In the early part of 1835, or the latter part of the year preceding, Miss
Hall became acquainted with her future husband, who had recently decided to
become a missionary in the East. He made, with an offer of marriage, the
proposal of a missionary life. She had not then reached her eighteenth
year, and was a young, freehearted girl, who knew but little of toil or
anxiety. Her extreme youth caused her to hesitate; and she accepted the
proposal only when it appeared to be a solemn and imperious duty. Her
mind wandered forward to the parting with her dear parent and other fond
friends; to the tender farewell at sailing; to long years of labor, perhaps
of suffering, in China; to a rude home there, and perhaps a grave. Then
followed the prospect of usefulness; the hope of saving souls from death
and doing a work of benevolence on soil not before cultivated by the
Christian laborer. And perhaps with these were some vague and romantic
notions about a missionary life and a missionary home. Youth is fond of
new and strange objects; and our heroine doubtless became attracted by the
novelty and romance of the life she was to live.
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