Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-01-12

which, we are assured, there shall be
many.
From a due consideration Of circum-
stances like these, then, what an impor-
tant lesson may be learned, and how
much does it behoove every rational and
accountable being, to profit by these
suggestions;-how much does it behoove
them for a while to withdraw their
thoughts from the cares, perplexities, and
busy prattle of the world, and to learn by
rejecting on the changes and experience
of the past, to avoid those errors from
which no one has been entirely exempt
ed, and to treasure up in his heart the
materials of wisdom for the future.
The regularly succeeding seasons of
the year, have been not unaptly likened
to the four successive periods in the life
of man-his infancy, unproductive and
naked like the season of winter, seems
only to be preparing the way and collect
ing the proper materials upon which to
engraft the scions ofrapidly approaching
youth, and of sustaining and developing
the choice products and blooming beau
ties of spring. Youth, then, is siguifi-
cantly expressed by the spring-time of
existence, and with its expanding foliage
and flowers, it rapidly succeeds to nfan-
cy, and affords to its Creator and to the
world, an earnest of that looked for har-
vest, which the genial sun-beams ofsum-
mer will confirm, and which the ripen-
ing influence of autumn is expected to
mature.
AS in spring we commit to the earth
the seeds of those glories, which without
this timely care we could not expect
would come forward to decorate the sue
ceeding summer, and crown the autumn
with plenty, so in youth, unless it be en-
ployed in fixing in its prolific soil the ell
ements ofuseful knowledge and the seeds
of virtue, we cannot anticipate with any
rational prospect, succeeding manhood
rich in those enchanting flowers which
impart fragrance, beauty, and happiness
to the moral world; nor can we look for
ward to an autumn bountiful in those in
estimable qualities, which, instead of
grief, disgrace and misery, entail virtue,
glory, and felicity upon our offspring.
But while we contemplate the present
condition of our race, and the glory and
happiness with which it has ever pleased
the Great Father of All to reward virtu-
Gus principles, and a proper distribution
and employment of time, let us by no
means forget the busy millions that have
gone before us, or think lightly of the
days of darkness by which, inasmuch
as they haze been, we assuredly shall be,
sooner or later swallowed up. Let US
remember that they, like ourselves, were
subject to the perplexities and evils, as
well as partakers Of the pleasures and
enjoyments Of that their bo-
SONS like our own, were once warmed by
the generous sentiments Of benevolence
and love, and that the universal aspira-
ton after happiness and renown, was
once as deep felt and fervent in their
hearts, as in ours that as with ourselves,
the glowing pictures and delusive Aatte-
ries of hope contribute to render the pres
ent moments supportable, by peopling the
coming years with highly wrought, but
alas! unreal visions of felicity; so with
them, HAPPINESS that still wished for
goddess, that universal desideratum of
mankind, was forever short distance
before them; Just before they could over
take her she would fly and perch upon
some distant eminence, and like the mys-
terious powder of the alchymists, by
which they would turn all things to gold,
she still eluded their grasp; still baffled
ther pursuit, and lured them onward till
they were overtaken by the days of
Darkness towards which we are all rap
idly advancing-a world where all the
children of the Redeemer have treasured
up rewards proportionod to the meritor-
BUSINESS of their lives, and where unming-
led and uncharting HAPPINESS only can
reside.
Again if instead Of carrying our
thoughts back tc distant ages to wander