The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-03-20

The Fire-Side.

Come, reader, come with me, and let us
sit down by the fire-side together. The
sun has gone down, the shadows of night
prevail. The winds are blowing without,
but the fire is sparkling within. The shut-
rers are closed the curtains are drawn:
here is yet an hour that may be passed
peacefully and pleasanty-lel il be passed
10y the fire-side.
The fire-side is chosen spot charter
ed space, endeared by thousand affec-
lonate recollec,ioHs. Ii is so III my case
may it be the same in yours But all
earthly things are given to changes, and
the fire-side OF our infancy and youth is
/ rarely that OF our manhood and old age
Sill, however, it retains an attractive charm
still il has a hold, a strong hold on our
affections
What though we are no longer children
watched over us in our by gone days;
though the friends of our youth may be
looked for in vain there are other beings
;htonging around US. sharing our Joys and
our sorrows ; other interest have grown up
in our hearts. The FIRE. side is -et the home
! of domestic peace and if there are IN
! heaven those who draw our thoughts after
| them, there are also on earth those who
! call them back again 10 the world.
| Let US make The most of our common
mercies; and in health and strength, il
! food and fuel, If home and fre-side be
ours let US see how we can turn them TO
the best advantage. Some of the pleasant
est, some oi The hsPpiest hours OF my
/ life have been spent by the fire-side and
you, too, must have had your fire side en-
joyments.
Let US make the most of our common
mercies. We paint our houses, whitewash
our walls, and weed our gardens; why no.
make them all that they should be, by
banishing from them all that is uulovely
aud adjoining them with all that is amiable
and excellent? When family parry, J
/ Gre,side circle, are all of one mind when
their love is wiihou: Discrimination; wher
they abhor that which is evil, and ceave
to iha, which is good when ihey are kind
ly afectionated one TO another, with broth
erly love, in honor preferrng one another
when they look TO the same Saviour unre
servedly for salvation, and with one heart
and voice sing his praise, they come near
er happiness than anything on this side o
heaven
What the future may be we know not
let us be grateful for the present and th'
past for he that can look back 20 the fire
side OF his infancy, his youth, and his man
hood without feeling some kindlirg glow
OF friendship and affection, must iudee'
have been unhappy.
If, in The mirthful sports of your child
hood, when The fire has blazed cheerfully
your eye has been the brightest of the a.
sembed lhTong and if, in alter years, yoU
have found your fire-side hre-sde OF hap
pness, when next you 81, there take up IN,
Book of Life, that your JOY may be full !
you are looking Alright for a more endnrin.
Joy than earth can give, the brightest fire
side scene is as nothing compared will
what is promised. And If the bitter brea'
and water of affi ictiou and sorrow hav
been your sustenance, still take up the hoo
OF eternal life, and read what Is in store 70
the sorowiul servants OF he Lord "H
that sitlelh on the throne shall dwell anon:
them. They shall hunger no more, Meth
er thirs, ary more; neither shall the SUI
light on them, nor any heat; for the Laml
which is in the midst OF the throne sha
lead Them unio living fountains OF waters
and God stall wipe away all tears from
their eyes - Again call upon you TO ion
prove your common mercies, and anon
them not to neglect the improvement c
your FIRE side, that it may become the dwe
ling place OF grateful heart the home c
hospitality, Tie shrine of friendship, III
sanctuary OF affection and the temple {
praise.