The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-06-30

of adversely, and the wave of adversely
leaves its destructive marks on the frag-
lie bark. This takes place frequently
among us.
You may notice to-day the joyous
parents enrapt with unutterable feelings
of gladness concerning their child,
but tomorrow the great Reaper of
Death cuts down the youthful, tender,
and loving object of hope.
Look now at the parents. What q
visible change in their appearance. The
father hesitates while pursuing his
daily business, and thinks of the pre-
cious treasure that was lost. No earth
ly possession can replace the object of
his affection. The mother too is more
| entered the secret chambers of her
heart, and there weeps without q con-
soler. The physical frame has lost its
usual animation. Those impulses of
love which sprang spontaneously to-
ward her offspring are blighted, after
missing the hopeful plant of manhood
on whom they dweIt.
Time only can alleviate and assuage
the heart when affection penetrates the
bonds of parental affection. Yet they
seem to emanate in cold "Reminiscences
from the obscure oblivion. The reason
why all these heart rendering pains are
allowed to meet us on the moving cur
rent lies in the concealed recesses of the
shadows of the Infinite. If the mighty
stream on which we move was smooth
and uninterrupted, devoid of the mer-
CHESS pillows that dash in terrible foam
of grief, doubt whether it were pos
sible to understand or realize the whole
of humanity. The sweeping storms
that rage over the forest do not weaken
its power-they increase its strength.
1t is true that many tender, straight,
and decaying trees are broken by the
mighty wind. So in the great course
of our moving life. Promising youth
and decaying old age enter their APP
pointed haven through some immutable
decree of the Author of our existence.
In the voyage we discover the eddies
of Illustration, the whirlpools of de-
struction and ruin. Many of our CO.
temporaries are seen floating into their
malstrOms. They all lead to the Nj
agara of Perdition.
There is no going from where we
started to try it again. 1t requires all
the wisdom and energy we have to pilot
"our own canoes" when gliding down
the stream. We must watch for snags
and hidden rocks lying but few inches
under the surface of the waters.
Carelessuess often causes us to find
our barks launched on the occult OBJ
structiOns. Men and women that can
not pilot their barks find themselves
thrown in the falls of disadvantage.
Life is not perpetuslIy sailing amid
the gloom and sorrow. 1t has its fair
and bright corruscations of success.
The vivid and serene smiles of Provi-
dence rest on those that endeavor to do
their duty. 1 am of the firm conviction
that q man cannot sail through life sue
cessfully without being endowed with
a sufficient degree of moral character.
There is some latent power in q moral
character which keeps the row of his
boat in the channel of duty. When
you have attained to the necessary
standard of moral and religious recti-
tude, you need not fear of the breaks
and cataracts to precipitate you into the
hopeless whirlpool. And it is inevita-
bly, true, also, when a man uses the
means adapted to his prosperity, grant
ed by the oracle of life, the great I'M
seen hand of Omniscience guides his
frail boat to its desired haven, where he
is taken a safe voyager in the Mercifal
Boat of Salvation.