The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-09-17
A STORM AT NIGHT.
BY ELllIC d. TARR.

adorned by the arts and fances IF man.
mas beauties ever varying, ever new, and.
when conlrasted with the most lofty con-
ception of the highest order of human
intellect or stupendous piles of Grecian
grandeur, far outshines them all, and even
gathers lustre from the comparisons: I he
universal desire for gain and the haste to
get riches, however, shut out from mos.
visions the loveliest and most exallng OBJ
jects of contemplation and enjoyment,
when unconnected with pccuu;ary inter-
estS.
Would we see the displays of mans
power and ingenuity, we would visit the
stately palace and the opulent city---if the
grandeur and benefcence of God, the re-
tlrement OF the country, or the broad and
expansive ocean.-Seen from the "cradle
of the deep" how magnificent the first ap-
pearance of the god of day. as he rolls to-
gether like scroll mornings misty robe,
and decks with the uslre of FURNISHED
gold each cresscrowned wave and viewed
from the lofty mount. peak, or rugged hill.
how sublmely grand his retiring, as he
gently sinks to rest on his gorgeous couch
and draws about him his richly tinted
drapery. And how ennobling and ele-
waiting, the contemplation of nature when
the mind Is enriched by the thought that
God is and may be seen in all his works
AS well in the joyous little brook, as it
laughs, in infant glee, and sports along
over It's rude anG pebbed bed, as in the
mighty deep's terrific roar-in the vile
flower that blooms unseen, and wastes its
fragrance on the desert air, as in the eafy
bower or the verdant lawn. We may hear
his praise as well in the eagles hoarse
note, as IN the soft song of the woodland
choir, in the music of the rusling breeze
and in the bowling hu rricane. Not less
perceptble is his awful majesty aud pow
er, in the thunder's awful roar, the light
nlng's vivid flash, or the oceans mountain
surge and blllowy waves.
A farmers cottage, beautifully situated,
and inhabited by warm hearts and Chris
tan spirits, one balmy evening in July;
afforded me most acceptable and hospi-
table shelter. Before retiring to rest,
threw up the sash of the window in the
room assigned me. and rejecting upon
the handywork of God, for while was
lost IN the contemplation OF his character
and works. The gentle wind, as it stole
through the garden shrubbery; bore u
pom It's wings the sweets of the dover and
the health giving odor of the newly turn
ed iurrow, famed my temples, and seemed
toglve new life to my exhausted system.
A death like stiffness 7ervaded every thing
and the veil that hides the Deity, behind
his works, seemed almost drawn aside.
and made more evident his divine pres
ence. A holy awe, rever entail fear, a
chlld-llke confidence, filed and overflow
ed my Utmost soul. As the night advan-
ced, the mellow light Of the moon length
ened out the indislinct shadows of the
well shaped trees, which reared their ia
perlng tops in front of the cottage. In the
profound stiffness Of night might be heard
among their branches, the nesting of lit
tie birds, taught by Him who clothes the
lily of the valley, and marks the sparrow's
fall, there TO seek shelter and find security
alike from the langs of the reptile and the
wantonness of youth. The din of bust
ness gave place 10 the hour of repose, and
nights sable mantle around and over E.
very thing, but even this seemed like net
work, Tor through it shone the soft rays
OF the pale queen ofnight, who rode forth
in calm and blushing majesty, amid her
ten thousand attendants; each apparently
vieing with the other to emulate the
full brightness Of their bland and beautiful
queen. Dian and his works were shut
out from view, and natures God alone
was there. That God in all his grandeur
seemed to have laid aside his sceptfe
of power, and stepped from his pure
white throne. and walked forth among
his works. Methought heard his voice
in every rustling leaf, as i, waved in the
gentle breeze, and threw up its silver
tinselled back to receive additional beauty
from heavens bespangled vault. This
awful grandeur and unrufIled serenity
characterized for long time the whole !
visible heavens. Now, however, the ex-
tended horizon became skirted with clouds |
and gathered blackness which threw their
dusky shade far up the zenith-A little |
higher may be seen fitting clouds, as if |
agllated by distant storm, assuming eve
ry possible shape and character, now
speeding their flight with fear full rapidly,
q now restraining their impetuous motion
as if manGuvering for coming conflict.
Cloud piled on cloud with increasing
bl~ckness. The lamps of heaven, one by |
one went out, and the pale rays of the |
moon were hid by the thick folds of deep |
enlng darkness. In an instant more and |
the blackness of darkness settled upon all
things.
Imagination, maided by vision, roamed
unrestrained, and picmred dread con-