The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-04

The PAST. There is thrilling solemni-
ty in rejecting that another Year has been
etched upon the dial-plate of Eternity, TO
whose bourne we are all gliding with a step
as fleet as the sweep of Time-and that the
souls of many who at its commencement
we're alternately illumined or darkened by
the sunshine and shade of the spirit, have
been summoned into the presence of God.
Death and the Grave ever send up an eter-
nal voice from their illimtable domain. I'M
scathed by the mildew of decay and un-
bleached BY the breath of ages. A change
comes over man and all his works-beautv,
and genius, and wealth, and power, wither
at the blighting approach Of the DESTROYER:
and one generation follows another in end
less succession, like the waves which wan
der from far sea and are dashed upon the
rock bound shore. The dark wears" roll
onward, sweeping the power and gl1ry Of
empires and the wealth and pride Of indivjd
uas into oblivion. Man marks the earth
with his control : he spans the Infinite realms
Of space-welds the elements by the nigh
ty grasp of intellect-sends his thoughts
abroad through the Universe-ranges upon
the eagle pinions Of genius far into the re-
glons of Mind but all availeth nothing.
Destiny has sent forth the immutabIe de-
cree-"earth 10 earth, ashes to ashes. dust
to dust :" rulers and ruled 90 down to the
silent tomb, and are forgotten. Memory
That mysterious power which aDnIhilates
the shadowy obstacle of years and space"
alone retraces the vista of Time, where
the sere esprit of Desolation" has brooded
and tapped her raven wings, and communes
for moment with the departed. Manv
fond recollection, and bitter regret mngle
Ill the urn OF the heart, or are poured out
upon the altar OF affection, while the lows
and sorrows Of days that have fled pass be-
fore the mirror of retrospection and manv
a tear drop dims the eye, as cherished as.
socatlons loom upon the far off Sea of Years
GAMBLING AND DRUNKENNEss. "He
who adds gambling todrunkenness, renoun-
ces all interesting objects Of life. He no
longer goes abroad to gaze on the beauty
and loyeliness of nature to traverse the
fields or forests, inhale their fragrance. and
invigorate his mind by the contemplation of
their ceaseless variety. When the setting
sun fires the whole heavens, with beams of
red and yellow light, which dazzle and de-
hight the eye OF taste, he is already in the
den of thieves and feasts his distempered
sight on the colors of his cards. When the
stars come forth in beauty, to illuminate
the clear blue canopy, and elevate the lover
of nature into feelings of poetry and devo
ton, he sets toiing, with mfamed and wa
terry eyes, amid smoking lamps, whose oil
is consumed before his gully passion is sat
isfied. When the morning dawns. he stag
gers forth, not to refresh himself in its balmv
breezes, or enjoy the songs of animated ma.
tnre, that float upon them, for he is insensi
bic to the whole. Even the purple splea-
doris which clothe the East in glory, fall I'M
needed on his stupid eyebalis. Still. less
does be watch the rising of the sun, and
with the great poet, eXclaim,
Hail. holy light offspring of Heaven, first born !"
No! ah no! He delights to dwell in dark
ness; he light which cheered him once
cheers him no longer; it displays his shame
he skuiks along narrow alleys to avoid the
companions of his virtuous days, and seeks
his desolate home, to play the drunken des-
pot, or prepare, by few hours of disturbed
and morbid slumber, for another night of
debauch and knavery. Thus he sacrifices.
to his guilty pleasures, every elevated en-
joyment, arising from the view or study of
nature, and equally alienates his heart from
all communion with Natures God"
nv n,oEa