Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-12-12
FOOD FOR REFLECTION.


year but what some n in our mids
journeys homeward, and at The
cemetery gate parts With friends
and kindred. 1t is the custom t.
speak of the death of such a ONT
without turning aside from the Gag
er pursuits oflife, or giving a though
to the fact that we are all awaiting
our turn, and that each of us in per
son will soon have to answer The
solemn and serious summons to al
eternity unknown. Life is short
eyen at the longest, and old PEG
pie tell us that three score and ter
seems not half so long as IL decade
of their boyhood years. AT thirty
forty, fifty, sixty and ever seventy
hope bears men on and they seen
to look ahead for many years in
store, when the end is nigh even al
the door. in this age, the rush, and
struggle and sensationalism OF ey.
eryday life are so great that the
world forgets it has any other end
in view. Money, position, pleasure:
fashion, schemes of business and pol
itics, dreams of selfpreferment and
enrichment,-all these drive men Oh
the mad rush for success, forgetful
of any other object of creation,-in,
different to the rights of our fellow
men and hardened against the hol.
Ter sentiments and loftier appeals
that exist in our frail human nature.
1t was not always thus. There were
times when men lived slower lives and
better; but the spirit of our day
looks back to them as dark and
dreary. If we fail to find in our
morning paper anything new, or
startling, IL sensational; if there
are no Late ~crazes'i for our youth
to indulge in; no fit of fashion or
speculative corner to engage mems
minds day after day and night after
night, we become distressed and
fretful. The world now finds en-
Joyment i'll every new phase of
crime and crankism, and wave.like
they sweep yer this beautiful land,
leaving nothing in their wake but
sharper appetites for greater dan
ger of ruin and moral chaos. 1t is
true, we have our churches, our laws
and good works; but how often do
we see our best people following the
ways OF the world, far ahead of ev-
elything else.
In the end comes Death, and what
have we of all that we bad or sought
after, if wealth, or position, or pleas
ure,-it has taken us our lifeline to
, acquire it, and now when we are in
possession, all is over, and what
next! Soon will we be forgotten (;
the rain wash out the carriage tracks
of our greatness /; oblivion dispel ev-
Ell the shadow of III personality /;
and others wear our false pride and
haughtiness, and often the only
thought of ON memory is in strife
and reflection.
These thoughts of life are occas
toned by observations around us; 81
also the thoughts Of death. W.
see many strong and hearty young
people, with all life's hopes before
them, to day, and record their dealt
moro Not long ago, the SAL
death march echoed along on
streets; friends mourned and th,
public sympathized, for a young ant
promising man, well-liked, of goot
character and reputation, was sud
denly called to Lethe's darl
waters, and, we hope, enter a lant
that is fairer than this. They lail
Mart Undertake to rest, and tn
grave had hardly tasted it's food be
fore other friends wept, other heart
ached, other homes we're despoiled
the young wife, happy in the frs
fruits ola holy love, wells he
face that the world may not see he
sorrow the force of unrestrainet
power crushed a hopeful life, ant
left cold and bruised the body o
Charles Dooley. Hearseman! erie
the Reaper, no rest for thee; m,
scythe is sharp, and ripe or green
the harvest falls before it's keel
edge bind up the sheaves that m,
farm may be filled. Sure enough
once more sounds the mufied drum
and echoes again the mourntul dirge
We turn away and hide our face il
tears. There is huShed in the 81
leuce of death a hearty greeting
hid in the pail of the grave a happ,
smile, that cheered us all. The JOY
GUS laugh Of a free and open heart
friends will hear no more, and VIII
was not his friend! Young, happy
healthy, whole souled, Harry Doll
Greenhill contains all that was MOI
tai ofhim. Father, mother, brother
and sisters,-and affection affiauced
how great must be your loss, sine
we, only passers-by, miss a genia
and well-remembered face from on
daily round.
May we not turn to more serlou
thought, and invade a higher fell
not gu own. What use to awaken
those feelings of sadness, if not t,
look for lessons of hope and encouI
agement. AT death all is forgotten
except the good; we want to be a
peace with ourselves and all th'
world. We look beyond for some