The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-08-09
HOME CIRCLE COL UMN.
SORROW FOR THE DEAD.'

The following article from once
noted and eminent writer, cannot but
meet with the general appreciation Of
a thinking and conservative people,;
The sorrow for the dead is the only
sorrow from which we refuse to be
divorced. Every other wound we seek
to heal, every other afiiietion TO for.
get; but this wound we consider it
a duty to keep open. This alllicton
we cherish, and brood over 10 soli-
tude. Where is the mother who would
willingly forget the infant that has per-
ished like blossom from her arms,
though every recollection is a paug?
Where is the child that would willing
3 forget tender parent, though TO
remember be but TO lament? Who,
even in the hour of agony, would for
get the friend over whom he mourns?
No, the love which survives the
tomb is one OF the noblest attributes
Of the soul. If it has its woes, it has
likewise its delights; and when the
overwhelming burst OF grief is calm
ed into the gentle tear of recollection;
when the sudden anguish and the con.
vulsive agony over the present ruins
OF all that we most loved, is softened
away into pensive meditation on all
that it was in the days Of its lowell
ness, who would root out such sor-
row from the heart? Though it may
sometimes throw passing cloud over
the bright hour of gayety or spread
a deeper sadness over the hour OF
gloom; yet, who would exchange IL
even for the song of pleasure, or the
burst of reyelry? No; there is a
voice from the tomb sweeter than
song. There is remembrance OF
the dead 70 which we turn even from
the charms Of the living
On, the grave! the grave 1t buries
every error, covers every defect, ex-
ttnguishes every resentment From
It's peaceful bosom spring none but
fond regrets and tender recollections.
Who can look down upon the grave
even OF an enemy, and not feel d
compunctious throo, that he should
nave warred with the poor handful Of
earth that lies molding before him?
But the grave of those we loved
what place for meditation! There
1t is that we call up, in long review,
the whole history OF virtue and gentle
ness, and the thousand eudearments
lavlshed upon US, almost unheeded in
the daily intercourse OF intimacy;
there it is that we dwell upon the
tenderness, the solemn, awful tender
ness OF the parting scene; the bed
of death, with all its stuffed griefs, its
noiseless attendance, its mute, watch
full assiduities, the last testimonies OF
expiring love, the feeble nuttering,
thrllling-Oh. how thrilling-pres-
sure of the hand, the last fond look
OF the glazing eye turning upon US,
even from the threshold OF eX stence,
the faint, faltering accents, struggling
in death 10 give one more assurance
Of affection.
Ay, go to the grave of buried love,
and meuitate! There settle the ac D..
count with thy conscience for every
past benefit OF unrequiUed, every past
endearment unregarded, OF that de
parted being, who can never, never
never return 10 be soothed by thy
contritionl If thou art child, ana
hast ever added sorrow to the soul
or furrow to the silvered brow OF
an etTectionate parent; if thou art a
husband and hast ever caused the fond
bosom that ventured its whole hap.
piness in they arms to doubt one mo.
ment OF thy kindness or thy truth; if
thou art friend, and hast ever
wronged, in thought, or word, or deed,
the spirit that generously condded in
thee; if thou hast given one unmerit-
ed pang to that true heart, which now
lies cold and still beneath thy feet;
then be sure that every unkind look,
every ungracious word, every ungentle
action, Will come thronging back upon
thy memory, and knocking dolelully
at thy soul; then be sure that thou
wilt lie down sorrowing and repent
ant on the grave, and utter the I'M
heard groan, and pour the unavailing
tear; more deep, more bitter, because
unheard and unayailing.
Let us then bow down Co the will of
an "Ali Wise" and "BeneGcent God"
and henceforth be more considerable
and atIectionate in the discharge of
our duty to the living.
Many man is rich without money.