The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-03-25
For the journal
Thoughts OF ti,c Past Near.

nv CORA
As Time, with arrowy swifmcss." steals away
The months anl years OF our existence, memory
whispers Of all that has been enjoyed and suffered
in the uurcturning past Aud what ninglngs Of
joy aud sorrow, OF hope aud dspar can we recall.
oven IN the short space of " this time last year"
Eyes bright with hope and gaycty, have been dim
med by the tears Of disappointment ami sorrow
Forms buoyaut with youthGtluess aud elasticity
arc prematurcly bowed with sorrow or, perhaps,
have obcyed the mandate of the " King Of ter
rors,' aud those whom wo know but ono short
year ago. full of lovcliness end health, havo boon
very quietly laid to rest, beneath the shadows of
bright forest trees aud woodland blossoms; and
those who but this time last year" wcrc happy
in the possession OF their love- now walk The car,h
as mourners iudecd aud in thcr hearts have arisen
very great sorrow, and they wonder if ever again
to them the songs Of the wild birds, the awakening
of tho young flowers or tho returning Of thu Joy
GUS Spring, will breathe a thought of gtadness-
so great seems tho grief OF their mourning hearts.
"Onc shall he taken and the other loft" who
cannot testify to this ovon II the brief lapse OF one
yeary Who has not bean called to mourn the
passing away" OF II relative, a trienl, or u com
panionH Who, at tho dawning of last yoar were
with us but now arc with the blessed angels around
the throne OF GoiY Tho old the young, the
brave the beautiful. have passed. from earth since
last W. heard h1 greetings and vol wlshe, at the
birth OF the now year, 1857
Tho infant has closel its sunny eyes in death,
and OnNr,l lie iinv ia,
river that niaSeth glad the City Of the Groat
King, anl has been callod home by that gentle
shsphcrd who hath said ." of such is the kingdom
of heaven" Tho gentle maiden and the young
wife alike havo laid down tho cares, tho Joys, tho
love, and the SORROWS Of this lite, aud have gone
to God, who hath biddcn thcm, in accents of love
/" to come up hither :" and now " seraphic crow
is theirs, and their fingers sweep the golden strings
OF angels harps, The old man has quietly passed
away N his long homs. Gently was thu silver
oosed, and tho pitcher broken ct the fountain, and
having suffered all the righteous will of his Maker
has gone to receive his reward. Aud proud aud
manly form, have yielded to the call OF the Pale
Rider OLD Ocean has claimed his due, and be-
meath his cold and bilowy depths sleeps the forms
OF those whose bravery aad generous gaantry arc
a nations pride, and whose untmcly fate bids Il
uaton weep. True to the last--unwaverng oven
in death" with harness on" thor bodies went
down into tho mysterious caverns OF the briny
waves, and their God like souls up to the great
Rewarier Of tho Faithful at whose bidding the
sea shall give up its doad 0, tha past year ! As
its moments havo spod away, who can estimate the
footprints made upon tho sands of Time, whether
for veal or woe, during its brief iouru with us?
And, turning from the patio aspect of death,
what changes have been wrought amid the life
scenes Of those who have survived tho dead year.
Many, ut the commencement with all tho comforts
that money buys, now are reduced to want and
trondless and pcnniless they roam about in search
OF employment. doomed to chilling dsappuint-
ment, aud the cold averted gaze of those, who
twelve months since, ware profuse in their cougrat-
ulations and wishes OF happy new year. On many
prosperous families, in many thriving homes the
magical spectre" " Hard Times has written his ia
tai impress, and with many has been fulfilled the
prophecy "richcs take to themselves wings and
fly away" New friendships have been formed, new
hopes klndlcd during the past year. And alas
also old fricn lshpS have been Buried old anil tried
friends now meet in pride and coduess and il
their hearts the nightshado of bitter thoughts and
naughty feeling have taken tho place Of confidence
and trust Aud over this there aro mourners
whose grief is as great those who have seen the
"shroui-folds" gathered about the forms Df those
who gladden. their sight no more.
But turn over to tho sunny side of " ono ycal
ago.' There has bc1n much to cheer to animate
and to bless. For many there has arisen light ou
of darkness, sweet flowers have bloomad in thoil
pathway; gay songs of Wild birds have chccred the
Heetins months, aud joy has gildel many pas
hours: and thankful to that God from whom =
blsTsings ilow,' may we trust to Him the futurC
of our liyes--thc fair unwrit,cn page CT 1853
PLAIN, jan, 1888.