Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-10-26
"Honor thy Father and thy Mot her,"


Were this divine injunction needed as it should
be, many pang might be prevented which other
wise will be keenly felt To those bereft Of their
parents, who were guilty Of unktpdness or disobe.
diencc to them, when they might have contr buted
to their happiness the recollection of their ingrat-
tude is constant source of sorrow and regret
Few among US can look upon the graves of our
fathers and mothers without sad remembrances.-
We think of our coldness and neglect, and of the
love that never failed us so unequited Gladly
would we offer any sacrifice, could VIC possibly do
so, to make rcparation, and to recall every word
that gave the slightest pain to the hearts SO ondly
devoted to US that throb no longer.
One of our most distinguished citizens wandered
when boy, from the home "f his widowed mothe.
regardless Of her prayers and entreaties. After a.
absence of years he returned to the place of his
BIRTH hoping to comfort. during her reclining days,
the mother that had long prayed for, and had long
yearned TO see her wayward child. He had suffer
ed much and encountered many difficulties in :
foreign land; but his efforts were successful and he
had accumulated much of the riches of this world.
His mother. who had been awaiting his promised
return died before his arrival. He stood by her
grave and vept bitterly. Willingly would he have
given all he possessed for one word Of kindness or
one approving smile from her who had passed away.
"My father, says Dr. johnson, "had been in
the habit of attending Uttoxeter market and of
opening a stall there for the sale of bis b0oks-
Confined by ind,sposition, he desiredme ohe day to
supply his place. My pride prevented Inc, and
gave him a REFUSAL" The xearied old man, whom
this denial must have sorely grieved, and who had
long bravely and patiently struggled to supply the
wants Of his family, soon after died. Amid his
conflicts, his labours, his achievements, his hon
ours, that refusal was remembered by johnson with
the deepest anguish. Fifty years alter that act OF
disobedience, when the illustri0us doctor himself
was aged and weary, he revisited the scene of his
early life 81 went," be tells us, unto the market
at the time Of business, uncovered my head and
stood for an hour with it bare upon the spot where
my fathers stall used to stand" 1.-The picture"
remarks Carlyle, "of DR.. johnson standing bare.
headed in the market is one of the saddest ant
grandest VIC can painti Repentance! repentance! !!
he proclaims with passionate sobs :-bu. only TO
the ear of Heaven, if Heaven will give him audi
ence: the earthly ear and heart that should have
heard it are now closed, unresponsive forcvcr."
request was made by SICK and dying mother
to the writer, but it was not needed. He was but
child, and knew not that she dying. for death
had not yet entered the household, and he was ut
terly ignorant of the tokens Of its approach. Never
has he forgotten and never can he forget bis moth
er's look Of tender reproval. When. the day after.
ward he fondly pressed her cold hands, aud kissed
her lifeess lips with unu.terabe sadness
his unkindncss. Years, many years have since de.
parted, but his disobedcnce to his mother IS still
regarded with humiliation and sorrow.