The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-15
Summer GONE.


The nights grow longer yd longer. Ice
glitters in the morning ligHt, and the clouds
silver with snow ThS/ little four can no
longer breathe the sfength-giving air, nor
feel juicy life stirripg in it's veins. Fainter
and fainter grows its hold upon the protect
ing tree. A strong wind comes and loosens
its clasp and bears it tenderly to earth. a
whirl, an eddy, rustic, and all is over,-no,
not all, its work is not yet done. 1t sinks
upon the projecting earth and Ant@us like,
ss5arrrIeTs strength from the touch, an begins a
new life. 1t joins hands with nyriads Of its
mates, and takes UP again its work of benev-
olence. No longer sensitive itself to frosts
and SHOWS, it wraps in its warm bosom the
frail little anemones, and the delicate spring
beauties that can scarcely bide the rigors of
our pitiless winters, and, nesting close in
that fond embrace, they sleep securely until
the spring sun wakens them to the smile of
blue skies and the song of dancing br, oks.-
Deeper into the earth go the happy leaves,
mingling with the moist soil, drinking the
gentle dews, cradling a thousand tender lives
in theirs, and springing again in new forms,
eternal cycle of life and death forever
spent, renewed forever"
Why, then, should autumn tinge our thoughts
wish sadness? We fade as the leaf and the
leaf fades only to reyivify. Though it fall, it
shall rise again. Docs the bud fear to be
come blossom, or the blossom shudder as it
swells into fruit and shall the redeemed weep
that they must be glorifed? Strange incon-
sistencies We faint with the burden and
heat of the day. We bow down under the
crosses that are laid upon our shoulders
We are bruised and torn by the snares and
pitfalls which beset our path, and into which
our unwary feet often fall. We are famished
and foot-sore and travel-stained from our
long journey, and yet we are saddened by to-
kens that we shall pass away from our long
journey, and yet we are saddened by tokens
that we shall pass away from all these
Away from sin and sorrow, from temptation
and fall, from disappointment and wear.
waiting, and a.fearful looking for of evil, t.
purity and holiness, and the full truition 0
i every nppb,--DllsS Mntcu Syo NUN N.Y. SNSA
nor ear heard, nor neHrU concelveu,-ro 1
world whence all that made this dreary
forever banished, and where all that mad
this delightful is forever removed and IN
creased,-a world where the activities ant
energies of the soul have full scope, and loy
and recognition wait upon its steps forever
Let him alone fear who does not fade as th,
leaf-him whose sources are not in God, ant
who docs not draw his life thence him whos'
spring is gathering no strength, whose sum
mer is maturing no fruit, and whose autumn
shall have no vintage. Is not this the real
sorrow Of us all? not dread Of change, bul
a secret consciousness of wasted power-o1
disloyalty to God as the supreme object OF our
love and service? Yet even here the fading
leaf brings hope. Our future is always be
fore us. The past is fixed. No tears can
wash away its facts. Let us waste no vain
regrets upon it, but from the wisdom which
its very mistakes and sins have bequoathed
us, start afresh on tho race. Though yester
day we were weak, and selfish, and indolent
let us to-day, at this moment, begin to be
strong, and brave, and mighty, and helpful
and just, and generous, and considerate, and
tender, and truthful and pure, and patient
and forgiving. Now" is glorious word
Honcelorth' is always within our grasp.
80, my soul, look not behind thee. Thou has
work to do at last:
Let the brave toll of the Present oYerarch th'
crumbling Past.
Build thy great acts high and higher, build them
in the conquered sod,
Where thy weakness first fell bleeding, where tn.
prayer first rose to Cod