Democratic messenger., 1889-05-11


cap and speciaclcs ON her face mcllowin,
with the vicissiiudcs Of many years. ma,
have put down her gray head on the pi.
low in the valley. but forget that HON,
you never will. Have you thanked Coz
for ity Have you rehearscd all thos,
blessed "reminiscences? Oh! thank Got
for Christian father; thank God for /,
Christian mother; thank God for an early
Christian altar at which you were taugh,
to kneel; thank God for an early Christian
home.
SETTING UP your OWN HOME.
bring to mind another passage in III,
history OF your life. The day came when
you set up your own household. The
days passed along In quiet blessedness
You twain sat at the table morning and
night and talked over your plans for the
future. The most insignificant affair in
your life became the subject Of mutual
consultation and adviscment. You were
40 happy you felt you never could be any
happier. One day dark cloud hovcret
over your dwelling and Il go, darker and
darker. but out Of that cloud the shining
messenger Of God descended to incarnaie
an immortal spirit. Two little feet started
on an eternal journey. and you were to
lead them-a gem TO flash in Heaven,
coronet, and you to polish il eternal ages
Of light and darkness watching the start
ing out Of ew.crcated creature.
You rcjoiccd and you trcmbled at the
responsibility that in your possession an
immortal treasure was placed. You prayed
aud rejoiced, and wept and wondered. and
prayed and rcjoice'i, and wept and won
dered you were earnest in supplication
that you might lead IL through life intO
the kingdom Of God. There was u tremoi
in your carncstness. There was double
interest about that home. There was an
additional interest why you should stay
there and be faithful, and when in few
months your house was filed with the
music of the child's laughter you were
struck through with the fact that you had
a stupenlnus mission.
Have you kept that vow: Have sou
neglected any Of these duties! Is your
home as much to you Us il used to he.
Have those aniicipa,ions been gratiiied I?
God help you to-day in your solemn re.
minisccnce, and let His mercy fall upon
your soul if your Kindness has been
ill.rcquiied.
on rIE WRONG ROAD.
find another point in your life history.
You found one day you were in the wrong
road; you couldn't sleep at night; there
was Just one worl that seemed to sob
through your banking house. or through
your Office. or through your shop. or
through your bedroom. and that word
was Eternity" You sail: II am not
ready for II. q, God, have mercy" The
Lord heard. Peace came to your heart.
In the breath ofihc hill and the waterfalls s
dash you heard the voice Of Gods love
the clouds and the trees hailed you with
gladncss you came into the house Of God.
You remember how your hand tremhlcd
as you took up the cup of the communion.
You remember the old minister who con.
secrated II, and you remember the church
officials who carried il through the aisle
you remember the old people who at the
close of the service took your hand in
theirs in congratulating sympa,liy,as much
as 10 say: "Welcomc home, you lost prodi.
gal :" aud though those hands are all with.
cred away. that communion Sabbath Is
rcsurrccicd tins morning Il is rcsurrccted
with all its prayers, and songs. and tears,
and sermons, and TRANSPORTATION. Have
you kept those vows: Have you been a
mckslidcry God help you. This day
kneel at the foot Of mercy and start again
for Heaven. Start to-day ms you started
then. rouse your soul by that rcminis.
ccncc.
But some of you have not always had a
smooth life. Some of you are now in the
shadow. Others Ind their troubles years
ago; ynu are mere wreck of wl,a, you
once were. must gather mp the sorrows
of your past life; bu, how shall dn il {.
You say that Is impossible. as you have
so many troubles and advcrsiiics. Then
will take TWO, the first trouble and the last
trouble. Aud when you ARE walking along
A l..
the distance, you unconsciously find your.
self keeping step 10 the music, so when
you started life your very life was n musical
/ time cbcai. The air was full ul joy aud
hilarity; with the bright, clear oar you
made the boa, skip; yon went on. anl
lite grew brighter until after while sud.
denly voice from Heaven said. Halt y
aud quick as the sunshine you halted
you grew pale. you confronted your first
sorrow. You had M idea that the flush
On your child's check was an unhc ilihy
flush. You said II cant he anything seI.
ious. Death in slippercd feet walked
round about the cradle. You did not heat
the tread hut after while the truth
flashed on you. You walked the floor
oh II you could, with your strong. stout
hand, have wrcnchcd tina, child from III,
destroyer. You went tO your room and
you said. God save my child! God say,
my child" The world seemed going ON
in darkness. You said, II cant bear Il
I can't bear H." You felt as if you coul,
not put the long lashcs over the bright
eyes. never to see them again sparkle. oh
II you could have taken that little one II
your arms and with il leaped the grave
how gladly you would have done Il oh
II you could let your property go. YOU
houses go. your land aud your siorchous,
go. how gladly you would have allowe,
them To depart IL you could only have KEEP
that one treasure!
the fiRsT SORROW.