Nebraska advertiser., 1859-03-10
Original.
L For the Advertiser
A Tribute to the Memory Of the
@ Departed. 1

n AALWutC " tMC NuOAAUAg VI tuO
Departed.
In tie language of the poet ''friend after
friend departs. There is scarcely one who
may read these lines, that has not been
called upon by the dispensation Of Provi-
dence, to part with some member of the
family circle, or some friend outside, who
had become dear by many years of social
intercourse. Thrice has death crossed
our threshold, and with his icy breath
destroyed the life of three of our band.-
One gentle sister, who had twined her
self about. the hearts of all who knew her,
by her gentle and amiable disposition, bid
us long adieu at the age of sweet six
teen. Consumption had marked her for
its victim, and ere we knew, had coiled its
deadly folds around her heart-strings.-
All that friends, and medical skill could
do, to arrest the rapid march of the des-
troyer, was done-but without success
She sunk gradually under its blighting in
auenCe, till one night-the last night in
d autumn-the shadowy wings of approach
ing death, fell darkly on our hearts
Calmly and resignedly, she gave herself
up to the cold embrace of the messenger
: of death. With an unshaken faith in
Him who is able to save, she fell asleep
in Jesus. l was but child then, and al
, though many years have passed since the
night we were first smitten by the rod of
!. affliction, still remember as distinctly as
j., if it happened yesterday, the feeling Of
It loneliness that came over me, when first
;, realized would never hear the sound OF
: her gentle voice again; that her eyes,
u that ever beamed with love and kindness
were forever sealed. How grieved fell
for all past unklndness, and how longing.
ly / wished her back to life again, if only
for few moments, that / might make
l. reparation for the faults of childhood.
We next laid by her side, in the church.
yard, little wingless cherub, only few
days old. His spirit returned to the Be-
ing who gave it existence, as pure a;
when fashioned frnm His hand, there tt
!. bask forever in the rays of the Son oi
n Righteousness, and to warble praises with
iS ont ceasing, to Him whose throne is the
or Heavens, whose footstool is the earth
,,e' Their mortal remains repose on the banks
g, of Lake Erie. A weeping willow waves
over their graves. A plain monumen
: marks their last resting place. Peace t.
thy ashes, my gentle, gentle sister. AL
though none of the loved ones are near Il
visit thy grave with their offering Of flow
erS, and scatter amongst them tears O
j, sorrow, yet the dews of evening night!
:, water it; the drapery of the heavens i
: its nightly curtain, and the song of nature
}, to be heard in the swaying of the tree
g tops, in the babbling brook, and in tht
gentle beating of Lake Erie's waters
o. when under the magic influence of calm
$; or, when lashed into fury by the storm
c. demon, its foam-crested pillows angril,
m beat against their rocky barriers, causing
that hollow, deafening, sickening sound
: which often proves the death knell o
}. many of its poor victims. This, dear sis
nd ter, is thy requiem!
S, Many years have flown, since parte
We with her on the threshold of eternity, an
on some may think the chain that linked m
spirit with hers, is broken; but little d
they know the workings of the heart
Often, when the flesh is weak and the spir
g weary, have wished her gentle, mini;
tering angel by my side, soothing an
calming the excitement of the body, b
loving words that drop like oil of healin
tv on the tired spirit. At such times haV
lily the strong, magnetic influence of some
thing about me, that l believe was tn
spirits of the loved ones of my childhooC
:. who, noting my distress, winged the
:, way with the rapidity of thought from th
; Oi realms of bliss, to be my invisible con
aid forters. l have often been obliged
= struggle against an inclination to murmu
, at the ways of Providence, when hay
= seen sisters enjoying each others societ
and performing acts of love and kindnet
for each other. l have also been saddel
eOf ed when have seen sisters who SCENE
ka to place more value on the society of ho
en- en- low-hearted friends, and have witnesse
ors ars the mnkinG looks and words that passt
en, s9@ freely between them.
,n9 aGI Next a brother, in the strength of maj
lass ho5d vas smitten down, and nippid fro
= the parent stem. He was the Oldest
our remaining group Its brightest orn
" ment. Death came TO him suddenly, al
withqut warning; but it found him watc
) in ing ''with his lamp trimmed and burning
lille Seven days we watched beside his be
Il fearing eyery moment the brittle threl