Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-10-10
INFLUENCE OF HOME MEMORIES.

Among the mightiest influences of
our homes are their memories. They
bring happiness or bitterness. according
as they are sweet and tender, or painful
and evil.
There is no need of argument to prove
the influence of home memories in the
formation of character. When ones
childhood home has been true. it's
memories never can be eff ced. Its
teachings may long remain UNDECIDED,
and life may become a sad waste. Sin
may sweep over the soul like a devour-
ing flame, leaving only blackened ruins;
u the memory OF the old home lives
on, like y solitary star burning in the
gloom OF night. Even in revels and
carousals its picture floats in the mind
like a vanished dream, and often it
wooes the wandcrer back. 1t was the
memory Of home that touched the prodi-
gal son.
There ought to be q powerful motive
in this truth to lead lis to watch the
character of the memories we take in
our homes. One person has left this
testimony: MANY a night, as l re-
member lying quietly in the little up
per chamber, before sleep came on,
there would be d gentle. tootstep on the
stair. the door would noiselessly open
anu IN q moment the well-known form,
softly. gliding through the darkness.
would appear ut my bedside, First
there would be q few pleasant INQUIRIES
OF affection, which gradually deepened
into words of counsel. Then, kneeling.
her head close to mine, her most earn
est hopes and desires would flow forth
IL prayer. Her tears bespoke the earn
estness OF her desire. l seem to feel
them yet where sometimes they tell on
my face. The prayers often passed out
ot thought in slumber, and came not to
mind again for years, but they were not
lost. | willingly believe they were an
invisible bond with Heaven and secretly
preserved me while l moved carelessly
amid numberless temptations and
walked the brink of crime.n Is it not
worth while for every mother to try to
weave such memories into the early
years OF her childrcn's lives.
There is another particular class of
home memories which have a potent
influence? Washington Irving wrote:
"Ah! go to the grave of buried love and
mediate. There settle the account
with thy conscience of every past en-
dearmcnt %unregarded of that departed
oelngg, who never, never can be soothed
ny contrition. If thou art q child. and
hast ever added sorrow to the soul or a
furrow to the silvcred brow Of an attec-
tlonate parent; if thou art a husband,
anu hast ever caused the fond bosom
that vcnturcd its whole happiness in thy
arms, to doubt a moment OF thy kind
ness or thy truth; if thou art u friend,
and has ever injured by thought. VOID
or deed. the spirit that generously con-
iided in thee; it thou art Il lover. and
mast ever given one unmerited pang to
The true heart that nov lies cold be-
meath thy feet--then be sure that every
ulk'nd look, every ungenerous word,
every ungcntle action, will come
Alfouging back upon thy memory and
knock dolcfully vt thy soul; be- sure
that :hou wilt lie down sorrowinr and
%rel,enting on the grave and utter the
"nlleard groau, and pour The unavail-
ing ,car--bitter because unheard and
unavail;ng.'
II we could only keep in mind all the
While how the memory of unkinluess
TO homes loved ones will pain our
learls when one is taken and the oohcr
leit' II would be q Strong motive to on
s.snt gentleness and allectionatcness.
we can tell when we are having
our last meal or last talk together, and
pairing at tho door with those we love
NE oe't' never to meet them again.
suppose wo part in a quarrel, with
shs'p' singing words, or even in cold
ne"S, and that VIC never meet that
io'ed Cue again, will not the mcmor
Ne y liio-long par2 Of regret?