Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-10-14
For the Spirit of the Age.
THE / CIRCLE.

Long, and with deep felt emotions, have
I, Dear Circle, read your heart thrilling
productions; for none appreciates more
highly the pleasure derived from inter
course with society; yet Ipossess but a very
small share of conversational powers and
lament my inability to interest the thought
full, or amuse the gay. Nor do I now come
to entertain, or amuse, but to ask your SYM
pathies for an orphan lone and disconsolate,
and well acquainted with grief and sorrow.
Oh how often the humble writer, worn
down by agonizing grief and blighting dis
appointment, throws aside the dusty veil
which fifteen fleeing years have thrown
over the past, and recognizes in memory's
gallery herself, a joyous child, drinking un-
sparingly of the pure fountain of unmixed
delight and luxuriating in the bloom of
health and smiles of sustaining friends.-
How fondly she dwells on the sunny hours
of her early youth. Hours which she, the
participant of brothers and sisters sports
and the recipient of a loving Mother and
pious Fathers unbounded love, sported
away, unconscious of the increasing cares
of ripper years. But alas these happy,
thrice happy hours, are ton t-ransient
Soon, too soon, the covetous Monster,
; Death, laying his icy fingers on my dear
Mothers heart, numbers her among the
: countless victims of his indomitable power
Thus at an early age [ am forced to drink
!. of the bitter anguish which n one save those
d bereft of a loving, pious and ever indul
o gent Mother can estimate. The youthful
Q mind, ever b%uoyant, at last regains its ami
a cook1op oo1 1Ro fon1r1la &C louo Gown from
y the main object of affection, entwine NOR
s closely around brothers, sisters and father
hearts. With brothers and sisters / spor
away many happy moments during tn
sunshine of prosperity moments which i
IN retrospection will ever be hailed as tn
as brightest epoch of my earthly pilgrimage
" Yet while they are the mere accessories t
enjoyment, there is one who in prosperit
~ chides and directs in adversely sustain
h and cOnsO!ess ana csGEhdffd fen lean for pr
Of lection and support. Oh! how faithful
m he tolls and how c~heerfully he struggles
ne procure for his children the means of lux
ry and ease. Does he not even deny hin
aS self the common comforts of life, to conf
,at on them an education which his limitt
ed means will scarcely afford. When tn
lY, arduous task is accomplished, we are st
the recipients of his unbounded love al
hospitality. His generous hand is ev
'be extended to the INDECENT asking aid. l
Int Vulnerable difficulties, temptations and
red ~fictions does he meekly endure. When
She sees the cruel flames consume his ann
vas dwelling, with the larger portion of
H. contents, he murmurs not but looking I
. me yond the transitory things of earth, c
claims The Lord has given and the Lo
ons has taken away; blessed be the name of t
ted Lord We see no change in him exec
had that he is the more devout follower of t
had meek and lowly Lamb. The humble c
it tage, equipped with the small portion
ing Furniture rescued from the flames, soon
I'D comes hallowed by his sainted presence a
faithful prayers. He has now pass
through the ordeal of tribulation and
and Fiction, and as gold tried in the furnace
lied fitted for a holier, a happier abode IL
a. earth can afford. Seventy four bleak "
tiers has he steered his fraiI bark SAT
' bas amid the breakers and whirlpools of t
vain delusive world. When cruel disc
,wer lays his unrelenting fingers on his aeh:
led ; heart, he looks triumphantly from
ear; things of time and sense to that bles
and mansion beyond the sky, where The wicl
her. cease from troubling and the weary art
ntH rest When his physical frame will b
led no more, he lays his head on Jesus
and breathes his life out sweetly there.
,ply, Alas and is it so? My Father,
She thou gone! Shall l never more behold
and beloved and serene countenance? '
Is IL this fevered brow no more receive thy so
ing caresses ? Will this disconsolate h
r.on no more be Gained by thy tender We
and cody counsel? Must l tread the
=. ten paths of time unguided by thy hs
hom unsustaiued by thy supporting care J
I'd of thy groans, thy signs, thy dying adm
and ton, the coffin, the grave and the clay
: uo fresh upon it, all testify that Thou art g
: nO What a vacuum does thy absence c;
,o..; around the family circle: What a vol
irstb this disconsolate heart. A void that not
J her on earth can fill. A grief which no ear
went solace can assnage. The morsel given
fcnl- faithful dog be buries untasted by thy to