Composition written by Ossie Rivers on "Man's Attachment For His Mother," June 7, 1889
Title
Composition written by Ossie Rivers on "Man's Attachment For His Mother," June 7, 1889
Subject
Description
Composition written by Ossie Rivers for the S.C.M.A. Portion written at the bottom by possibly his mother after his death.
Creator
Source
A1984.24, Box 2, Folder 1
Publisher
The Citadel Archives & Museum
Date
Rights
Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409.
Format
application/pdf
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/admin/items/show/1114
Coverage
Charleston (S.C.)
Text
[Page 1]
Man’s Attachment for His Mother - Homr.
Many a man has gone out from his home to embark on the stormy sea of life. Of the feeling of a father, and of his father’s interest in his welfare, he has never entertained a doubt; and his home was dear because he was there; but there was a peculiarity in the feelings that it was the home of his mother. While she lived there, there was a place that he felt was home. There was one place where he felt he would always be welcome, one place where he would be met with a smile, one place where he would be sure of a friend. The world might be indifferent to him, he might be unsuccessful in his studies or business. The new friends which he supposed he had made might prove to be false. The honor which he thought he deserved might be withheld from him. He might be chagrined and mortified by seeing a rival outstrip him, and bear away the prize which he sought. But there was a place where no feelings of rivalry were found, and where those whom the world overlooked would be sure of a friendly greeting.
[Page 2]
Whether pale and wan by study, care, or sickness; or flushed with health and flattering success, he was sure that he would be welcome there. Though the world was cold towards him, though the world was cold towards him yet there was one who always rejoiced in his successes, and always was affected in his reverses; and there was a place to which he might go back from the storm which began to pelt him, where he might rest, and become encouraged and invigorated for a new conflict.
I have seen a bird in its first efforts to fly, have its nest, and stretch its wings, and go forth to the world; but the wind blew it back, and the rain began to fall, and the darkness of night began to draw on, and there was no shelter abroad, and it sought its way back to its nest, to take shelter beneath its mother’s wings, and to be refreshed for the struggles of a new day; but then it flew away to think of its nest and its mother no more. But not thus did man leave his home when he bade adieu to it to go forth to the manly duties of life. Even amidst the storms of life that then beat upon him, and the dissapointments [sic] that he met with, and the coldness of the world, he felt still that there was one there who could sympathize with him in his troubles, as well as rejoice with him in his successes, and that, whatever might be abroad, when he entered the door of his dwelling he should be met with a smile. We expected that a Mother, like the mother of [illegible], as she “looked out at her window
[Page 3]
waiting for the coming of her son laden with the spoils of victory,” would look out for his coming, and that his return would renew her joy and his.
It makes a sad desolation when from such a place a mother is taken away, and when, whatever may be the sorrows or successes in life, she is to greet the returning son no more. The home of his childhood may be still lovely. The old family mansion - the green fields - the running streams - the “moss covered well” - the trees - the rose - may be there. Perchance too, an aged father with venerable locks may be there, “sitting in his loveliness,” with every thing to command respect and love; but she is not there. Her familiar voice is not heard. The mother has been borne forth to sleep by the side of her children who have gone before her, and the place is not what it was. There may be others there whom he loves much, but she is not there. He may have formed new relations in life, tender and strong as they can be; he may have another home, dear to him as was the home of his childhood, but that home is not what it was, and it will never be what it was again.
Her death is always a loosening of the many cords which bound him to Earth.
[Written at bottom of page, possibly by his mother] We shall meet in heaven - Ossie darling.
“Angel of Death! Ye cannot then
My heartstrings rend apart;
I shall hold my boy forever and aye
Close to my yearning heart.”
[Page 4]
No. 3
South Carolina Military Academy
Cadet W. O. Rivers
3rd Class
Subject: Man's Attachment for His Mothers Home
29
Citadel, Charleston, S. C., June 7th 1889
Man’s Attachment for His Mother - Homr.
Many a man has gone out from his home to embark on the stormy sea of life. Of the feeling of a father, and of his father’s interest in his welfare, he has never entertained a doubt; and his home was dear because he was there; but there was a peculiarity in the feelings that it was the home of his mother. While she lived there, there was a place that he felt was home. There was one place where he felt he would always be welcome, one place where he would be met with a smile, one place where he would be sure of a friend. The world might be indifferent to him, he might be unsuccessful in his studies or business. The new friends which he supposed he had made might prove to be false. The honor which he thought he deserved might be withheld from him. He might be chagrined and mortified by seeing a rival outstrip him, and bear away the prize which he sought. But there was a place where no feelings of rivalry were found, and where those whom the world overlooked would be sure of a friendly greeting.
[Page 2]
Whether pale and wan by study, care, or sickness; or flushed with health and flattering success, he was sure that he would be welcome there. Though the world was cold towards him, though the world was cold towards him yet there was one who always rejoiced in his successes, and always was affected in his reverses; and there was a place to which he might go back from the storm which began to pelt him, where he might rest, and become encouraged and invigorated for a new conflict.
I have seen a bird in its first efforts to fly, have its nest, and stretch its wings, and go forth to the world; but the wind blew it back, and the rain began to fall, and the darkness of night began to draw on, and there was no shelter abroad, and it sought its way back to its nest, to take shelter beneath its mother’s wings, and to be refreshed for the struggles of a new day; but then it flew away to think of its nest and its mother no more. But not thus did man leave his home when he bade adieu to it to go forth to the manly duties of life. Even amidst the storms of life that then beat upon him, and the dissapointments [sic] that he met with, and the coldness of the world, he felt still that there was one there who could sympathize with him in his troubles, as well as rejoice with him in his successes, and that, whatever might be abroad, when he entered the door of his dwelling he should be met with a smile. We expected that a Mother, like the mother of [illegible], as she “looked out at her window
[Page 3]
waiting for the coming of her son laden with the spoils of victory,” would look out for his coming, and that his return would renew her joy and his.
It makes a sad desolation when from such a place a mother is taken away, and when, whatever may be the sorrows or successes in life, she is to greet the returning son no more. The home of his childhood may be still lovely. The old family mansion - the green fields - the running streams - the “moss covered well” - the trees - the rose - may be there. Perchance too, an aged father with venerable locks may be there, “sitting in his loveliness,” with every thing to command respect and love; but she is not there. Her familiar voice is not heard. The mother has been borne forth to sleep by the side of her children who have gone before her, and the place is not what it was. There may be others there whom he loves much, but she is not there. He may have formed new relations in life, tender and strong as they can be; he may have another home, dear to him as was the home of his childhood, but that home is not what it was, and it will never be what it was again.
Her death is always a loosening of the many cords which bound him to Earth.
[Written at bottom of page, possibly by his mother] We shall meet in heaven - Ossie darling.
“Angel of Death! Ye cannot then
My heartstrings rend apart;
I shall hold my boy forever and aye
Close to my yearning heart.”
[Page 4]
No. 3
South Carolina Military Academy
Cadet W. O. Rivers
3rd Class
Subject: Man's Attachment for His Mothers Home
29
Citadel, Charleston, S. C., June 7th 1889
Collection
Citation
Rivers, Walter Oswald, 1871-1890, “Composition written by Ossie Rivers on "Man's Attachment For His Mother," June 7, 1889,” The Citadel Archives Digital Collections, accessed May 9, 2024, https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/1114.