Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1844-12-28
(Written for the Wisconsin Herald. J
The Mystery of Life.


The Mystery of Life.
In Life, there is deep and profound mystic
ry, which existence, however long. or expert
encc however old. only renders deeper and
more profound. Existence is itself my stery
and the secret OF human action is dark. He
who at first enters upon the stage of human &C.
| lion, and moves upon its surface. enters upon
1t as an unskilled mariner starts upon the
broad bosom of the Pacific, as he moves for.
4 ward in the uncertain future, not knowing al
what moment or upon what shoal or quick-sand
his bark may founder.
To all, human life is mysterious; the young
man who for the first time leaves his home,
and goes forth into the world with heart beat.
| ing high with hope of future success, uncon-
scious Of the future and ignorant of the stern
realities Of life-how frequent is it that his
fondest hopes and brightest anlicipations are
blasted by the rough waves of adversely, and
his youthful heart scared by the unexpected
and unmeri,ed coldness of the world. Perhaps
/ he leaves the domestic circle with heart pure
as an unstained leaf, expecting TO find that Pu-
ri,y among men in life, which lights up his
own heart; but how frequently is he disap-
pointed and destined to meet the calumny and
ignomny of selfish world. To all, life is
a mystery-some enter upon the stage OF &C.
lion with fatierng pictures of human great
ness painted upon their imaglnatlon's, that are
doomed TO fade and wither as soon as brought
in conac. with stern reality some melted
by ambition, would seek the honors of station,
and the homage of men; they woold wear a
crown of earthly glory. and wreath of honor
woven by human hands. Bot, do they remem-
Der that life is uncertain, thai man is tickle
Do they remember that an earthly crown Will
fade. and that human wreath will fall from
their browsl We all enter upon the journey OF
life with buoyant hopes and anxious hearts
some would pursue the path to peace, health,
and competence some would worship before
the altar of love. others would sacrifice in the
sunny courts of pleasure ; and few arrive a, the
obi ect of their aim. No matter how bright
the Imagination pictures life, its realities are
still the same. He who seeks TO obtain peace,
health and competence, is often the subject Of
discomfort, the victim Of disease, and the suf.
fering child of poverty. He who kneels al
ambitions shrine, often in his endeavors to be-
come great, meets with disappointment and
shame the voiary before the altar of love,
frequently consumes his insense without even
conciliating the friendship of Its patron god
and leaves its sacred courts within his heart
scared, and his brightest expectations blasted
. he who sacrifices iu the courts of pleasure, Of
ten seek il in the haunts OF vice, and for the
object Of his sacrifice, receives miserles deep
est woes.
Life is a mystery-shose who commence i
in peace. health and plenty. have fell lis aific
lions. troubles and prsations, and ended 'hei
days n gloom and misery.
! Life, like the ocean. continually heaves "
its waves Of prosperity and adversity-sOme
+, times in the enjoyment Of prosperity In mo-
ment Of triumph and JOY, we are caught
on an adverse wave, arnd are borne upon It's
, crest TO the very inner temple of misery-and
: again Joy beams from our faces, and happiness
dwens 10 our hearts; such are the veissitudes
Of life. The emigrans who leaves the home
OF ms youth, TO seek a new one perhaps across
the A,lsnlc. or among the savage tribes west
! Of the Rocky Mountains, is ignorant Of The
=. destiny that awaits him. The sailor who
leaves his native land TO Try his fortune on the
!. deep blue sea. knows nothing Of the fate that
awaits him. Life is broad stage, and chan
; ging scenes follow each other 10 qnick success
, sion upon its bosom. Those now performing
on the scene Of life, will in brief space Of
time yield their parts to others. But when The
scene is about to close, memory reseIis back
70 past days. which flicker through The mists
Of recollection. like the departing rays Of an
autumn sun. The scenes of their youth will
be called to mind. the shOugh,s Of early aud
uied frieads be revived, al the passing incl