Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-08-11
MISCELLANEOUS.
q Be just to the living. >.

. r.
Sorely gricvous day by day,
Would we then so often chide him
For his lack of thrift and gain.
Leaving on his heart shadow,
Lenving on our life stain'?"
If we have failed to do all we could to make
them happy, how bitter are our thoughts when
our dead are laid away from our sight. As we
stand with bursting hearts by our dead what
memories come flooding DER us; some sad and
Others bright aud joyful, and then drcary.
desolate time when all the world seems dark
and cheerlcss,-alas, II some of the love had
been made known during life, how much more
of joy would have been our portion. She pos
sessed apassion for flowers, 1t was her one de-
sire, hut it was not gratihed. After death
flowers were placed around her and ON the
casket the rarcst and most beautiful flowers
were arranged, but what good will 1t now do /?
that heart that was wont to beat with JOY or
sorrow. will never beat again, 1t has ceased its
restless throbbings forever After death how
many virtues can we find, but no faults are
spoken of. How little exertion upon our part
wOuld have been required and how much joy
would have been added to their portion, If we
had only been kind, If you would carry with
you conscience free from remorse be Just to
all. Deem not others harsh before you have
sufficiently judged them. but look carefully
into the heart and you will surely find there
pearl that you little dreamed such rough ex-
terror could hide, Judge yourself impartially
and you will often find flaw that you doubted
could exist.
There is no use saying {" Be just to the
Dead" we will all be jnst then, but while they
are living among us and in need of our SYM
pathy and lovO we arc not so ready to be just
We should remember that each moment NAV
be our last, then how careful should we be-
We may bend in anguish over thelifeiess clay
and pour out our grief and love, but alas that
life las gone ont never to return the loving
words which might have made life appear so
much brighter and happier were wanting, and
now fall unheeded. The bitter tears which
fall like rain upon the marble face are not felt
never before did she full to comfort us in our
sorrows, to offer some word of cheer,-shc is
no longer conscious of grief or joy, she is gone
to the land g from whence no traveller ever re-
turns" We can watch her as VIC stand on the
shore with strained eyes, eager to see the bout
as long as possible g drifting with the tide. ~
" She is floating on the ocean, drifting, drifting
with the tide" and as We see it fast receeding
from the shore then. all then, VIC feel our loss
In life we know they are travelling by our side
and it is in our power to contribute to their
veal or woe. All lifes joys aud sorrows are
hidden beneath the casket lid.
Don't judge too iarshIy. soul may he starry
ing for want Of love, yet make no sign Some
may appear to be proud when in reality it is
sensitive, shy and retiring spirit surrounded
by reserve which If only approached In the
proper manner. may become warm and i'm
pressive. 1t was there hidden all tho time and
only needed the warm, bright sunshine TO bring
1t out.
We are so lavish in our kind words after
death and SO unwilling to do them justice while
living. All, how little effort is required to be-
stow smiles instead of frowns. kind words in
tho place of harsh words, and life may be
made to appear OH, SO much SUMMER. Into
each life some rain must fall. some days be
dark and dreary,r but we can make them
much brighter than we often do. . We hold
too loosely all that he won, we priced not the
gold till it had flown away then. alas we
prize them but too late. Justice after death
will do no one any good, but It win give tnnch
pleasure If we bestow it while life lasts
Injustice is more frequently done through
thoughtlessness than for any other reason.
Then how careful we should be In our ae-
tions and words. we may he adding another
weight To the already breaking heart. We
sometimes thoughtessly wound our dearest
friends by uukiud worlds. The time viii come
when we win see all In quite different light.
By one unjust action we may wreck a IN.
and cause more misery than we would think
could be caused by one deed. tits not SO much
the words we use as the manner In which we
use them, that cause so much trouble. One
word will lead to another until loving friend.
viii become bitter enemies. How much in.
fuence Is excrted by a single word In some
instances deep and bitter hatred ensues, In
others word which, deeper than q sword Oh
bullet, could make wound which may re.
main unhealed for ever
Alas retribution always comes,-usuaIly ii
is not in our power to make reparation. The
awakening generally comes too late to benefit
the injured ones
!" For when the love we held too tight,
| Was gone away from our speech and sight,
No bitter tears.
No passionate words of fond regret,
No yeRrning grief could pay the debt
OF thaukless years.
Oh now while the sweet love fingers near,
Grudge not the render words OF cheer,
Leave none unsHid,
For the heart can have no sadder fate
Than some day to RWake-too LATE
And dad Love dead