Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-02
Mother-Wife-Sister

Mother i-Fondly you gaze upon the noble,
manly form of that son proudly you see his
mind expanding, his brilliant talents unfold
ing to the enraptured gaze of the world
You look away into the dim future, and be-
hold him a bright particular star" in some
grand sphere Of action, with a laurel wreath
npon his brow, and a fountain of truth and
honor gushing up in his heart. You lean
upon his strong arm, and flowers, beautiful
even as the flowers of youth, spring up in
your pathway and the sun of your life is
more brilliant in its setting than in the rosy
morning Of your existence.
All, fond mother, do you consider when
YOU set before him those tempting viands
and rich sauces, so skillfully compounded,
with wines, brandies, and other strong slim
ulants forming the chief part of their ingre-
dents, that you are kindling a fire which
shall consume those brilliant talents, that
manliness in that cherished sonf And these
ashes shall be heaped upon the stained altar
of your own heart.
Wife i-Trustingly you lay your head upon
that,husbands faithful loving heart-and with
hope you bid him God speed, as he hastens
to his pledges oflove, the dear ones at home
The sun is sinking into the crimson sea
which floods thee, the shadows are lengthen-
ing, and you are eagerly listening, and with
the passing moments you glide into dream
land.
o, the long blessed year in that happy
home, where the sun ever shines, and flowers
ever bloom, which rise beyond your enchan.
ted visionl o, the grateful incense of love
which fills the mellow air the gushing mel.
ody of gladness that swells on every breeze
But he comes ;ah, devoted wife, do you net
see in the depths of that sparkling cup which
you proffer your dearest friend, to dispel tn,
cares and anxieties of the day, even though
it be but the ''pure juice" of the luscious
grape from your own arbors-do you not SCI
down in its sparkling depth, your own bit
ter tears and the life blood from your burs
ting heart?
Many suns may rise and set, ere you kno,
the sad reality but light temptations paw
the way that leads to gross indulgence, dark
ness and vol And 0, what a frightful fetr
button shall come at last.
Sister i-proudly you stand beside that n
BILE brother, and listen with rapt admiratio
at the eloquence and power which falls fro
his lips. With fancy'sfnger you carve for hi
q name that shall live in the hearts ola graf
full natio n you pave for him o golden pa
DER which fadeless flowers are strewn /; "
build for him a sacred shrine round while
cluster love, admiration aud blessings Of
world
: All, fair ~sisteri. Do you not know, as y
stand at the festive board with that below
J brother, and sip the ruby wine, that your G
! ample will prove a fatal snare that shall
i stroy those fascinating powers of heart a
|. mind, and sweep them, with your own brig
Z hopes, into speedy oblivionP Fearful da
!. ness shall shroud your soul when the s
y of hope shall have set forever.
j Mother ! Wife lSisterl when you kneel
fore the great All-Father, and pray lead
not into temptation" pray also to be deliy
ed from the sin of setting temptations Def
the cherished objects of your hearts holi
and purest affections R. ii. r