Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-03-12
For the Spectator.
The Meeting or Friends.
BY CORA wILLsURs.

/
There is something extremely touching and
beautiful in the meeting Of friends that have long
been severed. We cannot remain unmoyed spec
tators Of such scene Of ofbIessed reunion We can
not read without emotion, without swelling
heart and fearful eve, those life. drawn descrip-
tions, that mus, have been felt, to be so ruthfuy
| delneated, cf the happy meetings Of kindred and
beloved hearts, amid the surrounding cares and
anAieties Of life, forming the 'green spots Of mem
| ory's waste" the beautiful landmarks of faith
and hopes, to whose attainment the hnger Oh
resignation points in absence aud in sorrow!
There are words ofholy meaning, words of Lofty
import, too sacred for The proclamation oi idle jest
or careless badinage yet how often, alas! do we
hear religion scorned and scoffed at. even the wis
dest, must universal faith rendered subject Tor
ridicule and sarcasm. How often, Is the holy
name of love desecrated by associations with
thoughts of gain and barter, BY mercenary caIcu.
latior and worldly motive; all foreign to Its angel
nature. and heavendrecied aspirations. How
sadly is truth perverted, and falsehood made TO
wear the smiling aspect Of sincerity. 30, too'
with friendship-that hOliest emanaton OF the
hearts best wishes that angel tie OF kindred souls
too often made subseryient TO the hypocrites de-
sign. the schemers premedidated wrong; abound
ING with counterfeits, Initiating the outward SEM
blance of heaven. sent gift.
But where its glory beams in ever enduring
and intellectual splendor; where it uniolds its
heart-blussoms of confidence and trust; where II
binds its never fading garland Of immortal bloom
its spells of memory upon the grateful heart
there dwells the abiding spirit ofa happiness, that
tine nor worldly fortune,n nor earths varying chan
ees, can ever touch with . destroying hand;
happiness secure and peaceful, that years cannot
remove nor death itself diminish. Word Of heav-
enly formation peace-angel of discordant world.
heavenly visilant guardian spirit Of thousand
holy thoughts and pure emotions, the SORROW cloud
ed heart of humanity should snshrine thee with .
worshipful care, and surround thy abiding place
with virtues loftiest endearments, with hnmiltys
sweetest fragrance, with aspirations boliest ems
deayor! Pure and unss6sh friendship! guardian
of the SOULS aspiring powers light and goodness,
Swinging into life and bloom beneath thy radiant
smile Thou of all others, heart OF trust and
clinping fidelity, can'st best comprehend the con-
solaions of the promised hereafter for earthly du-
ties. and lifes necessities will but too often, sepa-
rate thy kindred heart, sometimes, .torerer. But
the earneaty believing soul OF friendship kno'cs,
that in the better land there will be no moro part
uqs, no tears of regret no transliory meeEings, no
aeeting moments Of happ7 rest and long-toiled Tor
welcomes, but an eternity Of Joy; life OF unIa-
terruuted hlessedness where the long-served
friends Of earth, meet for eternal reunion 10 heav'
en-!
But here amid the discord and the trial, sweet
and sou. refreshing are the meetings of friends
Ionc unseen, anyiously awaited even though the
reunion be for few swiftly Aeetlng hours only.it
IS all the more perfect for its transitory joy. e.
ven in the few sunny hours of the hearts Profer.
ed confidence, secure in the unfeigned bestowal Of
one true hearts sympathy, the weary earth.de-
,eiyed and now heaven aspiring spirit can taste OF
the cup of blesseduess can obtain bright glimpse
Df the unending futures storedup happiness, when
life will be made up Of such hours of perfect con-
tent, and secure repose, as marks the eanniy
meetings of true and tried friends; when the heart
shall be in uninterrupted possession OF the tullnesa
of peace and trust, not fearing the return TO LIES
cares; the necessity Of removal from
the presence Of the hope giving influence, that
beams forth 50 encuuragngly in the warmth OF .
trne friends smile! Oh Earth! thou art render
cd beautiful by angel visitants, by heavenly glts,of
which friendshipi is the boliest and best! sweet
Heaven thou art doubly radiant to the mortal
vision, acknowledging that angel guest my glorl-
ous scenes, that faith reveals, and imagInaflons
dream power portrays, beam with tenfold lustre
Of beauty and holiness, by friendships potent spell
and magic power. Thy songs Of delight, ,bre.lhed
by the worshipping angel choir-ihey bill with .
dserer rapture the soul that meets its earth plight
ed friend in the regions of the blest, amid tho
White. .rubed, star-crowned throng above!