Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-02-16
A Mother,s Love.


Who is there that docs not acknowledge
and bow in reverence to a mothers love
What is it that causes the eye to 6ll-that
refuses uttera0ce to speech, and overwhelms
with utter Loneliness Ia the midst of life -
Deny it not, true at heart; it is the sacred
ness of mothers love-felt through long
years it may be 5: yet.always pure, ever sa-
cred, blessing and refreshing Gentle motl.-
ser! tcnderest. trnesf. best Of friends con-
slant in love, IN veal Of wee--iR defarmsys
or healtli. in honor or shame through evil
and good report-thv affection knows no
change nor tile shallow Of turning. Bles-
sings on tLee Earliest memories link togcih-
er and throw holiness on thy name. Sacred
to the heart is the memory Of mothers
love
Such were the reflections suggested lay an
incident in the great drama of life. A poor
victim TO intemperance was staggering home
wards-no, he knew not whittier when he
fell heavily to tie earth. Stunned and bruis-
ed by the fall, he lay for a moment inSensl-
ole. but assistance soon restored hlm to con-
sciousness, and TO sense of extreme degra-
daton.
Il thank you, gentlemen said he falter-
ing. it was hard fall, but am better now.
| have had many such 1t is nothing when
you get used to ii y and be laughed as he
prepared to start again on his way.
What pity remarkel a spectator that
you should thus debase your manhood by
selfish indulgence in strong drink
You're temperance lecturer, | suppose
sneered the inebriate.
No, friend replied the gentleman, lam
not temperance lecturer-at least, not oCe
professedly. Nevertheless, neglect no OPP
portunity to speak aword in aid of that hon.
est cause
You're preacher. then, maybe q
No
We'll. whatever you are, want none of
your advice
| merely meant it for your good,' mildly
answered the gentleman. Are you mar
ried z
No
You have sisters and brothers =
Yes, but they don't know me now
Have you father 2
No. lie died many years SINCE
A mother !?
1here was deep silence.
You do not answer. Have you moth
era'
The silence that ensued was broken by
the sobs of the wretched man. % God-O
God y he exclaimed she, too, is dead
broke her poor heart many years since by
misconduct My poor, poor mother So
good and 50 kind-so gentle and forgiving"
and he smote bis breast in the bitterness Of
his anguish
, Unhappy man-oh, how unhappy at that
moment. Through all the vicisSitudes of life,
mothers love had followed him-entreat-
] ing, urging, imploring him to forsake evil,
and cliug only unto that which is right. In
q vain had she striven-he had gonr on blind :
e ly, perversely, recklessly. until now he was
broken down in health fortune and reputa-
ton. an outcast from society, disowned by
his own flesh and blood. Yet in the midst OF
this accumulation of wretchedness, there
. came reproachfully, yet full Of love, a moth
!, ers voice, sweet and sad and the heart low
ed in grief to its mute appeal.
Honor to Woman Without her smiles,
: the world would lose its brightness-soci
! tvs charm would exist no longer-Chris-
q tlanity would languish without her aid and
approval.
In whose principles said the dyin g
:, daughter Of Ethan Allen to her skeptical
! father, in whose principles shall l die
yours or those of my Christian mother -
The stern old hero of Ticondegora brushed
. a tear from his eyes as he turned away, and
i with the same rough voice which summoned
i, the British to surrender, now tremulous with
: deep emotion, said
:: In YOUR MOTHERS, cHILD-IN YOUR
!, MOTHERS J.