The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-04-23
MICHEL SMITH LETTER.

tAfter the Seaham Coliery explosion, in
September, 1880, the following letter was
found in the pit scratched on tin water
bottle: Dear Margaret; There were forty of
us altogether at a. IN. Some We're singing
hymns, but my thoughts were on my little
Michael. thought that him and 1 would
meetin Heaven at the same time. OIL dear
wife, God save you and the children, and
pray for myself. Dear wife, farewell! My
last thoughts are about you and the chill
dren. Be sure and learn the children to
pray for me. Oh, what terrible position
we are in!"-Little Michael died almost at
the same moment this missiye was being
scratched
In deepest darkness of the deadly mine
Many were lying dead, and others knew
They never more should feel the warm sun
Orbrdatie the sweet air under skies OF blue.
sudden ne death blast came. with fearful
And shut them in there, in that living tomb,
In those dim passages far underground
Some slain at once and some TO wait their
How did they meet it? They were noble
No frantic madness seized them In its grasp,
Though the choke damp was drawing them
Within the circle of its fatal clasp. sf.H
They were but pitmen, 10 WY in their birth,
Stained with their toll, yet full of inward
light; ..fl
Though fate was frowning, still they felt His
worth vi r-T7e''','-7, - - - :,
Whose presence cheered them in their
depth of night .t ..l'
Oh! hard it was thus far from wife and child
To part from lie, and meet relentless
Death; I..r aI. ....,.. .. .. .....
But this dread thought their faith ne'er once
beguied, II -ilEi -.. Iu.- fH..s.. aUI
Nor, woke one murmur on their heeting
breath. H .'H 'i t. l.I ~
They grasped each others hands, spoke
With tenderest blessing and with faltering
tongue;
And who dare call that an unmanly tear, ...
Which thoughts OF Others from its sources
wrung' ts HHf}r .iEfita4. rl,.
Then all at once up rose the sacred hymn
Deep chanted, "Jesus, lover of my soul"
Oh with what depth of hope they turned to
Him, .-s....-... ..--. .s ''..-.
While through that darkest gloom their
voices roll! t 1861. w.fFrNI.I I.f.
What burst of light is this, what CLEAN d.
vine, Re ~ f ''. .'3 VI. r|
That breaks the gloom and bids the dark
ness fly? - Fl
Blest inward light! that. in each soul doth
And bids them humbly live or calmly diel d.
And die they must for so It's now ordained:
The anguished thrUbbings of their pulses
And one by one, heart sore, and travel
stained,
They pass the port of Death, to where is
Peace. r...s. .. ..-. '....
But one was there whom ties of kin held
strong
Who left faint message in that darksome
hour:
We can not think that Michael Smith was
wrong .-... .r
Paren. al love is full of wondrous power.
While Others sang, his thoughts would home
ward turn:
"My thoughts were on my little Michael"
wrote
This son of toll. Yes; earth born love may
burn; st +#... .... ...t ..
And when thus pure, with Heavenly love
may float, II .... ..
Upon the wings of Prayer, up to the Throne;
All self was gone it was but purest love.
The soul of his sick child went not alone;
Both left the earth and scared to realms
above. -
He wrote: 81 thought that he and I would
meet U...... ..r... ....-...
At the same time in Heaven" The self same
hour i+..i.tt lsr. q.
Father and child in Heaven each other greet.
Celestial love and earthly do him dover
With blessings: he both child and Father
found;
The one from earth held his parental heart;
The Father. He who fills vast space around,
Received them both, no more again to part.
.rt ".t..s.. .. -Chdn6ers'S Journal.