Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-10-05

God? Are its principles sanctioned by the
word of God, and sustained by the voice of
reason? r. NJ. PHILLIPS.
Weslhaven, Sept. IA, 1912.
Touching Sketch Of Parental Sorrow.
LESSON FOR PARENTS.
"A few months ago buried my eldest
son, fine, manly boy of eight years of
age, who had never had a days illness
until that which took him hence to be
here no more. His death occurred under
circumstances peculiarly painful to me.
| A younger brother, the next in age to
him, delicate, sickIy child from baby,
had been down for nearly fortnight with
an epidemic fever. In consequence ofthe
nature of the disease,'l used every pre-
caution and prudence suggested, to guard
the o,her members of the family against
it. But of this one, my eldest, | had but
little fear; he was SO rugged, and gener
ally healthy. Slill, however, kept Wig
liant eye upon him, and especially forbid
his going into the pools and docks near
his school, which he was prone to visit.
( Zone evening ] came home wearied
with long days hard labor, and yexed
at some little disappointments, and found
that he also had Just come into the house,
and that he was wet, and covered with
dock mud. | taxed him with dsobe.
dience, and scolded him severely-more
so than had ever done before; and then
harshly ordered him to bed. He opened
his lips for an exculpatory reply, as l sup
|posed, but sternly checked him; when
with mute, sorrowful countenance, and
swelling breast, he turned away and went
slowly to his chamber. My heart smote
ne even at that moment, though felt con-
scious of doing but fathers duty. But
how much keener did feel the pang when
[ was informed, in the course of the even
ling, by neighbor, that my boy had gone
to the dock at the earnest solicitation Of a
younger and favorite playmate. and by the
especial permission OF his school master,
in order TO recover cap belonging to the
former, which had blown off the wharf.
Thus learned, that what l had treated
with unwonted severity as a fault, was but
the impulse Of a generous nature, which,
forgeful of self, had hazarded perhaps life
for another. 1t was but the quick prompt
ing of that manly spirit which l had al
ways endeavored to engraf upon his sus-
ceptible mind, and which, young as he
was, had already manifested ilselfon more
than one occasion.
How bitterly did regret my harsh
ness, and resolved to make amends to his
grieved spirit in the morning. Alas
that morning never came to him in health
! Before retiring for the night, however,
, crept TO his low cot and bent over him
A tear had stolen down his cheek and rest
. ed there. | kissed i: off, but he slept sc
, sweetly and so calmly, that [ did not ven.
ture TO disturb him. The next day he
awoke with a raging fever on his brain
: and in forty eight hours was no morel be
: did not know me when was first called
E to his bedside, nor at any moment after.
wards, though in silent agony bent ovel
him until death and darkness closed the
, scene. | would have given worlds t.
have whispered one kind word in his ear
and have been answered; but it was no
permitted. Once, indeed, smile, l tho't
of recognition. lighted up his eve, ard
, leaned eagerly forward. But it passed
: quickly away, and was succeeded by tt,
cold, unmeaning glare. and the wild toss
ling of the fevered limbs. that lasted til
, death came to his relief
Every thing that now see that be-
longed to him reminds me of the lost one
: Yesterday, | found some rude pencil
: sketches which it was his delight TO max
! for the amusement of his Younger broth
} er; to-day. in rdmmaging an old closet,
came across his boots, still covered with
dock mud as when he last wore them
and every morning and evening l pas:
: the ground where his voice rang the mer.
!. ricst among his playmates. All these
things speak so vivid of his active life
{ but cannot. though l often try, recall
1 any other expression on his face, than
that mute, mournful one with which be
, turned from me the night SO harshly re-
lpulsed him. Then my heart bleed:
: afresh. o, how careful should we all be
: that in our daily conduct towards those
little beings sent US By a kind Providence
q we are not laying up for ourselves the
2 sources OF many bitter tear! How
n cautious. that neither by inconsiderats
word or look. we unjustly grieve theil
!, generous feelings! And how guardedly
!, ought we TO weigh every action agains
its motive, lest, IN moment of excitement
= we be led to mete out to the venial error.
It OF the heart. the punishment due only tt
J. willful crimel Alas. perhaps few parents
If suspect how often the sudden blow, tn