The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-03-26
MISCELLANY.
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The following admirable allegory, so exquisite
ly conducted, so beautifully descriptive of
Human Life, its dangers and temptations,
and the necessity ofreligion for our guide, was
written by Michael Bruce, who was born in
Scotland, and died in 1867, in the 2lst year
of his age. He furnished melancholy in
stance of delicate constitution and great
mental powers, sinking beneath the pres
sure of indulgence and uncongenal employ
ment. PROF. Gas.
A few mornings ago, as was taking
my walk upon an eminence, which COM
mands view of the Forth, with the yes
sells sailing along, sat down, and taking
out my Latin Bible, opened, by accident,
at place in the book of Job, tx. 25--
6 Now my days are passed away as the
swift ships" Shutting the book, fell
a musing on this affecting comparison.
Whether the following happened to me
in dream or waking reverie, cannot
tell: but fancied myself on the bank of
a river or sea, the opposite side of which
was hid from view, being involved in
clouds and mist. On the shore stood a
multitude, which no man could number,
waiting for a passage. | saw a great
many ships taking in passengers, and
several persons going about in the garb
of pilots, offering their services. Being
ignorant, and curious to know what all
these things meant, applied to grave
old man, who stood by, giving instruc-
tons to the departing passengers. His
name, remember, was the Genius of
Human Life. "My son, said he, "you
stand on the banks of the stream of
Time all those people are bound for
Eternity, that undiscovered country from
whence no traveller returns. The coun-
try is very large, and divided into two
parts: The one called the Land Of
Glorg, the other the Kingdom of Dark
ness. The names of these, in the garb
of pilots, are Religion, Virtue, Pleasure.
They who were go wise as to choose
Religion for their guide, have safe,
though frequently rough passage
they are, at last, landed in the happy
climes, where signing and sorrow forev-
er fly away: they likewise have sec
ondary direction, Vartue; but there is
spurious Virtue, who pretends to govern
by himself, but the wretches who trust
to him, as we'll as those who have Pleas
ure for their pilot, are either shipwreck-
ed or cast away on the Kingdom of Dark
ness. But the vessel in which you must
embark approaches; you must begone
remember what depends on your con-
duct" No sooner had he left me, than
/ found myself surrounded by those pi-
lots | mentioned before.-lmmediately |
forgot all that the old man had said to
me, and, seduced by the fair promises of
Pleasure, chose him for my director. We
weighed anchor with fair gale, the
sky serene, the sea calm; inDumerable
little isles lifted their green heads around
us, covered with trees in full blossom.
Dissolved in stupid mirth, we were car
ried on, regardless of the past-of the
future upmindful On sudden, the sky
was darkened, the winds roared, the sea
ragged, red rose the sand from the bot
tom of the troubled deep--the angel of
the waters lifted up his voice. AT that
instant, strong ship passed by. saw
Religion at the helm. " Come out from
among Them" he cried.-I and a few
others threw ourselves into the ship.
The wretches we now left were tossed
on the swelling deep; the waters, on
every side, poured through the riven
vessel; they cursed the Lord when, 10,
a fiend rose from the deep, and, in
voice like distant thunder, thus spoke i:
"I am .abaddon, the frst-born of Death
we are my prey-open, thou abyss, to
receive them. AS he spoke, they sunk,
and the waves closed over their heads.
The storm turned into a calm, and we
heard voice saying, " Fear not, for |
am with you: when you pass through
the waters, they shall not overflow YOU"
Our hearts were filled with joy. was
engaged in discourse with one Of my
new companions, when one from the top
of the mast cried out, " Courage, my
friends, / see the fair haven, the land
that is yet afar off," | started, and
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