The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-06-02

tinctly engraved upon or memory and
with when the most interesting remines-
cences of our lives are associated. Al
though inexorablc death has bidden us sur
render their bodies to the toub. and their
souls to God, yet are they still present to
our minds beautiful and lre.Rke. And in
fnitcly more precious thai the golden Of
ferings of earth, are these MON ents to us,
when alone we can recall the fond rcnem.
brance of a devoted mother. to whom when
we were prattIing boys and girls, We clung
M the forest vine, amidst the storm, clings
to the stately oak. Yes, we have all had
mothers, and we have learned in some sort
how to appreciate them, remembering when
they were taken away from us, it was as a
Sun stricken from our sky, that left
gloom of sorrow resting upon our hearts,
which unnamed us and FRUSTRATED us in
bereavement
Spring, bright beautiful Spring, come.
with its soft winds aud blooming flowers,
but fitted as this season may be TO inspire
delightful feelings and awaken pleasant emo
hons, this only brings fresh recoilections Of
our clear departed friends. Though it may
loosen the ice bound stream in nature, and
send them laughing on their way, but it al
so opened atrcsh the fountains of grief in
human hearts. The flowers of Spring on
ly remind us OF those the hand of heaven
had planted in our own homes. and while
yet in full bloom, withered, faded, dropped
and died, fit cmblems of our faded glory.
And az the joyous Spring rolls on int" gol-
den Summer, III. harvest reminds us of
those who were brought TO the grave, like
as Il shock Of corn cometh in his season,
full Of days and honors. And rs we arc
ushered into Autum with its fading foliage,
the countless deaths which We witness in
expiring nature, cause us to think of :hc
beloved ones who have passed away as the
grass Of the field, and whose glory has IA
ded as the flowers of the grass And while
emotions Of regret arc kindlcd whkin us,
the muurnful sighlngs of auiumnal winds
through the stubble and shru5brry breathe
the notes Of sadness which sympaihise with
the music of our bercaved hearts. The
leaves quivcring for n MON, mt in the sharp
blast, then rustling through the boughs in.
their Tall 10 the earth, proclaim the fralty
of man. And in the lofty oak, stripped Of
lis foliage, streaching its bare branches To
heaven ns if in supplica'ion that the few
scattered leaves which still remain might be
spared, reminds US with wnnt reluctance
we bid adieu 10 our friends and consign
them TO the tomb. Thus We have fit
emblem. Of many parent like Jacob Of old
Joseph is not, and Simeon il not, and now
would ye take Benjamin also"
With these reflections we are ready 10
say ; o, that ! had wings like dove, then
would fly away to my home above.
would greet my loved mother. my wife or
aged father on the shores of happy Canaan.
would pass in jnyf9! triumph from street
to street in the heavenly Jerusalem until
had mingled in the joys Of all the blessed
above. And now dear weeping friends let
us breathe prayer TO him who was born
in 3ethl-h"m, ni whose birth the Star Of
ihe East arose in granduer pointing the wise
men TO the manger and fium thence to the
cross, where Jesus fun. the splcndor Of
his dying eyes in the face Of a mockiny
people and went home in glorious triumph
To heaven ABOVE, that he may be born in
every heart and find home in every family,
and that, when we too must die, hope may
iliumlne the hour of dissolution, that our
Spirits may take wing from tho radiant
summit of salvation, aid find our homes in
heaven.
And while we are here with bleeding
hearts, paying the last tribute of respect of
our friends, may the gentle form Of our no
ly religion pass by this way and bidding US
To look upward and heavenwnrd may we
cat"h the song and transports of the great
multitude which no man can number around
the throne, where spirits Of Just men are
made perfect. where happiness is pure and
permanent and lasting; may we wipe away
our falling tears, take courage and thank
God. saying, all the days Of our appointed
time will We wait till our change come, and
thus returning to the duties of life, no lon.
ger ss~rowing MS those that have no hope.
The sound Of the Gospel is passing away,
The DAYS of probation are ending
Oh who will return TO the Saviour to day.
While The prayers Of his Saints are AS
cendng.
The sound Of the Gospel is passing away,
Long, long has it fingered around us
How sweet when in childhood it taught us
10 pray,
But alas we're to-day where it found US.
The sound of the Gospel is passing away,
| IL rose on the wings Of The morning,
When my own holy sire bid his family pray,
Aud ieii them in tears, his last warning.
The sound of the Gospel is passing away,
The sound that enrnptured INV mother,
IL Tell on her ear like n sweet seraph's Iay.
Now it falls on the ear Of another.