The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-03-21
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PLAYING IT IS NIGHT.
ny Nns. VIRGINIA FnASrx


,Ict us play 1t is night said sweet little child
when the children were playing, somerry and wild !
closely shut within doors they were hidden to play
FOR Il had been raining quite steadily all day.
They had played everything their rthoughts could In
vent,
And ndforoncetLcy had dpauscd-lheir resources seemed
spent
They had played twas Sunday the dolls had been
dressed
Andto sabbath school taken, all ldecked IN theirbct
Very amusing II was, how they babe lhcm be still
And with some useful lessons tried each dolls mind
10 fll
Not the least one must move, while the Bible was
read,
And the sweet hymns were sung, and the good
prayers were said
Many questions were asked bat the two little girls
with the son bcaming eyes and the clustering eufs
All the question: had asked Oll the answers had
given
Mcthinks the good angels were lIstnns In heaven
Then they played It was school every day in the
week.
No, a doll was permitted to move or TO speak;
And they all had their books held up to their faces
While the mute little scholars sat still In their places
And the two little teachers the lessons all read
1loa,l M every book while the tables were said.
Giving out woristo be spelled they would spell them
themselves,
Ever changing their volccs-thc Swect little elves
Oh, how happy they were and their innocent glcc,
As it ioated around them, was music to me.
And the thoughts OF my heart went out to the child,
Who perhaps then looked down with the saviourand
smiled.
Hut still piled my needle, with eyes growing dim
For felt as ifiistnnI 10 the words OF some hymn
Some dear, longehcrishcd meody--tlown in the
past
Through llfcs dearest memories I'd driftcd at last
But the children were weary of school in their play
So the books were thrown hastily ont Of the way
Then the icN.thngs were brought and the table was
spread,
Aud such daintles their ncicS did fashion Of bread
Pure cold water tea, Il was cream it was wine,
But there never monarch with feast half fine.
And Thought In my hcart--oh, how drcary were
earth
Without children to laugh in their eia'lncss and
mirth.
II NcrC vain To aticmp, In relate all their FUN,
hut at last they sat silently down as Il DONE
When the little one said, with her face all delight
4 ANJh, etettFf 4 AHoHs lcN US plhy u ~ nlSntl
Then the dear little does we've tucked In their be
with their quaint little pillows moothed out meath
their heads.
Then they drew chairs around, for the walls of the
room,
And with comfurt and shawl,, they made darkness
aud gloom.
And they whispered "'tis dark II is night under
here :"
And satpcrfeCtly stu or spoke low as In fear;
Half In Jest half In awe nay, were almost afraid
OF the shadows their own Little fingers had made
And thought is It not often thus with US all
~ We not make the shad 1--WE that oycrus fallg
DO we not draw the curtains, then cry II Is night
while around us Is shining Gods beautiful light?
Do we not draw the darkness Of grief to our hearts
Clasping close to our bosoms deep sorrowfu darts?
While the love Of the Saviour is waiting around,
With merciful balm that will heal every wound.
oh we sll arc 50 like little children at play
With our errors and troubles and pleasures each day.
Let us throw up the curtains our folllcs have drawn
Aud not play II Is night in the brightness Of morn
BRAsDoS, MISS, Feb. q, is7I.