The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-07-15
Wandering Boys

Every paper We take up has from two TO
three inquiries Tor boys who have lett
home and their whereabouts are unknown
We get hundreds Of letters OF inquiry for
last relatives. Some people want 10 find
rrcIes and aunts whom they have lost
sight OF Cor years Such letters do not
often enlist our sympathy. for i think II
relatives scatter of and care 50 little Tor
each other TO let years pass b. without
a word We had just As well let them so.
Then come letters from poor. patient wo-
men asking about faithlcss husbands
They are 10 b. pitied. but 1 think they are
better on without such men than with
them. and had best let them go But when
there comes letter from a mother asking
for her boy. then nay heart breaks up IN
great waves Of PITY and goes out TO That
other mother heart in the deepest sympa-
thy. She - an innocent sufferer. and that
mother love that "bearcth all things. ex-
pecteth all things and eniureth all things.
and never fails is always hoping and for
giving and longing for the wandcrer.
These thoughts were suggested by a let
ter Just received from sister IL Is print
ed herewith in the hope that II may meet
the eve Of the boy who has probably broken
his mothers heart. and though too late
now TO receive her blessing. yet her for
gfveness may fall like the evening dew
upon the psrched earth. and touch that
hard heart and bring il To repentance.
In a letter u me the sister uses this ex-
preston. Mother Erieved 50 much while
living for her wandering boy Can you
not follow tEat mother in imagination
through those years Of waiting and hop
Ing? No matter what the fault-even
though il were a crime-her love covered all
and the only cry of her heart was. Come
back How often ia the cleaning did
she see only a sright-syed babe at her
breast. looking up into her eyes with baby
faith anu love. then the hoy at her knee
as he lisps his evening Prs.,ers, and then
on through all the stages OF boyhoOd. She
thinks only ~ has manly deeds and loving
ways. As the tears run down her checks
the waywari acts and cross words are ali
forgotten; only that love that covers
multitude OF sins like a soft-falling mantle
is present with her. and in these reveries
the eTriug boy is lost and only the loving
son u present iu her thoughts Follow her
she seeks her couch. where only ftful
Slumbers visit her. see her as she drops
upon her knees beside ia To pour out the
troubles OF her heart TO one who alone
realizes their depths. Then the very foun-
tains OF the deep are broken up and tears
that blessed relief To a breaking heart
pour down. and her only cry is. God. bring
MIN hlck- Let my eyes once more be
Eladteued by sight OF that face so dear
60 my heart.' And so she pours out her
soul TO God. and az last She seeks her
hour she aw2kens. and her first thought
y. 'Oh. that / knew he were safe, Where
Is he tOnightg' The morning brings no
relief; thc very songs Of the birds have a
minor note. and the sunlight is Swallowed!
Day follows day, and night succeeds night.
and ever i'm that mothers heart comes tine
longing cry for the wandercr; but ne comes
not, and merciful death comes to her re-
lief
The good. dutiful children who have
done ali they could for her comfort gather
around 10 see the weary Spirit take its
night 10 where there is no more parting
nor sunerinS- God help that boy when ne
learns OF his mutEcr's death and the grief
ne mas caused her, But may the echo OF her
ferveHt prayers reach miss heart and cause,
him 10 tara iroTn tine error Oi his WAYS,
rms only one % many cases All over
our land there are sorrowiug mothers ana
wandering boys" Is there uo remesiv2
sITe' IL Is subject that demands our Sc
TluuS ConSiie ration