West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1894-11-29

lspspsSsSXaN HEN the fields.
NlSs.SsA(NlAT.avSy where once
w 'IsiRys$As@,uN waved the
NJ iNT'SsESas' ripened grain,
lie yellow and bare under the wan
ing light of the year, il is fitting
that we would muse upon the past.
and, remembering the promise of
Spring, the beauty OF summer and the
fulfillment OF autumn, should draw
therefrom hope and inspiration for the
future. Verify, the life of man * as
that of the grass which pcrisheth, -
and the life of nations is the aggregate
Of the existence of it's individuals. and
til have within their death the germ of
the after-eNisting. Not root of en-
dcavor and longing sinks down into
eternity. drops its flower and seed and
is forgotten of earth, but has its res
direction, and there il not storm that
bows the head nor n lightning flash
that rends the soul with pain hut carry
on their wings radiance for the flower
and vigor for the seed
The year over which now the ashes
OF rcmem urance are scattered has been
10 our nation time of travail From
the hearthstone of the artisan have gone
mp the wall Of hungry childhood and
The prayer of destitute mothers. The
hammer and the anvil have been Gov
cred with rust. The heart-bcats of
commerce have been so faint and feeble
that timid souls. gazing from afar upon
our afflicted nation, have cried that she
was upon the verge of dissolution. that
her proud cdifices of Fraternal Love
n.ft u. -. a.
TO the dust. The seasons have froyned
upon the husbandman, and there has
been distress east and west. north
and south; fire and famine, flood
and instruction have touched the
land and yet the patriot people of our
country, though still thrilling with the
memory of recent grief. can look up to
Heaven and thank God for what the
year has brought. 1t is not in the sun
light of prosperity that the soul real
lies TO the full its blessings. but only
when 1t has just emerged from the
shadow of calamity is it able TO com
prehend the Christening love that
wounds to heal"
Again has that lesson of the imn1uta
bility of the law of progressive crea-
tion-the survival Of the fittest'-
been read by those who see i'm the
events of each passing day the details
of the scheme by which the world is to
be lifted to grander planes of thought
and action. The triumph were barren
were its teachings UNDECIDED. The
winds, signing above the graves of
those who persisted I'm their madness,
or fell victims TO the inexplicable fren-
zy of wantOn force, bear TO us not ONLY
the sound OF weeping, they are fraught
with whispers of promise. Liberty,
our mother, our goddess, our best be-
loved, smiles while the tear-drops are
yet wet upon her checks Law, OBJ
scured for moment by the gathering
clouds, still stands in untarnished
glory and dignity. her sccptcr touch
ing the eastern and western seas. her
garments Frightening the whole land.
as the light from the sacred veil. behind
which was God, glorihed the temple in
days OF old.
Bowling our faces Co the dust we offer
up our thanks, and as we listen To the
sweet-toned bells ringing ont the
familiar strains: Praise the Lord. all
ye people, worship Him in the beauty
of holiness our souls echo the sounds.
DNA h"A stob may ne ScAntY, the CLEAN
ers may not have returned with sing
ing, but the breast Of earth and Of
futurity will yield TO rs treasure all the
richer for the present boarding; gladdcr
because we have learned our lesson
Alright; swceter. for the fruit will have
been ripened by the storm as well as
the sun. We take our little ones bv
the hand and leading them forth. point
20 the barren fields and say: "Remcm-
Der. oh, my son. the Christening OF the
Lord; hc wise, OH. my daughter. with
the wisdom Of sorrow, and forget not
the thank-offering that IS more crate
mi 90 deity than the wealth laid on
golden affairs. High resolves for the
future. repentance for the mistakes Of
the past: Loyalty TO tho teachings Of
our fathers who sealed their faith in
our country destiny with their blood.
the chcrishing ~ the ideals that have
raised men from prim0r6ial chaos and
will elevate thern 60 ideal excellence;
these, oh. my children. D.. thv offer
4nRs.' Gratitude which has vitbinit no
rcnunciatiou Of self no striving after
reciprocal virtue %, fsr u.s. 81 lies within
human power. no soul dedication. f. az
barren o. the fallotv fields. as unfruit-
ful as the thorr4 and tbiatlrs