Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-05-12
Hold them Loosely, Brother "

90 SAID an old man OF fourscore years, as he
walked over the possessions of q rich and
younger brother. The walls of that great
house were hung with gilded paper, and
everywhere the decorations of gold and silver
| made the house seem like q palace. The old
man moved along in silence e-pow paused be-
fore mirrors, now before paintings rare and
rich his old fashioned shoes sinking unessiIy
into the velvet carpets; but at last be turned
wSnu.d rSGna wsn his placid face all glow, as be
loosely, orother-hold them loosely"
Inc OLD mans words were full OF wisdom
IN the light OF eternity were they spoken, for
he had seen the utter vanity of earth. ana
the things thereof. He had been poor, reared
IN poverty. nprtured in poverty, continued in
poverty-with a heart large as the world. be-
cause of its dearth Of gold. His little brother
had in bis early years been as a child TO him.
Most earnestly did he labor that the orphan
might know no want; many a meal he de-
lied himself that the mOtherless boy might
not 60 hungry and it almost broke his heart
when as he approached the pale Of manhood,
he wandered from his sheltering care, and
went away to distant lands.
Many years passed and misfortunes crowded
upon the elder brother. Wife and children
died and left him weary but patient pill
grim, to travel on alone.
There came no tidings of his charge
Alas ~ he said, I" Robert has forgotten God
v.
still on, travelled time; robbing him of bis
manly strength and manly graces; dimrning
his sight and laying the silvery tints upon his
brown hair; and when he was getting ready
| to depart there came TO him news of Roberts
return. o, how that heart, laden with four
score years, scared with the sorrows Of a poor
pilgrims fate, and saddened by a sense of ne
| glect and desolation, leaped again. 1t seemed
AS IT the vigor Of his youth flowed like mol
ten FIRE through his sluggish veins and filed
them nigh TO bursting.
He came-the boy of his love, of his care
man yet young, though bearing the scars Of
the worldly struggle. He came, a rich man;
ready to repay fOurfold, as far as worldly
goods could do 50, the sacrifices Of his aged
brother.
He built himself a magnificent house. to
crafty his fancy. The rooms were spacious,
the halls wide and Of noble proportions the
furniture sumptuous, and for the first time he
was taking the old man his brother from place
to place, that he might admire and be pleased
with him, At last they came to one apart
ment, before which the younger brother
paused, turned as if about 10 speak, but re.
straining himself cautiously opened the door
and watched the old man as be entered. 1t
was fitted up with plain old fashioned furni-
ture; there was carpet on the floor; there
were rude beams overhead. Six straight
backed, antique chairs stood against the wall,
together with a table Of venerable oak An
old fashioned bsdufst was set in one corner; a
sampler, very much faded and enclosed 10 a
black frame, hung between the windows, and
an arm chair, whose age was over a hundred
years, occupied a nook by the fireplace
The old man stood in silence for a moment.
then reverently took of his hat. His thin
lips were quivering, large tears stood in his
dim blue eyes. which ever and anon ne shut,
a. if mastering some strong emotion. Then be
bent forward, and resting bis cissped hands
Il, 4 L - l.
mother; and there came up a sob from The
depths of his aged heart; his head fell up51
his hands and be wept like a child
1t was very touching TO see the few gray
hairs fiutter on his temples-and still more. as
the hale and vigorous brother folded his arms
about that bowed down form, murmuring I
must take care Of goa now. This ia yOur
room. Many miles have L travelled T. gather
together the scattered furniture that was 80
dear to us in the old homestead. Strangers
have sat here often since she died. but never
theless it is mothers chair. Welcome home,
my brother
1t is long since the old man went to his bet
ter rest, but his words still sound in our ears,
" hold them loosely, brother" and We have
been tempted, how often; TO exclaim, when
beholding those to whom God has given great
gifts OF lovely possessions" hold them loose
ly, brother -
You who have wealth-who never knew the
NdnhOi bhdS Saeo up very ucdTN Nucu lue
body is overtasked, and yet the hard wearing
and labor brings not even food enough for
the hungry little children-hOld that wealth
loosely. 1t is not yours. A breath may dis
s1lve il; the swapping Of ones tender cord may
send you to the shadows that lie over the grave
yard. 1t is Gods wealth-hold il with open
fingers; scatter it as you 60, and make many
heart sing for JOY. Don't grasp il so eagerly;
ii is treacherOus; il will mock you at the last;
/, it will not go one step beyond the world with
you; nay, il will even lavish blessings and
caresses on those who have made your path
thorny with curses; it will stand in its real
form at the bar of judgment, and sneer at you
for the love you bore 1t.
/" Hold it loosely" and you shall meet your
Creator with a smile-make it your god, and
in that day, the true, great and terrible Deity
" i'll not recompense you.
Mother, with your blooming children, "hold
them loOsely"-great man, with your gifts
and honOrs, " hold them loosely" but oh
cling to the religion Of Jesus Christ; fight fer
it, if must needs be, die for it-but fame,
riches, worldly goods and high places hold
them loosely, brother"