The Litchfield County post., 1828-01-24
FOR THE COUNTY POST.

The shOrtness of life, the mutabity of for tune, and the inadequacy of temporal objects to ensure human happiness, are themes upon which the giddy and the wise may alike ca silly expatiate. The most refined systems of ethics have been framed, and the most beau- tiful and sublime theories of moral excellence have been advanced, by those whose specula- tions were too highly sublimated for the weakness of human nature, and hence the reason appears why man can moraIize and admire the true principles of virtue, but finds it so difficult to conform to the one and prac- tice the other.
 'Vdet meliora probatqHe, sed deteriora sequatur.'
 Enslaved by passion and deceived by ap. pearance, he is carried on with impetuosity in the vain pursuit of happiness. Unable and unwilling to profit by his own experience, the testimony of others, and the convictions of reason and judgment, he suffers himself to be goaded on by the groundless prejudices, the ungovernable passions, and the illicit pro pensties of corrupt and depraved nature. in one undertaking career of folly and vice. These imaginary pleasures, the illusions of a vitiated and bewildered fancy, which, beheld in perspective, are not therefore diminished in proportion to their remoteness, but being greatly magnifed in consequence of the ob- scurIty of the medium through which they are viewed, are constantly acting as stiMu- lants to fresh exerton and untried resources for enjoyment. These, like feeting shadows, are eagerly grasped at, but ever eluGe their pursuers, aud leave behind only dlsappoint- nent and reinorse, the just recompense of unlawful indulgence and msatiate desire. A kind and merciful Providence has SD arranged and adapted the constitution of all things, in such a manner as is best calculated to furnish tO mankind the greatest possible happiness consistent with his present imperfect condi- ton. In the mighty works of creation and providence, we are continually behoIding tine benignity of wise and benefcent CreatOr- And although daily pensioners upon Divine munlfcence, and hourly deriving support from the inexhaustible fountain of all Good, the lives and conduct Ofmen, who are the unwOr- thy reef pients of these favors and blessings, plainly evince the ohduracy of human nature and the black ingratitude of the human heart Regardless of the protection of an indulgent Heaven, and dissatisfied with those means of enjoyment which are sanctioned by reason. virtue, and religion. they follow the vain i'm aginations of their own deceitfu hearts, and seek happiness in the indulgence of loose and sensual pleasures. These. reason and expe- rience teach, are insufficient to satisfy the vast desires of an immortal soul; yet clogged with the putrescence of carnality, human nature gr0vels in darkness, and delights in scenes of brutal and stupid sensuality. Man, lost to a sense of the dignity of his nature, sinks in the scale of being. to a level with the inferior or ders of animal existence, and becomes assirn- Hated in his capacities, tastes, and enioyments How true is this view of human nature, and oh how humiliating to the pride of man !--- That he, so pre-eminently exalted in the rank of creation, endowed with immortal faculties, capable of infinite progression towards per lection, and made but little lower than the angels, should fall from this high estate, and descend into the depths of insignifcance and depravity. Actuated by the selfish desires and corrupt principles of his nature, he is hur- ried along from one scene of extravaganza and impiety to another. The sport of fancy, feeling, and passion, he is blown about by ev- cry capricions gale in the uncertain sea of life, without the unerring hand of wisdom and prudence to steer him safely through, and bufetted by many storms, eventually strikes upon the quicksands of folly and dissipation, or is engulphed in the whirlpool of misery and ruin. No wonder then, that man, weak and unsteady in his purposes, deluded into eryor by the influence of corrupt and ex- travagant fancy, and tempted from the path of virtue and rectitude by the willy insinua- tions and scductions of deceitful world, should be ensnared in the unseen tolls of sin ful pleasures or unSarily inhaIe the deiiteri- ous pestilence of oernicious example and criminal intercourse
 4 survey O. huma n life unfolds to our view picture more deeply shaded with evil than good We sec in -ac various scenes present cd on the grs d sage of existence, sin in her most decoyirg form, and vice often assuming the sembance of virtue. The taste of man is viJiated, and meets with many congenial objects i- its gratifcations. It seeks pleas ures m the poisonous cup of vice and infideI- ty,and deiights to sip the deadly potion, which into%icates, sickens. and destroys. Nuraer- ous are the criminal amusements resorted tc by the deluded votanes of pleasure, and he temples of iniquity resnund with the voice of dissipation, debauchery, and sin. Unhappy man
 (" How is thy heart incrusied by the worId
 o how self-fereTed IS thy groveing soul
 How Ike worm, wraI ,ound and round
 In Sllken thought, which reptile Fancy spins,
 'Til darkened Reason lay quite ctouded OCT
 With soft conceit of endless comfort here,
 Nor yet put forth her wings to reach the skies ~
 Alas vain noor4aI thy Niatnnapv acbar,n