Walking the Faith Road
by
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Dec. 4, 1826 Today is my 16th birthday. Is it possible only years have passed?
Surely it must have been a lifetime. My past years filled with Grandpa Hall, Mama,
Papa, Matthew, Uncle Jon, the farm, neighbors and friends and growing up surrounded
with love. Now with Grandpa Hall and Papa both gone to be with the Lord and Matt
living in Boston with Uncle Jon, I'm not really sure where I fit in.
No matter where you go in this world or how comfortable you get there can only be one
place where you feel free and at peace---home. I have until January 9th before I return
to school.
Matt, Uncle, Victoria and her traveling companion are to arrive tomorrow for Abbey
and Dan's wedding on the 17th. The house is beautifully decorated.
Dan and I spent all day arranging the granary so there will be room for dancing, with
trestle tables for the food. Kate, Meg, Mama and Abbey have been bustling around
getting things together and fixing some things that will keep.
I met a girl at school this year who intrigues me. Come to think of it she hasn't crossed
my mind since leaving school until today when Dan asked if I had any special girl friend.
I told him I didn’t have anyone special, but then proceeded to tell him about Bettie. Her
name is really Elizabeth Harlow. She doesn't like her first name so has let everyone at
school know it is Bettie.
Dan smiled, "Have you asked her to the wedding?"
Shaking my head I explained, "I did think about asking her, but what stopped me was
I'm really not smitten with her. I really don't think it would be worth the teasing. She
lives in Springfield, Massachusetts so she would have to stay here and I would have to
entertain her. I don't think she would fit in. She puts on airs and tries to impress people
with hers and her family's importance.
"Dan, do you realize you just helped me sort things out? I had almost convinced myself
I cared for her as more than a friend. Speaking out my feelings like this has helped me
realize what a shallow person she is and how shallow our relationship would be. Now I
feel free to just be a friend to her."
Dan smiled then running a hand through his hair--a gesture he always makes when
nervous--said, "Do you think your Mother and you might consider selling me the farm?
I know it means a lot to both of you. Your Mother has been talking of her home in town.
Your mother has even give Abbey and me the large west bedroom after we are married.
It's just I love this farm. It's always been my dream to someday own my own place."
In spite of the surprise and the tug at my heart at his words I managed to speak, "I don't
know. I hadn't given it any thought. Let me speak to Mama and see how she feels.
Can it wait until after Christmas?"
With a look a relief on his face Dan nodded, "That will be fine."
We were greeted by a world of white this morning with more snow falling all day.
Matt, Uncle, Victoria and her companion arrived safely. The house has been bustling all
day with people coming and going.
Dec. 17, 1826 Dan and Abbey were married at 4 o'clock this afternoon by Rev.
Phillips near the fireplace in the parlor. Matt and Victoria were their attendants.
Family and friends filled the parlor and hallway. With the final 'I do' Dan heartily
kissed the bride. Everyone bundled up to go to the granary for the further festivities.
Dan was handsome in his dark gray suit Uncle had tailored for him in Boston as a gift.
Abbey was truly beautiful in her white satin gown, a gift from Victoria. When Uncle
escorted her into the parlor for the ceremony there were 'oh' and 'ahs' at how beautiful
she look
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About the Book
Our story finds Ben on his 16th birthday still grieving over the loss of his Grandpa and his Papa, and how he is expected to leave his mother alone while goes away to boarding school for higher education in the beginning of
this new year.
But before this happens there is a wedding of good friends the sale of the family farm, renovations to Mama's family home in Hartford, making it into a two family home, so that
Mama's close friend Emma who is having to raise her 4 youngest children alone can have a place to live and work His school years had many trials and testings, even after Ben found the Lord as his personal Saviour.
He is able to help Matt. and Vickey through a family
crisis
that caused great confliction between Vickey and the
couple
who raised heras their daughter. but really her aunt and uncle.
Ben
made his home with Matt and Vickey while he attennded Harvard Divinity college.
Soon
after graduation he received a commission as an exhorter among the seamen at
Mystic conn., for a short time before being released to serve as Chaplain on a
whaling ship and Missionary to any lands of Islands he might find himself in.
The Whaler, Indian Queen .sailed away from Mystic on July 1 1831. For the next
3 years and 8 months of his life was filled with what Ben was to thnk of later
as the greatest adventure of his life. His first chore was nursing the young
cabin boy throuqh sea sickness. Many storms, times of becalm
when there was not a breath of air to help them sail, that lasted for days at a time. The amazing sights at foreign ports, some civilized some entire Islands of naked black natives. where he delivered the message of the gospel of God, to all who would listen. And one Island where the Chief offered hi favorite daughter as a wife for Ben.
About the Author
Lillian Pearson was born in New Hampshier, came to Del.as a young child, is now a long time resident of Delaware. Always having a great interest in family roots and history was encouraged by her mother and her own daughter to continue the book she had started in 1980, based on the life of her great grandfather, Rev. Benjamin Phelps and how God directed his life.
The first part of this Trilogy, “Unto Children’s Children.” was published this year 2003. Now the sequel, “Walking The Faith Road,” will soon be available