Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-11-23
From the Rhode-Island American.
REFLECTIONS.

The summer, with all lis brightness
and luxuriance, has again flown, and the
falling leaf and the chilling blast remind
us OF the speedy approach Of Winner.
The fields, which lately smiled with YER
dure, AID glittered with the golden har-
vest, begin now 10 assume The appearance
| Of cherries desolation, and we seek 10
vain for the tints which lately attracted
the eye, and the fragrance which gratified
the senses.
There is something in the silent sobrie-
lty and increasing gloom OF Autumn, which
renders it peculiarly interesting. II seems
to GENE as g friendly messenger, TO warn
US Of the approaching storm, and remind
us Of the Importance Of timely prepare.
ton. 1t is like the twilight, which spreads
ifs shades gently around us, to lead our
minds aside FROM the objects which absorb
our attention, and by gentle transition
prepare us fer the thick darkness which
| is to follow.
The analogy between the seasons and
mortal life is too obvious, not to have
called forth the strains Of the poet, and
he reflections Of the moralist. We are
sensible, that it is trite theme, and We
Icannot recommend it to the attention OF
the reader, by any novel attractions. Ii
lis, profitable, however, to permit these
thoughts TO have their due weight upon
tile mind; 10 turn aside occasionally from
the hustle of active lie, and cast back
glance upon the path which We have trod
den, and examine that which, il behoves
Jus TO pursue. We are too apt 10 60 on,
without sufficient reflection upon the grand
objects of our existence; to suffer the
things OF this world To- shut from cur view
the contemplation Of another and TO
drown, in the {: din Of the great Babel, ;"
the accents Of that "still, small voice,
which whispers to our hearts, g this is the
way, walk We in it, The reason, We
suspect, is, that the mind is unwilling to
bring to the light of truth the ensrossiug
lobjects Of its attention, aud meet the
question of conscience, whether they are
worth the sacrifice which ii makes to OBJ
ltsja them. No one, it is true, can reflect,
rightly on this subject, without feeling a
deep solemnity pass heavily over tile
heart, while pondering over the evanes-
cence of the objects which wind themselves
With his affections. He sees, that most Of
the glory Of past ages is now as if ii had
never been; and bis own observation has
taught him, that the things which now
appear SO bright and inviting will also
pass away. But, if duly impressed with
this great truth, he will derive benefit
from the contemplation. He will be led
TO regard the rational enjoyments Of life
with gratitude, as donation from the
g Giver Of every good and perfect gift i"
and 10 enjoy them with the feelings Of a
traveller, who is RECALLED by the bounty of
au hospitable friend, and pursues his jour
ney with fortitude, though uncertain Of
again enjoying similar entertainment.
He may, it is true, sigh when he passes
through perils and priyations, and feel
regret when he perceives the flowers
which enliveDedhis path whitening around
| him; but it is not a querelous fretfulness,
kind Of disdain for objects SO evanescent;
but deep consciousness, that every thing
below is of g this complexion !" And he
derives from the scene this saIutary eau
ton, never 10 place his affections exclu-
sively on such fleetiUg objects, nor to ex-
lpect permanent qualification from any
thing which was not intended to afford it.