The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-11-25

In our climate the golden rod is
the last kindly token of her love and
bounty bestowed by the old mother
Earth, who gives us at the beginning
lie and to Our tired heads at the last
a restfrl cradle-a mighty cradle
worthy Of a child OF Omnipotence.
Swung n0iselessly and softly and
with iraperceptible motion by the
hand OF God through space incompre-
hensible. Every fall before she takes
her rest from her busy work OF crea-
ting for us she gives the golden rod,
statley and humble, brav. and beau-
.tiful weed. We call it a weed be-
cause it is given SO lavishly. Earth
IS not niggardly with this glorious
gold. It is Our weakness and blind
ness that we value lightly what is
given to us bountifuliy. We value
most highly the things we must
groan and sweat for, while disregard
ing the manifold blessings and beau
ties Nature and Earth and Life offer
freely, and sigh most previously after
the few things we may not have.
When we consider seriously and hon.
estly most of US must be astonished
by the multitude of the blessings Of
fered us for the prudent and sincere
asking-life, strength, health. chill
dren, love, home and peace. And the
things we long and strive for and give
our lives and labors and sometimes
Our souls for, arc so few and small
and empty by comparison-wealth,
luxury and distinction without ease
and with peace and rest impossible.
This flower is grown and guarded on
individual stalks and is valued pos
session in Europe, when it does not
spring unlimited from the soil. We
call it weed because it comes to us
unbidden, free gift. 1t asks moth
ing Of us, does not need to be nursed
Or pampered or even permitted, is
regardless whether we see it. 1t
comes in the fall of Our year whether
seasons are good or bad, the land
cared for or fallow. 1t was bloom
ing and waving here in autumn un-
told ages before the white man
brought the plow and the art OF coax
ing production. Where it could find
a spot to grow it grew for the wild
Indians and animals when this con-
tinent, now teeming and busy, was
vast silence shaded by solemn for
ests. 1t has gladdened the eyes of
many generations OF our people with
wide expanses Of swaying gold.
Thousands and thousands of acres
of it have bloomed where no human
eyes saw it. 1t has come at this time
year after year through many centur-
les, in prosperity, rich and dreamy
place, in the blood and tun1ult of
war Generation after generation
lovers have unused and brooded hap
PLY together over it and have gather
ed it abundantly for the decoration
of quiet homes. 1t covers the old
battlehelds where hosts of men
tramped and strove and died, and
where blood was poured from the
veins of the brave. It has been the
one tribute given by Earth for many
a lonely grave forgotten and neglect
ed by man.
The small seeds, shed by the gol-
den rod. wa, buried and hid a year
until Nature ard Earth call them to
do their part and acorn the verge of
cold, darkness and deat}-the pro-
cess We call death r?eaning always
the colsum:nation OF lie, the presage
and assurance O.; resurrection and life
to Gene presently more abounding
and beautiful. The early hardy
flowers are bold children of the
breath CT spring. following so close
ly on winters re:-cating footsteps
that they ningle sometimes with his
mantle and gleam through the sur
rounding wh:teness of the snow, but
they live BY mans help and associa-