Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-04-12
MISCELLAN A N Y.
Joy Over The Returning.

The following affecting tale of lost child is
from the pen of the Rev. DR.. Eddy, the editor OF
the Chicago Advocate
1t long seemed strange to us that the word OF
the Lord described the return of the sinner as
occasiouing such thrilling rapture in heaven,
and that it contrssted, rs it did, that JOY with
the emotions toward those who remained in the
fathers house, those who had not wandered and
'needed no repentance" 1t surely could not be
that a Heaven of purity loved one sinner more
than ninety and nine toiling, struggling faithful
Christians. That impossible. The children
of God are precious in his sight. He has told Us
that "the righteous is more excellent than his
neighbor." But tits possible that the All merciful
who pleads with sinners "to be reoonciled;" that
the kind Shepherd who goes afar over desert and
mountain after the one wandering sheep, shall
feel for the imperilled solictude not felt for
those in safety, and that its deliversnoe from
imminent peril shall cause a thrill Of joy such as
is not occasioned by contemplation of the al
ready saved.-One almost gone is saved. One
poised upon the crumbliug bank of the dark river
is rescued.
But to u.s. such declarations now have mean
ing such as never before. We can see how
there is Joy deep and thrilling over the wanderers
return, such as is not, and cannot be felt over
those who have not ''been from home, and yet
how love for the latter may be none the less ten
der and enduring.
Monday evening of last week, after hard
days work, we left the Office and started home
ward. In the room below we found Mrs. E. in
waiting, aud together started up State street.
About half way, we met our Oldest son, and saw
that be had some tidings ofeYil. Hecould only
say, "Little RAINY is lost, and we cannot find
him anywhere."-The little one is the lamb of
our fold, bright eyed boy between twoand three
years of age with fair hair hanging in sunny
ringets. Dear child his little feet always
patter on the hall when we ring the bell at noon
his arms have always 80 hug" and his rosy lips
o kiss for papa.
We fastened home and ascertaned that he
had been gone nearly an hour. The immediate
neighborhood had been searched in vain. We
started instantly-the streets, alleys, etc., within
reach, were tIaversed, but no tidings. Night
was at hand and evidently, our child was beyond
our neighborhood, and that cold night was lost
in the midst of this great Babel.
Notice was sent to the police station, and to
some of the churches having service that even
ing. A friend procured the crier. We had Of
ten heard that bell, and the cry of lost child,
but never fell the tones so sadly as We heard
them that night, as he cried, "Lost child-a
little boy, not three years old, lost from l2 Edi-
ma plsce-bareheaded light curly hair, had on
q red dress, stockings and little slippers" O,
those cries We have heard them ever since.
Kind frinds came to our aid, strangers came with
fearful sympathy, parties were formed who pat
rolled the streets and alleys, in all directions,
bat came back with the sad word, "No tidngs."
The hours wore on, and near midnight the
srir-a NM For ia nInhf
Dear reader, may you never pass night OF
such suspense we sat by the fire, and how our
hearts woald bound as footstep neared our
gate. Perhaps lis some one from tie police
Station with our child. No; the steps sound on :.
Our door is passed!
We did pray, we did commit our child to the
All-Father, and that alone sustained US. But
we could not blot out the visions which crowd
heard his wall above the moaning of the tenn
pest and signing of the waves: now we see him
lying upon the cold ground, those locks frozen
t. the earth; then again we saw him caught in
the net work OF railroads on Clarke street aud
crushed to shapeless mass.
Slowly passed the hours. Will daylight never
come? 1t came at last. Ere we began our
search again, we went into tho breakfast room,
and there, lying upon the sewing machine was
his little hat. We turned from it and in the
corner stood his rocking horse, with the reins
drawn over its head, just as ne lett it; while ON
the table was his plate, with his high chair be-
side it. Up that moment we maintained our
frmness, but could no longer.
Friends came to assist US. God bless them!
Never did we need them more--neyer did we
appreciate them more highly. The author
tiles placed the police ct our service, to make
the search thorough.
Still no tidings. Nearly eighteen hours had
passed, each hope mad been crushed, and the
prospect grew darker.
At this juncture came German to the house
and said that if our child was the one described
in the morning papers, he was safe, and he
would bring him. We did not see him, and on
learning the news drove to the place we sup
posed he designated. but found no child. Home
ward again he did not come.-The friends in the
search had partly returned, and were awaiting
the result of the intelligence, ere they should go
again. The anxiety was too deep for words.
At last We saw some one coming--how far one
can see who looks for lost child-nearer and
nearer. 1t vast was our child God be
praised he was safel
Sacred be the mothers emotion-mothers can
imagine them.
Our friends gathered with swimming eyes