Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-12-07
THE FAMILY.

harmonlze with those OF heaven, they are
the joys Of a Christian family. When
the snow flakes fall fast in the wintry eve.
ming, and the moaning winds struggle at
the windows, what is so delightful as to
see the little ones sporting around a blaz.
ng fire. Look at The little creature in
her night dress, frolicking and laughing,
as though she never knew or never would
know care. Now she rolls upon the
carpet, and now she climbs Chair, and
now she pursues her older sister around
the room, while her little heart is over-
flowing full of happiness. Who does not
covet the pleasureable emotions with
which the parents look upon this lovely
scene.
But let US look at man who makes
his home but boarding house, where he
may eat and sleep. His wife is merely
his housekeeper. His children are me-
ccssary evils, 10 be kept out of the way
as much as possible. To-day he is at a
ball alley. TO morrow he is at the bill
lard room. And the next day he is till
midnight at a whist party. lie is jo-
vial companion, and greets his associates
with an air of careless mirth, as though
he never knew sorrow. But in truth,he
is poor p.table victim of dlsquietude
and depression. His jokes are forced.
His smile is unnatural. 1t is even
by restraint that he retains the SEM
blance of good nature. See him at home
how petulant, irascble The least
annoyance to his mind is like the spark to
the powder. His children, while they
flee from his frown, imbibe his SPIRIT
See him as he rises in the morning,
gloomy and cross. The poor creature
hardly knows the meaning of the word
enjoyment. This is man of pleasure
He will not obey Gods law, because it
will disturb his happiness Wretched
man He is serving Satan here, and
Satan rewards him as he does all disci-
Piles, with the painfully forced sembancc
Of Joy, but with an harrassed spirit and
prospective destruction.
Lord Chesterfield was such a man.
He spent his whole life in the vain pur.
suit of pleasure, and yet happiness eluded
his search. Listen to the candid comics.
sion. I'll have seen the round of business
aud pleasure and have done with all. I
have enjoyed all the pleasure of the world.
and consequently know their futilty and
do not regret their loss. | apprise them
at their real value, which, IN truth. is
very low : whereas those, who have not
experienced, always overrate them. Tbey
only see the gay outside, and are dazzled
with the glare. But have been behind
the scenes, When reflect upon what
have seen, what have heard, and what
have done, | cannot persuade myself
that the frivolous hustle of the world has
any reality. Shall tell you that bear
, this melancholy situation with the merito.
,, rous resignation and consistency which
most men boast ? No sir rea lly can.
not help it. bear it, because | must
bear it, whether will or no. think Of
nothing but killing time the best way
, can" What comment is this COMES.
sion upon what is generally called worldly
pleasure.
The dying scenes of such man, is
fearful commentary upon his misspent life
lie lies upon his dying bed, ANNOYING all
around him by irritability. The retro.
spect OF the past affords him no pleasure.
and the future is filled with fearful fore.
bodlngs, And there he lies, brooding in
sullen silence, upon the present pains.
with no consolation in respect to the flu.
tnre. He dies and is forgotten. Bat oh.
this is moi the end of bis history. judy,
ment is before him,and eternal retribution
succeeds. The imagination shrinks from
following hiW into those regions.