The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-06-17
A sPRINGTIME MESSAGE
TO Those Who Have Laid Loved Dear
Ones Away.

Did you ever stop to think that
God hides away so many secrets under
the SHOWS OF winter? Who can tell
what mysteries are buried beneath the
white cover, so deep, so dazzling in its
purity when it first falls on tie brown
leaves and withered grass? 1t is true
to its trust and never whispers of the
possibilities that are being sheltered
and nourished by its eniolding. The
flowers are only sleeping, their tiny
pulses are thropping with life down
in the darkness, and after they awake,
rested and refreshed they will bud
and blossom more beautifully than
before.
The bare branches Of the tire bend
lovingly down in feeble attempt to
protect the little sleeping blossoms
and the wind, we say, sighs mourn
fully as it's rocks them to and fro, tut
it is only chanting lullaby that is
known to natures children alone. All
Is quiet aid peace Under tie siiOw
awaiting the sound Of Spring trum
pet" to awaken to Il larger life and
greater lovelinesS. SO when 'life's
winter is past and the SNOW has melt
ed at the call Of Gods eternal 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 dim unknown
Standeth God within the shadow, keeping
Watch above his own
And what seemed death to the nat
ural sense was only d hiding away OF
the germ immortal with God standing
guard, ready TO bring it forth in good
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 and
they will sleep more Sweetly under
the ermine robe. Why do we not
think of this when our hearts are
heavy laden because Of what has beer
hidden away from us, remembering
that there lives one who never loses
sight of our flowers, even though they
wither here in the cold blasts that
come from the sea Of pain ard the
valley of the shadow. He knows they
are only resting for moment, t.
come to a more marvellous growth ir
the gardens that are SunkiSSed etern
ally, and whose flowers know no win.
ter time for sleep. The earth flowers
come back to us from under the
winters snow and we are Of more
value than they. The little birds
that build their homes in the height,
and hide in the clouds come back
when they hear Of the springs new
birth or resurrection and we are OF
more value than they. We, too, will
awaken from the sleep that cIt ses TIN
weary eyes just long enough for the
angel in waiting to bear us over the
bar into the eternal summer Of that
Morning Land" OF which it is said
and there shall be no night there
neither any snow, or piticss rain is
needed to kill and make alive. From
the depths will come forth the hiddcl
treasures. Dad, we said OF them,
but not SO. Like u gem that refuse:
to sparkle is hidden for Il time from
the light until it regains its bril-
liancy, SO our jewels have been hiddcl
from us, to be given back perfected
and a setting that glows with immor.
tality, and our flowers will bloom
again when the angels whisper awak
ens them to vision of skies fairel
than ours, bretzes softer, and sun
shine that never is hidden. From
under the snow OF earth into tie cter
nal summer Of heaven.
This is our springtimc message tc
you, and amid the SORROWS Of the
days past that still bear heavy upor
you, may you be led out from under
the shadow into that glorious sunlight
and be so inspired With hope that sor
rowing and signing shall flee away
and quiet peace manlel your hori
zon, so calm and rene, perfect rest
will come unto you and forever abid,
@ith you.