The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-12-13
scusouablc sermon.


thus moraizes on the changes of the sea-
son, and draws instruction aud wisdom
from the motlled and falling leaf:
"Obecls ever pressing down the sight"
So says the great didaciic poet. But
nature knows how TO present objects in
so many dresses and associations, that
they never satia,e the appetite rightly
formed, or dim the sight that is directed
to beauties. Day by day The trees Of our
forests stand out in view, the same OBJ
ject constantly pressing upon the sight OF
the passer by, but to the true observer al
ways ahortling some cause for admiration,
always presenting some combination to
create delight. On Saturday last the
weather was cold, the sky clear and blue,
and here aud there lay ncecy mass Of
clouds last night that told of October.
They might generate wind, or give down
rain, or they might dssipate and pass off,,
without dimming the sight by the same
ness of rainy heavens! The forest-trees
have began 10 assume their harlequin
garb, the same as every October sees, yet
new, yet varied with some other object,
or if the same is in the last and many
preceding years, yet changing from the
previous month; and so bedight with va
rying colors, so motlled over with every
hue reflected life can give, that they SEEM
ed as if fresh from the hands Of the Ma.
ker, with all their charms to invite maa's
admiration to themselves, and lead up his
alteration to their Author.
The frost has done its perfect work !;
on the same tree, clusters of dark green
leaves would contrast with the soltest yell
low, almost fading into white, or work.
ing OF with agentlc green. AT the side
of this, the deep crimson, approaching
the imperial purple, invited admiration ;
and beyond, the unfading cedar stretched
out its bright green. as ifa new spring
time had come to renew its freshness. A
large walnut tree stood denuded Of its
leaves some few boles OF fruit were pen
dant, but not beautiful, while the naked
arms of the tree told of early frost; and
its skeleton leal-stalks were pointing
downwards as towards its own contribu-
ton TO autumn's harvest.
II was a beautiful sight, nevertheless
and perhaps the perfection Of the scene
was dependent upon these lealless trees
the opposite extremity from the evergreen,
that looked so bright.
All cannot find, as some do, the feel
ing of immortality in these decaying
leaves, for they do decay. The stately
fruit tree, in the spring, blossoms for her
summer fruits; and the forest tree stands
ungarnished with these early attractions.
1t has its summer of foliage, rich in guam.
lity, but awaits the aniumnal frost to cre-
ate the variety Of hues, tina. its leaves may
blossom for the grave. They perish, and
are no more forever.
But man falls from his estate to rise
and though the morning Uzzite afflicted
himself with the inquiry, Man dieth and
wasteth away he giveih up the ghost,
and where is he!' yet in moments of bet
ter feelings, and higher hopes,--nay, not
Of hope, Of holy assurance, he looked
through the vista of The grave, and ex-
claimed, Il kno,c that after the worms
destroy my skin, yet in my flesh shall |
see God
But the notified leaves, and their deca-
dence. do teach. Their beauty is great
est at the moment of their fall. Utility
has been the character of their life, bu,
beauty marks their death. And the man
who has ,oled onward from childhood to
age, for the good of others, rearing silent.
ly, and unknown to himself, name for
kindness and virtue-home virtue, domos.
tic kindness, social beneft--exhibits but
little Of the garish beauties Of the spring