Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-04-11

By HARRIET FAY.


Perhaps there are few words in the English
language, or in tho vocabulary Of any other
language so strangely mis-comprahended as
the much abused one Of love. The poet Sings
of il, the novoli.ts write, Of it. the uoyelreadeF
weeps over it, the schoolgirl dreams OF 1t, the
world talks of it, yet few souls are blesi with its
knowledge, and its holy light illuwiues but few
hearts.
We talk Of true, uustiiish love, as though
love were ever untrue, or lis sacred twilight
might deepen into the darkness Of Jealousy OF
fade in the cold dawn Of solfshness. The
bright light of passion may dazzle for time,
aud then flicker in the shadows Of indifference
and 20 ont 10 the blsckness OF hate; but love
grows brighter il the darkness, aud sheds Its
steady light over the cherished one, to guide
and to cheer through the path Of sorrow aud,
if need be, of sin, and over the sea Of Death
Indifference cannot weary nor ingrstitude
blight it, Il beams brighter and puror in tbs
spirit-land, aud deaths dark waters have no
power to qucuch lis light,
The belief in guardian angels is no idle su-
perstiton, but beautiful truth realized by
many a heart unbound BY earthly passion, for
as we love those that have gone before, so may
the love Of the angels shed its pure light over
our souls when peaceful thoughts come over
US and still all worldly strife as the quiet Of a
Sabbath evening. Love is no idle creation Of
morbid fancy, 10 sicky senimeuta'ism or
burning passion All love is embodied in the
sentence: "God so loved the world that be
gave his only begottcn Son that whosoevsF
believed in him should no; perish, but should
have everlasting life"
The subtle essence Of love Is not human but
heavenly, and Madame dc StaeI had learned it
when she said "How happy are those who
cousecrate to God alone this profound senti-
mcnt Of love of which the inhabitants
of the world sre not worthy
This simple sentence contains more Of truth
than oil the passion and sentiment Of hef Co.
rinuo
Earthly love Is seldom happy, rarely brings
peace to the soul, because it is not love alone,
but is mingled with pride or passion. Oar
books are full Of this low, earth-born passion
ate sentiment that we call love. Each day we
hear Of husband that abandoned bis family,
OF of descttion Of home aud friends, oil for
love. WOs It love that prompted tho temp
Ter e. tear tie wife from the husband that she
has vowed TO love, honor, aud obey to cast
away the cluging arms of her children, aud
70 plant tie thorn Of remorse deep in her
heart, that, ia the long years to come, she may
reap the bitter harvest Of wrctchedness? Was
it love that plead With hcr when, yielding, She
brought dishouor on his name no less than her
own Love should euuoLle, not degrade its
object
Lovel Divine love, cmanatiog from tie
great source Of light aud love. brings joy and
not sorrow to the heart that chorshesit The
buds Of youth aud The blossoms Of hope may
be lighted by tbe frost Of sclfshness, or scorch-
ed by toe hot breath Of passion, bot the warm
sun Of love rises to bring life 10 dropping
flowers. as thciueGaJlc love Of tha great Father
shall raise US, when b.iehted by the breath Of
sin, 70 bestow upon US eternal life