The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-01-27
Winter.

Winter.
We can remember the time when by
good comfortable fire we shuddered
at the roaring blasts without. The
storm dashed out the silver light of the
moon and night was cheered by never
star, as the angry wind burst forth on
its mission of woe. The snow coming
down all day covered hills and valleys;
fences were lost and streams were
hidden. Night fell on world of snow.
The air grew sharper; winds shrieked
and the fierce north wester made the
old trees writhe. He tossed the snow
on the plans and howled with a savage
will Against that binding storm a
benighted traveller vainly urges his
weary horse, blinded by the cutting
sleet, and plunging through constantly
increasing drifts he floundered in his
struggles and lay exhausted in the
snow. In vain the master urged, with
words and blow Snow deepens about
him, hands grow numb, strength is GO
ing, hope is declining, and the poor man
wraps himself with coat and robe in his
half filled sleigh vainly striving to find
shelter till morning. Midnight comes,
the storm has abated. The old trees no
longer writhe in the blast, but the
moon peacefully looks down on the
snow capped hills, yet horse and master
are locked in the embrace of sleep
that shall never be broken.
| With fur cap tied under his chin and
reigns and whip in hand, he sat in his
sleigh with glazed eyes staring out into
the darkness. Many traveller in the
journey of life has lost his way in the
darkness and stormes of sins gloomy
night, and though he urges on his hob
bies, and wraps the robes of his self
righteousness closely about him. and
vainly tries to find his eternal home by
way of his own devising, he is over
taken by the storms of divine wrath;
the fury of Gods vengence sweeps
down upon him and with moral sensi-
bllties stupified by sin, he stares into an
awfully dark future. The storms of
life are ended but he swakes to find
/ himself in the region of the lost. Heed
well the lesson of winter to make your
calling and election sure" that you
may enjoy the favor of God and awake
in the likeness of Christ. The lessons
it brings US are legion.
Where now are the joys of the sum
mer of your life? Long ago you laid
your dead away. Things have changed
greatly. So much of your life and love
are gone yet we live on. we some times
wonder why, and though we long to fly
away and be at rest, yet We are loathe
| to give up these scenes. Love still
dreams, faith trusts and we hope to
meet again. Yes companions of other
days have fallen A leaf hangs here
and there. Joyous youth has succumb-
ed, prattling childhood has dropped.
The frosts have nipped the tender bud
you held so carefully in your arms, or
rocked in the cradle. You kissed those
smiling lips FOR the last time, but you
preserved lock of hair or a flower
that decked the coffin and as you think
of the mound in the cemetery you feel
the premature frosts have blasted your
hopes. Wintry winds of adversely have
swept over your soul, silver cord has
been snapped, branch has been torn
from you and hurled to the ground, but
! the sweet voice that charmed your
home swells the melody of the angel
choir yonder. Waves of trouble roll
high about you, bitter winds of sorrow
beat against your vessel, darkness
deepens, the light of hope flickers, but
form comes near which in the dark
night of your grief you mistake for an
enemy and cry out in CONSERVATION and
despair and you only discover the form
of the Master when His tender voice
says, cit is be not afraid" He en-
tiers the vessel with you and at his bid
ding waves subside, winds sink, the
heart is at rest and the mind at peace
because Jesus has administered the
cordials of His grace. Some of US are
in the winter season of life. Memory is
busy with other times and scenes of by
gone days fit before the imagination.
Tears dim the eye as in sorrowful
thought they turn away from you and
thought flies back oyer the past and is
busy with the friends who were with
you for a season but are not now.
Like these children of the cloud and
frost that dazzle the eye for a moment
and then vanish, all are lost in the dark
and silent forever. You look again, the
clouds divide, because of the sun of
righteousness streaming through Joy