The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-03-02
GOD BLESS OUR LOVED OWES.

How sensitive tho heart becomes
through years of love! How dearer
day by day, and year by year, grow the
darlings whom God hath given ia, AID
blessed US in the giviug! At night,
when the days turmoil is over, and the
evening of healthful recreation is past.
when the weary head seeks its pillow,
aud the troubled mind lays aside its
pressure of worldly oare--theu the
heart goes out to is treasures, and the
involuntary prayer ascends for blessings
upon the loved ones, aud God give them
comfort and joy; make their hearts to
sing scatter the clouds which encom-
pass them, and show them the clear,
bright sun Of His mercy, which never
ceases to shine. How gladly, if we could,
would We place our arm beneath them
and bear them above the sorrows of life.
We would not only share their grief,
but, if God would permit, we would bear
it in their stead, that their hearts might
ever bo light, aud their faces shine for
ever in sweet content. But every heart
must know its owngrief, and the best
we may do is to tighten the weight by
such sympathy aud aid as lie within our
power; and this is much. A pressure
ofthc hand, word of cheer, a look, a
toue-any expression which comes Fl on
true and loyal heart will bear the
heavenly blessing, and prove Gods
messenger for good. God bless our louetl
ones! May their secret sorrows be open
to His meroiful eye may the sad fore
bodings which come of physical ills be
turned to hopefuluess through returning
health. If life's responsibilities press
with cruel weight upon the already
overburdened heart, may strength be
given equal to the task, and may way
be opened leading out Of the depths of
darkness into the broad sunlight of His
love.
If, in its wcariness and distraction,
tho loved heart grows rebellious, and
seeks to thwart the plans Of fOmniscicuce,
may wisdom be given to see that even
sorrow has its uses, and that childlike
dependence upon the goodness Of God
is not merely duty but an act of faith,
which brings ITS reward ofpeace and joy.
Col bless our ioOed ones, aud those they
love! If the cares which lie heaviest
on the heart take in the present and
future good Of dependent souls, may He,
who counts even the hairs upon our
heads, and who hecdeth the sparrow
when it falls, cause His providcntial
cure to surround ond protect these dear
oucs, aud thus briug JOY and rest to the
perploxcd aud weary soul.
Aud who among us all have not lored
ones. to whom our hearts 60 out il daily
communion who live ever in our
thoughts, and are part and parcel Of
every wish and aspiration for vhom our
prayers constantly ascend, and in whom
our very lives are wrapped up2 God
pity the poor, dead, miserly soul that
cannot find comfort in the happiness OF
others. The heart that dwclls constantly
in the dungeon Of selishness-tha has
not felt tho warmth and life giving vi
.or of genuine human passion-that
cntrcnchcs itself behind the barricades
of mammon and self righteousness, and
gloats upon the superior disccrnmcnt
and cunning which prompts it to turn
away the proffers Of friendship and love.
as it would spurn ragged bcggar from
the door-fOr such this bright world was
not made. TO such what meaning can
there be in the beautiful things which
come from Gods hand-the bright
summer days, tho breath Of spring,
laden with the perfume of flowers, the
songs of birds, the cheerful greeting of
friends, the glad heart pulse which
speaks of the divincst of ali human
emotions, the love which outlives oil
sorrow, and grief, and discomfort, and
misunderstanding. aud even mortal life;
and which, it is blessed to know, will
begin upon the other side only to grow
brighter and brighter throughout eterni.
ty.
God pity the unloving and unloved,
ond bless, with such joy, and peace. and
heavenly comfort MS cannot come from
earth, or lorctl oncs !--Iackay0's
MonthH.