The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-13
THE STREAM OF LIFE.
A Young Lady Builds Boat and
Sets IL Ahoat.

Sets IL Afoat.
Life is a stream, and each soul that is born
is frail vessel tossed by the waves while
striving TO gain the h har6or D % OF rest: ,,.d ,ou
er reach their port? And 30 with the soul.
Where is the beginning of this stream of life?
answer-at the cradle. How often do we
stand and gaze upon the babe In all Its lnno-
cence and purity, and ask ourselves-what
will be the character of this stream OF life?
Will 1t be one noted for Its rough, much
dreaded flow, or will 1t be one whose gentle,
peaceful flow will attract the attention OF all
around9
After many years we return to this home.
What change! AS we again gaze upon the
face, how sad sight! From the deep burrows
cheeks. we are led TO believe that The stream
has had many ripples. Who knows how fer
vently q mothers heart may be yearning for
this moral and physical wreck, and feeling
that it would have been we'll for him had he
not been born.
Perhaps this man Of guilt was left without
the influence OF a gentle loving mother to
help him in crossing the ruggt places OF lie
and had gone down In the waves of adversely.
Not only In our homes where we meet daily
with loved ones and friends, do we exert al
influence which determines the destiny OF
many, but, also, in the school room. Litlle
do we realize the responsibility resting Oh the
teachers OF to-day, who have In their hands.
to certain extent, the forming OF the charac'
ters Of our future men and women, IL IL not
uucOmtuou " ueai tao hetio vheo to,aoi N w.
their play fellows at school, my teacher said
that, and know 1t can not be wrong" All!
there are streams OF life controlled not only
by parents influence, but also by the teach
er's. Therefore may our teachers strive TO eX-
ert over those placed in their charge. an infu-
ence as gentle as the falling or the snowflake
on the meadow.
How few OF us ever stop TO consider the i'm
portance of speaking gently to those with
whom we associate. Many lives are blighted
by criticisms, where kind word, by way OF
encouragement, would have made living
monument of usefulness.
In life time storms must be met-the best
meet them. The storm most dreaded Is the
storm of death. Even the bravest and strong
est will sometimes shrink when called to
meet il. How many, oh, how many, are to-
day trusting the weakest vessels that are sail
Ing on the stream OF life, while Christian
loved ones and friends are pleading With
them to forsak Q the frail bark and go aboard
the good ship Zion.
Who knows how soon they may strike the
breakers and sink In mid-ucean.
May the young people OF today, amidst all
the temptations which surround them, throw
the sounding line Of faith far out ahead OF
their vessels so as to keep of the andbais or
sin. Bear in mind we are In danger unless
Christ will take the helm and guide ua. He
alone knows the rough places and can see the
dismal, dark and portentous clouds which
overhang US.
Reader, which vessel are you on? The one
which Is sailing for the port of bliss where
angels are waiting 10 shout al you anchor
"Welcome hOine,"-Ol the one which will
soon sink In the sea of perditiOn where you
will bid an everlasting farewell 10 the dear
ones OF earth, and will hear the awful cry
Lost, lost, lostn'