Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-04-13
LIFE.


is half so sad even to the most life-loy-
ing and death dreading as the thought
of passing out of the minds of men, land
above all, out of the hearts of those we
love. 1t is dreadful beyond doubt,
and from such contemplation it is
most n atura, We sheuld shrink. We DO
not consider that We need dread such
an oblivion, if we take pains to engratt
ourselves upon the hearts and minds OF
those with whom We mingle. There IS
scarcely heart that is so nngrateful as
to forget one who quickened its throhs
by deeds of Kindness The echo of kind
words, they fall back upon the heart
like showers that bless the earth from
which they came. All yes, in after
years they return over ard over again,
when perhaps the lips that breathed
them are far away or silent in the grave.
Has any one felt the pain, too, that
kind word or tone may contain, when
they are felt to be undeserved? The
power Of a reproving, depreciating
glance, how like an arrow its poisoned
fang seems to tester in the heart that
refuses to forgive itself, though others
have forgiven it. This teaches the
worth of kindness; the very pain It's
absence costs.
We stand in the present. the island
that lies between two vast oceans OF
time. We think, as we look into the
future, we hear the muttered threats OF
storms unborn, of griefs that are to try
US, and of disappointments that are to
vex us. Through the cloudy mantle,
however, we discern the halo of bright
dreams, that perhaps may be realized;
therefore, as We pass our feet upon the
shores of that future we take delight III
the beauty of the scenery around US and
forget the sad experiences and warnings
OF bygone years. Pity it is So.
What good does it do US even though
we are able to trace our paths back
across the ocean of days and hours be-
longing to the past7 Does the view of
that deviatiDg track and the remem-
brance Of the mad winds and waves,
make us more timd ard prayerful, more
anxious for strength higher than our
own? We fear not If we could but
be induced to make steps Of our past
falls, to lead up upward, how happy
would we be. What is before us? We
know not; this we know; that there will
be the same need for courage and labor;
the same need for faith and prayer; that
the cardinal points of every year are
precisely the same; that the needle
always points towards excellence, to-
wards perfection. Although we know
not all the future has in reserve for us,
vet we know it has the demands TO
make on us that the past has made, and
that we shall have no time for idleneSs
or any less lack of opportunity for the
display of ambition. ,.,..
| "Letu us then be up and doing, vlr ps
! With heart for any fate, , ,...
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait"
! We know not how soon the sands Of
life shall run out; we know that we shall
ever stand again upon The verge, OF
another year The fancy. that now pens
these lines may be soaring in some high
scene of existence, and many an eye
that will read them, may be. viewing
more glorious visions that the human
Imagination can bring forth, before this
time next year. None of us can read
the closed page of the future, therefore
we must do our best now, and leave all
the rest with God; hanging with the
faith of little child upon our Fathers
love, knowing that His promise will be
fulfilled. .-.. ...r-.. .. ,.
| We trust we shall mount up with re
newed strength TO do battle TO our
enemies, these passions Of ours that so
clog at every step we take. The world
tries to teach US a very injurious lesson.
1t is to be hoped none lofus will learn
TO be selfish, utterly lost in self We
hope self-mterest may never gain the
supremacy over our love for zone an
other" .fs o.