Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-12-25
For the Cedar Falls Gazette.
MOTHERS DEAD.n

NV DEADs'
Twas a beautiful morning in November !;
We were seated around the breakfast table,
enjoying social cheer, as only friends can !;
when there came a rap at the deor. Mine
host directed his son, bright young lad Of
thirteen summers, to 80 and attend it. He
left the room but soon returned, saying
" Father there's a little boy in the other room,
would like to see you" What does he
want, my son?" "He looks as though he
might want great many things" replied
master Fred, "but he only said he wished to
see you; and please father will you not so to
him directly, for he looked SO sad" and a
look Of seriousness came over his young face,
as ho thus appealed to his father, showing
that sympathetic chord in his heart had
been touched by the forlorn appearance of
the littl. stranger, he had just admitted. DR..
NJ arose ard went into the other room, leav-
ing tho door ajar behind him: and during o
lull in the conversation ut table, heard
these plantivc words I" Mothers dead" o
how they smote upon my ear, for as looked
in Imagination, into the little fellows future,
thought of the many desolate days and
hours that would come to him, and no mother
to cheer, soothc or comfort. Nor at night,
when he knelt to say" Our Father" there
would be no mothers ear to listen: and
when still farther on in years, he should be-
gin to fight for himself, the fierce battles Of
life and temptations with their dark power
should assail him, and evil associations with
all their blighting influence come around
alas, no mothers prayer, nor loving counsel
to shield him, or whisper words Of cheer
what wonder II he fall? May God be mcr.
ciful to thee young orphan, and guide thee in
all thy ways.
But few people in the world appreciate the
power Of holy home influence. We, dear
reader, believe in mother, and think more is
due (or might be) 10 the holy power Of their
loving guidance and restraint than to all the
laws ever enacted by Senates. Washington,
(name at whose mention every Americans
heart leaps with proud exultant joy,) great
and good man, vas not ashamed to ascribe
oil that he was, under God, to his Neither.
All yes, it is mother, name Of the earliest re.
lationship, symbol of the Divine tenderness
kindling love we never blush to confess
it is your true courage moro than mans rude
daring, that will send men forth to die at the
belching cannon's mouth, and stamp the
name of Hero on those who stand in the
worlds great front Of battle. And it is your
inspiration also that breathcs along the lines
Of the poet, lending to his imagination the
beautiful flowers wherewith to clothe the
brilliant regions Of his fancy.
Reader, have you not sacred memories Of
your childhood? and the prayers you learn.
ed at loving mothers knee? and when
lifs's storms are raging, and sorrow drops
beat upon your aching head, and temptations
gather around, and seem to hurry you on to
deeds unholy, do not these visions Of the
past seem talisman to keep you from evil 2
Oh, the memories Of our childhood are holy,
thank God they are left to US. In thoughts
| have wandered back to tie scenes of my
own young life; again do see the spire Of
The little white church, which was embower.
I'd so costly among the trees on tho hill, at
lhe base Of which laughingly rippled a little
stream, and many times when heated and
tired Of play, have bathed my head and
face in its cool waters, and then lain down
among the grass and flowers, upon its banks
and slept
You have doubtless, dear reader, an " old
home somewhere, and will appreciate this
picture Of mine. 1t was situated among the
hills Of the Empire State. 1t was not state
y, but sure are we, the King of Heaven low
ed to finger there, and listen for words Of
prayer, that went up from earnest hearts and
lips; some Of which are cold and still now,
but we know the spirit has not ceased its
song. The groupe that gathered around the
fire place. see them all again. Oh! love
these bright pictures Of the past; they are
hung in frames set with gems, in the May.
land Of memory and although they have
passed away forever, the thoughts Of them
shall ever be sweet incense, breathing
around my path as 4 journey onward.
Oh, will we not thank God daily for holy
home influence? Butperhaps we sigh as We
remember that should ne visit our chldhood's
home, that spot made 80 sacred by scenes
brth joyous and sad; We could not carry back