The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-05-15
-wooDsFIELD Ohio, SATURDAY, MAY IS, 4s47.
My Mothers Portrait.

81 muse, dear mother, On thy sacred
memory! No, many years ago, | lay
lpess babe, beneath thy gentle care.
Unconscious Of each danger--scarce
aware Of oft-repeated wants, ! reposed
on thee--a poor dependant on thyself!
Twas Iove-a mothers love--which
prompted thee to watch thy infant;
and when that watching ! contemplate,
| cannot bat admire His mercy who ap-
pointed Thee my mother! But for HIS
compassion unmerited-l might have
been the offspring of brute in human
form, or subjected to tho usand ills,
from which poor nature shrinks.
81 muse with gratitude TO Him, the
Author Of my being, whilst yet ! trace
thy gentle hand in leading me, glddy
child. see thy watchful eye; |
muse upon the deep sollcltude which
thou dldst manifest on my behalf. APP
preaching boyhood--b beginning now to
show the seeds of disobedience-I see
thee take my hand, admonsh, and again
behold thee bow the knee, q suppliant
for thy boy!
sand now, youth, take my leave
of home 1.-The scenes Of early years. l
stand and listen yet again to thy fond
admonitions, yes, upon the eve OF my
departure, hear thee say, as though it
were but yesterday--'We are clear OF
your blood And again J wave ndieu
as ] see thee stand, with fearful eye,
among the little group assembled on the
shore whereon we parted. a g.. t..
Smother! thy prayers were heard! !!
A gracious eye watched DER me; and
though ths, parting scene was dark,
and unnumbered evils seemed as though
they would prevail, yet how wisel y did
our bounteous Benefactor order all!
Twenty years have rolled away since
then, my mother, yet has mercy
boundless mercy---attended every
step. Though vicissitude has marked
nv course, and trial and exercise have
been my portion, yet compositions, in
finite in number and degree. have been
reserved for times of danger and neces-
sity.
aAnd now, my mother, l would turn
to contemplate thyself! But brief
period, and thou vast here dweller in
house of clay! ! see its outward
form. This picture brings thee to my
recollection. Each feature is thine
own, my mother!--yes, it is thine own
face; II, too, bears marks of anxious
musings But, my mother, all has
ended well with thee. Thou didst not
dread the cloud know. Itapproach-
ed with threatening. Bu, see its issue.
Did not Jehovah graciousIy fulfil his
word, notwithstanding thy timidty9-
Who attended thee in early life? Who
marked thy future course, ond guided
every step? Did not He, the Lord?
And now arrived 10 hoary hairs weak
nature drooping--to whom canst thou
be looking but to Him! Cheer up, my
mether--all is well. Jehovah will be
faithful, though thou fearest. He'll
crown thee yet with Joy.
"Ah! now the mind gives way; rea-
son resigns her post; yet It's well, my
mother! Mercy-rich mercy--min-
sles with the dispensation. 1t has
brought US to resign thee at His bid
ding who has need of thee. One inter-
val of reason-yes, He gives it-apd
thine heart-thine eye-are manifestly
upward: thanks to His name! We
feared it not, yet It's pleasing in re-
Thy parting words-that
hand lone long yet brief
grateful, and we part to meet
a gain w--Musings. s..f