The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-09-12
CHILDLEss-OL OLD AGE.


1t is somewhat pitiable spectacle to
witness married couple growing into
old age without children. In the early
years of welded life, owing 10 false edu-
cation, babies are often regarded as. un
desirable. More awful yet, they are
often unwelcome guests. There is moth
ing in this wide, wide world which
should be- more warmly welcomed in
the arms and hearts and homes of par
ents than baby. To treat it as an in
truder lis to commit sin, and one that
will return to plague the parents. II
men loved babies better and gold less,
this would be brighter, happier world,
An atmosphere of love is worth more to
babies than golden spoones, Whatever
else may be denied them, affection should
be freely bestowed.
The childless wife, who is necessarily
more centred in domestic affairs than
her husband, after a few brief years is
certain to realize that there is an In
completeness in the home circle. Almost
insensibly parents are drawn closer and
closer together in the mutual love cher
ished for their children. And when a
little one is solemnly laid away in the
church yard, the sore and bleeding
hearts of parents turn instinCtively to
each other for consolation. The formal
condolences of outsiders seem little more
than mockery in such an hour OF un
Intercollegiate. A home without child
rem is lacking in magnetic power, and
this deficiency adds to the probability
that husband will seek enjoyment in
less worthy places, and 80 increase the
dreariness OF wife's existence. Indeed,
many a mother finds the care and COM
partnership of children sweet compen-
sation for the habitual absence and un
falthfulness of an unworthy husband.
Where this solace is lacking, wife as
we'll as husband may tire of home, and
when the chief pleasure of each is sought
outside the sacred circle, 1t needs no
prophet to foretell the consequences.
But let husband and wife be ever SO
affectionateIand faithful to each other,
their lot is forlon if in old age they have
neither son nor daughter norgran dchild
rem, The sense of loneliness is oppres-
sive, and there is a danger that they
will grow narrow and selfish and unhap.
by. Like dying trees in barren lot,
there is no beauty and brightness and
foliage near to enliven the surroundings
and render the afternoon of life sunny
and peaceful. And when one or the
other is left alone, venerable, infirm and
disconsolate, the survivors, lot is doubly
miserable. At the time of life when the
loving ministrations of those who are
near and dear are most needed, there is
none to respond, Hirelings must be de-
pended upon for the care and comforts
which the hand OF affection can only
satisfactorily administer.
We pity the selfshness of any couple
who deliberately go into childless old
age. If their union has not been sancti-
fed by progeny, they know perfectly
we'll that there are thousands of little
ones in the land, lovely, desirable and
rich in possibilities. With this vast army
OF unfortunate waits suffering for the
necessaries and ordinary opportunities
Of life, we find little reason to sympa.
thize with those childless people who
fail to provide for one such as Jesus in
vited to come unto him. How often
the child plucked from the abode of
poverty, of sin, or of shame, proves to
be vertiable angel of the household
a blessing in disguise. The only way to
reach Heaven is to help some one else
along the road.-ITOy Press.