JUVENILE MUSIC. Furnished for this work by LoWELL MASON, Professor in the THE RAINBOW. Come see how fast the weather clears, The sun is shi-ning now; And P on the last dark cloud appears A beauteous colored bow. 2 'Tis God who makes the storm to cease, And sun to shine again : The rainbow is the sign of peace, Between himself and men. 3 This lovely bow he stretches forth, His own fair token to the earth, 4 Just such a bow shines brightly round SABBATH SCHOOL VISITER. VOL. VII. APRIL, 1839. No. 4. A Thought of a deceased young Friend. Fair habitant of yon bright sphere, Once bound to thee in chords of love? We think of thee, dear parted one, And while around a father's board, Which keeps their number yet complete,— We think of that sad, sorrowing throng, But if a mournful hour is theirs, And tears to them for meat are given; Hath she not welcomed thee to heaven? VOL. VII. 7 A. B. H. The Captive Maid. A youthful Jewish maiden lived in those days when Judea was a land flowing with milk and honey—a country blessed with the peculiar favor of Heaven, and smiling in the richness of the most exuberant fertility. Surrounded by affectionate friends, she spent the days of childhood, growing up in the fear of the Lord and the exercise of those sweet virtues cherished by the hand of parental piety. But a cloud passed across her path, while life's morn was in its prime. A band of warlike intruders broke in upon the quiet of the scene, laying waste happy homes and fertile valleys, murdering fathers and brothers and carrying women and children into captivity, The little maiden fell into their hands, and, torn from her friends and the scenes of childhood, was carried to a strange land to become a slave. The affections of the heart are prone to fasten themselves upon something; and when we are separated from one circle of friends we form to ourselves another. The warm affections of the young captive began soon to flow forth to those by whom she was surrounded, while the same lovely qualities, which had endeared her to her friends and made her the charm of the domestic circle, gained for her the love of strangers. She soon became cheerful, and though she could not forget her home, and her smile had not the sunny brightness of former days, she wore an expression of sweet, submissive contentment. Her quick perception of the wishes of others, her ready kindness and unassuming modesty, won upon the heart of her mistress. Selected as her constant attendant, the little captive perceived that sorrow preyed upon her heart. Ever quick to feel the distress of others and desirous of alleviating it, she sought the cause. It was not long ere she perceived that her master, a man of wealth and high in authority, was the victim of a distressing and incurable disease. She had seen this disease before, and knew that though the healing art must be applied in vain, there was one in her own land, the holy prophet of her God, who was endued with heavenly power, and was sometimes permitted to restore health 66 and gladness to the disconsolate leper. O, thought she, if my master knew this man of God, how soon might he be happy. She longed to speak of him, but her retiring modesty almost forbade the attempt. But as she saw him from day to day suffering and sorrowing, she resolved to do all in her power for his relief, and she said one day to her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria, for he would recover him of his leprosy." The slightest possibility of relief is seized upon by those who watch over suffering friends, and these words of the little captive immediately attracted attention, and the message was soon carried to her master. Hope had almost forsaken his heart, but the affectionate solicitude of friends urged him to this last resort, and he set out for the land of Israel. With what intensity of interest the heart of the captive maiden witnessed his departure and expected his return! He went to the land of her fathers, to the prophet of her God. It might be that he would return rejoicing in health, and adoring him whom she loved to worship; but should he fail of relief, how bitter would be her disappointment, how would her faith be despised and dishonored! His absence was protracted beyond his expectation, and often were her eyes turned in the direction in which he went; often was her heart raised to him in whose power she trusted for the accomplishment of her wishes. At length he appeared-her most sanguine hopes were realized-her master was indeed healed. Ah! how sweet the joy of that child who had thus been the instrument of conferring an inestimable benefit on one whom she loved and honored; how pleasant to witness the happiness of Naaman and his household! Surely the young, the obscure, the unworthy, need not despair of usefulness, since God has often chosen to do his greatest works by the most humble instruments. C. Poor Nancy. It was Sabbath morning. and the family of Mr. W ant fireside and happy home, The village bell had rung, had early left their pleasand in a family wagon had wound their way along the banks of the river to the church, three miles distant. Chastened by a recent heavy affliction, they sought consolation in the clefts of the rock, and cheerfully hastened to the tabernacle of God. Mr. W. had been a faithful, diligent and truly worthy man. He had labored hard to maintain his family, now rising to bless and comfort him, and to support his aged and excellent parents who lived with him, and whose gray hairs were descending peacefully to the grave. He had three years since taken into his family a girl-then only ten years of age, the poor friendless child of an intemperate father and unprincipled mother. She had been dependent upon public charity, until received by one whose heart and hand were always ready to every good work. The sunshine of prosperity was sending forth its cheering light, to reward his industry, and gladden his heart. The summer had passed, and the harvest had abundantly afforded him the necessaries of life. His barns were well filled, and the grateful prayer ascended morning and evening to him who orders seed time and harvest. But in some unaccountable way, only two weeks before, the storm had swept over him, and his barn, with all his cattle, and winter stock, were destroyed by the raging fire. The hand of God was heavy, but he bowed in submission and humility; and, as he seated himself in the house of prayer, and reviewed the past, he felt that he was not utterly forsaken, for he had yet a home for his children and aged parents. He had left this morning the poor, but not now friendless Nancy, to take care of the younger children, and to wait upon his father and mother. And as she sat there by the cheerful fireside, what thoughts were passing in her young heart? Thorny had been her path. Was she thinking of the resting-place she had found? Was she grateful for the instruction which had been poured in upon her darkened mind? In the calm retirement of God's day, was she forming the pious resolution to be a comfort to the family who had taken her in when she was as a solitary tree in a dreary wilderness? Mr. W. had been absent but a short time, when she left the room and sought a distant part of the house, alone. Was it to pray? God bless her in her |