The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-12-16

masters with visage stern, or kind
mates. alas, they are gone. Call the
roll, and one may answer from far west,
the sunny south or down east or chilly
north or far distant lands. many name
is unanswered and we seem to hear
coming from the tomb the sepulchral
voice, prepare to meet thy God" or
from out the great unknown seraphic
voices saying come up higher"
Winters blasts came soon, the frosts
of death destroyed the tender buds or
young twigs. How the heart grows
sad Is we recall the face of a low one.
We hear her singing merry school songs,
see her fingers speed gracefully over
the key Of the piano, watch her glide
through the house and meet US with
smile at the door. But winters cruel
blast was too severe. It has flushed
the cheeks, there is the hollow cough,
the fire is fading from bright eyes and
hands tremhle with weakness. A
colder blast came one night, sharper
frost than usual and the morning saw
the light of home extinguished, the
flower had withered, the sister had
gone to summer cline, to a better
home, but sadness creeps over us as we
think of unkind acts or harsh words
and gladly would we make amends, but
the winter of death has blasted al
such hopes, but we look beyond the
blasts of earth to that land where there
is no winter ito that summer land of
song" Though it comes with a stem
visage, it is not Unlovelv, for it brings
charms with it. Though its greeting is
chilly. though snow storms beat fiercely
yet its long nights bring joy and
pleasures that are dear to the heart.
Though regarded as the dulest and
dreariest of the seasons, it has its com
pensations. 1t affords recreation for
the senses as well as for the understand
ing
We have more intercourse within.
What matters it, if cur out side pleasures
are diminished, when inside our social
joys are increased. It's evenings are
full OF amusements without our having
recourse to any boisterogs public dis
sipations, in which heal, innocence and
peace are often sacrificed, when pas
sions Of a vicious nature are che shed
and persons instead Of being lie ate1
or bettered are rendered incapab Of
relishing genuine pleasure.
True its discipline is harsh 10 the
tuneful bird and gurgling stream, ye: 1t
comes to man as a minister of good
Its long evenings are full of freside
joys when warm hearts are linked
together more closely.
The width robed earth keeps silence
at her Makers feet as enjoying a
peaceful Sabbath. She is not disturbed
by pillow, while harvest shout rings not
in her dells. Should not man rest from
his fevered passions and eXhale "fester-
ing thought, and drink in holy health"
The bark tossed on the waves seeks
the shelter of the quiet harbor to trim
its shattered cordage and mend its
riven sails. So too, the mind racked
with cares and anxieties, refts for the
voyage of time. Winter evenings fur
nlsh an opportunity for this. Soured
by the sharp conflict OF business or i'm
paired by the wanderings of his summer
and autumn ways, he turns to his home,
weary and disguised with the world and
as he enjoys the family circle, the
words of that sweet old hymn involen-
tairly bursts from his lips, mid scenes
of confusion and creature complaints,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place
like home" and he cheerfully sur
renders himself to the influences which
elevate and refine.
The child learns to love its sire more,
and to know him better, as it is per-
mitted for longer time than usual to
sit on his knee and prints with soft lips
on his brow such tokens of affection as
l.