The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1854-01-18
5uuNaq Rsaalng.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS.

From a pretty lille article that came
under our notice not long since, t. rmed
I" A Travel 'rriae," we CLEANED the senti-
ment /: " He that has dried u single lear
has not lived in vain" With the cleaning
came thoughts Of our Observation-Disclosures
Of hearts rich in sympathy, who in days
gone by had given US kind words and low
ing smiles. soothing us in our desolation (;
and, though words came not in return, for
there are times when grief is too deep
even for grateful utterance, we felt the
pulsations Of our heart beating less wildly,
as We were comfirted with the thought
thai there were still left us stranger friends
s. TO care for US, though our own loved ones
were sleeping low in the grave. We have
tested their power upon a weary heart, in
sad and troubled hours. There is a magic
spell in soft and geLlle words! We who
have felt their influence should never for
get the chord it awakened in our own
hearts-should never forget 10 awaken in
other hearts The same rich music.
Now and then, there are plants that
spring into greater vigor if the heavy
pressure Of a step brushes them f; but, Oh +!
there are others that even The dew-drops
bend TO the earth. Thus it is with the
human heart Sometimes, though, surely
we meet with spirits strong 10 endure,
with purpose mistaken and high, follow.
ing ever the true and the right, whom
nothing can daunt. If crushed to the dust,
they will rise again, and %1inging far from
them The Bit err remembrance Of the past,
60 on their way unmurnuring, with slron.
ger faith and more perfect trust. But
O!tener we meet with gentle spirits, who,
ike the frail flowers Of the early spring.
time, can scarcely bear the pearls Of the
light dew. Then let US everspeak kindly.
This world of ours is full of sorrowing
ones who have need Of sympathy. A
smile, a word may cheer then on their
way.
Speak kindly 10 the Young. Oh, cast
MT a cloud DER c~lildhood's hours
Enough Of sorrow will come by and by
10 sadden the spirit, and we do wrong il
we cherish not the fresh young heart in
its j)yousness and purity.
Speak kindly to the old. Soothing
words cos, us nothing, and they fall like
a blessing upon the ears Of the aged
Neye-, Oh never, pass them by with a
careless, a slight cold tone. Never forget
that the sunshine Of their life is past, that
there are few flowers left for them 10 gath
er, that they are worn and weary.
Speak kindly TO the orphaned ones.
They have need &c sympa,h,' for around
their pathway dark clouds have gathered.
The claim that bound their household
bondis severed. The hearth stone around
which they were wont 10 cluster is desc.
hie. Ere their loved ones passed away,
there were harp.s,rings vibra,idng for them
alone. Now, they have only The echo of
rich music past. Then speak gently,
speak s~oothingly 10 The orphan!
saSpeak kindly 10 the invalid. Ye may
not know how slowly the weary hours
pass By. whea health. and strength are
gone. Ye may not know how one by
one LIES joys decay, and "iis hopes go
out mid lis heightened strife" Then give
kind words 10 the invalid ones. They
will be. to them bright sunbeams in their
shaded path, sol. rays Of moonlight in
,ieit right Of life. and thus their faith in
ihe good and beautiful will be strengthen.
ed, and their hours Of pain seem less
Wearisome. p
Speak kiudly To- the strangst-and let
itma;ier no, whether he be rich or poor
-speak kindly, even though he seem
naughty and cold. Every heart hath its
burden Of care; every heart hath its bit.
ierness, and We may not know the depth
Of feeling. struggling within the soul
tenlle words may touch the heart-lhey
cost uSsuothmg.
Let US speak kindly euer-nol 10 the
loved oars oRlt, bM To- alb who may
chance to ONE within our pathway. Eet
ne cherish well the magic power Of a soft
low tone. IL will bring aroNod US loving
hearts. Let sympathy for Earil's sad.
dened ones gush from the soul all pure
and free, and thus the good We might do
here will no, be inarred by harsh words.
perchance we may cheer one sorrowinV
spirii-bihf up onS breaking ~heart-drJ
ono tear, and then a we shall moi havI
lived In vain"