The Empty Crib, a Memorial of Little Georgie [Cuyler] with Words of Consolation for Bereaved Parents

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872. Excerpt: ... AFTER the death of our dear boy, a very' large number of tender and beautiful letters of condolence reached us from all parts of the land. As it was quite impossible for us to reply to all these kind letters, it occurred to us that the most fitting response would be to prepare a brief sketch of our child, and of the touching circumstances of his death, and to send it to those whose words of sympathy have been so grateful. Many of these letters contained words of precious consolation that are as well calculated to comfort other bereaved parents as they were to comfort us in our first great sorrow. Such passages from them as could be printed without any violation of delicacy, have been wrought in with the following brief narrative. Both the narrative and the succeeding articles are published simply and solely with the hope that they may be a solace and a blessing to some hearts in the great Household of the Sorrowing. This is the largest household in the world. There is hardly a dwelling "in which there is not one dead." In almost every home there are stored away, among its most cherished treasures, a little photograph, or a box of toys, a torn kite, a half-worn cap, or a pair of tiny shoes. They all tell a story too deep for tears. Into such homes I have been called, like other pastors, a thousand times. I have sat down beside the afflicted fathers and mothers in my flock, and tried to comfort them. I have read to them the heavenly messages of consolation, and knelt beside them as they rocked and trembled under the tempest of their agony. But how often have these mothers said to me, "Ah! my pastor, there is one thing in this world that you never can understand until you have felt it for yourself, --and that is the sensations of a parent over his or her own ...