St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-01-10
81. oJuhnsburp GaledOnian.
Reflections.


BY +. l.. o.. IEiiSlt, bEkMA NJ.
The day had been long and dreary.
Unfultilled purposes, and consequent
disappointment, together with ques-
tionings as to the future, gathered
about me as sat i'll the tiickering
shadows. and wondered what good
could result from such a days labor.
When mt last raised my eyes, ! saw
my little school boys standing before
me. la their hands they held punches
of sweetest May flowers, which they
Laid bashfully upon my desk, and
quietly stepped away. Those flowers
seemed to have silver voices for me,
and amid the stiffness ! heard their
chimes. Listen and we will tell thee
of our sister MAY. Only we flowers
and the angels ever looked into her
beautiful face only the winds ever
famed her lovely cheek - only the
raindrops ever gave to her soul the
secrets of the skies, but the raindrops
sent the sunshine to other hearts than
hers.
"Ncver did human voice tell her of
help and comfort derived from the
sweetness of her life. Never did the
sun tell her of the wonders on which
he razed. or of Him who made all Gre
atcd things. Yet she WAS always
happy. Happy in oheying the voice
in her soul, that voice 50 truly divine.
Always helpful 10y her fragrance, to all
about her, and never II day passed
during her brief life. but she strength
cucd some sister flower with the com
furting assurance of His love who
kindly cares for all; whose watchful
eve marks every frown of discomfort,
and who gIicves at every questioning
of the wisdom of his ways, even in
those cases where he sends never one
ray of sunshine to the heart. The day
before she faded" and here the voices
were low and sweet, ''she said to us,
My work is done the raindrOps tell
me | have nothing more to do. But
you will longer live. You will bo taken
from our quiet home and find, in other
places, many SORROWS greater than ours
have been, which you will Tighten, and
dropping hearts to cheer. Take with
you the lesson of my life, and say to
sOrrow that the clouds are full of com
fort; that the waters need not over
whclm the soul, for not one drop i'll all
the floating mass is bitter, but all as
full of love as the clearest rays of sun
shine, and come rs truly from our
heavenly Fathers hand. Tell of the
peace which even clouds have afford ed
us, and breathe into desolate lives the
sweetness and joy Of perfect trust
Folding then her fragrant petals she
silently sank to rest. Tenderly we
covered her with blossoms, and have
come To thee with the message which
she gave to us. Take it to thy heart,
and learn it's deepest meaning.
Whether in sunshine or in showers
thy tolls move. Whether in joys or i'll
sorrowful trials thy days pass away.
Steady thyself with the comfort which
the blessed Lord ever waits to give,
and he content with whatever his
loving hand bestows."
The sweet voices ceased, my day
dream WAS done, and instead of the
Al Al.
helpful words of our poet, saying:
BE still sad heart; and cease repnug;
Behind the clouds the sun is shining.
| looked about me, the shadows
had heightened, the room was still, |
was alone. The lesson of that hour
remains with me to comfort and to
cheer.