Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-03-19

life and burdens, the weary, anxious heart Is
still, and they find their last resting place amid
the crowded monuments Of those who have pre-
coded them. Days and years have come and
gone and now the cemetery Is filled TO overflow
ing with those who half a century since were
whirlng along the tide Of life, their frail barks
plunging through the breakers, or trembling upon
the crested wave, until their precious freight, with
the garnered hopes Of family and friends, sank in
the dark waves and were seen no more. Thus pass
away the generations of men, like the successive
ocean pillows, that break upon the shore and then
disappear forever SO the broad stream OF human
ty PUSHES onward, cataracts and whirlpools, and
quicksands bridge the way over which buffeted,
weary mortals must pass. Many anxieties wiring
the hearts, many and sudden dangers appall,
petty annoyances vex and chafe their spirits, the
battle becomes fierce along the path they are to
tread, the light grows dim the cheerful beams of
sun, moon and stars for time struggle through
the dark mists that gather around them, and yet
they hope on, hope ever, until the silver cord OF
life is loosed, and the wheel is broken at the
cistern, and they in their turn pass from among
the living and another form is laid in the city Of
the dead.
ONE CEMETERY
in this small place has been filled in about eighty
years, and now another, in charming locality,
has been laid out, and already numerous monu-
ments are rising up in every direction, indicating
the place where the war-worn veteran has laid
down his armor folded his trembling hands and
died. Here, too the smiling infant, the playful
child, just entering upon the OF the bright
world, all aglow with life and beauty, close their
| eyes upon the enchanting spendors around them,
pass over the dark river and enter the realms Of
unfading beauty in glory, and stand in the pres
ence of him who said Suffer little children to
come unto me, for of such Is the kingdom OF
| heaven"
Thus the world passes away and the glory
thereof. Families appear, flourish disappear and
| are known no more. Mourners go about the
streets, courageously facing death to-day, and
their eyes are closed by his icy hand on the NOR
row. The living family circle is broken, and
finally disappears, while the borders of the silent
city are extended and the memensos of the loved
ones cluster thickly among the weeping willows
and stately evergreens that, like a cohort o
angels, seem to stand as sentinels to guard th'
sacred ground where all close their earthly career
| and at the same time enter upon the bright o.
dark future, as their lives may enttle them t.
hope for.
Here just before us rest our parents, brother
and sisters, where long years since we wandered
hand in hand with them, the bright sunlight o
heaven streaming over and around us. The.
have gone before us and we are left to tread tn,
rugged path Of life just entering the dark valley
alone, while the playmates of our childhood, tn
companions Of our youth and the friends of ma
turer years, have gone before us. But than
God, even now, the lamp that shneth more an
more until the perfect day blazes forth an
drives away many dark clouds, that are piled II
across our way. He who has passed through tn
dark valley will be with all who trust him-hi
rod and his staff shall comfort and support hi
children as they enter and pass through the dar
stream between them and the brighter shor
where angels sing and saints rejoice. ST. ELMO,