THE ELOPEMENT OP THE REV MR BARHELD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2286, 25 November 1889, Page 2

THE ELOPEMENT OP THE REV MR BARHELD

* It bai just transpired that the week before Mr Birfield, the Unionist lecturer, who wea supposed to be murdered by lavloolblea bat bad only bolted with a glel leaving bis wife and child destitute, ' p aiQQd hia e'opement, be wrote an avttcla lo|th9 " Rural vVorld," oniltled*' A Dream of Home." It was a most extraordinary compouHlon, and deploted a husbind and wife who seemed In perfect acoord with eaoh o.her. There was In th»t home pecfeot; freedom, beoauue the law of liberty was Bupieme, and the law of liberty was the Jaw of love. The husband knew tba'fc he was above all others m the affeotions of th»t home queen, and that knowledge was the sweetest aappoet God had given htm on, earth. Here he was at borne with one he trusted utterly without fear, and without the dread of being misunderstood, not; on - account of his own good' qualities, but solely and simply iwoauee bis wife^and the queen of his home, loved him. The day began with prayer/ and ended with \ praise. The years passed by, aad with thoBQ pass ng years tbe children grew to minh od and womanhood, while streaks of eilver began to whiten their parents' hair ; " and I dreamad on," ka wrote " aboat home, concerts m the Ion;; winter ' evenings ad lengthened rambles on Bummer nights ; about pictures on? summer days m forest, on lake, or wooded hill, and social parties here and thare, whan tbe rematk waa made, ' What oica people these are ; what a united family they always seemso loving and so ready to oblige !' Then other homes wore set up by tbe young people on 'he model of the old one ; but always on C iristmas days, or the birthday of either of the old people, as well as on the anniversary of the wedding day there was a gathering under the old rooftree. Such was my dream of home. Has it t7er been realised! Perhaps not In Its entirety, It was a dream, and life is not a dream, but an education} and tato all education the Grots must entar. Of this, however, I am sore, tbe Cross will have more flowers round it t aod thedcfeam will be more nearly realised, if our young men and maidens, husbanda and wives, fathers and mothers, brother! and Bisters would only embrace and endeavor to carry out the principles laid down and the advice given m this and the following aiticlea upon 'Our ßural Family Life.' Thua would the family life on earth symbolise the grander, purer, and eternal life of heaven."