Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1878-10-09
Fsstjss, Humiliation asd Prayer.

lcncef fihNe We sihuco si'"' We oNo"e ~
80 scourgedi II 80, let us bow into the
dist our heads; deny ourselves the gratif-
cation OF food and with common voice pray
the God Of gu. fathers TO stay the ravages Of
the destroyer
Il has been o custom, among all nations,
for ages past, in times Of great public ca
lamity, that their rulers, to stay the wrath
Of avengiug Deity, would decree that all
theheopie should fast and pray, or by some
act Of self Abasemept, show that they &C. !
knowledge that the calamity came from =
higher power.
The observances are but typical Of other
thugs. To some they mean much, TO 9th
ers little. The man Of real and genuine
piety enters with heart and soul into
the observance. He rcsists the desire for
food, that he may be removed from the
grosser things of life, aud that the spirt,
uncontaminsted by the things Of this
earth may hold communion with that
greater Spirit which rules. The calamity
of the nation is present to his mind. He
recognizes in the pestilence the hand OF
offended Deity. He recognizes that he IL
IN integral part Of the people who have
offended; and while be puts his mouth in
the dust and heaps the ashes Of humiliation
upon his head, the future opens brightly
before him. A mighty resolve fills his
mind. II at least will 40 live that Provi.
dcnce shall not frown upon me-" He prays
that the nation may I've spared. He asks
Jehovah to bear in memory those who have
indicated human nature from the charge
Of heartlessness.
Tho Divine blessing il sought for those
who have gone into the fevcr-stricken
towns and given their lives that Others may
live. lie prays for the country that has
poured out its wealth like water that the
sick, the naked, and starving might live
be clothed aud fed. But through all this
there is to be heard the genuine piety
which acknowledges shortcomings, and
promises genuine amendment for the flu
ture.
To-day, under the appointment of Gov
Nichols, the people Of Louisiana are cx-
pcctcd to meet in their churches, and
cr TO stay his Christening hand and deliver
us from the scourge which is battling hu-
man skill"
In Homer the people will observe the re.
quest. The stores will be closed. Divine
services &ill he held at the Presbyterian
church by Rev. j. T. Davidson and j. A.
Parker Let the people all attend. Let
them appreciate the solcmnity of tho &C.
cnsiou.
We were told tho other day of an Incl
dent, beautifully pathetic. At Memphis,
when the last epidemic ragged a mother
had lost all her children save one-a lovely
child. To the hope that this child might
live, she chung with the energy Of despair.
Every night she prayed for the frost. With
streaming eyes and deep sincerity Of faith
she prayed that the frost might come.
And when at last there came with the
morning the etching upon the glass that
told Of the cold without, abe rushed into
the open air and there was the blessed
white frost; heavy, thick and sparkling.
With shouts Of EXTREMIST joy, she falls
kisses the surface of the earth; kisses the
frost from excess Of joy. 1t WAS thus that
the Lord smiled upon her; thus that he
answered her prayer. Who can doubt In,
that to her troubled heart that first CLEAN
Of the morning sun upon the silvery frost
was indeed smile from God.
To-day there is needed the same earnest
sincerity Of prayer.
Pray that the epidemic may be removed
that the blessed frost may come; that thoss
who nurse the sick and bury the dead may
I've shielded.
Cover with the shield of Thy protection
such AS are exposed TO danger
THE gloom is on our citics-ithc darkness
everywhere;
For the hot breath of the fever fills the
sweet October air.
Fror the city and the village comes the
weary cry, how longf
Oh! bravest hearts in all the South be ten.
der and be strong.
Brave hearts that cheer the dying-brave
hearts that watch the dead
Brave hands that bear up nobiy the strick'
en- feyercd head;
God bless yon in your ministry of tender.
ness and love,
And write your names in glory on the hon.
or roll above.
Watch by the sick, dear Saviour, in all
their pain and loss-
To all the sick and dying send the confer,