The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01


Remembers Sweetness
OF BOyhOOd Days
~ UNDAY. July 2s, 1sSS--d arr arose s
at half past seven, washed up and
Al had my breakfast. exercised
until my breakfast was brought
a souvenir postal which Just ar,
rived from Mrs. Twogood. She had
written Alma about the child, and no
doubt as soon as she gets reply she
viii write me full particulars rather
Cauliper was here few minutes TINS
morning. 1 am doing well, considering
everything. and my treatment is excel
lent. The way l consumed my DFedk- :
fast speaks well for my health and
appetite. l got away with two Dolled
eggs, two slices of ham and, a piece OF
T bone steak. The fact that l am
doomed to die on the 31st has no erect
on me. II will not diminish my appe-
tite nor will it cause me unnecessary
worry. l am resigned to whatever fate
the future holds in store for me. l
have no complaints to make to thls
time of day. l deliberately put my foot
into it and If 1 suffer for my rashness
will take the consequences in phll-
osophical light AS | write the boys
are in the chapel and l can hear them
singing Lead, Kindly Light It SOUNDS
so sweet and solemn, especially now.
and the words were so familiar as II
brings back to mind my Sunday school
days when boy. Now that those days
of enjoyment are passed, reflection
comes in. Such is the sweetness and
softness when days long passed fall
years when 1 seemed to be living for
nothing, these shine forth to me in
their very regularity and orderly
time is now stability; what was dull
ness is now a soothing calm; what
seemed Improbable has now its treas
ures in itself; what was but monotony
is now harmony; all is pleasing and
comfortable and l now regard 1t all
with affection. Even sorrowful times,
when one makes up his mind to bear,
are thus softened.
Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom.
The night is dark, and am far frome home
Lead thou on!
Keep thou me- feet 1 do not ask TO see
The distant scene; one step enough for me-
was not ever thus, prayed that thou
shouldst lead me
1 loved TO choose and my path, but now,
1 loved the garlsh days, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my viii, remembered not past
years
So long thy power hath blest me, sure It still
Ger moor and Zen. Ger crag and torrent, till
the night is gone,
Which I have loved long since. and lose
awhile.
write these words of this old
hymn as a relic of that old time. AS it
of my discipleship, my feelings are
full of tender, affectionate thoughts
toward those first years. Now l wake
to find 1t but dream.
1 received a couple Of letters few
minutes ago from the warden; they are
from sympathetic people, advising me
souls welfare. The warden was ac-
companied by the lieutenant governor
and couple of friends.
It is now my dinner hour, and my,
what a dinner for one man, 1 had a
whole chicken fricassee with trimmin's,
lyonnaise potatoes, apple fritters, cake
and a piece of pie, with the coffee,
cheese and crackers. Icouldnt get
did ample justice TO what L did con-
sumo. Just as l finished eating my
dinner 1 received half a dozen maga-
zines sent to US through the kindness
of the warden's wife.
Father Walsh called on me this aft
ernoon and spent an hour or so. His
spiritual ministration brings me peace
and consolation. Since listening to
him I have fully realized what a mis-
take my whole life has been. I told
him: Father Walsh, had l but known
or been spoken to by such man as
you 1 assure you 1 would not be here
today" He said: ''Siemsen, you are
not the only man who has made that
remark to me: I have. had good
many tell me the same thing"
1t is indeed, unfortunate, dear moth
er, to think Of the wasted lives that
might have been recalled had some one
but advised them in time. That is the
brothers and sisters so much, about
their future in life After what / have
been through / felt 1T my duty to ad-
monish my sisters and brothers to
mis- ra nf my fn cn
through life with the good clean name,
to avoid the coils that beset their path
and live good, clean and upright life.
find that such life can only be OBJ
tanned by believing and trusting in
God. Had 1 gone through life with
the same convictions of religious faith
mind l should have been able to ward
of the evil that has finally eliminated
in my downfall. Virtue is it's own re-
ward and brings with 1t the truest and
vate II for pleasures sake alone are
selfish. not religious, and will never
gain the pleasure it merits, because
they can never have the virtue. l have
had sufficient time to- ponder over my
past life. have thought of my future
also, and the conclusion that I have ar
rived st is that life at death does not
end all / have but four more days to
live this earthly life and l feel 1t is but
a removal to where there Is eternal life,
and / go with that knowledge upper
most In my nina. l.. nave never ndQ the
matter explained to me so thoroughly
as I did today. When the priest left
me was firmly convinced that my own
beliefs were correct.
When you note the changes In the
seasons and draw conclusions from it
you will find that once only in the year,
yet once, does the world which we see
show forth it's hidden powers and in a
manner manifest itself. 1 have OBJ
served spring, summer, autumn and
winter go by (while here) very closely.
I have noticed in the spring of the
year the sudden rush and burst out
wardly of that hidden life which God
has lodged in the material world. Well,
that convinced me of what, as by a
sample, what it can do at his command
when he gives the word. The earth we
see may not satisfy us, as 1t is but a
beginning 1t is in my opinion, but a
promise Of something beyond even
when it is gayest with all its blossoms,
and shows most touchingly what lies
hidden within it, yet it is not enough.
We know much more lies hidden In 1t
than we see. AS we gaze at the blue
heaven over US We know it is not the
work OF man; we know that 1t is but a
screen hiding US from God and Christ
and his angels, and we earnestly desire
and pray for the dissolution of all we
see from our longing after that which
we DO not see.