Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-02-02
MI sgEILILlNEgTso
From Sears IN ~ Mlgszin. ior January.
The PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE.
BY RoBgar NORRIS, Tsq.

!
there never was a period ~ our history,
when greater necessity existed Tor the ex.
ercise Of the recuperative energies Of The
people ard Of the country, than at the
present moment. Thousands have beer
injured by the vicisstudes Of trade and
the change of fortune. The rich have
become poor, and the independent have
lost their means Of support. Many under
such circumstances are disposed Co re-
spoud. They fear that their chances
hsve gone by, that the tide in their oi-
iairs mas been a, lis flpod, aud is subsidlng.
that the future has little hope or encoUr.
sgement. No, 50, however, in a country
like our, ifthey passess health and ener-
~, aud on the sunny eide Of fifty. Ia,
geuuity, industry, and perseverance,,
time, faith, aud ensrgy,' will accomplish
much. Some of the mos. eminent men
that ever lived, we're comparatively OBJ
scure 10 early life, Adversely not only
tested their courage. but il reused aud ex.
cited their minds. They saw the necessi.
" of IN extraordinary struggle; aud
n-rvinx themselves to the trial aud temp.
,suous OF life, they rushed on boldly, and
in most cas-, WITH success. The truth
IS, that experience, although severe, is
most excellent task master. No one
knows better how 30 eul1y wealth than
the individual who has acquired it, through
the sweat of the brow. Few understand
The real mutations and the philosophy OF
| life, who have not seen the air-5lowu bub.
bes of youth and hope fade away as they
attempt to clasp them, who have realized
much Of the disappointment and vexaton
to which human flesh IS heir. 1t is only
by trial that We feel the spirit of man.
| hood within Us, and with moral courage,
worthy lofty and intellectual nature,
determine not to be intimidated by sim
gle blow OF misfortune. or be disheartened
because clouds and darkness occasionally
obscure the prospect This, at least, is
the true Policy. The Deity has given us
many attributes. We live in n world
which presents many means Of susten-
snce. Our country is rich IN soil, ie!tili
~, in health and enterprise. Millions We,
unborn, may grow up and prosper upon
her bosom, while new sources of indus
i try, of wealth, aud prosperity are devel-
oped, with every year Of our national tx
isience. Again, then, we may say 10
those who have suffered, or are suffering
from the mutations of fortune, be not cast
down, do not despair. Gather lesson
from some of the irail but green and Clio.
rious vines, which, born in darkness and
obscurity, spring forward and court the
sunshine and the light, as essential to their
existence. The gloom Of to-day may
serve bu, to prelude the glory Of to NOR
row. The thick cloud, which hovers a.
bove, and darkens our path, may soon
pass away and give place to blue skies
and GOLDEN sunshine. Nature, observes
an eloquent writer, 'scaiters tie seeds Of
genius TO the winds, and though some
may be choked by the tborns and BRAN.
bles Of early adversely, We, others will
now and then strike root, even in the cleits
Of the rock, struggle brayely up into sun
shine, and spread over their birthplace all
the beauties Of vegetation So with the
ways Vi ioItuHt. II 10 CHcIiSutu tutoi
Of ours, thet sooner or later, even in this
life, the beings who cling to truth, virtue
and integrity, who have hope in heaven,
who make proper uss OF the faculties and
energies with which they are blessed by
Providence, will ultimately succeed, and
may, 10 the true spirit of philosophy,
smile upon the storms and tempests IN
which, tor time, they may be surrounds
ed. Time, faith, and energy are espe-
cially essential after such CONFUSION as
has been experienced in the monetary
and commercial world Of this Union.-
The worst, we feel satisfied, has gone bv.
The FuTURE should not b. disregarded,
for in that future, with the proper facilities
animated by the proper motives, md pur-
SUNG steadily aud viellantly, laudabe OBJ
lJects, con,entment. peace, and prosperity
viii essuredly be found. Levi.