Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-12-02
AN Eek
ri haze seen an end Of all perfection

have seen a man in the glory of his day
and the pride of his strength. He was built
like the tall cedar that lifts its head above the
forest trees; like the strong OAK that strikes
its roots deeply into the earth. He feared no
danger-he felt no sickness. His mind was
vigorous like his body; he was perplexed at
no intricacy; he was dauntcd al no difficulty;
into hidden things he searched, and what was
crooked he made plain. He went forth fear
lessIy upon the face of the mighty deep; he
surveyed The nations OF the earth; he meas
ured the distance ofthe stars, and called the m
by their names; be sloricd in the extent Of
his knowledge, in the vigour of his understan-
ding, and strove 10 search even into what the
Almighty had concealed -And when | look
eG on him | said, What a piece of work is
man how noble in reason! how infinite in
faculties! in form and moving how express
and amiable. in action how like an angel IN
apprehension how like a god!'
| returned-hts look was no more lofty nor
his step proud, his broken frame was like
some ruined tower; his hairs were white and
scattered; and his eye gazed v~acantly upon
what was around him. The yigour ollis IN
tellcct was wasted, and Of all that he had
gained by study nothing remained. lie fear
ed when there was no danger, ard when there
was no sorrow he wept.-Ilis memory was
decayed and treaeherous and showed him
only broken images of the glory that was de-
parted-His house was to him, like a strange
land, and his friends were counted as enc
mics; and he thought himself strong and
healthful while his foot tottered on the verge
of the grave. He said Of his son-he IS my
brother; of bis daughter-I know her not,
and inquired what was his own name. And
ono who supported his steps, and ministered
10 I.c rnanr r...t. ea.l a. I.,. N . l lDnEad
on the melancholy scene-sLet thine heart
receive instruction, for thou hast seen an end
of all earthly perfection
have seen q beautiful female treading the
first stages of youth, and entering %joyfuhy In
to the pleasures Of life. The glance OF her
eye was variable and sweet, and on her
cheek trembled something like the first blush
of the morning, her lips moved, and there
was harmony-when she iioated in the dance,
her light form like the aspen seemed to move
10 every breeze.
returned-but she was not in the dance
i sought her in the gay circle oil her CON-
paniens, but | found her not. Her eyes spark
led not there--the music Of her voice was 81
lent-she feioiced on earth no more. ! saw
a train So BILE and slow placed, who bore slow
ly to an open grave, what was once animated
and cheerful They paused ssthey approach
ed, and a voice broke the awful siience:--
'Mingle ashes with ashes, and dust to ITS orr
ginal dust. To the earth whence she was
FIRST taken, consign we the body oil our sister.
They covered her with the damp soil, and
the cold clods Of the valley-and the worm
crowned into her silent abode. Yet one sad
mourner fingered, to cast himself aPon the
grave, aud as he wept he said: There IS no
beautiful, or grace, or loneliness, hat con
a...oAl =. ~~un. e., tlss .e tha end nF all 0tQry
and perfection
have seen an infant with a fair brow, and
a frame like polished ivory. Its limbs were
plant in Its spor,s-it rejoiced and again 1t
wept-but whether its glowing cheek dimp-
led with smiles, or its blue eye was brilliant
with tears, still | said TO my heart 1T is beau
tilnl.' II was like the first pure blossom which
some cherished plant has shot forth. whose
cup is filled with dew drop, and whose
bead ~reclines upon its parent stem.
again saw this child when the lamp OF
reason frst dawned in its MUD. Its soul was
gentle and peaceful-its eye sparkled with
low. and it looked round on this good and
pleasant world. Ii ran swiftly in the ways OF
knowledge-it bowed its ear to Instruction.
it stood like the lamb before its teachers. II
. was not proud or ~envious, or stubborn, and
il had never heard of the wees and vanities
of the world. And when ! looked upon 1t,
remembered that our Saviour said:-sExcep'
We become as little children, ye cannot enter
, into the kingdom of heaven
But the scene was changed, and saw .
: man whom the world called honorable; ant
many waited for his smiles. They poiate'
$ out the fields that were his, and talked OF th'
g silver and gold that he gathered: they adml
: red the stateliness of his dotaes, and extolle'
+ the honour of his family. And his heart an