Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-10-11
The Child IL Dead.

II was Of small consequence to any one at
David's court except the royal father, that
Bathsheba's child died, or it became notice
able 10 his courters only by its effect upon
the king himself. Nobody really cares much
for a baby outside the household where it
has made its nest. When it is i'll those who
love aud honor the parents will sympathize
with them, and social acquaintances will
inquire for the little ones life or health for
politeness' sake But nobody's business is
affected no social circle is broken up; no
vacancy occurs in the church or the state,
when baby dies. II is not missed IL its
departure occasions any remark between
people who happen to meet on the street or
in the cars or at the funeral, that remark
is likely to indicate that it is better on the
whole that it died. But in one secluded and
love-bound circle, it is not So No baby has
lived, if but for little while, and not made
room for itself in its home. To those out
side the baby gone is like every other baby.
To the family, it is unlike any other 1t
was a pleasant surprise TO find this remark
in a secular and political journal not long
since Something of the divine power
which from the manger in Bethlehem drew
peasants and kings to worship together, still
seems to linger in every cradle" And when
the softly, tearfully whispered words, "The
child is dead, made the heavy August air
seem even more heavy and close and sitting,
gentle tender grief seemed to permeate
the very atmosphere from basement to attic,
and to touch parents, children, servants, very
much alike. They are mere "germs," rea-
sons the naturalist. "The fittest survive"
argues Mr.. Darwin. "Only a baby" says
everybody. 1t is mysterious, inexplicable,
but it is true; that little one was in its brief
life preacher and, more than that, it was
a section of intense life, existing in wonder
ful love-force, for little while in a tiny and
visible form, and then going out Of sight
only to leave behind sort OF invisible gar
den where the freshness and fragrance of
first flowers never afterward die. II is not
bud nipped, weightless atom of humanity"
1t is a new sweet force thenceforth ever ac-
tive, first, in that grandest of Gods creations,
a mothers heart, and then outwardly in an
overwhelming circle through the family.
The broken toys, the shoes and dresses, the
mound in sweet Auburn" the little things
the baby did, the first likeness that means
so little except to the eyes of affection, the
innocence, guilelessness, helplessness and
care-demanding nature of that which has
gone, have awakened feelings and started
thoughts that will never die. God has left
every household a holy legacy in the child
that lie lent even for little while, and then
took back to Himself. Nothing seems TO us
more like what we conceive heaven to be
than the sweet memories that abide in a
home so bereaved. 1t does not surprise us
that some of the sweetest poetry in our Ian
guage was born with the death Of children.
At no divine words do our hearts linger with
so much comfort and satisfaction as when
Jesus says Suffer little children, and for.
is the kingdom of heaven"