Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-03-05
For the Spectator
0I WOnt.O
BY CORA wILLBuRl

There are many trials in this chequered earth
life of ours trials that wiring the soul, and try
the hearts powers of endurance, that call forth
all the spirits fortnde, and test its religious faith
and immortal hopes with fiery ordeal Of sorrow.
But in dayly life, 10 our dayly intercourse with
the many as the few, there are lesser trials, that
without calling npon the greater manifestations
OF endurance and selfdenlal, yet sadly Try our
powers of forbearance, and ruaely jar upon our d
Der feelings ai
We must often listen to the frivolous mention
of much, that 70 US. is sacred as memory, OF
guarded as token of life's beauty and holiness.
within our inlnost heart. With indignant spri,
aud ear-fled eye, we often bear witness to the
desecratiun of the good, the true, and the beanl-
ful, by those that value not their gifts, nor seek
their knowledge.
Faiths heaven soaring hopes and consollng
trust, Knocked by the skeptic's smile OF unbellef,
by the worldling's sncer ;the sacredness Of love,
the inviolabe confidence OF friendship, made
subject of vulgar jest. or selfish calculation, gym
plthy, ds6terestedness, and self denial voted Out
Of existence by those nom believers in the SOULS
best attributes, by those nlammon worshlppers
tha never turn aside from their worldly gods to
give admiltance TO an angel guest. And their
unrehected mockeres, their negatlon OF lies high
er aims, how bitterly their perverted reasonngs
fall upon the sensitive heart that owns the lnfiu.
ence of love, that feels the holiness and strength
of prayer!
But when the discordant words of disobedience
fall from chldhood's careless lips, nay, often DIS
figuring the expression of grIhood's gentieness'
those dsrespectlul words 81 WON'T are uttered, In
place of the "soft ansYer" to mothers request
what must be the feelings Of the experienced iPer-
haps orphaned, beholder2 Careless, unthlnking
children, you know not the bitter wrong, the SIN
f1l deeds you are thus hastily committing, In re-
turning the lifelong love and care Of mothers
heart by that rebellioHs phrase. Little DO you
dream Of the bitter store Of unavallIng repen'
tance yon are laying by for the futures retrl-
button that memory will be the guardian watch
er of those disubedent words, and conscience the
accusing angel
Mother! that hoest word, coined as it were
by affection and the hearts deepest reverence, ara
consecrated by angelic sanction! Where again
on earth will You find love so pure, so constan
81 self denying a care so watchiuit wnat o'ner
heart can frame so fervent prayer Iort my earin-
ly happiness, and IMMORTAL blessedness, as wells
up from the divineIy stirred fountains oil a moth
er's halowed affection T what other hand can own
such an affeclonale power OF blessing and OF soo'h
inp? what voice like hers attuned 10 never change
fu5 accents of unwavering loye and indulgence
And to her, the guardian Of infancy the friend and
counsellor of youth; thy fe's best friend. You
dare to say those words of disresPect, that you
would shrink from addressing TO stranger. from
potensss ny Aad 6d SugI' hep no, ",e,sase
the maternal presence7 Is there not an eloquent
reproach in the tear filled eyes, pang implanted
in the bosom, that overfows with love for thee
Oh children, if you would be happy, young girls
if you would look forward to peaceful lot on
earth, restrain the petHlant temper, check the
words of disobedient retortl Years ofthe worlds
enjoyments, its gifts of powergiving wealth and
soul stirring fame, cannat purchase: thy mother:
life giving smile, cannot atone for one tear caused
by thy want of affection. While yet blest with
mothers presence and guardian care
.tCherish her, lest too late to save,
Thou weep in madness DER her gravel,
Philadelphia, Feb. Is, 1856.