Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-08-21
Selett 8eaoiirlg.
From the Waverly Magazine.
THE DEATH OF CHILDREN.

Every day the grave opens to receive al
army of the dead; every day many hearts
are made deso'ate, many hearts are broker
by the stern destroyer. And the low mound.
which mark the resting places of the depart
ed, rise constantly to the view, besprinklius
our beautiful earth With sad remembrance:
of our end
When tender plants have just arisen above
the surface of the ground, they must be trea
ted with the utmost care, else they withel
and die; but when they have matured, they
grow up in safety, and are less liable to des
truction. Plants are like children. All the
ills that make miserable the life of many
gather around his childhood and youth
Children form the greatest part of the long
and sorrowful procession that moves inces.
sanity to the land of silence. Their graves
fill our cemeteries; their soft spirits haunt
those sylvan solitudes. Their happy, beam,
ing eyes have ceased to look upon us with
glances of trusting love. Their ringing
voices, which could once chase from our
wrlnkled brows the clouds of care, with
their gladstone echoes, are smothered in the
silence of the tomb. The cold earth press
es heavilyupon the tender breasts that heaved
with love and the new delights of childish
innocence
Death is at all times an unwelcome visit
or. He comes crowned with terror; and
when he has passed, he leaves sadness and
gloom behind. But never does he seem 50
cruel and remorseless, never does his COM
ing awaken such sadness as when he strikes
the Young. The old man, after having ex-
perienced the tolls, vexations and sorrows of
long life, welcomes its close, happy that
the end Of his labors has arrived. He who
is in middle life, has finished lifes enraptu-
ring pleasures, and has begun the stern bat
lie with its troubles. When he dies, we feel,
in the midst OF our grief, that he has lef.
scene of toll.
But when children di0, they leave world
which seems TO them paradise. Turning
away from the long vista of pleasure which
invites their steps, full Of beautiful sights
and melodious sounds, in the day-spriug of
love and friendship, in the midst of bright
hopes and joyful anticipations, they start on
their solitary journey to the silent land.
We're there no alleviating circumstances
theirs would indeed be dark and mournful
end. Then might we say that they had been
born in vain. When only the black scene
of death is present to the mind, ari the
gushing tears obscure all but the remenl-
brance of hor former loveliness, few rays of
hops brighten the gloom of our grief. But
after the overwhelming burst of sorrow is
over, the calm contemplation of their bright
destiny is sufficient to cheer the heart
What though they be buds gathered before
they bloom they shall bloom in moro con-
genial soil. They will attain 10 full perfec-
tion amid the fair gardens and green bow
ers, aud eternal sunshine of Paradise. Their
sunny faces will be made brighter and ho-
lier with beams of celestial light Their
voices will acquire swoeter tone. Their
happy hearts will bo made still happier by
ever fresh delights and rich scenery of their
final home. They not only leave tho OPEN
ing pleasures Of youth, but they avoid the
long array of pain, sickness, sorrow and
woe that taropga the path of pilgrims over
the dreary waste of life. Then weeping mo-
ther, and heart-stricken brother or sister, let
your tears be dried; cease to regret that the
departed one can nryer more wear the love-
ly garlands of earth, but stretch your sight
and you may see wreath of unfading flow
ors upon your loved ones brow, placed there
by the Saviour's hand.