 
 
 " I can but perish if I go 
 
 I am resolved to try, 
 For if I stay away, I know 
 I must for ever die." 
 
 Thus saying, she sank upon her 
 knees, and the prayer that jflowed 
 from her heart, although consisting 
 only of incoherent petitions for 
 mercy, was heard and answered. 
 There was an entire surrender of 
 the will — the whole being to Christ. 
 Then first she saw the wondrous 
 plan of salvation in its true light, 
 
26 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 and an almost ecstatic joy took 
 possession of her heart. 
 
 " Her tongue broke out in unknown strains 
 And sung redeeming love." 
 
 There was joy in Mrs. Rosedale's 
 heart that night, such as the world 
 can neither give nor take away. At 
 a late hour Alice left her mother's 
 room, and retired to her own apart- 
 ment. The sweetness of acceptance 
 with God so irradiated her whole 
 soul that everything seemed changed. 
 It was long before she could yield 
 to slumber, and when she awoke the 
 sun was shining brightly into her 
 room. She arose and threw up the 
 casement, and there lay the landscape 
 with which she had always been 
 familiar, bathed in the golden light 
 of a bright June morning. She had 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 27 
 
 thought it beautiful before, but then, 
 in the light of her newly awakened 
 soul, as its glories burst upon her 
 view, she exclaimed, '' Lord our 
 God, how excellent is thy name in 
 all the earth ! The heavens are 
 thine, the earth also is thine. Let 
 the heavens rejoice and let the earth 
 be glad; let the sea roar and the 
 fulness thereof. ^ Let the field be 
 joyful, and all that is therein ; then 
 shall all the trees of the wood re- 
 joice before the Lord. come let 
 us worship and bow down ; let us 
 kneel before the Lord our Maker. 
 For he is our God, and we are the 
 people of his pasture and the sheep 
 of his hand. Praise ye him, all his 
 angels ; praise ye him, all his hosts. 
 Praise ye him, sun and moon ; praise 
 
28 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 ye him, all ye stars of light. Praise 
 the Lord from the earth, ye dragons 
 and all deeps ; fire and hail ; snow 
 and vapour ; stormy wind fulfilling 
 his word ; mountains, and all hills ; 
 fruitful trees, and all cedars ; beasts 
 and all cattle ; creeping things and 
 flying fowls ; kings of the earth and 
 all people; princes and all judges 
 of the earth ; both^young men and 
 maidens ; old men and children. 
 Let them praise the name of the 
 Lord ; for his name alone is excellent; 
 his glory is above the earth and 
 heaven." 
 
 From this eventful period Alice 
 commenced life in earnest. In her 
 case the outward change was not so 
 remarkable as it is frequently, be- 
 cause she had always conducted 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 29 
 
 herself with great propriety, but 
 notwithstanding this, the new birth 
 was not the less real and entire. 
 Previously she had been studious 
 and industrious, because she be- 
 lieved it would please her kind 
 parent and friends; but from the 
 hour of her conversion the motive 
 was changed ; she laboured for the 
 glory of Grod and the advancement 
 of his kingdom on earth. At school 
 she never commenced an exercise 
 without a silent prayer for the divine 
 blessing, and she was astonished to 
 find how much her mind was 
 strengthened and refreshed, by the 
 constant communion with the Author 
 of all wisdom. Her natural kind- 
 ness of manner gave her great power 
 
 over the hearts of her companions ; 
 3* 
 
30 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 this talent she also directed into the 
 same channel, and added to her 
 affection for her friends the most 
 earnest endeavours for their sj)iritual 
 good. In this work her gentle 
 friend, Mary, joined with her whole 
 heart. In her case the light of truth 
 dawned faintly in her mind, and 
 brightened very gradually, so that 
 she could not distinguish the pre- 
 cise time of the change ; but she 
 could confidently say, with the blind 
 man, " One thing I know, that 
 whereas I was blind now I see." 
 
 These two young Christians stood 
 alone in the school, and their ex- 
 ample was so conspicuous that they 
 were exposed to much persecution 
 from two youths of the baser sort, 
 who held them up to the ridicule 
 
HOME INFLUEIN^CES. 31 
 
 of the school in the intermission at 
 noon. 
 
 This was no small trial to ex- 
 tremely sensitive young ladies ; and 
 in the course of the following winter 
 it became almost intolerable from 
 the fact that they had a teacher, a 
 college student, who sympathized 
 with these bad boys. Out of school 
 hours he was frequently heard to 
 blaspheme the holy name, dearest 
 to the hearts of these youthful dis- 
 ciples. At the close of school, one 
 day, as Alice and Mary were cross- 
 ing the playground, they overheard 
 one of these boys remark sneering- 
 ly to the teacher, ''There go the 
 saints, it will not do to swear before 
 them." The teacher replied with 
 a horrid oath, that he would "^ take 
 
32 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 the hypocrisy out of the contempt- 
 tible methodists." Thus encouraged 
 by one who should have suppressed 
 such ruffian-like conduct, the rude 
 boy seized a snowball and hurling 
 it with all his strength at the head 
 of Alice, broke into a hearty laugh. 
 The missile did not miss its aim, and 
 striking her in the temple she fell 
 senseless to the ground. At this 
 instant a strong man belonging to 
 the district, who had been a silent 
 spectator of the whole scene from 
 behind the fence, rushed forward, 
 seized the fainting girl in his arms 
 and bore her to his own house ; at 
 the same time casting a look of 
 withering scorn upon the man, who 
 was receiving wages for the instruc- 
 tion of youth in such deadly crimes. 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 33 
 
 The boy whose hand had done the 
 deed, which had so seriously injured 
 the meek and patient girl, stood as 
 if petrified with horror. He noticed 
 not the cries of vengeance from the 
 excited children, he stirred not from 
 the spot. His only thought was, 
 ^' I have killed her." When a mes- 
 senger came to tell them that Alice 
 had recovered from her swoon and did 
 not seem to be seriously injured, it 
 did not much relieve his mind. He 
 knew that he had hated her only 
 because her consistent example 
 was a continual reproach to him. 
 His thoughts were altogether in- 
 supportable to him. In the silence 
 of his chamber he gave way 
 to the wildest expressions of an- 
 guish. A week later, when Alice 
 
34 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 met liim, pale from the injury, but 
 wearing a smile of almost angelic 
 sweetness, and extending her hand 
 to him remarked, ^' You did not 
 think it would hurt me so much, 
 Herbert," all his fortitude forsook 
 him, and he wept like a child. It 
 was a great struggle for that rough, 
 badly taught boy to ask forgiveness 
 of a girl, but he did it manfully; 
 with the deepest sincerity and hu- 
 mility, and when he was assured it 
 was freely given, and reminded to 
 ask forgiveness of God, he exclaimed 
 warmly; "I'll do itthis very moment, 
 God be merciful to me a sinner." 
 That prayer was answered, and 
 that rough boy, now a successful 
 minister of the gospel, commenced 
 a life of prayer from that very hour. 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 35 
 
 li T\ perhaps needless to say that 
 tbo i amoral teacher was immedi- 
 ately iismissed, and another pro- 
 cured whose influence was salutary 
 upon the school. As the winter 
 wore away, a shade came over the 
 brig] tness of the earthly friendship 
 of A Jice and Mary, for the latter, 
 never very strong, was rapidly de- 
 clim/ig in strength, and was fully 
 awa. e that she was passing away. 
 Very precious were their commun- 
 ings upon the better world, yet so 
 painful was the thought of separa- 
 tion to Alice that, but for her trust 
 in Grod, she felt she could not en- 
 dure it. 
 
 " How can I live without you, 
 dear Mary?" said she one day, as 
 they sat with clasped hands in the 
 
36 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 home of the latter. '' Dear Alice," 
 replied her companion, ^' God will 
 take me away that he may draw 
 you more closely to himself." And 
 then, in a little while you will come 
 home too ; and oh ! the glory of that 
 world, it is so dazzlingly bright, and 
 it will be so sweet to be with Jesus, 
 to see him face to face, that my 
 spirit longs and faints to be there! 
 You would not detain me, my much 
 loved friend in this world of pain 
 and sorrow?" 
 
 '^0 no ! my Mary, I feel that I 
 would be selfish in the extreme to 
 do so ; still I am weak, and you have 
 so helped me in my Christian course 
 that I know not how I shall stand 
 alone." 
 
 *^ Jesus will be your strength, 
 
HOME INFLUEjS^CES. 37 
 
 your all sufficient aid. Trust no 
 longer in any arm of flesh — in the 
 Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength . 
 Adieu, dear Alice, I am weak and 
 weary, but I am going home where 
 weakness and weariness are never 
 known. May our Saviour watch 
 over us while we are absent from 
 one another." Pressing a warm 
 kiss upon the lips of her friend, 
 Alice left the room in silence. Her 
 emotions were too deep for utterance. 
 It was a long farewell, for ere the 
 sun illumined the eastern sky, the 
 ransomed spirit of Mary Alls- 
 ton ascended to her heavenly home. 
 
 " Tor ever with the Lord ! 
 Amen, so let it be ; 
 Life from the dead is in that word, 
 'Tis immortality." 
 
38 ALICE KOSEDALE. 
 
 This bereavement fell at first as 
 a crushing weight upon Alice. Her 
 extremely sensitive mind clothed 
 all things — the fresh beauties of 
 opening spring, the songs of war- 
 bling birds and all the sweet influ- 
 ences of nature, in the deepest 
 mourning. She believed that she 
 could never be cheerful again. Her 
 watchful mother saw her grief, and 
 faithfully warned her against its 
 unlimited indulgence. She re- 
 minded her of the great reason she 
 had for gratitude to her heavenly 
 Father that he had dealt so gently 
 with her young friend during her 
 life, and that he had early removed 
 her from the snares of earth. It 
 was long ere Alice regained her 
 wonted composure, but in this 
 
HOME INFLUENCES. 39 
 
 affliction she richly experienced the 
 truth of the promise, " I will never 
 leave thee nor forsake thee." 
 
 Soon after the death of her friend, 
 Alice, who had previously inquired 
 earnestly into the doctrines and 
 creed of the church which she had 
 attended from infancy, felt that it 
 was her duty to profess her faith 
 before the world. Some of the doc- 
 trines of the church were indeed 
 mysterious to her, but as she closely 
 compared them with Scripture, she 
 found that they had the sanction 
 of a " Thus saith the Lord," and 
 that was enough. Should she doubt 
 because some things were dark to 
 her human vision ? How then 
 should she receive many myste- 
 
40 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 rious but acknowledged truths of 
 human science ? 
 
 She felt it a duty to obey the 
 command of the Saviour, " Do this 
 in remembrance of me," and she 
 thought it a great privilege to be 
 numbered with the children of God. 
 
 It was a solemn season to her 
 when she stood up in the place of 
 prayer and took the vows of God 
 upon her, and it was her most ear- 
 nest desire to consecrate all her 
 powers and resources without re- 
 serve unto the Lord. 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 41 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 YOUTHFUL DAYS. 
 
 The next summer, at the age of 
 fifteen, Alice left home to reside 
 with an adopted sister of her mo- 
 ther living at a distance, and to go 
 through the ordinary course of study 
 in an excellent academy in the neigh- 
 bourhood. 
 
 It was her last night at home, her 
 
 trunks were packed, and Alice, 
 
 with a burdened heart stole up to 
 
 her mother's room to commune for 
 
 a while with that dear relative from 
 
 whom she must now be separated 
 4* 
 
42 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 most of the time for three years. 
 Her mother met her with a smile ; 
 and drawing her to a seat conversed 
 with her freely upon the many 
 topics of interest incident to such an 
 occasion, and then remarked : 
 
 ''And now, my daughter, be a 
 whole Christian ! Shrink not at 
 ridicule or opposition. Be not 
 afraid nor ashamed to declare your- 
 self on the Lord's side. These 
 years will be exceedingly important 
 in the formation of your character. 
 Never let anything tempt you to 
 forget your Bible and your stated 
 seasons of devotion." This advice 
 was treasured up by the daughter, 
 and much of her subsequent course 
 may be attributed to her scrupulous 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 43 
 
 obedience to her mother's coun- 
 sels. 
 
 The next evening found her alone 
 in her large and airy chamber at her 
 aunt's residence. This person, Mrs. 
 Maxwell, (whom she had been taught 
 to call her aunt,) was almost an en- 
 tire stranger to her niece, having 
 travelled much abroad with her 
 husband, who was a sea captain. 
 Alice thought her very different 
 from her own dear mother. There 
 was a certain stateliness of manner 
 that repelled the timid girl. Yet 
 her mother had often spoken of her 
 with affection, and Alice resolved to 
 try to love her for her mother's 
 sake. 
 
 That first evening away from 
 home, however, she felt lonely and 
 
44 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 dispirited. She was a stranger in 
 a strange place, and a heart like 
 hers needed sympathy and friend- 
 ship. She drew out from her trunk 
 her little Bible, but the sight of 
 various articles placed there by her 
 mother made her weep, and she could 
 not compose her thoughts sufficient- 
 ly to be comforted by reading its 
 precious pages. Soon a step upon 
 the stairs startled her from her 
 dreamy thoughts, and a loud rap at 
 the door was immediately followed 
 by the boisterous entrance of a girl 
 about her own age, whose chubby 
 form, strongly built frame, and ruddy 
 cheeks bespoke a state of exuberant 
 health and spirits. 
 
 '' So this is my new cousin, Alice 
 Rosedale, I suppose. Ma wanted me 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 45 
 
 to wait for an introduction, but I 
 could not wait her slow motions. 
 How do you like Ashwood Grrove ? 
 You'll be bored to death with tasks 
 and flummery, and old Elmer is so 
 cross and fussy that the girls can't 
 even speak in school without a 
 lecture. For my part I shall be 
 heartily glad when I get through 
 the course, and my father takes me 
 out on the ocean again. I would have 
 you believe I like variety." Dur- 
 ing this singular speech Alice stood 
 mute with astonishment, and then 
 remarked, ^ ■ And you, I suppose, 
 are my cousin, Ella Maxwell, of 
 whom I have heard, but have never 
 had the pleasure of seeing before." 
 " Yes, that's my name. Returned 
 just six weeks ago from the South 
 
46 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 Sea Islands where I have been with 
 pa. I wish I was there now." 
 
 Then followed a long dissertation 
 upon general items, much of which 
 consisted of the sayings and doings 
 of her mother's servants, or the 
 seamen of her father, until Alice, 
 weary, disgusted, and heart-sick, was 
 obliged to say, '' I have had a weari- 
 some day, dear cousin, and it will be 
 necessary for me soon to retire to 
 rest." " yes," said Ella, " I am 
 going soon. don't I wish I was 
 going to sleep in your room. I'll 
 tease mother to let me, see if I 
 don't." 
 
 Poor Alice ! how her heart ached 
 over the apparent neglect in the 
 education of her wild and thought- 
 less cousin. Long she lay awake 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 47 
 
 revolving plans for her improve- 
 ment, and with the natural hopeful- 
 ness of youth she looked forward to 
 the time when Ella's coarse, wild 
 manners should become polished 
 and refined, and she should be a con- 
 sistent Christian. 
 
 Perhaps, thought she, this is a 
 part of the work I have to do at 
 Ashwood Grrove. 
 
 Next day Alice commenced her 
 studies in good earnest. She found 
 the principal, Mr. Elmer, to be a 
 gentleman of great intelligence and 
 refinement, and Miss Embury, first 
 assistant, was a lady whom she felt 
 sure she should love. Time passed 
 away rapidly, and Alice became a 
 favourite with teachers and pupils. 
 In scholarship she stood very high, 
 
48 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 yet such was her lovely disposition 
 that no one seemed to look upon 
 her with envy, as is frequently the 
 case in institutions of the kind. 
 Then the influence of her earnest, 
 practical piety could not but be felt, 
 although she was very quiet and 
 unostentatious in the path of duty. 
 At her home she met with some 
 severe trials, and petty vexations 
 without number from the wild and 
 careless Ella. Indeed she could 
 find no impressible place in the 
 mind or heart of the giddy girl. 
 Sometimes her patience gave way 
 entirely, and she was obliged to 
 mourn over the remains of depravi- 
 ty in her heart, yet unsubdued by 
 grace. Yet after she had spoken 
 angrily to her cousin, she always 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 49 
 
 confessed to her her error and im- 
 plored forgiveness. 
 
 About the middle of the first 
 term a young lady came to Alice in 
 the recess, and invited her to spend 
 the next evening with her at her 
 home, saying, that she expected a 
 few of her young friends. Alice, 
 thinking it would be an agreeable 
 way of spending an evening, accepted 
 the invitation, and thought no more 
 of the matter until she heard some 
 members of the school conversing 
 together about this gathering. Then 
 she learned that it was to be a large 
 party, and that dancing and some 
 giddy games, then in vogue, were 
 to be introduced. 
 
 As her friend had gone home, she 
 wrote the following note, and sent it 
 
50 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 by Ella, who was delighted to attend 
 the party. 
 
 " Dear Annie,— When I accep- 
 ted your kind invitation, I supposed 
 you were expecting only a few 
 friends, and that it would be a 
 quiet evening, spent in conversation 
 and music. Such an evening would 
 have been very pleasant to me ; but 
 as a professing Christian, I feel that 
 it would be wrong for me to indulge 
 in the merriment and dancing of 
 your assembly. 
 
 Hoping to meet you ere long in 
 some less public, social manner, 
 I remain yours, &c., 
 Alice Rosedale. 
 
 Ella met with a thoughtless com- 
 panion on her way to Annie's, and 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 51 
 
 became so engrossed in conversation 
 that she was late at the party, and 
 entering the well filled drawing- 
 room, she handed the note to Annie. 
 Just as the latter had glanced at its 
 contents and was folding the note, 
 Ella, with characteristic rudeness, 
 snatched it from her and read it 
 aloud amid bursts of laughter and 
 merriment. Annie, with native po- 
 liteness, turned the conversation, 
 and the matter passed over for the 
 time. The next day, at the close 
 of school, Agnes Barton, second as- 
 sistant, a young lady some two years 
 her senior, came to Alice and whis- 
 pered in her ear, '' Do you know 
 that you spoiled all my enjoyment 
 last evening ?" Alice coloured to the 
 temples when told of the read- 
 
SQ ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 ing of the note, for she had been 
 assured that Miss Barton was in 
 the habit of ridiculing religious 
 matters, and simply saying, that 
 she regretted exceedingly that any- 
 thing she had done had produced 
 an eflfect so different from her inten- 
 tion, she bade her good evening 
 and walked away. In the silence 
 of her chamber however she reflected 
 that there was a seriousness in Miss 
 Barton's manner that she had never 
 observed before, and she penned a 
 note full of affectionate entreaty, 
 urging her to come to Jesus. That 
 this was an important event in the 
 life of Miss Barton will be seen 
 hereafter. Examination was ap- 
 proaching, and to Alice had been 
 given the preparation of an original 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 53 
 
 hymn for the occasion, in addition 
 to a theme for composition in which 
 she very naturally desired to excel. 
 Her ordinary lessons pressed so 
 heavily that very little time was left, 
 and she began to fear that she should 
 not be able to finish all that was 
 required of her. Just at this busy 
 period she recived a note from the 
 youngest girl in school containing 
 these few words : 
 
 Dear Alice,— Can you tell me 
 what I must do to become a chris- 
 tian ? I am in great distress about 
 my soul. 
 
 Lucy BRowisr. 
 
 Books and papers were immedi- 
 ately laid aside, and a long letter was 
 written to the young inquirer ex- 
 
6i 
 
 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 plaining to her the way of salva- 
 tion. 
 
 Then Alice resumed her occupa- 
 tions, and in two hours after mid- 
 night her duties were performed to 
 the satisfaction of her teachers. She 
 was then more strongly impressed, 
 than ever before, with the truth that 
 religion does not hinder but helps 
 severe study. 
 
 In a few .days Lucy Brown was 
 rejoicing in the hope of acceptance 
 with God, and at the commencement 
 of vacation three or four of the 
 young ladies gave evidence that 
 they had passed from death unto 
 life. Alice, whom they had all con- 
 sulted in their serious inquiries 
 after the truth, regretted to leave 
 them to return home, but warning 
 
them to place th^i^^^epeflSence- 
 solely upon the Saviour, she re- 
 turned to ask counsel and direction 
 of her mother, and her pastor. At 
 Ashwood Grove there was no settled 
 evangelical pastor, or Alice would 
 have immediately consulted him 
 in the matter. 
 
 Mr. Hammond, her pastor, as- 
 sured her that he would come over 
 and preach in the seminary hall, 
 could she obtain the consent of the 
 principal. Vacation over, Alice 
 returned to school and found the 
 interest still increasing among the 
 young ladies. Miss Embury was 
 a professing Christian, and when 
 Alice first mentioned the state of 
 affairs to her, she had a desire to 
 help forward the work, but feared 
 
56 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 that Mr. Elmer would object to any 
 especial religious exercises at the 
 seminary. In this she was not de- 
 ceived ; Mr. Elmer feared to offend 
 several influential men in the board 
 of trustees by appearing to favour 
 evangelical religion. Still the matter 
 lay very near her heart, and she 
 was revolving plans for the instruc- 
 tion of these youthful inquirers. 
 One evening, she requested Alice to 
 remain for a few minutes after 
 school, and with real concern de- 
 picted on her countenance, asked 
 if she could not have a meeting for 
 prayer and conference in her own 
 room. Miss Embury was prevented 
 from doing so herself by the well 
 known prejudices of the family with 
 which she lived. Alice replied, 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 57 
 
 that she would consult her aunt, 
 and when she did so, to her surprise 
 that individual gave a ready as- 
 sent. 
 
 The first meeting was appointed 
 for the ensuing Saturday afternoon, 
 and Miss Embury assured Alice 
 that she would be present. 
 
 The afternoon came, and five 
 new born souls assembled in that 
 upper chamber. Miss Embury did 
 not come, detained by sudden illness, 
 as was afterwards learned. There 
 stood the youthful Alice, the only 
 professed Christian of the group. 
 How did she tremble, for she knew 
 that the responsibility of conducting 
 their devotions devolved upon her ! 
 
 However her companions came 
 in the zeal of their first love, and it 
 
58 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 ^yas a joyful season to all present. 
 That little meeting was the com- 
 mencement of a powerful revival 
 of religion which was not confined 
 to the school. 
 
 Mr. Hammond came over and 
 preached in the town hall ; other 
 clergymen did the same. People be- 
 gan to relish evangelical preaching ; 
 and in two years from that time the 
 converts of that revival purchased 
 the Universalist church and estab- 
 lished a small church and Sabbath- 
 school of their own. But to return to 
 the school. 
 
 Mr. Elmer soon consented that 
 the prayer meeting should be held 
 in one of the recitation rooms, and 
 the number that attended was soon 
 increased from five to twenty-five. 
 
YOUTHFUL DlYS. 59 
 
 But where was Agnes Barton all 
 that time ? Not in the prayer- 
 meeting, not among the inquirers. 
 Alice was sure that she was not 
 uninterested, for she had thankfully 
 received her letter and expressed a 
 wish to be a Christian. 
 
 Yet she was so extremely cau- 
 tious in the matter, that Alice began 
 to think that the fear of the world 
 must be the hindrance. She kept up 
 a constant correspondence with her, 
 and judged from her letters that she 
 was under deep conviction. Alice 
 begged to be allowed to present her 
 case to Miss Embury in whom 
 Agnes had great confidence ; but she 
 would not allow her to do so. Yet 
 in each interval of leisure she would 
 come to Alice for instruction in the 
 
60 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 path of duty. At this critical period, 
 Miss Embury was detained from 
 school some days by illness, and 
 upon Miss Barton and Alice de- 
 volved the whole care of that de- 
 partment of the school. Thus Miss 
 Barton seemed obliged to control 
 her anxiety during the busy day, 
 although she endeavoured to recall 
 her convictions at night. Alice saw 
 and felt the danger of such a pro- 
 ceeding, but knew not how to 
 remedy the evil. Wednesday morn- 
 ing came, the time for general exer- 
 cises, and a lecture in Chemistry 
 from Mr. Elmer, so that the female 
 teachers were free from responsi- 
 bility. Alice took her seat as usual 
 among the pupils, and Miss Bar- 
 ton passing that way slipped a note 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 61 
 
 into her hands. It seemed the 
 very expression of despair. ^' What 
 have I been doing," said she, '^ thus 
 to neglect my eternal interest ? How 
 can 1 expect to recall serious impres- 
 sions at night if I grieve away 
 the Spirit during the day. 
 Alice, what shall I do?" 
 
 Alice for once in all the term acted 
 in opposition to the rules of school, 
 which allowed no writing during 
 lectures ; she seized a pencil and 
 wrote, ''Agnes, school will immedi- 
 ately close. This afternoon is a half 
 holiday. Go to your chamber and 
 leave it not, until you have found the 
 compassionate Saviour who is wait- 
 ing to receive you." 
 
 At the close of school Mr. Elmer 
 
 spoke to Miss Barton as she was 
 6 
 
62 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 passing to the hall, and presented 
 her with a ticket for a panoramic 
 exhibition, which was to take place 
 that afternoon. It was one which 
 she had long wished to see, and this 
 was the last opportunity, as it was 
 to be removed to a distant city the 
 next day. Her first impulse was to 
 accept the ticket, so kindly ofifered, 
 with many thanks for the honour 
 conferred upon her ; but a sudden 
 thought checked her ; " I have im- 
 portant business which requires my 
 undivided attention this afternoon," 
 replied she, " therefore I must de- 
 cline your unmerited kindness." 
 It seemed a slight matter, the simple 
 refusal to attend that exhibition, yet 
 on it hinged the destiny of an im- 
 mortal soul. 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 63 
 
 Again, as if to tempt her to swerve 
 from the path of duty, she was im- 
 portuned to spend the afternoon 
 and evening, at the home of a very 
 dear friend, with Miss Rosedale and 
 a few others. This last invitation 
 had more weight than the first, 
 because she much wished for con- 
 versation with Alice, upon the all- 
 important subject occupying her 
 thoughts. 
 
 Yet she reflected that she should 
 not probably have an opportunity 
 for private conversation, and she 
 returned to her home with the full 
 determination to do as Alice had re- 
 commended. Requesting her mother 
 not to allow her to be interrupted, 
 she retired to her chamber. 
 
 She tried to pray, but dark and 
 
64 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 gloomy doubts arose ; she could find 
 no words, no thoughts, in which she 
 dared to address a holy God. 
 
 Then the words of a hymn, which 
 she had learned in infanc}^, came 
 into her mind, and they seemed to 
 be an exact expression of her em- 
 otions. 
 
 " With tears of anguish I lament, 
 
 Here at thy feet, my God, 
 My passion, pride, and discontent, 
 And vile ingratitude. 
 
 Sure there was ne'er a heart so base, 
 
 So false as mine has been ; 
 So faithless to its promises, 
 
 So prone to every sin. 
 
 How long, dear Saviour, shall I feel 
 
 These struggles in my breast ? 
 When wilt thou bow my stubborn will 
 
 And give my conscience rest ? 
 
 Break, sovereign grace — oh break the charm, 
 And set the captive free ; 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 65 
 
 Reveal, great God, thy mighty arm — 
 And haste to rescue me." 
 
 In the evening, as Alice sat in 
 her friend's parlour joining in the 
 conversation around her, rather 
 absently, for her thoughts were with 
 Agnes, she was surprised at the an- 
 nouncement of Miss Barton. How 
 very anxiously she scanned her 
 friend's features, as if there to read 
 the history of that afternoon's re- 
 tirement ! But there was nothing 
 there to reveal what was passing 
 within, so perfect was the control 
 which Agnes had gained over the 
 expression of her countenance. She 
 spoke in her usual tone, and upon 
 topics of general interest. Soon 
 a walk was proposed. It was a 
 
 lovely moonlight evening in mid- 
 6 * 
 
00 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 summer, and as the young ladies 
 passed down a street shaded by 
 beautiful trees, and at its foot 
 stretched away the boundless ocean, 
 dotted here and there by w^hite 
 sails, the scene was so irresistibly 
 grand that Miss Barton, who had 
 taken the arm of Alice, exclaimed, in 
 the beautiful language of the poet, 
 
 " These are thy glorious works, Parent of good ! 
 Almighty !'* 
 
 turning to her friend, she exclaimed, 
 " I am so happy to-night, dearest 
 Alice, that I can find no words for 
 the expression of my joy. I believe 
 that God is my reconciled Father, 
 that I have been washed from my 
 sins in the blood of the Lamb. 
 My friend, how shall I evince my 
 gratitude to you for your tender 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 67 
 
 interest in the welfare of my im- 
 mortal soul ? When Ella Maxwell 
 read your note before the merry 
 group assembled in Annie Warner's 
 parlour, I felt self-condemned that 
 I had consented to waste my pre- 
 cious time in such frivolous amuse- 
 ments, and I admired the consistency 
 of your conduct, not only in declining 
 to be present, but in giving the 
 true reason for your absence. Then 
 an overwhelming sense of the 
 worth of the soul came into my 
 mind, and I thought of the fearful 
 manner in which I had neglected 
 my spiritual interests, and the 
 impression would not depart. 
 
 '' I tried to speak to you on the 
 next day, and you did not seem 
 to understand me, but that kind 
 
68 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 letter, oh ! Alice, it was the first 
 direct appeal that had ever been 
 made to my conscience by any 
 Christian friend, and from the hour 
 that I received it I had no rest 
 until I found peace and pardon at 
 the foot of the cross." Alice was 
 much affected at this disclosure, and 
 smiling through her tears whispered, 
 "Praise the Lord." 
 
 Long these friends conferred 
 together upon the subject so dear 
 to their hearts ; and the friendship 
 which had commenced before, was 
 that night so strongly cemented by 
 the bonds of Christian love, that it 
 remained to bless their whole 
 subsequent; lives. 
 
 " Nor shall the glowing flame expire 
 When dimly burns frail nature's fire. 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 69 
 
 Then shall they meet in realms above, 
 A heaven of joy — a heaven of love." 
 
 Time passed rapidly and pleasant- 
 ly to Alice, for constant occupation 
 allowed no space for weariness ; and 
 she found that the religious ex- 
 ercises in which she had engaged 
 had not hindered her in the 
 acquisition of worldly science, but 
 that they had rather invigorated 
 her mental powers. And then 
 the happiness of such a course, 
 compared with the youthful ex- 
 perience of many persons ! Alice 
 had a joyful heart, and she invaria- 
 bly wore a cheerful countenance. 
 
 Oftentimes the remark was made 
 by her companions, " There must 
 be something in religion, it makes 
 Alice Rosedale so haj)py. 
 
70 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 The third year of school was 
 drawing to a close, yet Ella Maxwell 
 remained the same wild, unmanage- 
 able girl. Her lessons were never 
 correctly learned, she was almost 
 constantly in disgrace with the 
 teachers, and she did everything 
 in her power to annoy them, 
 and all her school-mates who en- 
 deavoured to do right. She had 
 much influence over a certain class 
 of the girls who were fond of hoy- 
 denish sports, and indiscriminate 
 ridicule of everything that came in 
 their way. 
 
 At home her mother had strictly 
 forbidden her to enter Alice's room 
 without leave, so that she did not 
 much interfere with her cousin's 
 studies, but at school and on 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 71 
 
 the way thither she contrived in 
 various ways to annoy her. Yet 
 Alice saw that her cousin had 
 never enjoyed the inestimable 
 privilege of a mother's careful 
 training ; for Mrs. Maxwell seemed 
 to care very little for her daughter, 
 provided her conduct gave her 
 no personal inconvenience. Alice 
 wished to direct her wandering feet 
 into the path of peace. 
 
 For this she prayed and laboured, 
 but all seemed to be in vain, and 
 Alice believed her failure to win 
 Ella's confidence was in consequence 
 of the inconsistency of her own 
 conduct in several outbursts of 
 anger, provoked, it is true, by Ella's 
 wanton disregard of her cousin's 
 
72 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 feelings, yet none the less sinful 
 for the provocation. 
 
 About this time Alice wrote a 
 letter to her mother from which we 
 make the following extract ; 
 
 *' I am eighteen years of age to- 
 day. In looking back upon the 
 past three years they seem like a 
 dream with their variety of duties 
 and changing scenes. Yet, dear 
 mother, I wish _ solemnly to ask 
 myself the question, ' What have I 
 done for GTod during these years ?' 
 
 *' The retrospect, although it af- 
 fords some pleasure, is far from 
 what I could wish it to be. 
 
 " Some delightful seasons have 
 been given to me — seasons in which 
 I have felt more than ever before 
 the worth of the religion of the 
 
YOUTHFUL DAYS. 73 
 
 gospel. I have had the unspeakable 
 pleasure of directing some inquiring 
 souls to the Lamb of God ; but have 
 I myself kept near to him ? My 
 conscience answers not as I ought. 
 I have to acknowledge with shame 
 many delinquencies in thought, 
 word, and deed. To-day my heart is 
 filled with self-abasement and grati- 
 tude that God has permitted me, a 
 poor unworthy worm of the dust, 
 to labour for the advancement of 
 his kingdom." 
 
 Alice went through the course of 
 
 studies and returned to her home, 
 
 not imagining that her education 
 
 was finished but just commenced. 
 
 7 
 
74 ALICE KOSEDALE. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 
 
 On arriving at her own loved home 
 Alice was no less surprised than de- 
 lighted to find that her father had 
 established family worship, and 
 seemed to be in every respect 
 another man. Her mother had not 
 informed her of this great change, 
 at the express desire of her father, 
 who greatly feared that he was de- 
 ceiving himself, and wished to raise 
 no hopes which he might disappoint. 
 
 She also learned for the first time 
 that Alfred, her brother, was a 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 75 
 
 painful source of anxiety to his 
 parents. She knew that he was 
 wild and reckless, but her parents 
 had forborne to distress her with the 
 intelligence that he had joined him- 
 self to an idle gang of dissolute 
 young men, who seemed intent not 
 only on working out their own de- 
 struction, but on annoying the whole 
 town by their noisy mirth and 
 drunken revelry. 
 
 Their usual rendezvous was the 
 bar-room of a public house in the 
 village, and more than one carousal 
 had threatened injury to the life of 
 some of the gang. 
 
 Heavily sank this knowledge into 
 the heart of Alice. Then indeed 
 the deep waters went over her soul. 
 Had she been the only sufferer, it 
 
76 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 might have been overwhelming ; but 
 her mother, her precious mother, 
 was evidently sinking under her 
 sorrow, and her father was contin- 
 ually upbraiding himself as the 
 cause of his son's dereliction from 
 the path of duty. In her weakness 
 she carried her burden to her cove- 
 nant Saviour, and felt his sustaining 
 arms underneath her. 
 
 Then was she endued with fresh 
 strength and courage, and earnestly 
 she endeavoured to be both son and 
 daughter to her distressed parents. 
 
 She soon relieved her mother 
 almost wholly of household cares, 
 for she was apt to learn, and brought 
 to the work a determined will 
 
 This task was light compared 
 with others which were soon laid 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 77 
 
 upon her ; for as her mother's health 
 rapidly declined, her nervous system 
 was so much affected that she was 
 often in great darkness. At such 
 seasons it was only Alice who could 
 soothe and comfort the poor sufferer. 
 Her mind dwelt with morbid sensi- 
 bility upon the misconduct of her 
 son, and she feared she had deceived 
 herself in regard to her own religious 
 experience. Alice devoted a part 
 of each day to reading to her sooth- 
 ing passages from the Bible or the 
 lives of some earnest, suffering Chris- 
 tians and thus diverted her thoughts 
 from her own troubles. Then she 
 daily took her out to walk amid the 
 beautiful scenery which surrounded 
 
 them, and ministered to her diseased 
 
 7* 
 
78 AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 
 
 mind as none but an aifectionate 
 daughter could. 
 
 Often and often her dissipated 
 brother came to her home in a 
 state of brutal intoxication, bringing 
 with him some of his boon com- 
 panions. These Mr. Rosedale 
 quickly expelled from his house; 
 and then with the heart agony 
 which only fond parents can feel 
 under such circumstances he and 
 Alice assisted the unhappy youth 
 to his bed, and bestowed upon him 
 every kind attention. Whenever 
 it was possible all this disgrace was 
 kept from the unhappy mother, 
 but every item of Alfred's behaviour, 
 with great exaggerations was faith- 
 fully reported to her by Mrs. Brunt, 
 a neighbour, who called frequently 
 
AFFLICTIONS AT^D DUTIES. 79 
 
 for the ostensible purpose of 
 sympathizing with the family in 
 their affliction, but really for the 
 sake of carrying from them anything 
 which would interest the gossiping 
 circle of which she seemed to be the 
 centre. Occasionally in the weak- 
 ness of bodily and mental anguish, 
 Mrs. Rosedale would speak of her- 
 self to Mrs. Brunt as she did to her 
 daughter, as a lost sinner without 
 hope, not being able to see that she 
 was placing confidence in a very 
 improper person. 
 
 One afternoon in the winter follow- 
 ing, the ladies' benevolent society 
 met at the home of Mrs. Tattelle 
 in the village, and while the fingers 
 of the ladies were busy with their 
 needles, their tongues were freely 
 
80 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 discussing the characters of their 
 absent neighbours. 
 
 '' Don't you think ?" cried Mrs. 
 Brunt, rushing breathlessly into 
 the midst of the group ; ''Alfred 
 Rosedale has forged a note on his 
 father that will sink the old man as 
 sure as anything. I knew that fellow 
 would come to some bad end." Here 
 she stopped to breathe, and exclama- 
 tions of, " Youdon'tsayso !" "Well, 
 I never !" " Won't the upstarts feel 
 mean now?" and similar expressive 
 phrases revealed the relish with 
 which the intelligence was received. 
 
 " I pity Mrs. Rosedale and Alice," 
 ventured to suggest little Susan 
 Green, who sat in a corner by 
 herself." 
 
 " That's more than I can say," re- 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 81 
 
 sumed Mrs. Brunt. " Mrs. Rosedale 
 has set herself up for an example 
 to common folks long enough ; but 
 she's come down low enough now", 
 however, for I heard her say only 
 the other day that she didn't believe 
 there was such a sinner alive as she 
 was. I don't doubt but she has 
 committed some dreadful crime, or 
 she wouldn't take on so, and all 
 these trials wouldn't have come 
 upon her." 
 
 " Now, Mrs. Brunt," said Mrs. 
 Goodhue, '' don't you remember 
 poor old uncle Saunders ? He was 
 one of the very best men that ever 
 lived, and yet one friend after 
 another was taken from him ; then 
 he lost his property, and finally he 
 was obliged to go to the poorhouse, 
 
82 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 where he suflFered four long years 
 with rheumatism and then died. 
 Yet no one ever heard him murmur 
 or complain, and nobody believes 
 that he was more wicked than 
 Squire Grimes, who cheated his 
 servants out of their honest dues, 
 yet lived and diedrolling in wealth." 
 "* Judge not that ye be not judged,' 
 said our Saviour," fell from Mrs. 
 Hammond's lip as she came in from 
 an adjoining room, where she had 
 heard the whole conversation. Oh 
 for a heart to feel for others' sorrows 
 as we do for our own ! Then 
 would many a heartache be spared 
 and this world would soon become 
 the abode of charity and peace. 
 
 While this conversation was 
 passing, the house of the Rosedales 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 83 
 
 presented a very different scene. 
 The brother's last misdeed, if true, 
 had not yet reached the family. 
 Alice and her father were in the 
 chamber of the invalid. For many 
 days her strength had been wasting 
 away, and now as she lay just on 
 the verge of the grave, the dark 
 cloud was lifted from her mind, the 
 portals of ^' the better world" were 
 full in view. Its breezes almost 
 fanned her cheek, its rapturous 
 music filled her dying ear. As the 
 natural sun, bursting from behind 
 the storm clouds of a tempestuous 
 day, tints more gorgeously the 
 sunset sky than the broad noon of 
 his meridian splendour; so the 
 graces of this suffering christian 
 beamed forth more gloriously as 
 
84 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 the lamp of life burned low, than 
 in all her previous career. Gone 
 were all her doubts and fears, 
 ended for ever all her cares and 
 sorrows, no more weeping, no more 
 sighing, no more anguish ; she was 
 passing over the river, but the 
 waters were shallow, they touched 
 not the hem of her garment. The 
 lover of her youth and companion of 
 her riper years, her husband, stood 
 beside her, his heart full of anguish ; 
 her beloved daughter was kneeling 
 at her bedside in the bitterness of 
 woe, but their grief moved her not : 
 they thought she perceived it not. 
 Suddenly turning upon them those 
 orbs, from which earthly objects 
 were fast receding, she exclaimed, 
 :0 my loved ones, could you view 
 
AFFLICTIONS 
 
 the past, the present/^dtlie futj^&^*^ 
 as I now behold them, you would not 
 murmur, you would not mourn, 
 you would rejoice with joy unspeak- 
 able and full of glory. Grod knows 
 just how much of care and sorrow 
 we need, how much we can bear. 
 In tender love he afflicts his chil- 
 dren. I know it, I feel it. My 
 son ! my son ! I have prayed for 
 thee, and God, for his ow^n name's 
 sake, has heard my prayer. Alice, 
 your brother must be saved ! God's 
 promises are yea and amen." 
 
 Quite exhausted by the effort of 
 speaking, she motioned Alice to 
 bring her little Bible. 
 
 Obeying, she opened the book at 
 1 Cor. XV. Commanding her emo- 
 tions by a powerful effort, she read 
 
86 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 until she came to the closing verses ; 
 then the dying saint who had lis- 
 tened with deep attention caught the 
 strain and repeated slowly, '' So 
 when this corruptible shall have put 
 onincorruption, and this mortal shall 
 have put on immortality, then shall 
 be brought to pass the saying that 
 is written, Death is swallowed up 
 in victory. death, where is thy 
 sting? grave, where is thy victory ? 
 The sting of death is sin ; and the 
 strength of sin is the law. But 
 thanks be to Grod who giveth us the 
 victory through our Lord Jesus 
 Christ." Her pastor entering at the 
 moment, she exclaimed, " Praise the 
 Lord for me! I'm going home. 
 Quickly! or I cannot join you 
 here!" Mr. Hammond commended 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 87 
 
 the departing Spirit to its Saviour 
 and its Grod in a short prayer, and 
 when he arose, the last moments had 
 come. '' Sing !" she feebly articulated 
 as she lay in the arms of her weep- 
 ing husband. Alice was entirely 
 unable to commence, but Mr. Ham-' 
 mond, in a clear sweet voice, sang : 
 
 " O if my Lord would come and meet, 
 
 My soul'would stretch her wings in haste, 
 Fly fearless through death's iron gate, 
 Nor feel the terrors as she passed. 
 
 "Jesus can make a dying bed 
 
 Feel soft as downy pillows are ; 
 While on his breast I lean my head, 
 And breathe my life out sweetly there." 
 
 He commenced softly and alone, 
 but Alice, catching the inspiration 
 of the scene, joined in with a voice 
 at first tremulous with emotion, but 
 gathering strength and sweetness 
 
88 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 throughout the exercise, at its close 
 she burst into a rapturous song of 
 praise, whose hallelujah died upon 
 the air just as the spirit fled. Si- 
 lently they stood as at the very 
 gateway of heaven ; they could not 
 weep, they felt more like continuing 
 their songs of praise. 
 
 Awe-struck like those who have 
 had a partial glimpse, through the 
 pearly gates, of the world of light, 
 they withdrew from the chamber, 
 as from a sacred place. 
 
 The void that is made in a house- 
 hold, when the faithful wife and mo- 
 ther is taken away, has been too often 
 described to need a comment here ; 
 yet in this particular case were 
 circumstances of peculiar trial. 
 
 "When Alice returned from her 
 
AFFLICTIONS AIS-D DUTIES. 89 
 
 mother's grave to her desolate home, 
 she felt, for a time, that earth could 
 grant her no boon so rich as a place 
 by her side. Dark, and cold, and 
 bitter seemed the waters of the 
 ocean of life over which her frail 
 barque was drifting, almost without 
 one ray of sunshine looming up the 
 shadowy future. She knew that this 
 was not true submission to the will - 
 of Grod, therefore her heart was sad 
 within her, and she wrote bitter 
 things against herself. Her bro- 
 ther's dissolute habits, and passion 
 for games of chance, had involved 
 his father in so many diflBculties 
 that the dear old farm of her father's 
 ancestors, his own and his chil- 
 dren's birth-place, so precious to him 
 
 as connected with the memory of 
 
 8 * 
 
90 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 his sainted wife, and containing her 
 grave, must soon be given up. One 
 year was allowed them for its re- 
 demption ; but they had no hope of 
 retaining it, as her father was already 
 bowing beneath the weight of years, 
 and utterly unable to enter any new 
 sphere of business. At times, in her 
 anxiety to retain a home for her 
 father's old age, Alice thought of her 
 uncle Maxwell, as she had supposed 
 him to be very wealthy; but all 
 hopes of assistance in that direction 
 were frustrated by a letter from Ella, 
 informing her in semi-barbarous En- 
 glish of the loss of the vessel which 
 he commanded. Mrs. Maxwell was 
 on board, and only two of the crew 
 were saved after being exposed to the 
 violence of the elements for two 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 91 
 
 days and one night. Thus poor 
 Ella found herself a friendless or- 
 phan, without any means of support. 
 She entreated Alice to allow her to 
 come to her home, and both Mr. 
 Rosedale and Alice at once resolved 
 to take her in, until she could be 
 taught some method of self-support. 
 In this decision Alice was aware 
 she had assumed no light responsi- 
 bility, for she thoroughly understood 
 her cousin ; yet so anxiously did 
 she find herself desiring the im- 
 provement of Ella, that it was 
 the first gleam of sunshine that 
 crossed her path, — we mean the 
 effbrt to do good. 
 
 Ella came, and, as her cousin 
 hoped, her wild spirit had been 
 somewhat tamed by misfortune. She 
 
92 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 appeared to endeavour earnestly, at 
 times, to perform her duties faith- 
 fully, yet Alice soon found that it 
 was an utter impossibility to fit her 
 for the occupation of a common 
 school teacher, as she hoped to do. 
 She had been so negligent in early 
 youth, that she could not learn when 
 she earnestly desired to do so. For 
 a time Alice almost yielded to dis- 
 couragement ; weeks, months passed 
 away, and no progress was made. 
 that anxious, dreary year, with its 
 much dreaded close full in view ! 
 Her mother's dying words had 
 aroused hope in Alice in relation to 
 her brother ; yet as the months wore 
 on, and the little season of thought- 
 fulness immediately following his 
 mother's death appeared to be for- 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 93 
 
 gotten, and he pressed headlong in- 
 to his former vices, poor Alice's heart 
 gave way. 
 
 With the multitude of her cares 
 and afflictions she would surely 
 have been overwhelmed, had not 
 God, who will never allow his chil- 
 dren to be tempted above that which 
 they are able to bear, given her one 
 unexpected source of consolation in 
 her father. The mother's words in 
 regard to her son had also inspired 
 him with hope, and it was a hope 
 that no discouragement had been 
 able to shake. It seemed to re- 
 animate his whole being. No more 
 bitter complaints of his own neglect 
 of duty were heard. He had carried 
 his burden in sincerity and in faith 
 to his heavenly Father, and left it 
 
94 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 there. He did not attempt to bear 
 his grief alone. A sweet and child- 
 like submission to his Father's will 
 pervaded his entire being. He felt 
 the truth of that sentiment : 
 
 " Sweet to lie passive in thy hands 
 And know no will but thine." 
 
 Cheerfulness seemed to diffuse 
 itself all around him. His manner 
 changed toward Alfred. He entire- 
 ly ceased to upbraid the wretched 
 youth, and treated him with the 
 utmost kindness and forbearance. 
 
 His Bible was his constant com- 
 panion, and he came forth from the 
 place of his stated devotions with 
 the air of one who has enjoyed in- 
 timate communion with God. Re- 
 ligion was the delightful topic of 
 conversation between father and 
 
AFFLICTIOIS'S AND DUTIES. 95 
 
 daughter ; yet when Alfred and Ella 
 were with them they frequently con- 
 versed freely upon matters of general 
 interest, that they might not become 
 irksome to them. Yet Mr. Rose- 
 dale could never allow any subject 
 to divert his attention from the one 
 great object of life for any length of 
 time, and he had the happy faculty 
 of deducing important lessons from 
 passing events. The Sabbath was 
 a delightful day at the farm. Anx- 
 iety and worldly care were laid 
 aside, and to those of the family who 
 could enter into the spirit of the day 
 it was a real refreshment of soul and 
 body. 
 
 Mr. Hammond was a plain and 
 practical preacher of the gospel. He 
 felt it his duty to declare unto his 
 
96 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 people the whole truth whether they 
 would hear or forbear. Mr. Rose- 
 dale and Alice listened to his ser- 
 mons with great delight. Then the 
 exercises of the Sabbath-school were 
 very pleasant to the latter. She 
 had a class of little girls to instruct, 
 and in endeavouring to teach them 
 she found much that was extremely 
 profitable to her own soul. 
 
 To this class, three Sabbaths after 
 Mrs. Rosedale's death, Mrs. Brunt 
 brought her two daughters, remark- 
 ing to Alice as she did so, that she 
 only hoped they would be as good 
 as her mother, for if there was ever 
 a Christian on earth she was one, 
 and she " always knew that she 
 would come out bright at last." In 
 consequence of the faithfulness of 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DITTIES. 
 
 $7 
 
 their teacher to those poor, neglect- 
 ed children, it is to be hoped that 
 they will rise above the fearful home 
 influence surrounding them, and 
 become useful members of society. 
 
 After the public exercises of the 
 day were over, and Mr. Rosedale 
 and Alice had spent a short season 
 in the retirement of their rooms, it 
 was their habit to repair to their 
 family sitting room, where Ella, 
 and sometimes Alfred, awaited them, 
 and there discuss the plain scripture 
 truths to which they had listened. 
 Then Mr. Rosedale read passages 
 from the Bible, or some devotional 
 book, and remarked upon them in 
 a manner that very rarely failed to 
 interest all who heard him. This 
 
 exercise was never made wearisome 
 9 
 
98 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 by its undue length, and was im- 
 mediately followed by tea and family 
 prayers, after which came an exercise 
 in which even Alfred delighted to 
 engage. This was singing the sweet 
 hymns learned at their sainted 
 mother's knee, her particular fa- 
 vourites. 
 
 The Sabbath twilight, spent thus, 
 was to Alice by far the brightest 
 season of her life of care. Then she 
 felt hopeful for her deluded bro- 
 ther, and for Ella. She sometimes 
 thought she detected in her brother 
 melting reminiscences of his far-off 
 childhood ; yet often when her hopes 
 had been thus raised, and she ven- 
 tured to draw him into conversa- 
 tion, he would repel her by saying, 
 " IsTow go, little sis, and bring me the 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 99 
 
 newspaper, I want to read it; the 
 secular part, I mean." 
 
 And the succeeding week would 
 find him plunging deeply and still 
 more deeply into vice and degrada- 
 tion. 
 
 This year of anxiety and trial was 
 fast drawing to a close, and every 
 hope of retaining the homestead 
 had fled. Winter was approaching 
 and everything in nature wore a 
 desolate aspect. 
 
 It was a dark November evening. 
 The storm which had been threat- 
 ening all day had set in with un- 
 wonted fury. The winds shrieked 
 and moaned through the long leafless 
 branches of the lofty elms in the 
 yard, while ever and anon volumes 
 
100 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 of blinding rain beat against the 
 windows. 
 
 It was an evening that required 
 a cheerful fireside circle, and some 
 hope for the future to render it en- 
 durable. Mr. Rosedale had retired 
 early, complaining of slight illness, 
 and after Alice had seen him sink 
 into a profound slumber, she re- 
 turned to the sitting room where 
 Ella sat, seemingly lost in gloomy 
 thought. 
 
 It was very seldom that Alice 
 allowed herself to sink into despon- 
 dency, but that evening the thought 
 of all she had lost in the sympathy 
 and affection of her beloved mother 
 so overpowered her, and there was 
 present in her mind such a vivid 
 sense of some undefined evil in con- 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 101 
 
 nection with her brother, that all her 
 fortitude gave way, and she sank 
 into a reverie so deep and full of 
 darkness that she was really alarmed. 
 Her hiding place so frequently re- 
 sorted to, in former times, seemed 
 beyond her reach. Then the words 
 of her dying Lord occurred to her 
 mind, '' My Grod, why hast thou for- 
 saken me? " and she was comforted. 
 Had he endured the hidings of his 
 Father's face to atone for her sins, 
 and should she murmur because 
 darkness, for a time, overshadowed 
 her path ? No sooner did she take 
 this view of the subject, than light 
 and hope and confidence entered her 
 mind, and she murmured aloud, 
 " Though he slay me, yet will I trust 
 
 in him !" 
 
 9 "^ 
 
102 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 At this moment a noise at the 
 gate attracted her attention, and 
 soon she had need of all her heaven- 
 sent courage and strength ; for, 
 opening the door, the first object 
 she saw was her brother's appa- 
 rently lifeless form extended upon a 
 litter borne by four of his drunken 
 boon companions, even then, in a 
 state of partial intoxication . He had 
 received a terrible wound in the arm 
 from which the blood was still issuing, 
 which proved that life was not ex- 
 tinct. Appalled beyond measure 
 by the ghastly spectacle, Alice 
 stood trembling for a moment, but 
 her presence of mind did not desert 
 her, neither did the sense of depen- 
 dence upon her Father in heaven 
 depart. She saw immediately that 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 103 
 
 prompt action alone would save her 
 brother's life, and she, of all the 
 group, was the only one in a state 
 to act. Entreating the wretched 
 young men to go for the surgeon, 
 after they had laid Alfred upon a 
 sofa, she cal mly an d collectedly seized 
 the first bandage that came in her 
 way, and bound it tightly and firm- 
 ly around the arm above the wound, 
 thus stopping, in a measure, the 
 violence of the bleeding. Then she 
 applied restoratives to his nostrils 
 and consciousness returned. But 
 the surgeon — oh if he were here now 
 her brother might live! and how 
 precious above all price, now ap- 
 peared that life to her, from which, 
 if severed, the immortal spirit must 
 be lost for ever I 
 
104 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 Rushing to the door she heard 
 shouts from the drunken revelers, 
 which revealed to her the fact that 
 they had not gone in quest of the 
 surgeon. What was to be done ? 
 Her aged father was ill, but he must 
 be aroused, made acquainted with 
 the new sorrow, and sent for assist- 
 ance. ''Shall I go," asked Ella, 
 "to awaken him?" 
 
 " No ! please stay with Alfred, 
 I must go myself." 
 
 " But I am afraid to be left alone 
 with him," exclaimed the irresolute 
 girl, who had done nothing but 
 wring her hands and weep. 
 
 " Then come with me, but my 
 poor father must hear these heavy 
 tidings from his daughter's lips." 
 Aroused from his heavy slumber, 
 
AFFLICTIONS AND DUTIES. 105 
 
 Mr. Rosedale was indeed a support 
 to the weary girl. Warmly pro- 
 tected from the storm by the care- 
 ful hand of Alice, he went forth into 
 the darkness, and at the nearest 
 neighbour's found assistance and 
 returned. 
 
 When the surgeon had taken up 
 the severed artery, and Alfred was 
 carried to his room of suffering, 
 Alice took her place as nurse, at his 
 bedside, and for six long months, 
 her days were spent in the same 
 place. Regular watchers were pro- 
 cured for the nights, for the attend- 
 ing physician strictly forbade her 
 to attempt to attend him then, if 
 she wished to preserve her own 
 health. A severe fever followed the 
 wound, and Alfred's constitution, 
 
1 06 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 already enfeebled by excessive drink- 
 ing, reeled, and threatened to give 
 way. Delirium ensued, and for 
 weeks he raved incessantly of demons 
 and scenes too horrible for descrip- 
 tion. Sometimes his ravings as- 
 sumed a different form, and then he 
 was a child again, and his mother 
 seemed to lay her soft white hand 
 upon his head and bless him ; and 
 then she gazed upon him with such 
 a pitying eye that he exclaimed, 
 " mother, I will forsake the evil 
 of my way, and be all that you 
 wish." 
 
A NEW SPHERE OF ACTION". 107 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A NEW SPHERE OF ACTION. 
 
 Alfred's illness somewhat re- 
 tarded the prosecution of a plan 
 which Alice had formed for their 
 future support. During the last 
 trying year at the farm, Alice had 
 not folded her hands in idle de- 
 spondency. She believed that the 
 dark cloud had " its silver lining," 
 and that He who hears the young 
 ravens when they cry would not 
 *suffer them to want. Therefore, 
 she early wrote for advice to her 
 former teacher, Mr. Elmer, stating 
 her particular trials and the no- 
 
108 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 cessity of her labouring for the 
 support of her aged parent. That 
 kind man had immediately written 
 a comforting letter to her, in which 
 he offered her the situation of Miss 
 Embury, which was soon to be vacant. 
 It was sufficiently remunerative and 
 presented strong attractions to Alice. 
 At first she inclined to accept it un- 
 conditionally ; but as her brother 
 began slowly to amend, and there 
 was a prospect of his recovery, it 
 was her strong desire to remove 
 him from former associates and in- 
 fluences as far as possible. In this 
 endeavour Mr. Elmer kindly as- 
 sisted her. So deep was his interest 
 in his former pupil, that he took a 
 long journey in her behalf, into a 
 section of the country in which he 
 
A NEW SPHERE OF ACTIO]>l. 109 
 
 had many wealthy friends, and suc- 
 ceeded in procuring for her a class 
 in French and drawing, which would 
 only occupy four mornings in the 
 week, and a few pupils in music for 
 two of the afternoons. This kind 
 and considerate arrangement left 
 Alice much time unoccupied, yet was 
 so profitable that both Mr. Rosedale 
 and his daughter felt that it would 
 enable them to live in comfort, and 
 grateful hearts poured forth the 
 incense of praise at their family 
 altar, when it was decided that they 
 were to go to Allington. Mean- 
 while Alfred required unceasing at- 
 tention. As his health returned, 
 his appetite for strong drink re- 
 vived, and although he had not 
 
 been allowed anything of the kind 
 10 
 
110 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 for more than seven months, it was 
 necessary to destroy even the little 
 store that had been kept for medi- 
 cinal purposes in the house, so com- 
 pletely was the miserable youth the 
 slave of appetite. 
 
 At such times, Alice made him a 
 refreshing cup of coflfee, and some- 
 times administered a medicine left 
 by the physician, to allay the irri- 
 tability of nerves which had long- 
 been excited by a powerful stimu- 
 lant. Then she would talk sooth- 
 ingly and encouragingly to him until 
 he was overcome by drowsiness and 
 fell asleep. When he awoke, she 
 would remind him that each victory 
 strengthened him in the right way. 
 
 During the illness of her brother, 
 Alice had observed a great change 
 
A NEW SPHERE OF ACTIOIS'. Ill 
 
 in Ella. Encouraged by Mr. Rose- 
 dale, she had performed all house- 
 hold duties, neglected by her cousin's 
 confinement to the sick room, at 
 first awkwardly to be sure, but re- 
 ceiving only a look or word of ap- 
 proval for the effort, she endeavoured 
 more earnestly to correct her care- 
 less habits, until she proved her- 
 self to be a real assistant to Alice. 
 She at times seemed to be lost in 
 deep thought, and her friends began 
 to hope that the truths of the gospel 
 were weighing upon her mind. This 
 gave new fervor to their prayers, 
 both for her and Alfred. Before 
 her- brother was able to leave the 
 house, all arrangements were made 
 for leaving the place. Mr. Elmer 
 had engaged a cottage for them at 
 
112 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 Allington, and the small portion of 
 their goods, which would suffice to 
 furnish it, had been sent on before 
 them. 
 
 The last evening at the dear old 
 place had come. Never had the 
 setting sun more beautifully illum- 
 ined the face of nature than on that 
 bright May evening. ^' Oh, it is too 
 lovely," sighed Alice, in view of her 
 departure, '* could I live here always 
 I might not desire a better country." 
 Then she stole out alone to her 
 mother's grave. Around it the 
 flowers which her own hand had 
 planted and watered were growing 
 luxuriantly; above it a weeping 
 willow waved back and forth in the 
 breezy air, amid whose graceful 
 branches the little birds chanted 
 
A NEW SPHERE OF ACTION. 113 
 
 their evening songs. The far off 
 heaven s.eemed so still and bright, 
 and clear, that Alice gazed and gazed 
 until she almost felt herself trans- 
 ported thither; she could imagine 
 the raptures of that blessed land ; 
 she thought not of the toils and pri- 
 vations of earth, but her tears of 
 sorrow at leaving the grave of her 
 mother were changed to a rapturous 
 song of praise. Earth seemed in- 
 significant indeed, when compared 
 with the glories to be revealed to 
 those who love God. 
 
 To Mr. Rosedale, the farewell was 
 quite another matter. All his life 
 had he spent in the shade of thoge 
 trees. She whom he had loved as 
 he never could love another, slept 
 
 there until the morning of the re- 
 10* 
 
114 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 surrection. There he would fain 
 repose after his waning life had 
 ceased. He was too old to be very 
 deeply interested in new scenes. 
 No wonder then that his lip quiv- 
 ered and tears flowed over his 
 furrowed cheek as he turned fi'om 
 that little grassy mound. 'No wonder 
 that his aged limbs faltered as he 
 passed up the avenue leading to the 
 house, on which the last rays of the 
 sun lingered as if, like himself, un- 
 willing to leave the place. Yet 
 after an hour spent in the solitude 
 of his room, he came forth and led 
 the evening devotions with a meek- 
 ness and patience in his manner 
 quite touching to behold. 
 
 Seeing this, Alfred, the cause of 
 this bitter trial, seemed suddenly 
 
A NEW SPHEEE OF ACTION. 115 
 
 to awake to a sense of the enormity 
 of his evil doings and to the sacri- 
 fices his best friends had been 
 obliged to make for him. 
 
 " What a miserable wretch I have 
 been !" murmured he, as he passed 
 from the room. Alice, who heard 
 the remark, observed to her father, 
 '• It may be that the very trial, 
 although severe, is to be the means 
 of bringing Alfred to the Saviour." 
 
 Allington was two days' journey, 
 by railway, from their native place. 
 They arrived near the evening of 
 the second day, and took lodgings 
 at a public house. Alfred was 
 almost entirely exhausted by the 
 journey. Alice saw him comfort- 
 ably cared for, and leaving her father 
 to watch over him she summoned 
 
116 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 Ella and repaired to the cottage 
 which had been engaged for them. 
 What was her surprise when she 
 found the furniture all arranged, 
 new carpets on the floors, and every- 
 thing in exquisite order, even to the 
 cheerful fire in the grate, which the 
 coldness of the evening made very 
 acceptable ! It was a pleasant re- 
 ception for her, planned by Mr. 
 Elmer, and executed in part, by 
 the grateful Ella, who had arrived 
 one day previously to the rest 
 of the party. The carpets were 
 presents from her prospective pu- 
 pils. In a short time Alfred was 
 removed to his new home, but no 
 thrill of pleasure entered his heart 
 as he beheld the cheerful place. 
 Memory was busy with the past, and 
 
A NEW SPHERE OF ACTION. 117 
 
 Alfred Rosedale was reaping some 
 of the bitter fruits of his youthful 
 folly. 
 
 Not so Mr. Rosedale. He lifted 
 up his hands in grateful thanksgiv- 
 ing when he entered the convenient 
 room designed for him, and found 
 himself surrounded by the familiar 
 articles of home, arranged with neat- 
 ness and taste. His large armchair 
 stood near a table on which lay his 
 well thumbed Bible and hymn-book. 
 
 A little box containing a beautiful 
 pair of gold-bound spectacles at- 
 tracted his attention, and opening a 
 daintily written note he read : 
 
 '' Dear Sir, — Welcome to your 
 home in Allington ! Please accept 
 the enclosed as a slight token of 
 
118 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 respect from the pupils of your 
 daughter." 
 
 The next morning was bright and 
 beautiful. After prayers, Mr. Rose- 
 dale went out to look about his new 
 home. Then to his inexpressible 
 delight he found a large garden at- 
 tached to the house, and Alice was 
 there to remind him that it was to 
 be his especial care. He entered 
 into its cultivation with great earn- 
 estness, and soon made it so beauti- 
 ful that it attracted great attention. 
 Then it furnished him with the 
 means of making many a little 
 child happy, by the present of a 
 bouquet of flowers, and many a 
 choice collection of the beauties of his 
 garden found its w^ay into the sick 
 
A ^^EW SPHEEE OF ACTIOjS'. 119 
 
 room of some poor, suffering inva- 
 lid. 
 
 Alice understood the matter when 
 she wrote to Mr. Elmer that the 
 house must have a garden ; for she 
 knew that her father had been an 
 active man, and would not be con- 
 tented without some out-door em- 
 ployment ; and her plan worked to 
 a charm, for the garden occupied all 
 the time that Mr. Rosedale wished 
 to spare from his reading. In the 
 domestic arrangements Ella took 
 the lead, relieving her cousin, in a 
 short time, of almost all care in that 
 department. Alfred was the only 
 member of the household, who 
 seemed unhappy. Removed in a 
 great measure, from temptation, the 
 appetite for strong drink was becom- 
 
120 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 ing less and less, yet the gloom of his 
 spirit increased daily. He was under 
 deep conviction of sin for a long, 
 long time before he would acknow- 
 ledge it to any one, as if it were a 
 matter to be ashamed of. Mr. 
 Harrowby, their present pastor, was 
 so much a stranger to their inner 
 lives, that even Mr. Rosedale and 
 Alice felt bitterly the loss of Mr. 
 Hammond's faithful instructions. 
 A year passed swiftly away, and 
 Alice was very happy in her new 
 situation. How could she be other- 
 wise when by her industry she was 
 enabled to procure all the comforts 
 of life for those so dear to her; 
 when her new friends were ex- 
 tremely kind to her, and fully ap- 
 preciated her services, and above 
 
A NEW SPHERE OF ACTIOTsT. 121 
 
 all, when Alfred had been sober 
 for more than eighteen months. Mr. 
 Rosedale was cheerful and content- 
 ed ; he was more, he was grateful to 
 Grod that the lines had fallen to him 
 in so pleasant places. Of Ella they 
 had the cheering hope that she had 
 l^assed from death unto life. ^' Alice," 
 said she, '' I could not understand 
 the principle which induced you to 
 be so patient with me, and do so 
 much for me when I had been so 
 very unkind to you. It was a per- 
 fect mystery to me, but it spoke well 
 for the religion which you professed, 
 arid, from the time that you opened 
 your doors to the friendless orphan, 
 I resolved if that religion could be 
 found by diligent search it should 
 
 be mine." 
 11 
 
122 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 It was beautiful to see the air of 
 refined cheerfulness which religion 
 diffused over the hitherto rude girl. 
 All undue levity was suppressed, and 
 her naturally exuberant spirits were 
 a source of real pleasure to herself 
 and friends, as they made her a very 
 agreeable companion. 
 
 It was about this time that the 
 attention of Alice was directed to a 
 small settlement at no great dis- 
 tance from AUington, where the lit- 
 tle children were allowed to grow up 
 in utter ignorance, not only of their 
 relations to God but of all worldly 
 knowledge. Their time was spent 
 in the woods in pursuit of herbs, 
 berries, or anything which could be 
 exchanged for money at the neigh- 
 bouring town, and they were taught 
 
A NEW SPHERE OF ACTION. 123 
 
 to commit petty thefts whenever 
 they could do so without fear of dis- 
 covery. As soon as Alice arrived 
 at Allington, she connected herself 
 with Mr. Harro why's Sabbath-school 
 as a pupil, but was soon made the 
 teacher of a class of nine little girls 
 between the ages of ten and twelve 
 years. Mr. Davis, the superinten- 
 dent of the school, was a man keenly 
 alive to the interests of his Master's 
 kingdom, and he made himself 
 acquainted not only wdth the mem- 
 / bers of his own school, but with the 
 religious wants of the surrounding 
 country. Many times he had en- 
 deavoured to establish a Sabbath- 
 school at the place just mentioned, 
 and as many times had he entirely 
 failed to do so. The children were 
 
124 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 allowed to attend a few Sabbaths for 
 the sake of the new suit of clothes 
 promised to them, and when they 
 had obtained it they were sent into 
 the woods again. " We must give up 
 that plan to benefit them/* said he, 
 " but I have another which will per- 
 haps prepare the way for a school 
 at some future day. That is to di- 
 vide the place into three sections, and 
 give each section to one of our fe- 
 male teachers, to visit the people 
 at their homes and converse with 
 them upon the interests of their 
 never-dying souls. The women 
 and the children will not run away 
 from them, and almost our only 
 hope is in the children." This sug- 
 gestion seemed so feasible that Mrs. 
 Merton, Miss Day, and Alice Rose- 
 
A NEW SPHEEE OF ACTION. 125 
 
 dale were appointed as Sabbath- 
 school missionaries for the desig- 
 nated sections, and were required 
 to keep a correct account of their 
 visits and report at the monthly 
 meeting of teachers. 
 
 These ladies set themselves to the 
 work in earnest, and we may hear 
 something of their success hereafter. 
 
 Mr. Davis was so affable in his 
 manner toward all the members of 
 his beloved school, and so really 
 desirous to promote their interests, 
 temporal as well as spiritual, that 
 Alice, who had few advisers in the 
 place^ ventured to consult him in 
 relation to Alfred. It had long 
 been her wish to find some suit- 
 able employment for him, but she 
 
 wisely chose to keep him at home 
 11* 
 
126 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 until she could find a place where 
 he would not be exposed to his 
 peculiar temptation. 
 
 Alfred had been early apprenticed 
 to a cabinet-maker, and had gained 
 some knowledge of that kind of 
 work before his employer dismissed 
 him on account of his misconduct. 
 When she requested an interview 
 with Mr. Davis in his behalf, that 
 gentleman invited her to his beauti- 
 ful mansion at a time specified. 
 Alice was received so kindly by Mrs. 
 Davis, that she felt quite at ease, not- 
 withstanding the unpleasant nature 
 of her errand. She was aware that 
 Mr. Davis was engaged in the 
 furniture business, but she knew 
 nothing of the particulars of his 
 manufactory. When she learned 
 
,"^v 
 
 A NEW SPHERE l(d*'Ii4T405r J. 127 T 
 
 that he employed some>!!Bjfy,6r ^'jifty'^ 
 hands, the hope arose within her 
 that Alfred might be permitted to 
 work under the direction of so good 
 a man. She told Mr. Davis the 
 whole truth in regard to her brother, 
 not without deep emotion, in which 
 both Mr. and Mrs. Davis strongly 
 sympathized. Mr. Davis was a man 
 of prompt action. ''Let him come 
 to me, I have a place that will suit 
 him already vacant," said he, '' and 
 Miss Rosedale, come down yourself 
 to-morrow if your father can walk 
 so far to accompany you, and I will 
 gladly show you both my plan in 
 regard to business. Of this you 
 may be sure, your brother will have 
 no possible inducement to return to 
 his previous habits while on my 
 
128 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 premises. I have seen too much 
 of the evil of drunkenness, to allow 
 anything of the kind there.'' Alice 
 thanked him with a grateful heart. 
 " Biit Mr. Davis," said she, *' I have 
 another favour to ask of you, and 
 that is, to converse with my brother 
 upon the subject of religion, for I 
 am sure that he is now agitating the 
 question in his own mind." '' I will 
 try to secure his good will and con- 
 fidence in the first place," said he, 
 " and then I should be neglecting a 
 plain Christian duty to be indiffferent 
 to his highest good. Should I not, 
 little missionary ?" 
 
 As Alice gazed, smilingly through 
 the tears that dimmed the lustre of 
 her bright eyes, at the kind old 
 gentleman, whose fine face, lighted 
 
A J^EW SPHERE OF ACTION. 129 
 
 up by real benevolence of soul, was 
 far more attractive than youth and 
 any amount of beauty can ever 
 make a face where this virtue does 
 not exist ; she felt thankful to God, 
 that in this world of selfishness and 
 eager desire for gain, some such ex- 
 amples as the one before her are 
 permitted to dwell, to show that the 
 business does not degrade the man, 
 but the man the business. 
 
 Mr. Rosedale and Alice were 
 delighted to behold the perfect 
 order in which everything moved at 
 M». Davis's manufactory. They saw 
 at a glance that he was universally 
 beloved by hi&^ men, and yet that 
 his word was law. 
 
 Alfred manifested no interest in 
 the matter. A sullen despair seemed 
 
130 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 to pervade all his actions. He went 
 to his work mechanically, laboured 
 well while there, Mr. Davis said, 
 and returned with the same mea- 
 sured tread; oh, how painfully unlike 
 the bounding elasticity of virtuous 
 youth ! 
 
 In one respect only did he seem 
 to exercise any will of his own ; he 
 insisted that his wages should be 
 paid to his father. That was cer- 
 tainly hopeful, thought Alice, yet 
 her heart ached for him, when she 
 beheld him from day to da^" return- 
 ing from his work so utterly devoid 
 of joy. He had been employed by 
 Mr. Davis more than three months 
 before the latter could induce him 
 to attend church and Sabbath -school. 
 But this event was an era in the life 
 
A NEW SPHERE OF ACTIOIS" 131 
 
 of the unhappy youth. He was 
 placed in a class of young men con- 
 ducted by Charles Willard, a youth 
 of nearly his own age, who had long- 
 been a devoted Christian, and was 
 almost prepared for the ministry. 
 This young man was at once attract- 
 ed by the suffering face of Alfred^ 
 and having so constant a source of 
 joy in his own bosom, he felt the 
 most ardent desire that his young 
 friend might drink at the same in- 
 exhaustible fountain. In a short 
 time he won the respect and con- 
 fidence of the desponding youth, 
 and then Alfred frankly confessed 
 to him that he believed the doctrines 
 that he had been taught from his 
 youth, from the Bible and Catechism 
 to be substantially true; ''jeV^ said 
 
132 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 he, " they do not seem to me to be right. 
 The doctrine of election, as taught 
 by your church, is so incomprehen- 
 sible to me, that I would fain think 
 you were in error, until I turn to 
 the Bible, and there I find it ex- 
 pressed as strongly. What shall 
 I do ? It is this that staggers me." 
 " With the doctrine of election," re- 
 plied his friend, '' you have now just 
 nothing to do. You must ad- 
 mit that God has a perfect right to 
 do as he will with the creatures 
 which his own hand has made, yet 
 I repeat you have nothing to do 
 with the matter at present. God says, 
 if any man will do his will, he shall 
 know of the doctrine. It is now 
 your duty to do the will of God." 
 "What is it?" exclaimed Alfred, 
 
A NEW SPHERE OF ACTION. 133 
 
 eagerly, ^' if I could know and do 
 it!" ''You can, my friend," said 
 his teacher ; " it is simply this, ' re- 
 pent and believe on the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and thou shalt be saved;' 
 The promise is sure." Light and 
 truth faintly dawned in the hither- 
 to dark mind. Mr. Willard, seeing 
 his situation, bowed at the mercy- 
 seat in prayer. Alfred kneeled by 
 his side, and ere they arose from 
 their knees, another soul was born 
 into the kingdom. " There is joy 
 in heaven over one sinner that re- 
 penteth," and there was joy in the 
 hearts of these two young friends 
 as they left Mr. Willard's apartment, 
 and went out under the starry 
 heavens that night. Long they 
 
 walked, arm in arm, conversing upon 
 1^ 
 
134 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 the wondrous plan for the rescue 
 of fallen man. Oh if there is any- 
 thing lovely on earth it is a friend- 
 ship like that of these two young 
 men! Reaching forward, it over- 
 steps the bounds of time and antici- 
 pates an eternal and ever-increasing 
 state of holy love beyond the grave. 
 This gives zest to every passing 
 j)leasure, and Alfred Rosedale, after 
 wandering so long in the forbidden 
 paths of worldly amusements, felt 
 himself suddenly elevated to a 
 sphere so high and ennobling that 
 it seemed almost heaven begun 
 below. 
 
 It was late when he returned to 
 his home that night, and the family 
 had retired to rest. He repaired to 
 his own apartment, but not to sleep. 
 
A NEW SPHEKE OF ACTIOIS". 135 
 
 His mind was too much occupied 
 with joy and gratitude, for repose, 
 and he spent the night in praise and 
 thanksgiving. 
 
 In the morning he descended to 
 the breakfast room, just in season 
 for prayers, and there he told the 
 delighted family all that God had 
 done for his soul. Although they 
 had been praying long and earnestly 
 for this very blessing, they were not 
 prepared for an answer so full of 
 peace. The aged father lifted up 
 his voice and wept, as he exclaimed, 
 " This my son was dead and is alive 
 again ; was lost, and is found." 
 
 Alfred entreated them to forgive 
 his past oifences, and asked them to 
 pray that he might have strength 
 given him from above to lead a 
 
136 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 Christian life. Alone with his sis- 
 ter, he said, " Alice, had it not been 
 for your kindness and your love, 
 I believe the good seed sown by 
 our precious mother would have 
 been lost. Your example was some- 
 thing that I could not explain, except 
 by referring to a higher motive 
 power than I had ever known ex- 
 perimentally.'' '^ Grive all the honour 
 and praise of your salvation unto 
 our Grod, my brother, " replied Alice ; 
 ** he sometimes employs very feeble 
 instruments in his works of mercy." 
 
MISSIONARY LABOUR AT HOME. 137 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 MISSIONARY LABOUR AT HOME. 
 
 Mrs. Merton, Miss Day, and 
 Alice Rosedale met frequently for 
 consultation respecting the religious 
 interests of Herbvale, as the squalid 
 little village was called; yet they 
 went separately to their work, pro- 
 vided with tracts and little picture 
 books for children. The first call 
 of Alice was at a poor little hovel 
 where she found a girl about fifteen 
 years of age taking care of a sickly 
 babe. Upon inquiry, she found 
 that the mother of the child was 
 
 deadi. and that its elder sister had 
 12* 
 
138 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 been its only nurse since the little 
 sufferer was born. The father was 
 addicted to intemperance. This 
 slender girl contrived to earn a 
 scanty livelihood for the family by 
 weaving baskets. There were two 
 other children, not yet old enough 
 to assist poor Hannah, except in the 
 berry season, when they could earn 
 a small sum each day. Alice was 
 at once interested in the quiet, care- 
 worn girl. She took the babe in 
 her arms, sat down by her side, 
 and spoke to her of her mother. 
 Tears started into the eyes of the 
 girl, who seemed unused to kindness. 
 Little by little, Alice won her way 
 into her heart. She could neither 
 read nor write. Alice asked her if 
 she would try to learn, provided she 
 
" This slender girl contrived to earn a scanty livelihood for the 
 family by weaving baskets. p. 138. 
 
MISSIONARY LABOUR AT HOME. 139 
 
 should come to instruct her every 
 Saturday afternoon. Hannah said 
 it was what she long had wished. 
 After telling her of Him who 
 said, '' Come unto me, all ye that 
 labour and are heavy laden, and 
 I will give you rest," Alice took her 
 leave. 
 
 Oh there is something in the gospel 
 particularly applicable to cases like 
 this ! So little happiness had this poor 
 girl on earth, that she eagerly caught 
 at the hope of joy in the world to 
 come. The seed that was scattered 
 there, was sown on good ground. 
 Hannah had always been a thought- 
 ful girl. She was ignorant, but she 
 desired to know the way of life. 
 
 xllice called on eight large families 
 that first afternoon. Some of these 
 
140 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 could read, some could not. Of tlie 
 latter a few promised to meet her 
 on the next Saturday afternoon. 
 Alice shrank not from the severe 
 task of teaching those ignorant chil- 
 dren their alphabet, and she had her 
 reward; for her kind manner at- 
 tracted more children than she had 
 hoped for, and she made it a point 
 to speak to them plainly and simply 
 of the great truths of the Bible. 
 Hannah Wood made astonishing 
 progress in her studies. At the 
 close of the first summer she could 
 read tolerably, and had made some 
 progress in writing. The other 
 ladies had the satisfaction of draw- 
 ing out the children without oppo- 
 sition from the parents, and the 
 work of instruction prospered. Mr. 
 
MISSIONAKY LABOUK AT HOME. 141 
 
 Davis was highly delighted at the 
 success of his scheme. " Next sum- 
 mer," said he, '' Providence permit- 
 ing, we will have a school over 
 there." In the mean time winter 
 was rapidly approaching, yet would 
 not the ladies think of giving up 
 their labour of love. A widow 
 woman, who feared the Lord, lived 
 in the midst of this moral wilderness. 
 She offered her small, but neat room 
 for the school during the winter. 
 
 Mr. Davis commissioned Charles 
 Willard to take his carriage and 
 drive the ladies to Herbvale every 
 Saturday afternoon. The children 
 all assembled and quite filled the 
 little room. Mr. Willard opened 
 the school with a most fervent 
 prayer, clothed in language so 
 
142 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 simple that these poor ignorant little 
 ones could understand, and then 
 withdrew to leave the ladies alone 
 with their charge. Of Hannah, 
 Alice had a trembling hope that she 
 was a Christian, *yet she thought it 
 would be best not to be too hasty 
 in expressing such a belief to the 
 girl. 
 
 Occasionally some of the parents 
 dropped in, and were never per- 
 mitted to depart without a friendly 
 invitation to come to Jesus. They 
 began to ask that some of the peo- 
 ple might come over and hold a 
 prayer meeting in their neighbour- 
 hood. Soon after the little place 
 was thrown into consternation by 
 the wretched death of poor little 
 Hannah's father. He was run over 
 
missioj^aey labour at home. 143 
 
 by a railroad train while intoxicated, 
 and instantly killed. Inebriates 
 were aroused for the moment, and 
 Alfred Rosedale could hesitate no 
 longer. '' I am a brand plucked 
 from the burning," exclaimed he. 
 '' I w^ill go over, it may be that some 
 poor drunkard will listen to me." 
 N"o one attempted to restrain him. 
 Mr. Davis and Mr. Willard accom- 
 panied him, and it was wonderful 
 to hear the eloquence and pathos of 
 his address. Attention was aroused ; 
 three or four young men came up 
 to the speaker, and declared their 
 intention of abandoning their cups 
 immediately. That was not all. 
 The door was now fairly opened for 
 these earnest Christians. Charles 
 and Alfred left their own church in 
 
144 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 the afternoons and went over to 
 speak to them from full hearts. The 
 message was heard, the Spirit was 
 given in answer to prayer, and many- 
 were converted to God. In the 
 midst of his rejoicing, Mr. Davis 
 knew the work was but half done. 
 
 *' They must have some steady 
 employment," exclaimed he, '^ or 
 they will relapse into their old 
 habits of robbing hen roosts and 
 orchards. I will think the matter 
 over." With this good man thought 
 was action. There was a simple 
 article of his trade which was in 
 great demand, but which could be 
 easily made, and as he thought of 
 this his plan was formed. He put 
 up a very simple workshop over in 
 Herbvale, and gave it into the care 
 
MISSIONAKY LABOUR AT HOME. 145 
 
 of Alfred Rosedale. He provided 
 material, arranged the prices of 
 labour, and stipulated the number 
 of hands to be engaged in the work. 
 The wages were not high, but Alfred 
 succeeded in impressing upon the 
 minds of many of the men the ad- 
 vantages of steady labour, and the 
 shop was filled. It required no 
 little tact to manage so many new 
 and undisciplined labourers, but 
 Alfred soon proved that he pos- 
 sessed superior powers in this re- 
 spect. He managed the business so 
 well that Mr. Davis was more than 
 satisfied ; he was delighted. His 
 kind heart glowed with honest plea- 
 sure at the result of his plan. 
 
 Herbvale in the succeeding sum- 
 mer was quite another place. Alfred 
 13 
 
146 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 encouraged all the men to cultivate 
 vegetable gardens, and Alice sug- 
 gested to the women that their little 
 cots might be made attractive by 
 flowers. She gave them seeds and 
 roots from her father's large store, 
 and the wilderness began to blossom 
 as the rose. 
 
 A plain edifice was erected, in 
 part by contributions for the purpose, 
 and every Sabbath afternoon the 
 young men of Mr. Harrowby's 
 church went over and held a prayer 
 meeting there. A good female 
 teacher was engaged for the week, 
 and the children were induced to at- 
 tend school regularly. The men 
 forsook their cups, and the women 
 gave more attention to their house- 
 holds. Alfred Rosedale became very 
 
MISSIOiS'ARY LABOUR AT HOME. 147 
 
 clear to the people. Mr. Davis had 
 a plan for him. One day he called 
 him to him. " Alfred," said he, 
 ''the shop over there is yours; here is 
 a bill of sale of the place. It has 
 cost me comparatively nothing, yet 
 it is no mean commencement for 
 you.'' . ^OY was it. The business 
 prospered under his discreet man- 
 agement, and was extended gradu- 
 ally until Alfred Rosedale stood at 
 the head of a large manufacturing 
 establishment. Other trades were 
 attracted to the spot, and, its natural 
 advantages being good, Herbvale 
 soon became a thrifty village. The 
 unsightly little hovels were by de- 
 grees removed, and tidy, substantial 
 dwellings succeeded them. 
 
 The love of this reformed inebriate 
 
148 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 for the place of his adoption was 
 ardent in the extreme, and he was 
 unwearied in his efforts for its im- 
 provement. So strong was his in- 
 fluence in favour of temperance, that 
 no liquor dealer could be sustained 
 there, and drunkenness was almost 
 unknown. Life then was full of 
 usefulness and happiness for Alfred. 
 He looked back upon the past with 
 sorrow for his misspent years, and 
 with joy for his deliverance from 
 the snares of the adversary. To the 
 future he turned with trembling 
 hope, for he did not trust in his own 
 strength for preservation from a 
 relapse into his old habits ; but all 
 his trust was in Him w^ho is able to 
 succour the tempted. Active employ- 
 ment preserved him from many 
 
MISSIO:NrARY LABOUR AT HOME. 149 
 
 evils, but often he felt his strength 
 to be perfect weakness, and at such 
 seasons he knew the blessedness of 
 having a strong refuge unto which 
 he might continually resort. His 
 aged father rejoiced in seeing his 
 son a useful and respected member 
 of society,. and Alice was happy in 
 the. prosperity of her only brother ; 
 but there was one member of the 
 household who felt more than a 
 fatherly or sisterly interest in the 
 success of the young man. Ella 
 Maxwell had watched his earnest 
 efforts in the path of duty with many 
 a prayer for his protection from evil, 
 and the youth had not been insen- 
 sible to her kind expostulation when 
 danger threatened, or to her words 
 
 of encouragement after some signal 
 13* 
 
150 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 victory. Her influence over him had 
 been highly beneficial, and gratitude 
 on the part of the youth soon ripened 
 into a deeper sentiment. There 
 was an earthly hope in his'heart which 
 irradiated the future — a quiet home 
 in Herb vale, with his much resj^ec- 
 ted friend for a companion, a peace- 
 ful asylum for the declining years of 
 his venerable parent, and a resting 
 place for his beloved sister. 
 
 Toward this end his daily labours 
 tended, yet neither Ella nor his re- 
 latives suspected that such was his 
 deeply laid plan. He wished to 
 convince the object of his affections 
 that he was worthy to be trusted, 
 before he besought her to confide 
 her worldly happiness to his keep- 
 ing. Meanwhile Ella was labour- 
 
MISSIONAEY LABOUR AT HOME. 151 
 
 ing incessantly to supply the defects 
 of her education, and that which 
 mere industry could not accomplish 
 was conquered by earnest prayer 
 and corresponding effort, and it was 
 a joyful day for Alice when Ella, 
 two years later, with beaming eyes, 
 informed . her that she had so far 
 triumphed over her difficulties as to 
 possess the qualifications for a com- 
 mon school teacher. ''And now, 
 dear Alice," said she, '' I can be bur- 
 densome to you no longer. I am 
 going away, as soon as I can obtain 
 a situation, and God will some time 
 enable me to repay the debt of grat- 
 titude I owe to you and your family." 
 "You can repay it without taking all 
 that trouble," said a well-known voice 
 behind her; and turning, the earnest 
 
152 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 gaze of Alfred Rosedale met her 
 eyes. Alice, casting an arch look 
 at Ella, quickly absented herself, 
 and when the family next met, 
 Alfred presented the tearful, blush- 
 ing Ella to his father and sister as 
 his affianced bride. 
 
 A neat and tasteful dwelling was 
 erected upon the banks of a pictur- 
 esque little stream in Herbvale, all 
 the surroundings of which strongly 
 resembled the former home of the 
 Rosedales at Riverside. The lofty 
 elms and the grand mountain scene- 
 ry were wanting, yet was the place 
 beautiful in its tastefully arranged 
 grounds, flowering shrubbery, and 
 silvery fountains. To this beautiful 
 home Alfred Rosedale, six years 
 after the departure from Riverside, 
 
MISSIOT^TARY LABOUR AT HOME. 153 
 
 took his aged father, his sister, and 
 his bride. The table was laid for 
 tea, and the hour for the evening 
 devotions had arrived. The family 
 Bible was placed in the trembling 
 hands of the aged saint, who read 
 aloud the folio wi ng passages : ' ' Lord, 
 thou hast been our dwelling-place 
 in all generations. Except the Lord 
 build the house, they labour in 
 vain that build it. I have been 
 young and now am old ; yet have 
 I not seen the righteous forsaken 
 nor his seed begging bread. So 
 teach us to number our days that 
 we may apply our hearts unto wis- 
 dom. satisfy us early with thy 
 mercy that we may be glad and rejoice 
 all our days. Make us glad accord- 
 ing to the days wherein thou hast 
 
154 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 afflicted us, and the years wherein 
 we have seen evil. Let thy work 
 appear unto thy servants, and thy 
 glory unto their children." He 
 closed the book, and a tear stole down 
 his furrowed cheek. He was think- 
 ing of the departed. Then the others 
 commenced to chant the beautiful 
 twenty- third psalm. '' The Lord is 
 my shepherd, I shall not want. He 
 maketh me to lie down in green 
 pastures ; he leadeth me beside the 
 still waters. He restoreth my soul, 
 he leadeth me in the paths of right- 
 eousness for his name's sake. Yea 
 though I walk through the valley 
 and shadow of death, I will fear no 
 evil, for thou art with me ; thy rod 
 and thy staff they comfort me. 
 Thou preparest a table before me in 
 
MISSIONARY LABOUR AT HOME. 155 
 
 the presence of mine enemies ; thou 
 anointeist my head with oil ; my 
 cup runneth over. Surely goodness 
 and mercy shall follow me all the 
 days of my life ; and I will dwell in 
 the house of the Lord for ever." 
 
 That evening was a scene of family 
 joy with which the stranger inter- 
 meddleth not. From its pure and 
 holy influences strength was derived 
 for the active duties of the real life 
 on which the youthful pair had 
 entered. Happy in each other, and 
 paying the most devoted attention 
 to their aged parent, Alfred and 
 Ella did not allow their charity to 
 end at home. Much had already 
 been done in Plerbvale — much re- 
 mained to be done. Influential 
 members of society as they were, 
 
156 ALICE EOSEDALE. 
 
 their whole example must be worthy 
 of the religion they professed. The 
 erring and the destitute must be 
 sought out, the afflicted must be 
 visited, and above all the people must 
 enjoy the stated means of grace. A 
 church edifice must be erected, and a 
 pastor called to break unto the people 
 the bread of life. Sabbath-school in- 
 struction had prepared the way, and 
 Alfred entered the work of organiz- 
 ing a religious society with but few 
 misgivings as to its ultimate success. 
 Still he found much more opposition, 
 coldness, and indifference than he 
 expected, and it was no little labour 
 to remove prejudices and prepare 
 the way for the union of the people 
 in one religious denomination. 
 Meanwhile the Sabbath-school 
 
MISSIOIS^ARY LABOUR AT HOME. 157 
 
 and the prayer- meeting flourished. 
 Ella and Alice laboured side by side 
 in every good work. Charles Wil- 
 lard had been absent some time on 
 a missionary tour in a distant part 
 of the country. He felt that this 
 work was an excellent preparation 
 for the duties of the ministry. Al- 
 fi'ed's friendship for him was un- 
 abated. It was his earnest wish 
 that his friend might become his 
 pastor. Grreat was his disappoint- 
 ment therefore, when to his urgent 
 request that Mr. Willard would 
 bear Herbvale in mind before ac- 
 cepting a call elsewhere, he replied 
 that present duties would engross 
 his attention for many months, after 
 which it would be necessary for him 
 
 to visit Europe on important busi- 
 14 
 
158 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 ness for his father. At the same 
 time he recommended to his atten- 
 tion one of his class mates, Mr. 
 Anson, a young man of respectable 
 talents and fervent piety. This 
 gentleman answered Alfred's appeal 
 by coming in person to Herbvale, 
 and commencing his labours by 
 preaching in the town hall. During 
 the week he was untiring in his at- 
 tentions to the sick and afflicted, 
 and little children were speedily 
 won by his real love for them, and 
 the interest he manifested in their 
 studies and amusements. So well 
 did he please the people that he had 
 not been with them three months 
 ere they gave him a unanimous call 
 to become their pastor. He en- 
 deavoured conscientiously to preach 
 
rOhl . i' 3JLT' 
 
 MISSIONAEY LABC^R It HOME. 159 
 
 the whole truth conta!t»€d in the 
 gospel; and to hide self behind that 
 truth. There was a charm attend- 
 ing such preaching which attracted 
 even those who differed from him 
 in doctrine. In a short time the 
 church was finished, and great joy 
 was manifested when the solemn 
 bell first awaked the echo of the for- 
 est. A high school was soon estab- 
 lished and Alice Rosedale accepted 
 the situation of principal. Her in- 
 fluence over her class of young la- 
 dies in Mr. Harrowby's Sabbath- 
 school had been such that some of 
 their parents immediately placed 
 their daughters under her tuition. , 
 A large field of usefulness then 
 opened before this faithful teacher, 
 which she exerted all her powers 
 
160 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 to improve to the utmost. The re- 
 sult of all her labours cannot be 
 known on earth, but many cheering 
 cases of youthful consecration came 
 under her observation. Among 
 these she had the sweet satisfaction 
 of seeing her entire Sabbath-school 
 class active members of the church 
 of Christ. 
 
 For two years she laboured in this 
 new sphere, almost forgetting that 
 she had duties to perform in regard 
 to her bodily health. Afterwards 
 she felt that it was even sinful for 
 her to be so utterly regardless of 
 this great blessing. Wearied nature 
 demanded repose, and no repose did 
 the active teacher allow herself until 
 she was prostrated upon a bed of 
 sickness. Then in weariness and 
 
MISSIONARY LABOUR AT HOME. 161 
 
 anguish of body she tossed restless- 
 ly from side to side, delirious and 
 distressed. Sometimes she conversed 
 rationally upon various subjects, 
 and her friends received comforting 
 replies to their inquiries concern- 
 ing her frame of mind, but when 
 she recovered all was a blank ; she 
 had no recollection of anything that 
 had taken place in her illness. As 
 health slowly returned, a new trial 
 awaited her. Her father had long 
 been slowly declining, but so con- 
 stant and joyful was his communion 
 with the Father of his spirit, that 
 his aged countenance always wore 
 an expression of holy joy, which 
 prevented the appearance of bodily 
 suffering. He was passing to the 
 
 grave as corn fully ripe for the 
 14* 
 
162 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 harvest. His hoary head gave 
 solemnity to the words he was con- 
 tinually speaking for Jesus. There 
 was no terror in a death like his. 
 He took his evening meal with the 
 family, and conducted the devotions 
 as usual. All present were im- 
 pressed with the deep spirituality 
 and fervour of his prayer. Alice as- 
 sisted him to his chamber, and 
 lingered fondly to arrange every- 
 thing for his comfort. He entreated 
 her to retire to seek the rest her 
 feeble frame so much needed, and 
 then drawing her tenderly toward 
 him as he bade her good night, he 
 said, ''You have been a precious 
 treasure to your father, my daughter ; 
 remember the words of your Saviour, 
 ' Be thou faithful unto death and I 
 
MISSIONAKY LABOUR AT HOME. 163 
 
 will give thee a crown of life.' " 
 Alice left him rather unwillingly, 
 as he appeared more feeble than 
 usual, and often during the evening, 
 she ran up stairs to listen at the door 
 of his room. At one time she heard 
 him engaged in earnest prayer. It 
 was not an hour later that she passed 
 by his door on the way to her own 
 apartment, and as all was quiet she 
 stepped softly into the room, shield- 
 ing with her hand the rays of the 
 night lamp from the eyes of the 
 sleeper. Useless precaution ! for 
 those eyes were for ever veiled from 
 earthly scenes — the spirit had fled. 
 Death had done its work so gently 
 that it had left only the appearance 
 of a peaceful sleep. And such it 
 was. Throughout the Bible death 
 
164 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 is thus spoken of to those who be- 
 lieve. 
 
 " Asleep in Jesus ; blessed sleep, 
 From which none ever wakes to weep ; 
 A calm and undisturbed repose 
 Unbroken by the last of foes.'* 
 
 At Riverside his earthly remains 
 sleep calmly by the side of his un- 
 forgotten lost one, until the morn- 
 ing of the resurrection. 
 
 ** Their flesh shall slumber in the ground 
 Till the last trumpet's joyful sound ; 
 Then burst the chains with sweet surprise, 
 And in their Saviour's image rise. 
 
CONCLUSION. 165 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 A STEAMER was dancing proudly 
 across the blue waters of the Medi- 
 terranean on its return voyage from 
 Syria to England. The day had 
 been warm and sultry, but the even- 
 ing breezes were cool and refreshing. 
 Nearly all the passengers were on 
 deck to enjoy the beauties of the 
 sunset hour. Deeply absorbed in 
 watching the gorgeous coloring of 
 the clouds, a gentleman and lady 
 stood a little apart from the group. 
 They were still in the prime of life, 
 although here and there a silvery 
 
166 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 thread revealed itself amid the 
 dark hair of the gentleman, and his 
 countenance bore the impress of 
 feeble health. They were return- 
 ing from a missionary station in 
 Syria, on account of the failinghealth 
 of Mr. Willard. The lady, whose 
 countenance, even amid the cares 
 of middle life, had not lost the 
 chief charm of her girlhood, was our 
 friend Alice. For ten years she 
 had been patiently toiling by the 
 side of her husband in that far-off 
 land, strengthening him for duty by 
 her heartfelt sympathy and indom- 
 itable courage, and when with ach- 
 ing hearts they were obliged to 
 relinquish their beloved field of 
 labour, it was still her care to sooth 
 and quiet the troubled mind of the 
 
CONCLUSION. 167 
 
 invalid. Two little graves tliey left 
 behind them, in which two sweet 
 infant daughters had been laid with 
 many tears to their dreamless sleep. 
 One little son, of two summers, was 
 then sleeping in the arms of Hannah 
 Wood, who had become so tenderly 
 attached to Alice, that she could not 
 brook the idea of a separation, and 
 who applied herself with such dili- 
 gence to her studies that she was 
 sent out to Syria as a teacher. A 
 tried and faithful friend she proved 
 herself to be in every enjergency. 
 Two years after the death of Mr. 
 Rosedale, Charles Willard visited 
 Herb vale. He had just returned 
 from England, where he had faith- 
 fully executed the trust confided to 
 him by his father. It was at that 
 
168 ALICE KOSEDALE. 
 
 time, after having been introduced 
 to many of the first families of the 
 old country, for his ancestors were 
 some of these, that he made choice 
 of the unassuming Alice Rosedale 
 as his companion for life. He had 
 watched her day by day, in the 
 faithful performance of the most 
 common duties of life, as a daughter, 
 a sister, a teacher, and a philanthro- 
 pist in the highest sense. Never 
 for a moment, had he seen her out- 
 side of her proper sphere of labour. 
 Her attire was ever neat and becom- 
 ing, but simple and inexpensive. 
 He had seen her strict economy 
 in the management of her father's 
 household, and her large benevolence 
 in every good cause. Being a man 
 of sense, he was well aware that it 
 
CONCLUSION. 169 
 
 would be impossible for her to be 
 so systematic in the latter without 
 constant attention to the former. 
 As a whole he had seen her endeav- 
 ouring to bring her conduct up to 
 the standard of the word of God, 
 and although some failures were 
 risible to hi^ eye, and oh ! how many 
 more to her own consciousness, he 
 rightly judged that he must look far 
 for a more consistent life. Her 
 mental riches, he felt, were im- 
 measurably beyond any amount of 
 mere personal beauty, as they in- 
 crease in value by constant use, 
 while beauty soon decays. On the 
 other hand, he was not attracted by 
 the outside glitter of mere accom- 
 plishments. Of the etiquette of 
 
 fashionable life, she was almost 
 15 
 
170 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 wholly ignorant. She felt that life 
 was too real, too earnest, too short, 
 to be frittered away at the toilette, 
 the piano, elaborate embroidery, 
 or in the crowded ball-room. It is 
 true she was a highly skilled musi- 
 cian, and her thoi'ough knowledge 
 of that sublime art and one other^ 
 enabled her to furnish a comfortable 
 home for her father and brother in 
 their days of adversity. But her 
 practice was confined to a stated 
 portion of each day, and for the time 
 her whole attention was given to it 
 as to a pressing duty. Added to 
 this, there had never been any effort 
 on her part to attract attention. 
 Were young ladies aware that this 
 can never have any other effect upon 
 the minds of those they most wish 
 
coNCLusioisr. 171 
 
 to please than to produce disgust, it 
 is believed that during their school 
 days and early womanhood, their 
 attention would be more generally 
 confined to their studies, and that 
 they would think less of the extrav- 
 agant adornment of their persons, 
 and more of the real ornament of a 
 well stored mind. Alice had then 
 no particular preference for Herb- 
 vale as a place of residence. Her 
 father no longer required her atten- 
 tion, and her brother was happy in 
 his rising family. She had been 
 rather dispirited since the death of 
 her father, and had sought direction 
 to some new field of usefulness from 
 above. Then she cast her care away, 
 believing that she would be directed 
 in the path of duty. 
 
172 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 She was sitting, one evening, 
 alone in her brother's parlour, 
 (during a short visit of the latter 
 and his family to Riverside,) when 
 Charles Willard entered unan- 
 nounced. Alice rose to receive 
 him with the sincere cordiality and 
 unembarrasment which had ever 
 characterized her acquaintance with 
 him, and, deeply regretting her 
 brother's absence, endeavoured to 
 make his visit as agreeable as pos- 
 sible, and to prove to him that he 
 was really welcome to her brother's 
 home. When she ascertained that 
 his visit had special reference to 
 herself, it cannot be denied that a 
 matter so important caused her 
 much trepidation, but she was soon 
 as calm and collected as before, 
 
conclusiojS'. 173 
 
 when Mr. Willard proposed that they 
 should unite in prayer that they 
 might receive divine direction in 
 this eventful period, and then, ris- 
 ing to depart, requested her to in- 
 form him of her decision by letter 
 after giving the subject due con- 
 sideration. This was the com- 
 mencement of a friendship, as pure, 
 as lasting and as precious as has 
 ever beautified this world of ours 
 since the exodus of our first parents 
 from Eden. A year later and their 
 work had been appointed them, and 
 Mr. and Mrs. Willard were on their 
 way to the Holy Land. "With what 
 emotions did they press the sod over 
 which their Redeemer, in the days 
 of his flesh, had passed before them ! 
 
 It gave them a new impulse in their 
 ' 15* 
 
174 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 labours amid the worse than heathen- 
 ish darkness of the place of their 
 mission. A happy home was theirs, 
 as happy as it well could be amid 
 the vicissitudes of this changing life, 
 and when they were obliged to leave 
 their home, their work, and the 
 graves of their children, to return no 
 more, both felt it to be the deepest 
 sorrow of their lives. 
 
 Yet in that calm evening on the 
 Mediterranean, with the beautiful 
 canopy above them and the restless 
 waters underneath, they were in- 
 spired with fresh hope and courage. 
 *' You will revive again in the air of 
 your native land, my husband, and 
 our Father may have yet an import- 
 ant work for you there," said Alice. 
 And her words were prophetic. The 
 
CONCLUSION. 175 
 
 air of England, where they spent a few 
 months with relatives, seemed to 
 revive his failing strength, and they 
 embarked in a homeward bound 
 steamer with bright hopes for the 
 future. They were approaching 
 Newfoundland when a dense fog 
 enveloped the vessel, and the cap- 
 tain knew that they were not far 
 distant from dangerous shoals. 
 Every precaution was taken for 
 their safety, but a fearful storm 
 arose, and the vessel was wrecked. 
 the horror of that hour when death 
 was staring the affrighted mariners 
 in the face ! Oaths were exchanged 
 for prayers for mercy. The hard- 
 ened and unconcerned were pale 
 with terror, and some were rushing 
 wildly from place to place in the 
 
176 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 fast-sinking vessel, as if bereft of 
 reason. In that terrible hour, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Willard stood hand in 
 hand upon the deck, deeply aflfected, 
 yet calmly trusting in the Lord. 
 The little boy was firmly lashed to 
 his father, and with life preservers 
 securely fastened, they awaited the 
 fearful moment when the frail wreck 
 must be deserted. ' ' If this ocean is 
 to be our grave," said Mrs. Willard, 
 " it is sweet, my husband, to go 
 home together." ^' And the passage 
 will be short to our Saviour's man- 
 sion," replied her husband. Did 
 they regret in that solemn hour any 
 sacrifices that they had ever made 
 for God? No! They rather felt had 
 they a thousand lives, they would 
 give them all away for the privilege 
 
CONCLUSION. 177 
 
 of labouring for Him who had so 
 loved them as to redeem them with 
 his precious blood. He who is 
 mighty to save, interposed with his 
 strong arm ; he rolled away the clouds, 
 the winds abated, the sinking frag- 
 ment of a vessel was stayed until 
 the boats could be got out and 
 manned, and although the breakers 
 made the passage to shore danger- 
 ous in the extreme, yet they all 
 reached land with their lives, a 
 short time before the wreck went 
 down. Nothing was saved from the 
 wreck ; many had lost their all, as* 
 was the case with our missionaries, 
 yet grateful hearts poured forth 
 ascriptions of praise that dreary 
 night on the shores of Newfoundland 
 for the blessing of life. 
 
178 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 A few days later and a joyful 
 group were assembled in Alfred 
 Rosedale's parlor. The wreck of the 
 steamer had been reported, and not 
 the number of the saved. Great 
 anxiety had been felt as to the safety 
 of their friends, which had been re- 
 lieved by their arrival. 
 
 The children seized the little 
 Charlie and rejoiced over him as 
 only children can, while their se- 
 niors had much of mutual interest 
 to relate. 
 
 ^^Charles," said his friend, ^'youhave 
 returned at precisely the right time. 
 You once refused a call to settle in 
 Herbvale, but I hope you will not 
 do so as^ain. We are without a 
 pastor. Our beloved Mr. Anson 
 breathed his last yesterday. He 
 
coisrcLusioT^. 179 
 
 has been faithful in every good word 
 and Work until the last hour, but 
 he has passed away, and we cannot 
 recall him. He has gone up higher. 
 My friend, there is a great work 
 to do in our growing town. The 
 attention of the careless is aroused, 
 and the church is praying for a 
 blessing. Even now are their 
 prayers partly answered, for you 
 have been rescued from a watery 
 grave to help forward this good 
 work." 
 
 And so it was. On the next day 
 Mr. Willard addressed the deeply 
 solemn crowd assembled to pay the 
 last sad rites to their beloved pastor, 
 and they felt that he had received 
 an unction from above. The Spirit 
 was poured out, sinners were awak- 
 
180 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 ened, and everywhere the earnest 
 cry was heard, '^What must I do 
 to be saved?" Mr. Willard re- 
 ceived, and immediately gave an 
 affirmative answer to a call to settle 
 with the people as their pastor. And 
 there were they, at home again, with 
 their dearly beloved people, and 
 under circumstances the most cheer- 
 ing that can be presented to the 
 Christian heart. It was hard work 
 for them to meet all the calls upon 
 their time, but they laboured joyful- 
 ly in the blessed work. Mrs. Wil- 
 lard immediately gathered around 
 her the anxious of her own sex, and 
 thus the arduous toils of her hus- 
 band were relieved. The faithful 
 Hannah Wood was a most welcome 
 assistant to Mrs. Willard, both at 
 
CONCLUSIOIS^. 181 
 
 home and in her labours abroad. 
 Her heart was filled with joy, for 
 among the earliest converts were 
 her two brothers, who had been ap- 
 prenticed to trades during her ab- 
 sence. For months the work was 
 increasing. Help was implored 
 from the neighbouring churches, 
 and freely granted. The church at 
 Herb vale received large accessions. 
 It was a solemn day, when one hun- 
 dred persons, mostly youth, stood 
 up and took the vows of God upon 
 them, as the first fruits of this re- 
 vival. 
 
 The parsonage at Herb vale was a 
 beautiful dwelling in a lovely situa- 
 tion. Mrs. Anson had carefully 
 cultivated the rarest flowers around 
 
 the house, but the circumstance 
 16 
 
182 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 which most endeared it to Alice, 
 was the fact that it stood on the 
 exact site of the poor widow's cot- 
 tage in which she had laboured as 
 a Sabbath-school missionary in her 
 girlhood. It was one delightful 
 evening in the summer succeeding 
 their return, that Mr. and Mrs. 
 Willard sat alone on the piazza of 
 their dwelling, enjoying the glories 
 that surrounded them. The full 
 moon Avas rising in the east, casting 
 its mellow beams over the landscape ; 
 stars twinkled faintly in the azure 
 sky. The breeze that fanned their 
 cheeks came laden w^ith the rich 
 perfume of the honeysuckle, and 
 other fragrant flowers around them, 
 and the scene was so calm, so peace- 
 ful and so beautiful that for some 
 
CONCLUSION. 183 
 
 time neither spoke, completely ab- 
 sorbed in its loveliness and the 
 melting reminiscences it awakened. 
 Presently the clock on the church 
 tower chimed forth the hour of nine. 
 Awaking from his reverie Mr. Wil- 
 lard exclaimed, " Surely the lines 
 have fallen to us in pleasant places ; 
 this is a sweet place to rest, my 
 Alice." ^' Yes," she replied, "and 
 a sweet place to labour also." " La- 
 bour is rest in this world," replied 
 her husband, " if it be labour for 
 the good of souls to which you 
 allude. We have seen enough of 
 this world of change to know that it 
 is not the place for tranquil rest. 
 We must look higher for that. But 
 it is a blessed privilege to live and 
 labour for so good a Master as ours. 
 
184 ALICE KOSEDALE. 
 
 Our church, at present, is in a pros- 
 perous condition. It is easy to 
 preach when the people are so ready 
 to hear; but think you, we can labour 
 as willingly and as earnestly when 
 trials come? These new converts 
 must be faithfully dealt with. The 
 word of reproof must sometimes be 
 given, as well as the smile of appro- 
 val. Our motives may sometimes be 
 misunderstood ; will not that be dis- 
 heartening?" '' It should not be," 
 replied his wife. ^' My life has led 
 me through deep trials and bright 
 joys, but I must say to the praise 
 of Him who has been my support, 
 that no condition can be miserable 
 to the Christian. I can imagine 
 how it might be perfectly easy for 
 the martyrs for the truth to sing 
 
COXCLUSIOX. 185 
 
 praises in the flames. Christ formed 
 in the soul the hope of glory, rids 
 one of self, and makes him see events 
 only as they refer to his Master's 
 praise. In that condition, trials and 
 joys are alike acceptable, since they 
 come from a loving Father's hand. 
 This feeling of perfect resignation to 
 the will of God relieves the Chris- 
 tian from the intense longing for 
 the rest of heaven, which otherwise 
 might be too strong for his useful- 
 ness. It gives its proper fleetness 
 to the length of human life, and is 
 contented to patiently await the end. 
 That this is fast and surely approach- 
 ing cannot be kept too strongly im- 
 pressed upon the mind, therefore, let 
 us work while it is day, knowing that 
 16* 
 
186 ALICE ROSEDALE. 
 
 the night cometh in which no man 
 can work." 
 
 In this spirit they lived and toiled, 
 and God crowned their efforts with 
 signal success. Yet when the last 
 honest hour came, they each ex- 
 claimed with a full heart, "We are 
 unprofitable servants, having done 
 only what it was our duty to do. Not 
 unto us, Lord, but unto thy holy 
 name, be ascribed the honour and 
 glory of our salvation for ever and 
 ever." 
 
VA 0385c 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UBRARY 
 

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