Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-05-28
HOME AND HEARTH.

Home, home, sweet home How few
! fathers ever call to mind and dwell upon,
in the busy and continuous struggle with
the cold, callous and unsympathizing
world without, how inestimably happy il
is for them to have home-a shelter-a
refuge from the fierce conflict between
man and man in the battle Of life How
few properly value and appreciate the
Joys and blessings which dwell in the
happy little world of Home, so unlike
the other world just left at the cato, and
over which they reign, wise and provi-
dent rulers How few feel that the
blessings surrounding them are bless
ings, or that the little joys, ever pre-.
sented to them, are joys, or that the
little world at home is different in all
respects from the greater one without
Does the man of the world, returning to
this minute world of his own, around
whose portals none may intrude without
his consent, ever ponder and dwell upon
the gracious blessings surrounding him,
and weigh the responsibility God has
placed in his hands, of which he must
sooner or later render accountf
How few parents, alas ever enter their
own homes approaching the blessings
God has given them, and understanding
themselves and their relationship to their
own children Who, among the thou
sands who battle daily with dishonest
and over. exacting world, go home and
enter its loving portals with that keen
appreciation of, and admiration for, all
that is pure and innocent upon earth,
which should fill the heart of the God
fearing and thankful among Christians,
brothers and men
OF all earth's blessings for man, God
has given nothing so immeasurably dear,
and so deserving of his every good wish
and provident desire, as Home-that re-
public over which he is chosen monarch
that earthly heaven, of which he is
king, ruler, father, all
The thousand slluring and disgusting
vices of the outside world-alas too fa-
miliar to him it may be-are unknown
to the darlings who are growing up at
home. The guilt and shame of rotten
world have not yet cast their baneful al
lurements across the hearth around which
his own blood aud flesh have multiplied
to bless his name and call him father.
The little, ones prattling around him
as he sits quietly by the hearth, peering
into the glowing Goals whose lurid fer
vency, like the lulling wings of seraph
in dream, have drawn his overtaxed
brain into an abstractsd and thought
ful revery, look up with tell-tale eyes
and peep into pap's face, to read the
story of love or anger Has papa ever
thought how inexpressibly dear to these
little pets is one kind word from him or
an approving smile2
How few of us, alas are competent
to appreciate the blessings Of the dear
little Haven at Home-the innocent
world of love, in which we seek refuge
and rest, when the great evil world with
out frowns upon and hunts down the
dropping spirit within with relentless
persecution! How few of us really ap-
preciate the little world we have peopled
with innocence, whose inquiring eyes
look upon the passing menagerie of the
world without in rosy atmosphere and
brilliant colorings How many of us
can understaHdingly and enjoyably ap-
preciate that blessed little world at
home, which, at close of day in loving
circle greets papa at the hearth, and
whose loving little hearts long for a kiss
and recognition2 Who, among US all,
will dare say that mamma-patient, for
bearing, long.suffering, tired mamma
the good wife and queen Of hearts-is
treated with the respectful considera-
ton. love and warmth Of affection which
her great, loving soul asks as her share
in the wealth Of the home and hearth 2
Few of the worlds cold and callous
hearted, but home and heayen-blest,
dare say they are husbands and fathers
as we'll as msn in word and deed
Home, home. sweet home In joy, in
suffering, in affiictioH lin all the trials
aud bufetings of life, within thy blessed
portals only in all this vast world, may
the spirit of man find welcome, and
lovisg, true, and sincere gresting, and to
thee and thine to day offer We libati0n
Of love and q word of recognition