The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-10-13
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'a0!How many are the scenes that arise
III memory when we gaze upon the seat once
occupied by dear friend. How quickly a
reminiscense Of the past burst upon our
mental vision, as we sorrowfully glance at
the empty seat. There is n blank to be
found IN almost every family; 90 where YOU
viii, aud death has been there. Mother.
where is the little innocent that sat near thy
side, in its little arm chair, and held forth
the tiny arms that wont to eucircle thy neckg
w here IS that tender tie? All thou art
silent while the finger points to that little
vacant chair, and we learn that thy treasure
has been taken from thee.
Husband, where il she who sat in her ac-
customed place at the table and partook,
with thee, of the evening repasti Does
that fair form appear. when the hour of toll
is DER, at the little cottage gate,to greet thee
with smile and welcome thee to thy rural
homer All thou too, art silent; death has
visited thee, and the falling tear is sufficient
proof that there is an empty seat in thy
household. ,. e.. - .,.-.-.s.. -. ... -,
Sister, where is he who once sat with thee
in the school-room-thatd dear brother who
loved thee and was ever near in the hour of
trial to protect thee? Thy sobs answer the
questions he, too, is absent from that little
circle of similar faces, and thou art left, per
haps, without single friend to console thee.
The grim monster has been with thee and
thou art left brotherless. ...... ."....
Young man, dost thou remember that
old father, whose locks were slvered by the
frost of age-whose feeble footsteps were
supported by the staff which he held in his
trembling handa Dost thou remember the
spot where that dear parent knelt with thee
and prayed that God would bless his little
boy! All ! thou canst not reply for thy
heart is full of emotion. There is vacant
spot IN thy house; that old, grey headed
father sleeps in the valley, and the winds
whistle above his resting place, but his
siumbers are unbroken. No storm can dis
turb the quie. Of the grave, yet thou canst
not forget him: that old chair, which stands
in the corner of the room, almost speaks to
thee, THY father sat here, here did thy pa
rent sleep, it was here thy father died.'
Young lady, where is that dear mother,
who loved to smooth thy hair or wreath its
glossy Girls about her finger who watched
near thy pillow when thou vert scorehed
with fever, and administered the cooling
cordial to quench thy raging thirst-who
knelt by thy bed side and prayed for thy
speedy restoration to health--who listened
with pleasing emotion, while thy lips repeat
ed the little prayer she taught thee9 Where
is she9 o! thy heart has felt the cruel
blow and we know that thou hast lost the
tenderest tie a child ever knew. Canst
thou forget thy mother' All! no, 90 to
the spot far away in yon church yard and
there her ashes repose. The willow wceps
above her silent dust and the gentle zephyr
as it stirs the branches of that dropping tree,
seems to whisper in. thine ear, remember
thy mother, thou art mortal and must die.n
And do'st thou remember her? If not thy
heart must be cold indeed; the old rocking
chair is before thee, there thy mother sat and
thou can'st not forget her, no, never e-
Reader,is their a vacant seat in your
family? Ifso, you know what feelings are
produced by gazing thereon. have not
been guilty of penning fiction, for my soul
has felt the pangs of sorrow, and |, too can
see the vacant chair and exclaim, as my eyes
rest upon that old relic, MY father, my
father, where art thou 2" There is vacant
pew in the house of God. The members of
the church assemble every Sabbath, and the
songs of devotion arise to Heaven, while the
prayers of the pastor ascend, as sweet incense,
before the Lord Of Hosts. The word of God
is dispensed, but there is one who hears it
not. 4 look at that spot near the pulpit !;
the old pew is there, but, alas ! it is vacant !;
the occupant has gone to his reward / saw
the coffin brought into the church and
watched the old man as he gazed upon that
coffin. IL was solemn scene, and one
never to be forgotten; s eaa
'Friend after friend departs, $50 ~
Who hath not lost a fricndi 81 a.u-
-sr There is no union here of hearts, 70 on
That finds not here an end" .-.... -...
Life is short, but a brittle thread; it is
even as the bubble upon the ocean, that
bursts, almost at its formation. Hast thou
seen the yapor upon the mountains brow
and beheld it vanishing before the rising SUM
Such is the picture Of hfes breyity. The
time will come when other hands shall close
our eyes and kind friends will perform the
last Office for the dead yes, the tear will
fade, perhaps, from the eyes Of those who
loved us and our vacant chair will be looked
upon as a record of the past.
Reader, let US learn lesson from the va
cant pew, and "Bo also ready for in such an
hour as we think not, the Son of Man
Branch.
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