Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-07-16
sHtiseellanenas Anielss.
HOME.

Home, thou sweet and endearing word
Long after the echo is hushed, and the
sound is borne afar on the passing breeze
its holy influence remains, breaking upon
the heart mystic spell. a.ra s'..a - :,
What is home? Is It only ones dwell.
ling place, or ones country? A place
where the body is clothed and fed, where
we 20 out and come in and find shelter from
the rude tempests of our native land! No,
no !! It means something dearer and more
exalting still. It is a spot we have cherish
ed, and around which our affections have
fondly clustered since earliest childhood -
Not only spot of earth, but it is, On oasis
in the hearts desert, n green isle in ''mem'
ory's waste" to which we often turn with
lingering gaze. IT'S there we have loved
and been loved. IT'S there the holy and
happy influence of pious parents checked
our wayward nature and brought US to re.
fleet on the realities Of life. There, around
the hearth-stone with fond ones, sweet as.
sociations and pleasures, no where else to
be found, filled our cup! with; joy J Some
one has said, 'shomeis is where the heart is
and is true, for our earthly affections are
centered upon home because there the great
est amount Of earthly, happiness has re.
suited to us, just as our chief affections
should be centered on God and heaven, as
the source Of all our spiritual comfort and
happiness. There is associated with home
the idea of calm and peaceful rest, = qui-
etude from the busy, noisy 5throng Of earth's
''teeming millions. A forgetfulnessiof all
temporal cares and anxieties a sweet peace
and comfort of mind, never felt by the ex-
lie and stranger. The very sound carries
with it something sweetahd impressive.
To an exile (and who are not exifes in
this land Of war and desolation p the hope
of return home gives wings to many a
tardy hour. He has parted from case and
enjoyment, rest, and the sweet comforts of
life, but his thoughts and hopes of a return
in the future light up his darkened path
way. ALL! sighs one, when this way worn
task is done and these wanderings and tolls
are over, how happily will Ireturn forest
in tie bosom of those Ilove at homei Yes,
'twhen this cruel war is o 'er, " may we poor
exiles be permitted to 60 back once again
to the spot we loved in youth, if but to
weep over the ashes of ruined homestead,
and the graves of slowed ones" gone to rest
in heaven.
If the thought Of return to an earthly
home is sweet, oh |! how: sodfeheering and
glorious the remembrance of home in hea-
ven, to which weary pilgrims are journey
ing, and where there is 'sfullness of Joy
and pleasures forevermore - We are ex-
lies from a Fathers mansion on high, and
he has promised us safe and happy re-
turn, if through the mediation Of his son,
we enter upon the high way, and fight va
liantly as 'ssoldiers of the Cross How
sweet the reflection, we will sooner or later
return to inherit promised joys! Were it
not for such hope as this, how many q thirst
ing traveller would faint by the way but
his heart is fixed on home, Sweet Home,
where the fountain of living water gushes
pure from beneath the throne! There his
sainted soul may 60 out and in, and find
rest eternally. Oh! that final rest, after
the storm of life is past ! That rest at home
''Sweet rest in heaven!" May we all, kind
readers, be permitted to enter into that rest
at home. ..... -..... a.. G. F. Il. 81
Christian Iader.