Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-02-16
1 HAVE SEEN AN END OF ALLPERFECTIoN

have seen man In the, glory of his days and
the PRIDE OF his strength. He was built like the
tall cedar, that head above the forest trees;
like the s.sng oak that strikes its roots deeply into
the earth He feared no danger; he felt no sick
ness; he wondered that any should groan or sigh
at pain. His mind was vigorous, like his body !;
he was perplexed at II intricacy; he was daunted
at no difficulty; into hidden things he searched,
and the crooked he made plain. He went forth
fcarlessIy upon the face of the mighty deep; no
surveyed the nations Of the earth; he measured
the distance of the stars, and called them by their
names: he gloried IN the extent of his knowledge,
the vigor of his understanding, and strove to
sea rch even into what tho Almighty had conceal
ed And when | looked on him SAID, "What a
piece of work is man! how noble III reason! how
infinite ia faculties! in form and moving, how ex-
press mud admirable! in action, how like an angel.
in apprehension. how like god"
| returned-his look was no more lofty, nor his
step proud; his broken frame was like some rum
ed tower his hairs was white and scattered; and
his eve gazed vacantly upon what was passing
around him. The vigor of his intellect wasted,
and OF all that he had gained by study, nothing
remained. He feared, when there was no danger;
and when there no sorrow he ~ePt his
memory was decaved and treacherous, and show ed
him only broken images of the glory that was de-
parted His house was to him like n strange land,
and his friends were counted as his enemies; and
he thought himself strong and healthful, while his
foo, ,o,tered on the verge ofthe grave. He said
of his son--"He is my brother;" and of his daugh-
ter, 81 know her noi;" and he inquired what was
his own name7 And one who supported his last
steps, and ministered 10 his many wants, said to
me, as | looked on the melancholy scene, "Le'
thine heart receive instruction. tor thou mast seen
and end of all earthly perfection"
Ihave seen beautiful female treading the first
stages of youth, and entering joyfuliy into the
pleasures of life The glance OF her eye was va
r.abs and sweet; and on her cheek tremoled
something like the first blush of the morning; her
Inns moved and there was harmony; and when
she fioated IN the dance, her light form, like the
aspen, seemed TO move with every breeze. Ire
turned but she was not in the dance; sought
her in tho CAV circle of her companions. but
found her not Her eve eparkled not there--the
music Of her voice was silent--she reIoiceo on
earth no more. | train, sabied and slow
paced, who bore sadly TO an opened grave what
once was animated and beautiful. They paused
as thew approached, and a voice broke The awful
silence: "Mingle ashes with ashes, and dust with
its original dust. To the earth, whence IT was
taken. consicn We the body OF our sister" They
covered her with the damp soil and the cold clods
Of the "alley, and the worms crowded into her
silent abode Yet one sad nourner ling cred to
cast himself upon the grave and as he wept he
said, "There is no beauty. or grace. or loneliness
that con,iuue'h in man; for this is the end OF all
his glory and perfection"
I have seen an infant with fair brow. and
frame like polished ivory. Its limbs were piian'
in its sports: it rejoiced, and again It wept but
whether its glowing cheek dimpled with smiles,
or its blue eve brilliant with tears, still said TO
nv heart, at is beautiful twas like the first
pure blossom which some cherished plan, has shot
forth. whose cup is filled with dewdrop. and
whose head reclines upon its parent stem
again saw this child, when the lamp of reason
first dawned in its mind. Its soul was gentle and
peaceful; its eye sparkled with joy, as it looked
round on this good and pleasant world. II ran
swiftly in the ways Of knowledge; il stood like
lamb before its teachers 1t was not proud. or en-
v;ou.. or stubborn: and il had never heard of the
vices and vsnities of the world. And when
looked upon it, remembered that our Saviour
had said. Except We become as little children. We
c,nnot enter into the kingdom Of heaven"
I'm, the scene was changed, and I saw a man
whom the world called honorable. md many val
ted 70. his smile. They pointed ous ne neios 'has