The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-07-14

blmeS, tney nad a tuSSlc TOT Dredu! III
our childhood we wondered W. there
were so many wrinkles on their faces.
We did not know that what were called
"crow's-feet" on their faces were the
marks of the black raven of trouble.
Did you ever hear the old people,
seated by the evening stand, talk
over their early trials, their hard
ships, the accidents, the burials, the
disappointments, the empty flour
barrel when there were SO many hun
CRY ones to feed, the sickness almost
unto death. where the next dose of
morphine decided between CHASTITY be-
reavement and an unbroken home cir
Gle? Oh, yes! it was trouble that whit
ened their hair. 1t was trouble that
shook the cup in their hands. 1t was
trouble that washed the luster from their
eyes with the rain of tears until they
need spectacles. 1t was trouble
that made the cane necessity fol
their journey. Do you ever remember
seeing your old mother sitting on some
rainy day, looking out of the window,
her elbow on the window sill, her hand
to her brow-looking out, not seeing
the falling shower at all you well
knew she was looking into the distant
past), until the apron came up to her
eyes, because the memory was too much
for her?
Oft the big, unbidden tear,
Stealing down the furrowed cheek,
Told in eloquence sincere.
Tales of woe they could not speak
But this scene Of weeping DER.
Past this scene of toll and pain
They shall feel distress no more,
Never, never weep again.
"Who are these under the altar" the
question was asked; and the respone
came: "These are they which came
out of great tribulation, and have
washed their robes, and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb" Our
friends went by path of tears into
glory. Be not surprised if we have to
travel the same pathway.
l remark, again, if we want to win
the society of our friends in Heaven we
will not only have to travel path of
faith and path of tribulation, but we
will also have to positively battle for
their companionship. David and his
men never wanted sharp swords and
invulnerable shields and thick breast
plates SO much as they wanted them on
the day when they came down upon the
Amalekites. If they had lost that
battle they never would have got their
families back. 1 suppose that one
captivity hurled them into the battle
with tenfold courage and energy.
They said: 'sWe must win it. Every
thing depends upon it. Let each one
take man on point of spear or sword.
We must win it." And have to tell
you that between us and coming into
the companionship of our loved ones
who are departed there is an Austerlitz,
there is Gettysburg, there is Water
loo. War with the world, war with the
flesh, war with the devil. We have
either to conquer our troubles or our
troubles will conquer us. David will
either slay the Amalekites or the
Amalekites will slay David. And
yet is not the fort to be taken worth
all the pain, all the peril, all the be-
siegement? Look! Who are they on
the bright hills of Heaven yonder?
There they are, those who sat at your
own table, the chair now vacant.
There they are, those whom you
rocked in infancy in the cradle or
hushed to sleep in your arms. There
they are, their brow more radiant than
ever before you saw it, their lips wait
ing for the kiss of heavenly greeting,
their cheek roseate with the
health of eternal summer, their
hands reckoning you up the steep,
the feet bounding with the mirth
of Heaven. The pallor of their last
sickness gone out of their face, never
more to be sick, never more to cough,
never more to limp, never more to be
old, never more to weep. They are
watching from those heights to see il
through Christ you can take the fort,
and whether you will rush in upon
them-victors. They know that upon
this battle depends whether you will
ever join their society. Up! strike
harder! Charge more bravely! Re-
member that every inch you gain puts
you so much farther on toward that
heavenly reunion.
You say that all this implies that our
departed Christian friends are alive.
Why, had you any idea they were dead?
They have only moved. If you should
go on the second of May to house
where one of your friends lived, and
find him gone, you would not think that
he was dead. You would inquire next
door where he had moved to- Our de
parted Christian friends have only taken
another house. The secret is that
they are richer now than they once
were, and can afford a better residence
They once drank out of earthenware
they now drink from the Kings chalice
Joseph is yet alive" and Jacob will &c
up and see him. Living? are they:
Why, if man can live in this damp
dark dungeon of earthly captivity, car
he not live where he breathes the brac
ing atmosphere of the mountains o.
Heaven: Oh, yes, they are living!
Do you think that Paul is SO nea;
dead now as he was when he was living
in the Roman dungeon? Do you thinl
that Frederick Robertson, of Brighton
is as near dead now as he was when
year after year, he slept seated on tn,
floor, his head on the bottom of chair
because he could find ease in no othe1
position? Do you think that Rob
ert Hall is as near dead now a
when, on his couch, he tossed in phys
ical tortures? No. Death gave then
the few black drops that cured them
| That is all death does to a Christian
cures him. / know that what l shav,
said implies that they are living. Their,
is no question about that. The onl,