The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-10-13
5uuAaq Rrahillg.
From The Oiire Branch.
Mother, Home and Heaven.

WHAT names arc there on earth more
musical than these three: What can be
sweeter than that Of mother? How ma
ny associations cluster around the heart at
the mention of that word? Even hard
hearted warriors have been seen to weep
on hearing it casually spoken. All the
joys, sorrows and perplcXities of our earli-
or years are connected with her. Wecan
hardly recall an event of our childhood,
but which brings with it either her re-
! proving glance or an encouraging smile.
Nothing gave us more pain when we had
done some rash thoughtless deed, than tho
sight Of her sad look. Many reproofs or
lectures might have hardened our hearts,
whereas her troubled look spoke volumes,
and made a irSttmy imp' esSion. Then we
resolved to do nothing to displeasc her.
Perfectly happy were VIC, when after per-
forming some act oS selt.donial, we met
her fond approving smile. And in later
years, when we are in doubt, to whom do
we 20 for counsel, but to our mother!-
For we feel that she never will advise us
wrongly, and five follow her counseIs, it
will be hardly possible to err In Joy ev-
cr ready to sympathisc. In sorrow to
comfort and console us. HO,C strong and
| eHduriRJ is the love Of mother. Her
heart is ready to break as she sees her
child torn from her 10y the grim monster
! Death" and rne to the tomb. Her an
guish cannot be described. Then tho
world seems dark and drcaIy to her, and
she feels that she has nothing left to live
for.
y son may be attacked by some conta-
glous disca>c his friends have all forsaken
him but one; shc, all forgctful of SELF
stand, ever near his couch, 10 administer
the cooling draught, and battle the heat
cd brow, Fearless and undaunlcd, she is
willing 70 face death ! if by 50 doing he be
spared to her. Who would do this but n
mother! He may become degraded and
scorncd by the world, and he would be
left alone, the most wrctchcd being in the
universe, but for one to whom ho can flv;
she is ever ready to receive him. No sac
ritice is too great, if it would win him
back to the paths of virtue, and cause
him 10 become a man.
What blessing, then, is good mo-
ther How much we owe to her? Ey-
cry passion that we have subdued, every
to her watchfulness and care. Think YOU
we can repay here 1t is debt that were
we to livea hundred years, we could nev
or cancel.
In the formation Of our character, who
ther good or evil, outward circumstances
exert Il painful influence. In early child
hood, the mind is more susceptible than
when more advanced in years. Therefore,
the first impressions the mind receives, in
deIabIy remain. Anaged person remem-
bers every act Of his childhood, but the oc-
cUrrcnc"s Of yesterday passed from his
mind as soon as they happened. We
form i'll youth, in great measure our
char"ct rs; in the DO, ON of home, and
with kind parents to guide our unwary
steps. Although son may rove far from
his native land, yet he will never forget
the light ofhome. The remembcrance of
the loved ones there will streng hen him to
resist the voice Of the svren. When temp
tatous assail him, voice soft and sweet,
like his mothers, sounds in his ears. Her
fond mploring glance rises before him, and
he banishes the evil thought from his
heart. He thinks of hclac, recalls his fa-
, thcr, mother, brothers and sisters, and their
many acts Of kindness for him, and he
aught to grieve them.
When one Of the family circle returns
after long absence, how joyously he is
greeted. Then home seems dcarer than
ever to him. How pleasant are family
gatherings Let us imagine for mo-
ment one ofthOsc merry meetings of "kin-
drcd." The fun loving Harry never ceas-
es to joke the quiet and dignifed Herbert,
who has come from the city, upon the size
o. his collar, the cut of his coat, or his pat
ent leather gathers. ii rry wears his
collar IL Byron, and never spends
thought upon dress. Herbert cannot say
a word in defence of himself, while Harry,
having the field entirely to himself, inn
proves it, much to the amusement Of the
Others. All seem to partake of the uni
yersal JOY, from the hoary headed grand
father, down to the little fellow with flax
en- ringcts, the pet OF all. If there is n
paradise to be fonnd on earth, tits in /.
home where all unite to promote others
happiness. Would we look further for
pleasures, when such pure enjoyments can
be found in our homes'
And in these our earthly homes, we
must be fitting ourselves to enjoy heaven,
our final home. We IRE but children
placed here in a school for our culture and
improvement The trials and disappoint-
menIo Of life tend to discipline the heart,
and bring us nearer to God We are apt
to rcpine at the dispensattons of Provi-
dence, when by them we are made to
mourn. Yet / think five could but re-
alize the end God has in view, we should
feel differently. Some seem to think that
the sulferings we have here, were never
intended for US by God. But in my opin-
ion, the heart Of man would be more sim
ful and corrupt than itnow is, ifthere we're
, nothing to try him. Take as an instance
to illustrate this, child who has always
heen nettad and induI0ad averv ,vie3, h..