The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-06-15
a sPRINGTIME MESSAGE
To Those Who Have Laid Loved Dear
Ones Away.

Did you ever step 70 think t5at
God hides away so many secrets uncer
the SHOWS CT winter? VITO cau tell
what mysteries are buried oeneath the
white cover, so deep, SO dazzling IN It's
purity when it first falls on the brown
leaves and withered grass? 1t is true
to it's trust and nevor whispers Ct the
possibilities that are beng sheltered
and nourished by its enfolding. The
flowers are only sleeping, their tiny
pulses are thropping with life down
in the darkness, and after they awake.
rested and refrsshed they will bud
and blossom more beautifully than
before.
The bare branches Of the tres bend
lovingly down in a feeble attempt to
protect tie little sleeping blossoms
and the wind, we say, signs mourn
fully as its rocks them TO and fro, but
it is only chanting lullaby that IS
known to natures children alone. All
IS quiet and peace uGdec the snow
awaiting the sound of springs trun-
pet'' to awaken 70 larger life ana
greater lcyeliness. So when LIE 5
winter is past and tee snow has mel~-
ed at the call of Gods eternai spring
what wonderful surprise await US
Life, full, free, throbbing life that
will never need to s,eep again under
the winters sorrow, for
Behind the aim unknown
Standeth God within the Shadow, keeping
Watch above his own.
And what seemed Death to the nat
ural sense was only hidirg away OF
the germ immortal with Cos standing
guard, ready 10 bring it forth in eood
time. The king who comes and
spreads his robe of ermine over all,
treads, oh 50 gently, because Of the
sleeping buds and tender blossoms be-
meath his feet in their earthly cradle.
The awakening time is not yet ard
they viii sleep more sweetly under
the ermine robe. Why co We not
think of this when our hearts are
heavy laden because Of what has been
hidden away from Us, remembering
that there lives one who never loses
sight Of our flowers, even though they
wither here in TIE cold blasts that
come from the sea Of gain ard the
valley Of the shadow. He knows they
are only resting for a moment, 70
come to a more marvellous growth II
the gardens that are suukisSed etern
ally, and whose flowers know no win
ter time for sleep. The earth flowers
come back to US from under the
winters snow-aud we are Of more
value than they. The little birds
that build their homes in the heights
and hide in the clouds come back,
when they hear OF the springs new
birth or resurect:on-and we are Of
more value than they. We, too, will
awaken from the sleep that clc ses thc
weary eyes just long enough for the
angel in waiting TO bear US over the
bar into the eternal Sumner Of that
Morning Land" OF which it is said.
and there shall be 10 night there
neither any snow, Or pki'ess ran is
needed to kill and make alive. From
the depths will come forth the hidden
treasures. Dead, We said Of them.
but not 50. Like a gem that refuses
to sparkle is hidden for time from
the light until it regains its bril-
liancy, so our jewels have been hidden
from US, to be given hack perfected
and a setting that glows with inmor-
tally, and our flowers will bloom
again when the angels whisper awak-
ems them to vision OF skies fairer
than ours, bretZcs softer, and sun
shine that never is hidden. From
under the STOW Of earth into the eter-
nal summer of hsaEen.
This is our springtime message to
you, and amid the sOIrows Of the
days past that still bear heavy upon
you, may you be led out frcm under
the shadow into that glorious sunlight,
and be so inspired with hope that Sor
rowing and sighing shall flee away,
and a quiet peace mantel your hori-
zon, so calm and rare, perfect rest
will come unto you and forever abide
with you.
Child Suspended in Well.
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