The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-04-04
Gbe Californian.
FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS
/ WANT MOTHER

WANT MOTHER
An old man lay on his sick bed, struggling
with death. Disease had worn oat his body,
anG 30 affected his mind that he was insensi
hle to all things and persons around him.
Ills family, and one or two other friends,
stood by his bed side, for it was evident that
he had but few minutes to live. He rolled
his head As If in great PAIN, and made several
Efforts to speak. At length We could distin-
guish the words, ".Nother.' Icant mother :
Wig don't mother come p His mother had
been dead nearly fifty years lie was pro-
badly unconscious that he had a wife and
children and grandchildren around him, or
tia, he was himself any thing but a child
When he was really child, be had his
troubles. a. al! children have, and then he
used TO carry his little grcfs to his mother. for
he knew that she would sympathize with him
and her voice would comfort him. lie only
knew now that he was in trouble, and he
thought that if bis dear mother would come,
she would comfort him.
Oh, that childen could now understand
what precious things their young affections
are 1t is sal to see how soon they sometime.
part With them, and how easily they are even
made ashamed Of them. BOYS who love to
lay their heads i'll their mothers lap, to kneel
bv her side and offer their prayers TO God,
and who feel a. though they could not 90 to
sleep without her coming to their bed and
kissing them, and sa, ing parting good night
are sometimes ashamed of this simple and
sweet attachment. Bad children, such a.
are spoken Of in Proverbs, so: IL, ridirule
them for these expressions Of artless love.
and call them babyish. When they become
old enough to 80 out into the world, evil
companions teach them that it is childish and
unmanly TO follow the conns.!s which thev
received in childhood, ard laugh about
anxious mothers" and they are too often
successful in their mean efforts to wean them
from the rurest and happie.t affection which
belongs TO this world Then they part with
the best love of earth forever.
Would that our little readers knew with
what earnest, but van Ioncinss. :hev NAV
look back for these blessed voung affections
should they live until youthful hopes have
expired. and the cares of life have become
oppressive. We conld tell them of men of ripe
soc. strong minds. and who have reached
high destinations in the world. who have had
hours when. crushed by troubles, and worn
down by ,Htl--in.., they hive been heard t.,
eSc!aim, 80, that were little child again,
Then would carry nv SORROWS to nv mother,
sob upon Ter bosom, AMI she would take me
in her arms and c, mfort me 80 sweetlv"
Children, cherish your youthful affections
" YOU los" them. they can never return to
Won il their present freshness. Nouri.h
them through life and there will never be a
month. perhaps never day. but they will
help You 70 bear some trouble, and tighten
up some dark hour. And they will help YOU
TO understand the still more tender and con.
fiding affection which brings. to the redeemed
child Of God, the love and watchful care of
his Father in heaven-.lnerica Presly.
feria".
SPEAK KINDLY To THY MOTHER
Young man, speak kindly to thy mother, and
courteously v. tenGerly. of her Har eve j.
dim, and her form is bent, and Ter shadow
falls toward the grave Others NAV love
you fondiy, but never again, while time il.
yours. shall ones love be to Won as that
ofyour old, trembling, weak ened mother ha.
been.
Through helpless infancy her throbbins
breast was your safe protection and support :;
in wayward, testv b., hood she bore patiently
with your thoughtiess rudcne.s she nursed
you safely through legion of ills and mala-
dies
Her hand bathed your burning brow, or
molstencd your parched lips; her eve Tight
ened up the vigil'. watching .ecples, by
your side a. none but her could watch. O..
speak lot her name lightly, for YOU can not
live so many years As would suffice to thank
her fully. Through reckless and impatient
youth she is your counsellor and .olace. To
bright manhood she guides your steps for
improvement nor even then forsakes or for.
gets.
Speak gently. then. and vixen YOU, too.
shall be old. it shall be yours for other sins.
to know tina; never wantonly have you out
ras'd the respect due to your aged moth.