The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-02-07


estness that made you real, thanks to
Heaven Do we build no Christmas
castle. in the clouds now -! Let our
thoughts, tiuttering like butterflies
among these flowers Of children, bear
witness,
Before this boy there stretches out
future, brighter than we ever looked on
in our old romantic time, out bright
with honor and with truth. Around
this little head, on which the sunny
curls lie heaped, the Graces sport, as
prettily, as airily, as when there was no
scythe within the reach of;ime. to Shear
away the curls of our tirst-love. Upon
another girps face, near it-placider,
but smiling bright--a quiet and con-
tented little face, we see home fairly
written.
Shining from the word, as RAYS shine
from star, we see how, when Cur
graves are old, other hopes than ours are
young, other hearts than ours ara mo-
we'd; how other happiness blooms, rif'ns,
and decays-no, not decays, for other
homes and other bands of children, moi
yet in being, nor for ages yet TO be,
arise, and bloom, and ripen, to the end
of all
Welcome, everything! Welcome,
alike what has been, and what never
was, and what we hope may be, to your
shelter underneath the holly, to your
places round the Christmas fire, where
what is sits pen-heartcd In yonder
shadow do we see, obtruding furtively
upon the blaze, an ene'ny's face! By
Christmas day, we do forgive him! II
the injury he has done US may admit Of
such companionship, let him come here
and take his place. If otherwise, I'M
happily, let him go hence, assured that
We will never injurc nor accuse him.
On this day, we shut out nothing
"Pausr,' SAYS low voice. "Noth-
ing Think"
"On Christmas Day, We will shut out
from our tircside, Nothng.'
mot the shadow of vast city whore
the withered leaves are lying deep ~
the voicereplies. "Not the shadows that
darkens the whole globe Not the
shadow of the City of the Dead :"
Not even that. Ofall days in the
wear, we will turn our faces toward that
City upon Christmas Day, and from its
silent hosts bring those we loved, among
us. City of the Dead, in the blessed
name wherein we are gathered together
at this time, and IN the Presence that is
here among US according to the promise
we swill receive, and not dismiss, thy
people who are dear to us
Yes. We can look upon these chill
dren angels that alight, so solemnly, so
beautifully, among the living children
by the fire, and can bear to think bow
they departed from us. Entertaining
angels unawarcs. as the Patriarchs did,
the playful children are unconscious of
their guests; but we can see thcm--can
see a radiant arm around one favor
lite neck, if there were tempting Of
that child away.
Among the celestial figures, there is
one, poor msshapen boy on earth, Of
glorious beauty now, OF whom his dy-
ing mother said it grieved her much to
leave him here, alone, for so many years
as it was likely would clap before he
came to her-being such little child.
But he went quickly, and was laid upon
her breast, and in her hand she leads
him.
There was gallant boy. who fell,
far away, upon burning sand, beneath
a burning sun, and said, Tell them at
home, with my last love, how much |
could have wished to kiss them once,
but that died contented and had done
my duty - Or there was another, over
whom they read the words: There
fore we commit his bod v to the deepn'
and so consigned him to the lonely ocean
and sailed on. Or there was another
who lay down to his rest in the dark
shadow of great forests, and, on "a''
awoke no more. o shall they no. u.r
sand and sea and forest, he tIDu-
home at such time!
There was dear girl-almost a wo-
man--never to be one-who made a
mourning Christmas in house OF joy,
and went her trackless way to the 81
lent City.-Do We recollect her, worn
out, family whispering what could not
be heard, and falling into that last sleep
for WEAKNESS o look upon her now !
o look upon her beauty; her serenity,
her changeless youth, her happiness !
The daughter Of Jairus was recalled to
life, to die; but she, more blest, has heard
the same voice, saying unto her, ARISE
for ever"
We had friend who was our friend
from early days, with whom we often
pictured the changes that weret to come
upon our lives, and merrily imagined
how we would walk, and speak and
think, and talk, when we came to be
old. His destined habitation in the