Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-06-03
The Word Farewell.

If ever latent feeling of love and
friendship assumes tender reality,
sweeping the innermost depths of the
soul, and kindling sadly sweet emotions
in two warm hearts, it is as memory
fingers upon the parting hour, and we
whisper that little, that expressive word
i arewell.'
Brave heart that has butfeted the
storms of life. and did not tremble for
the issue when troubles came, how pow
erleSs at last to check the rising tear or
suppress a sigh as YOU uttered an adieu
to friend VINO had shared Your joys
and sorrows-your little playmate in
childhood's happy days, when the earth
seemed paradise Of winning conf
dence, innocence and truth.
AS one who stands in deaths silent
chamber and while gazing on dead
face upon which the sad word ended
is written by icy fingers and is ready
to forget and forgive all the follies Of a
misspent life, and even draw the soft
mantle of charity over the record of az
enemy who had wronged us even SO
when We come TO part with those who
only had a small share o; our affections,
and readily forgive any differences that
existed, or hard feelings that blunted
the warm current OF our regard. II,
then, such ale our emotions upon say
inc adieu to some ordinary associate,
how much more intense the feelings of
regard when the eye is resting upon
thr features endeared TO US by thou
sand hallowed remembrance, and the
land clasps hand perhaps never again
to feel its warm pressure, never again to
hear the kindly voice, or welcome the
smile that gladdened us of yore.
Rut is it the mere feet otparting that
gives us pain ! All, no rather is it
the question that intrudes itself upon
us, how, when and wfere shall we meet
again? We are loath to say goodbye;
for knowing how frail the tenure we
hold upon earth's dearests Joys, aud that
death is ever near, lurking in the tairest
flowers, we cannot always Danish an
apprehension for our safety and happi-
/ ness, however groundless that appre-
henson may be, and when PRESENT.
ments of evil and danger, almost amonn-
ting to superstition, will sometimes take
possession of the most buoyant and
fearless heart
How will it be at the next meeting !
Reader you may well ponder this, You
have some dear one who is going from
You, it may be some bright sweet face
! YOU hope to call your wife at no very
distant day and she is going from you,
or you from her Have YOU pledged n
vow ofconstancy, that nothing can turn
aside or will time and distance have
taught You that absence conquc"S
love? :" What is your next thought I!
When VIII it be week, month
or year viii it be when care and
trouble have left deep funows upon
your brow, and your eye has lost its lus-
ire, and your cheek its wonted bloom!
or will it be when YOU shall have added
new laurcls to the history with which
your life beguL? or when you have
gathered wreath of glory to crown
maturer years And, lastly, wh'r, ?
Solemn thoneht foI you are now tread
inc upon sacred ground-your spirit is
borne upward to the better land VIII
you meet at last in heaven, where no
adieu is spoken-no farewell word can
linger upon the quivering lips--no teal
can dim the light of a loving eye-no
throb of pain ever reaches the soul 7
Breathe that word tenderly when you
say farewell !" Seal il with PRAYER,
and guard it with a wish that heaven
may guard and bless your friend. Then,
when death shall still the throbbinp
/ pulse, and the "clods of the valley con
ccal from mortal gaze all that remains
ofthat loved companion, be your trust
that those you have so tenderly cher.
ished here below, now wrapped in the
tadeless drapery Of eternal rest, have
gone 10 receive their reward.