Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1817-08-12


but state of trial and probation, tran
silent abode rather than a permanent resi-
dence, that We are tenants al will and liable
to be ds2ossessed OF our earthly Indications
at moments warning. The declarations
Of that being which We profess TO receive as
infalliblc, has assured US, that on our &c
tachment from The cares, and our freedom
from the anAie:ies inevitably dependent on
them in this life, depends the requirement.
and enjoyment Of his!avour here, and the
participation Of his happiness hereafter
that upon the victory W ob.ain over the
temptations and charms, he fas-inations
and enticements Of this world, rests our
hopes of the possession of the unalloyed
pleasures, the refined, the exalted facilities
oil future.
That there is medium BY which We
engage in the concerns and affairs Of this
world, no one will pretend 10 deny. A life
of inactivity and Incidence is opposed TO the
end for which all mankind were created.
But in this, as in most other INSTANCES, Oh;
ardour, our impetuosity, our avarice, our
ambition, hurry us forward into the extremes.
This world may be indeed lawfully used,
but by>a vast majority it is grossly and
shamefully abused The deeper we
plunge into its cares, the deeper We involve
ourselves 10 its anxie;ies, and pursuits, the
more insensible we become, the more re-
CARELESS we appear, that we are rapidly
Fastening onward toward another. Chain
ed, as it were by the attachments the pleas
ures and concerns of this world, our minds
arise not superior TO this clod Of earth, ill
tie fatal spell is dissolved, till the alluline
charm is dispelled, till The airy bubble is
broken that alEures and deceivea US, thai
engrosses our aim, and occupies our pur.
suits, by the cold touch Of dissolution, by
the rapid strides, and the swift advances of
death.
Who will ahew US any good :" is an
almost universal cry. The pursuit OF most
men after happiness, il like that Of a school
boy to obtain butterfly Il generally e
ludes their grasp, and when in actual pos
session Of the objrct IN which they had Dla-
ced their fondest anticipatlons, ii furnishes
them wretched equivalent for their Ia
bours and sacrifices, their ytxations, and
their tolls. PLEASURE pals upon the ap-
petite-vKIcAEs bring with them new cares,
| and occasion almost constant disquieiude
and uneaSlness. The possession OF the
most splendid laurel wreaths, of The sum.
nit of fame, and The pinnacle of human
glory, rarely satiatcs the yo,ary of AMBI
TIoN. In the meridian of life he forsake S
the scenes OF dOmestick peace, and the
tranquil walks Ct retired lie, tor The din Of
arms, and he fury OF the battle, in the pur-
suit of an airy phantom,-In old age, in
the evening OF life, when nature seeks re-
pose, his predominant passion often again
leads hum to " crush his old limbs in ungen.
tie STEEL" HE possession Of riches, o!
honours, Of grandeur and distinction, may
grauty our desires for a while, but TIA. pas
sion which predominates over our minds,
soon rouses Us from repose, and spurs oI
our prevailing passions 10 new exer!ions
hus habit indeed becomes second ma
ture." The temple Of Happiness is con-
stantly in view-but few ever arrive al it,
This prevailing desire for The possession Of
which the universe is Using every exertion,
and grasping at every shadow within their
reach, has been the subject Of the finest
alegories that have employed the pens both
of the mogalist and ct the poet All have
agreed that happiness is within The reach
and attainment of all northumberland who
ever uses the proper methods will not fail
to obtain ii-that the good man alone car
enjoy real happiness in this world, CT in
dulge the expectation of realizing the con.
summation Of hope and The iruillon oil bliss
IN that bfIs hter abode which is u succeed
lit,
/ FROM 4lTEYTg