Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-06

lO,rer. IL Is our boast that Christianity
has raised woman to higher and
broader sphere OF usefulness. What a
striking proof of this we see to day !
The wishes of modest, quiet. devout
woman are, as they ought to be, unre.
servedly honored and strictly observed.
BY word she holds in check the ex.
travagant impulses OF wounded nation,
prevents improper ostentation and re.
strains unchristian and idolatrous dem.
onstrations of grief. Common sense and
Christian resignation touchingly char
acterize the nations funeral because
directed by n noble, submissive, heav.
enly. minded woman. Though grief.
stricken, yet not crushed, because
Christ is her life.
Nor can we fail to notice the strug
Cling widow of some years ago bearing
the burden of poverty and obscurely,
but truly and nobly rearing and edu-
eating her fatherless children--pcrmit-
ted TO live on earth beyond the number
of years usually allotted TO mortals, she
| is suddenly brought before the admiring
eyes OF the world as a towering monu'
| ment of true womanhood and Christian
fortitude, standing firmly upon the
Rock of Ages. We see her advanced in
age and weak in body, but young in
spirit and strong in the faith. These
two never to be.iorgotten examples OF
the strength of purity and OF conse
Grated hearts appear In bold relief, in
shining light, under the thick cloud,
unshaken amidst convulsions OF feeling
that cause the very foundations Of
earthly Kingdoms to quake. Then,
having taught by living example the
great lessons the world so much needed.
they will be permitted 10 retire 10 the
welcome privacy of humble, rural
home, as persons too sacred to bc kept
long before the public gaze. Could the
self sacrificing son aud husband himself
have chosen anything more in accord
with his lest impulses than that through
this severe ordeal the characters of his
revered mother aud loved wife should
so stamp precious, living truths upon
the bleeding heart of his country end
the world IN n manner that time can
never efface?
1. Human distinctions are brought - a
ierei-Many occupying humble posi-
tions in lie had learned TO think tIat
Kings and Queens and their sons and
daughters. aud others IN high stations,
did not have heart aches and shed tears
like other people-but what do we see
in this case! The croWued head OF
England dispenses with regal formality
and court language, and the aged
mother, herself similarly bereaved years
ago. says in the tendcrest pathos OF
widowhood, "With deep grief and my
4 q ~FWls.
/ ruling Queen OF one OF the foremost
nations of the earth. and Princes aud
Princesses divesting themselves of roy.
atty for the time and purpose that they
may lovingly approach and condole with
the stricken American heaTt--lust a.
two widowed mothers aud their chill
dren, living side by side in lowly
| cottages in country village, would
sympathize with aud console each other
under heavy bereavement. The great
principle of the common brotherhood
OF MANIPULATED by God in the infancy
/ Of the human Tace-rcasserted IN our
| Declaration OF Independence - incor
| porAted into the very foundation OF our
| government-here finds practical and
| incontroyertible demonstration in the
| eyes OF an astounded world awed into
| silence by the sublime conduct Of true,
widowed motherhood That devout
women should thus be enabled to fur
nish natural and permanent solution
| OF the problem that has for ages con
vulsed the nations OF the earth i'm.
presses us rs one Of the profounS1udg
meDts Of God, administered in wisdom,
that the inhabitants of the world
should learn righteousness" Dare any
one say death producing such aI1
effect is in vain, or even premature?
5. The civilized world is united in scaii.
mont Critics are silenced-the occupa
ton of fsultfnders Is gone. Political
dissensions are forgotteB-bittoF antag
onisms are dead--personal animosities
are buried. Union Of hearts in the
United States was never 40 complete "a
common grief has cemented our union
of States more firmly ihsu heretofore.
All parties, all classes, all shades Of
opinion are blended aud bound togeth.
er by stronger and more loving tie
than has ever before been recognized.
Truly the man around whose death bed
all differences are dispelled dies not in
vain.
Rulers and subjects Of all civilized
nations, mobiles and common people,
men. women and children vie with each
other to give the tenderest expression
10 the same sentiment. The world
united in opinion IL was never so.
II could not be 40 now but for the puri.
Tying furnace through which we have
been passing. "When Gods judgments
are in the EARTH" then "the Inhabitants
Of the world will learn righteousness"
6. CAristianity is triumphant Our nation
has been brought 10 its knees in prayer.
Other nations have been moved by the
same impulse. Tnfidelity has been
Obliged to hide its head with confusion
Of face. But some say, "tbe prayers
have not been answered--God has eth.
er not heard or lie has not needed"
oh, no, God ai0dys hears and anaeers true
prayer. The spirit Of the prayers was
that II might please God TO do what
would be best for the suffering one and
/ hoat for all the DeouIe Tie time the