Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-11-02
[for the Civilian and Telegraph.
The Evening Star.

Will COUlC tHC uuoHSi, ahi ihiSh'J "o'iN
revolving in my orbit around the great lumin-
ary that gives light and warmth to the earth
My Office is to perform the part assigned me
in the planetary system and maintain the per-
feet order and regularity that was established
at sCreation's BIRTH" But besides its aid
in preserving the wonderful regularity and
harmony with which the heavenly hcdics re-
volvc, by making its revolutions continually.
the little star (or it seems snplH to us) has
another Office to perform. 1t has mission
upon earth, which it ever faithfully ful6ls-
it cxcrts al infuencc-pure and holy-among
mankind that may be felt.
When the sun shines in his uncqualed
splcndor, its soft, pale light is altogether in
visible, and even when the moon is in her
full radiance, its glimmcring is scarcely per-
ceptble, but gently and silently through the
hushed evening air its silvery beams descend,
bringing sweet messages of peace and love,
Of comfort and cheer to earth's weary ones.
Let us follow its rays, and trace some OF its
quiet workings, and note its silent influence.
A young girl is knecing beside newly
made grave. The sun has disappeared below
the horizon, the "shadcs of night are gather
ing around her, the grass is already wet with
dew, vet she hceds it not but seems insensi-
bic to every thing around her. When at last
she raises herself, it is to awake to the con-
h. pt,a l., tfnr
tears over the grave of that mother, to whom
her atFectors so tendcrly cling. What is it
that seems to rivet her gaze us she looks up
ward imploringly, as if to pierce tho airy
depths and view her saintcd mother? 1t is
the Errmng Star shining softly there. 1t
brings consolation to her sorrowing heart,
for it seems link that binds her to the loved
one in tie spirit world" As she gazes
calm steals over her and she acknowledges
that it was the hand of Him who doeth all
things we'll that bercft her, and she no longer
murlnurs that her beloved parent was taken
away. The soft beams as they fall upon her,
seem laden with messages of 1--we AMI COM
fort. and through them she holds sweet inter-
course with the departed one,
| The little star has soothcd her grief, and
become her comfortcr-has it not performed
| its mission.
But we will leave her, and follow its noise
less workings still further.
A young man who bears upon his brow the
stamp of intellect, is standing upon the thrcs-
hold Of a gambling saloon. He pauses mo-
ment ere turning to enter the place OF ruin
and his eye chances to be fixed upon some
thing in the distance What is it that arrests
his attention so completely that his footsteps
are stayed, and he appears utterly unconscious
of all around? 1t is the Erening Star shi-
ming there.
As he gazcs, what thoughts crowd upon
his mind, what emotions sweep over his soul
Scenes that had long been forgotten are viv-
idly brought to view, influences that had been
slumboring and had seemingly lost all power
over him are fast at work lie sees his early
home, and lives over again his childhood and
early years. Again he is knecling by his
mothers side li>ping his evening prayer and
he feels her gentle good-nign gnt-kiss Upon his
cheek He seems to be gazing upon the
same star that he and his little brothers used
to watch ere closing their eyes in sleep, whicl
they used to think was one of lamps in the
home Of the angels.
Scene after scene of his younger, puter life,
is called up until he sees himself leave hi
home to act his part in the worlds broad fel
of battle. Ills mothers parting blessing, hi
sisters last embrace and gentle warming ar
brought afresh to his memory. Does he CT
ter the gambling house? No. The littl
star has saved him. 1t has brought back hi
mothers early teaching and earnest counse
and has awakened new desires and resolves
his breast, and he turns away better, yea,
, rescued man. The star has accomplished it
mission.
Let us follow it little farther. A mothe
, is bending over the inanimate form of her da
, ling child The deep stiffness that reigi
throughout the apartment is broken only no
and then by convulsivc sob or low moa
as the stricken mourner clasps close her 10
treasure. What is it that meets her glan'
and. fixes her attention as she in spcechle
agony raises her eye upward Z? 1t is the Ere
ing Star shining gloriously there. Long al
> earnestly docs she gaze until smile of swee
J ness, n look of tender resignation spreads ov
her couutenance. AS the soft rays strea
through the open easement, she gazes and I
- members how oft at that calm, twilight ho U
!. she would sit and point out to her fair b
that star, until he learned to love it and CT
), it his own. Now she identifies it with
child and no longer thinks of him as he !
before hcr-a lifelcss corpse--but as brig
'e star in the upper world, and she feels that
l. is no less her own, than when he clasped
# arms about her neck and prattlcd those sw'
y baby words that were SO precious to her hea
His angelspirit seems to be lowering n
is her, breathing words of sacred pence and
th into her soul
&c The star has fulfilled its mission. ]