Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-05-24
The Heart Of the Home.

Ali really useful and happy homes have
heart centre toward which every member gray
itates, drawn by attractions resistless because
unfelt. The house-baud that surrounds, streng-
thens, and protects, is usually the husband and
father. The hou:e-heart is usually the wife and
mother. More than several times have we
known the weak, the sick, the needy one of the
family to become the house-heart, to and from
which the activities OF every member were in
steady circulation. For her room the best in
the house was chosen. The stately parlor gave
up its best chair and picture. To that room
came the first flower, the first berries, the first
fruit of orchard and vineyard. The newspaper
came into that room first of all. There the faith
er reported when returning, and left his
goodbye when going Thither the young girl,
dressed for party, came in to be admired in
the household heart. Thither the sons have
come thrice day fresh with the last excitement,
and stories from the street. For her, the con-
cert the lecture, and the sermon have been lis
tened to, and story of them brought home
Her need has wrought gentleness and unity
through the whole family. Her TRANQUIL iudg-
ment has tempered hasty speeches and taught
the way Of impartial thought. Around her
chair Or couch, or bed, as around an altar thrice
consecrated, have come daily worshlppers, with
Scripture, song and prayer. And SO through
years OF chastened enjoyment and trembling
hope, this family has found training in life Of
unity, purity, and love. The house has had
heart. The passers-by said ''o67icted" But
the dwellers knew that the affiiction was work
ing out fruits most peaceabe and rewards eter-
nal
The heart ceased to beat The room was
empty. The errands and the services Of love
ended. A the stricken ones stood together, and
with voices low and earnest, vowed and prayed:
BY the memory OF the past, by the ache and
NF Lr,fI hi A0xo II
future, we VOW holy living in the Lord and
we beseech him that in his house of many homes
we may have one, and may she be the heart of
it. Amen. Blessed are they that mourn.
COPS OMNIsCIENCE.-God never forgets
anything. All His works, from the creation of
the world to the tinting OF the leaf, are finished
perfect. Did you ever stand under full bough-
ed, heavy -tolaged tree IN summer time, and
pluck one OF Its myriad leaves and examine its
delicate tracery, It's coloring. the very perfection
of its finished beauty, and then think of the
countless number of such leaves Of the mighty
forests whose iuxuriant growth covers so much
OF the world, and reflect that among them all
there Is not leaf unfinished, each perfect in its
form and color. And did you ever pick flow
er, either from cultivated garden or by wayside
walk, enjoy its odor and bless its beauty, and
stop TO think how all the wide earth blossoms
with such fragrant beauty, and no flower of
| them all forgotten-the same careful hand fill
ing each glowing heart perfume and coloring
each leaf with care. When we think of this
omniscience, of this neyer-failing care, we feel
something of the attributes of that Power-un-
seen, yet ever present untouched, yet ever felt
who gives to the violet its color, to the rose
its fragrance, who tints with beauty the planets
in their courses, whose fat rules the countless
worlds.