The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1874-12-23
POST MoRTEM LOVE.

their pleasant thoughts and kind words a.
bout man bottled aud sealed np until lie
is dead, when they come and break the
bottle over bis coffin, aud bathe bis shroud
IN fragrance. Many man goes through
life with scarcely one bright. cheering.
encouraging, helpful word. He tolls hard
and in lowly obscurity. lie gives ont bis
life freely and unstintedly for others.
remember such man. He was not bril-
liant; be was not great but he was faith
fnl. lie had many things TO discourage
him. Troubles thickened about bis life.
lie was misreprcsehted and misunderstood.
Everybody believed that he was a good
man, but no one ever said a kindly or
pleasant thing to him. lie never heard
compliment. scarcely ever a good wish.
No one ever took any pains to encourage
him, 10 strengthen his feeble knees, 10
tighten his burdens. or to lift mp his heart
by gentle deed Of love. or by cheerful
word. He wsa neglected. Unkind things
we've often said Of him.
stood at bis coffin, and then there
we're many tongues TO speak bis praise.
There was not breath Of sspersion in the
air. Men spoke Of sclfdenials--of his
work among the poor. Of bis good qualities.
Of his quietness. his modesty. bis human
ity. bis pureDess Of heart. his faith and
prayer. There were many who spoke in
dignantly Of the charges that falsehood
bad forged against him in pas. years, and
Of the treatment he had received. There
we're enough Kind things said during the
two or three days that be lay in the cofiu.
and while the company stood around his
open grave. 10 have blessed him aud made
him happy all bis fifty years. and to have
thrown sweetness aud joy about bis soul
during all his painful and weary journey.
There was enough sunshine wasted about
the black coffin and dark grave to have
made bis whole life-path bright as elearest
day. But bis ears we're closed then. and
could not hear word that was spoken.
Ills heart was still then. and could not be
thrilled BY the grateful sounds. lie cared
nothing then for the sweet flowers tkat
we're piled upon his c0fiin. The lore bios
somed out too late The kindness came
when tie life could not receive its bles-
sings.
Bot meantime there is great host Of
weary men and women toiling through life
toward the grave, who need cheering words
and helpful ministries. The incense is
gathering TO scatter about their collins
but why should il not be scattered in their
paths to-day! The kind words are lying
II mems hearts and trembling on their
tongues. which will be spokea by-and.5y
when these weary ones are sleeping. but
Why should they not 10 spoken now. when
they need them 50 much. and when their
accents would be pleasing and grateful:
Ii costs but little 10 give men q great deal
OF JOY aud help. One brought b1nch Of
flowers TO my table, snd fora whole week
they Tiled my room with fragrance. One
wrote me a cheering letter, breathing a
= spirit Of gratitude and love. Il came
when Was weary aud depressed. and was
like the meal prepared BY the sngcl for the
old prophet. | went on its blessed
strength for many days. One met me on
the street. and spoke an encouraging word
and grasped me warmly b. the hand aud
for hours felt that warm grasp and heard
that word cchoing through my soul. A
little child may brighten scores OLIVES ev-
cry day. There is not one Of us who may
not gladden. and strengthen mary heart
between every rising and setting sun. Why
should We not live 10 bless the living, 10
cheer the dishear,ened. 10 sweeien cups
that are bitter. to bold up the hands that
hang down. 20 comfort those that mourn.
70 bear JOY into joyless homes? Kind
words will not spoil man. II sermon
helps you, il will DO the preacher no harm
70 tell him so. Ifthe editor writes an ar
ticle that does You good, be can write q
still better one II ron send him . word Of
thanks. Il a book blesses you, do you not
owe il 10 the author TO write grateful ac-
knowledgement2 II you know q weary or
neglected one, would il not be Christ.like
work, 70 seek every opportunity to bright
on aud bless tia. lifes DO not wait till
the eyes are closed. the ears deaf, aud the
heart stilled. Do il now. Post mOrtem
kindness DO not cbccr. Flowers gu the
colin cast no fragradce backward over the
weary days. Rev. J. z. Miller ia s. 5.
Times.