Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1838-03-08
THE HAPPY MINER.

There's danger in the mines, old man.
asked IF an aged miner, who, with his
arms bent, leaned against the side ofthe inns
mense vault, absorbed in Meditation-sit
mus, be fearful life.'
The old man looked AT me with a stead.
fast but somewhat vacant stare, and then
in half-broken sentences he uttered, DaR-
ger, where is there not ON earth, or beneath
it, in the mountain. or in the valley, on the
ocean. or in the quiet Of natures most hid
den spot-where is there not danger y--r
where has death not left some token Of his
presence 2 s
True replied, but the vicissitudes
Of life are various the sailor seeks his liv-
ing on the waters, and he knows each mo-
nsent that they may engulph him !; the hunt
er seeks death in the wild woods; and tho
soldier in the battle field and the miner
knows not but the spot where he now stands
tomorrow may be bis tomb
II is SO indeed replied the old man.
8 we find death in the means we seek to
perpetua,e life; Ills strange riddle /; who
shall solve it3'
Have YOU long followed this occnpa-
ton 2 asked, somewhat struck with the
old mans manner. A
From boy. drew my first breath
in tho mines, shall yield it up in theig
gloom
You have seen some of,he vicissitudes.'
said I, ito which you have just now allu-.
dcd.'
YES he replied, with faltering voice,
$ I have. There was time that three tall
boys looked up to me, and called me faith
wSs,e fws Nnup
it seems but yesterday they stood before
me, SO proud in their strength, and / filled
too with a fathers vanity. But the Lord
chastencth the proud heart. Where ara
they now saw the youngest, he was the
dearest Of the flock; his mothers spirit
seemed to have settled on him, crushed at
my feet bleeding mass. We were to-
gether; so near that his hot blood sprung
Up into my face. Molten lead had been
less lasting than those fearful drops. Ono
moment, and his light laugh was in my ears;
the next, and the largo mass came; there
was no cry; no look Of terror; but the
transition to eternity was as the lighsning's
fash; and my poor boy lay crushed bea
meath the fearful load. 1t was an awful
moment; but time that changeth all things,
brought relief; and still had two soHs.
But my cup Of affection was not yet fulk--
They too were taken from me; side BY
side they died, not like their brother; but
the FIRE damp caught their breath, and lett
them scorched and lifeless. They brought
them home to the old man, his fair jewels;
than whom ear,Il's richest treasures in his
sight had no price, and told him he was
ciildless and alone. 1t is strange decree,
that the old plant should thus survive tho
STRIPPING things il should, and for whom il
would have died thousand times. Is it
surprising that should wish TO die in tho
miner
.Yon have indeed I replied. drank Of
affection. Whence did you derive cOnso-
lalionl'
The old man looked up from Heav-
en-; God gave, and he hath taken away.
blessed be his name.' bowed my head,o
the miners pinus prayer, and the old man
passed on.--~N. e. FGrwer.
From the Boston Pearl.
RELIGroN.--It is not an abstraction. tits
not an ideality, living in the brain, but
leaving the heart untouched. IL does not
consist in particular frames Of mind-in the
excitement Of animal feeling, or the over
flow Of the sensibilities--in the kindIing OF
tho fancy, or the heating Of the imagination.
II lives not merely in visible manifestation
Of devotion, 10 the bowling Of the knee, or
the lifting Of the hands. All these may be,
wiihoa, Religion; aud Religion may exist
without them.
1t is benevolent action, flowing forth
from holy motive. ii is that charity which,
hoping al things, believing all things. con-
tents not itself with a Be ye warmed and
be ye clothed but performs the good
which ii desires. Ii Is that love which
throws It's embrace around all human kind.
II is that bcnevolence which, like river Of
good, gushing from . pure fountain, fows
freely forth To all. spreading beauty End
fertility and blessedness notwithstanding
the desolate places Of the earth to Teioices
and maize the wilderness bud and blossom
us Tho rose. IL knows not the lust o. pow
ar. Itsceks not It's own Pseierment. 10
Kingdom Is not of this world. IL i too
high .o envy the proudest-too meek 20
despise tho humblest. II hath no fellow
ship with bgotry. lis creed i, DO jns-
lice, iovo mercy. and walk hnlnbly before
G od.' FITS sect is---the pare in heart. The
temple Of lis worship Is the universe. Hts
meek, compassionate, fnrgising. wilhO&k
partially aud without hypocrisy. itisa
transcript Of Him who spent his life ii do
ing good, Il q the spirit Of God. living il
lhe human heart.