Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-08-16


and il the world irowns, they are from habit
inclined to aid and comfort each olher.-l
Their happiness aud duty cannot be separa-
tel. II any thing is necessary To strengthen
tht ir mutual affection for their home, they
find Il IN the Consciousness of having been
faithful in the education of their children by
planting IN their hearts the seed oi reiigion
and vlri ue.-ifold age IL not season OF pure
enjoyment, with a competency, the iault must
| have been orcasloncd by carly alterations,
or sinful aposiacy from known duty. u Is
true that the remarks Immediately preceding
are only generality correct. There is III SO
ciciy melancholy catalogue OF exceptions
1 but such is human nature, aud such are The
Il irailies and follics Of man.
H To a certain proportion Of manknd-such
as the literary aud those whose clrc''Instan-
ces place them above the necessity oi labor
| or business, and who are fond OF reading and
| lndulging in matters Of tastc-the evening oil
life affords especial opportunities for the
most tranquil enjoymenls. arising from the
| view OF the past, the present, and the future;
aud il Is The happy season Tor solemn mcdi-
tsilon on subjects Of eternal moment; and
| for this last purpose, the season Is most IN
ierestng to all, whatever may be the cxter
nal circumstances which distinguish their lot
IN life. The foregoing observations have
| reference 10 some Of the comforts of old age,
as they are seen to exist, arising out Of the
empoyincnis, habits, dispositions, tastes, and
views, OF people, rs they approach the vale
|, Of years. Ii Is true, that IN countless IN
stances they are imperfect and unsaisfypg
comforts. They are too often, merely oc-
casional and transitory but mans mpru-
| dence or misconduct q ives them this char
acicr. Such being the sorrowiu truth, the
1 philosopher and the morallst are anxious to
change TIE aspect of society. and by Undue.
| inc mankind To observe the only true regimen,
to increase the moral health, aud preserve il
in purity and strength, when bodily dsabll-
ties are constantly increasing. Let us then
resort TO the only medicine which possesses
the necessary virtue To sustain the health OIL
the heart, and It's best affections, not only IN
the summer of life, but IN It's waning autumn,
aud the cold climate OF It's winter. The only
sure way to guard against this climate is TO
be constantly preparing for 1t. Such pre-
para,lon renders our approach toward 1t by
! 10 means unwclcomc, because II Is so gra-
dual. Ia word, a rirtnous life is the only
one which can give serenity and peace du-
| ring the last act of liie's drama. The calm
beauty Of its evening IL generally the natural
consequence OF u fair morning, properly i'm
/
ties Of IT'S busy day and the faithful dis
charge of these duties will procure those
treasures which will last, and preserve their
| virtues I'LL the close of the evening. Wei
have abundant assurance that such is the
course, in the moral as well as the natural
world. They who, when young, cultivate
kind and alcctionate dispositions, will i'm
perccptibiliiy surround themselves with
friends, and receive courtesy and kindness
| from all. The same remark will apply 10
those in the meridian of life. Sincerity, in
iegrity, and truth, always will command re-
spect, and secure the homage of all hearts,
except the hearts of those whose censure is
praise, and whose good opinion is scandal
In old age, virtue will always enjoy and in
spire confidence and the peace of mind
which an old man. walking in the path Of
honor and truth, displays to those around
him. insensbly awakens in them love OF
virtue, and kindlcs the desire of imitaion.-|
| We are not aware of the extent of that in.
| liueucc which the Christian and good man,
without seeming to know it, cxorts on all
around. Ills atmosphere is all health and
purify.
It should be remembered that a large por-
ton Of those miserles which multitudes sut-
fer in old age. are penalties which they are
|
ccs of irregular habits, violent passions, I'M
hallowcd desires, or objectionable careless
ness. Heaven thus teaches wisdom; and
| vet how few attend to the lessons given them !!
| Let these s.lcmn truths never be forgotten,
by the rising or the risen generation. To be
sure, there are miseres which age is doomed
10 suffer, that seem to be the effects Of pure
misfortune; but what we call misfor,uncs, too
often are occasoned by imprudence or mat
tcntion. Affections must come, according to
the order Of nature. Sickness distrcsses our
friends as well as ourselves, and their death
wounds our hearts. Still, in oil these cases,
the good man finds peace in the retrospect OF
| life, and is sustained by hopes, and consola-
,ions, and humble trust when he extends his
view beyond the valley before him. His life
may have been, at certain periods of it,cover-
ed with clouds and gloom, and even storms
may have overtaken him. Still he is at
| peace with himself and all around him. In
the same manner VIC often witness days in
succession, during which no sunshine glad
II dens the earth, and the elements are in wild
II and destructive comnIotion; yet before those
II days have closed, the heavens have presented
to view the western horizon all mild, coud-
less, and beautiful, and glowing with the
promises of n morning Of serenity and soft
HesS. ne setIny sun OF tHc gOOu man Is
equally peaceful, and fIll Of promise, Heaven
grant that ours may be such! TO gain this |
blessing should be the unceasing business of
life--,he constant aspiration of the hcart-II
Whatever may be our sphere Of action, we
all have our duties and our great aim should II
bc, to perform them properly. Time is on
the wing. Youth soon rises into manhood III
manhood is for a while buried in the midst of
cares, pleasures, and anxictics, and then has
tens onward towards his last resting place.
Let us all, in view Of iife's Evening" and
the solemnites which are associated with il,
sincerely cndeavor 10 be, and appear to be,
such as we ought to be. This is no time for
deceiving others or ourselves Let us not
depend on the fattery of Our cpithcts, in
scrlbcd by the hand Of affection, and there
fore deceptive ond overdrawn; nor let us re-
pose our confidence in the comforting aphor-
ism, that Death opens the gate Of Fame and
shuts the gate Of Envy after him. Let US
establish our own characters, as good and
worthy, and deserve them. Let this be our
earthly crown Of rejoicing. A poet Of feel.
ing and scnsibiliiy has, in the two following
lines described the good mans exit:
"Night dcws f,ll not gently the ground,
III