Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-12-15
Butlwhy did thesrobin go?

The skies are shining overhead;
The robin gone that was so free"
Butlwhy did thesrobin go?
There was time, we are told, when he
stayed with us all winter. Is it that our
winters are growing colder,a as some assume,
or does the gun Of the sportsman, IN the
autumn, brighten him away. 1t is true
the sportsman is shooting reed birds and
not robins but does the robin thoroughly
understand this He is very knowing, but
is be acquainted with the laws which have
been passed for his protection, | wonder
In Western city, where | spent several
winters much colder than any we have
here, variety OF beautiful birds would
visit u.s. in snow time, and alight ese en-
upon the rails of our veranda and seem
entirely unafraid. We took delight in
throwing them crumbs of bread and nuts
and in cutting fruit into small pieces for
them, and they showed the greatest appre-
citation OF our hospitality, but | have
watched in vain for birds during this last
snowy season. I conclude that in winter
we have only the sparrow with us, but he
adds materially to the cheerfulness OF a
winter day 1t is true, an unjust war is
waged against him, but he is plucky
little fellow, and goes on returning good
sects, and doing many little kindnesses
for us of which we are wholly anobservant
and where winter rules most ruthlessly,
where darkness is deepest in daylight, there
he will stay undaunted. One cannot talk
of birds without thinking of trees. As has
been said, call healthy souls love the
society of trees; and the mold which feeds
them is a better fertilizer of thought than
h. 4 of, ao
question arises, whether we have not too
many books; but we are sure there is not
one tree too many on this round globe; and
the whole herd of wood craftsmen should
be forced to set out new tree for every
one destroyed. But shall we not need a
regenerating fire some day, to do for books
what is done for the forests Ninety in
every one hundred books which haye got
into our libraries within the last half CEN
fury, will fail to enlighten the world until
there is one good, honest confagration.
Something might be gained from the ashes
of these barren books; therefore, let us pile
on the rubbish, and let not the fire go out
until some cords Of pious doggerel, con-
cocted IN the name of poetry, shall have
been added thereto. The world is full of
cant;-it infects our common speech. The
odor of sancity and the form of sound
words are no nearer the living spirit than
are those petrifactions which present an
outline Of men, but never again pulsate
with life. Now, truth is eternal, and does
not suffer, in the long run, by the question
ings, or buffetings Of the world, but a con-
secrated falsehood - whether sarcedotal,
political, or social-is some day smitten, as
the giant Of old. in the forehead, and falls
headlong. There is much broken poetry
in this world which is past all mending;
and more which is awaiting its turn to go
into the rubbish heap. All that was found
in the interior Of Western mound was a
few fragments Of earthenware; for the
rest, time had beaten it all back to dust.
And this reminds me that it has taken
almost six thousand years to find out that
a handful of dry earth will heal the most
cruel wound. In the day of our mortal
hurt we do but go back to the earth, be-
lieving that in the ages to come we shall
60 forth again, eternally renewed.
The W. C. T. u. met, on the Tuesday
afternoon of last week at the home of Mrs.
Emma Wilkins In the absence of the
President, Mrs. Mary R. Low, the Vice
President, Mrs. Rachel DeHart Wilkins
opened the meeting, and conducted the
devotional exercises. Echoes from the
national convention of the w. c. T. o.,
held in Philadelphia recently, were given
by Mrs. Julia Gibbs, and Mrs Rachel
Wilkins. No new business was transacted,
but the ladies felt that the afternoon had
been well spent
The regular business meeting OF the Ep-
worth League was held last Thursday even
l,o haco IS H. ol1..
the usual formalities had been observed, an
election of officers took place, which re-
suited in: Mr.. IL. A. DeHart, President:
Mr.. Charles B. Platt, LIST Vice President;
Miss Kizzie Wilkins, 2nd Vice President:
Mrs. Rebecca Gleason, 3rd Vice President,
and Miss Laura DeHart, 4th Vice Presi-
dent; Miss Alice Parker, Secretary, and
Mr.. Leslie Gibbs, Treasurer Miss Laura
DeHart will be the organist. The officers
will be installed in the church on the first
Sunday night in January.
At the Grange, on last Monday night, the
third and fourth degrees were conferred on
the new class. There will be an election
of officers on next Monday night, Decem-
Der 10. A full attendance is desired.
On Saturday evening, December oath, the
usual Christmas entertainment Of the Sun
day-school will be held in the church.
beautiful program is in preparation. All
are cordially invited.
Mr.. Charles c. Thompson, Of Philadel-
phia, spent last Sunday with his friends IN
Thorofare.
A holly-str1Dging social will be held at
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. r. Gibbs,
on Saturday night, December II. The
couple stringing the most holly will receive
a prize, and those who fall short of the
standard set by them will be taxed one
cent for each foot which they lack. Both
young, and old are invited, and large
company is desired. Guests are expected
at half past seven, and it is hoped thai al