The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-10-19
Death of Children.

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frequently attend their removal from life.
When, for example, the parents are every
way competent to the training of their off,
spring in virtuous and elevated sentiments,
and when their hearts are fondly set upon
securing the highest character and happi-
ness for their offspring. II is quite differ
ent when the parents are wholly untitled
to their task, and when their whole inau-
ence is sure to mislead and corrupt their
children, and train them up in vice and
misery. In this latter case we can scarce
ly refrain from wondering that Providence
ever permitted them to have children, and
when death removes them in early life,
we rather give thanks than mourn, because
we feel that they are taken from evil that
would have been inevitable and ruinous.
But in the former case our feelings are
vi different order entirely. The lovely
child placed in the hands Of virtuous and
loving parents, calls into existence new al
fections, and y deep feeling of new respon-
abilities. 1t seems so like gift directly
from the hand of God, and the duty Of
caring for and loving it tenderly is so
manitestly the wise arrangement OF Provi-
. dsnce, that at once the parents suffer all
the fibres of their hearts 10 twine about
the little one, and they unsuspectingly
permit their happiness to become bound
? up in its well being. The more they love
it and care for it, the more they seem to
: be in the line of duty which nature her
t self dictates. Surely such parents might
Y say, if it is lawful and right to seek happi-
9 ness anywhere it must be in cherishing
IS this frail gift.
n And while thinking thus, the destroyer
.e Death enters and smites the tender lamb
of the flock, and Llights all the hopes its
J. birth awakened, and all the love that
1t spring forth to greet and protect and cher,
ish it. Is it not hard to bear without
W murmering and without questioning thu
W wisdom of Providence. Does IT not looi
10 40 if Providence afflicted and tortured II
II. vain, or without any adquate endl
he And yet t ere are consoling thought
Ir. which suggest themselves to reHectini
- mind. Suppose man Of wealth em
e. ploys sculptor to carve cherub. ID
do spends years in bringing from the rougl
ne marbleblock the beautiful creation
he -. - fancy, and as it grows more an
more lovely beneath his artistic touch,
.ue it approaches more and more nearly b
NO long dreamed of ideal Of angelic innocenc
no and beauty, he becomes enamored OF
er and breads parting with II, and when
who ordered it comes to claim his cberu
ed; tho sculptor refuses to fulfil bis cOn.rac
me l. he not wrongi Bereaved parents, tn
illustrates one feature Of your case. III
,ct- Almighty Father commissioned you
ter prepare an angel for his service. AS
pad grew in your bosom, you became ena'
ored oft, and would have detained
oil. when ne sent for it, and when he took
inn you murmured. Was that right ~
by haps, too, IL You had succeeded IN zee
ted ing it, il would not have remained
Teb- angel always, aud 80 would hare miss
mev its exalted destiny. Complain net, the
ugh fore, but say rather, u is weis with
her. child. -. 4 es.s.i f..