Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-05-13

young man from any poignant sorrow, but
parents who have seen tho destruction
among strangers of thoss who were con-
sidered promising youths, cannot help feel
ing that this step is full Of momentous i'm
portance. Before the youth left home all his
conduct was under affectionate guardian
ship.
Outbursts Of folly, careiessness and in
pro2riety of manner and looseneSs OF speech
were kinG.y reprovei, and although the re-
straint seemed sometimes too severe yet
hours OF sober reflection hays convinced
him that it was salutary and rightsous But
behold how the scene changes. The father,
through the intercee1ing OF metropolit IN
friends has secured the sou n place In some
bank or store or Office. Schoolmates, on the
night before his departure. come to take
their farewell of the young adventurer.
That morning he takes last walk aroun
the old place. and going past some loved spot
A sly tear may start, but no one sees it. The
trunk Is on the carriage, and after warm
goodby away they speed over the hills. Set
down amid excitements and among com
panions not overscrupulous as to their words
or deeds temptations troop aroun1 the
stranger. The morning comes, but no fami.
Iv altar. and the Sabbath, but no real quiet
and perhaps at the sanctuary the faces are
all strange AMI no ons cares whether he
goes TO church or whether he does not go.
Long winter evenings arrive, AMI how shall
thew be spent2 On mis- way home from his
plaza of business he saw flaming placards
announcing rare performances ana that this
was positively the last night.
At the door of his cherries boarding
house no one greets him. AMI the evening
meal is insipid, for no one cares whether he
eats or does not eat. The room in the third
story that evening seems doleful AMI repel.
ling. A book snatched up from the stand
proves 10 be dull for no sister Is there 10
look over with him. In despair he rushei
out. reckless as to whers he goes. il only he
can see something to make him stop think
ing That night may be the turning point ~
his history. Once within the fatal circle OF
sin. and the soul has no power to repel 1t. Or
that dark sea he is launched, where the
CLEAN of Joy is only the fash of the pit aud
the roar OF laughter is only the creaklng OF
the gates of the lost.
In many a country churchyari is now
the grave of some youthful spirit that went
away 1.-THE and bounding, but came hom'
diseased and crushed and blasted to disgrace
the sepulcher Of his fathers. Yet this exc
dns nust be made. As from far distant hills
rivers find their way through tunnels t.
great cities. so from far distant points OF th'
country it is necessary that stream OF un
corrupted population shall pour into OUT
great thoroughfares TO keep them pure and
manage the traffic of the world. Multtudes
of such are constantly making their depar-
ture from home.
Tomorrow morning all Of the thorough
fares leading toward the great cities Of our
land, on steamboat and rail car, there will
be young adventures for the first speeding
away from their homes in order to try Their
fortune in town. The Lord stretch fortl
His arm for the deliverance OF these Daniels
away down in Babylon. Wherever youI
lot may he cast, in far inland town Or in
some great seaport, maintain in your absence
the same principles OF morals and religion
which may have been instillei by parental
solicitu1e.
And while you may feel in your heart and
life the advantages OF early religious culture,
forget not those to whom you are chiefly in
debted, and pray that as age comes upon
them and the night OF death begins to fall
in their pathway. the hope Of heaven may
beam through the darkness, lustrous anc
steady as the evening star. The Lord for
bid that by our conduct we should ever bring
disgrace on a fathers name or prove re-
creant to the love of a mother. The poet
did not exaggerate when he exclaimed:
How sharper than serpenrs tooth, it is,
To have thaukless CHILD