The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-01-24
FOR TnE OTTAWA FREE TRADER
The Web Of s,estiuy,

the web of our destiny" Our characters
are not the work of moment, bu, Of
years aye and Of the best years of life,
while the soul is still unshadowed by
earthly i'll, and the warm impulses of the
heart unchecked by the cold admonitions
of worldly prudence and distrust. Facul-
ties are given to us susceptible Of ,ultiva-
ton. The mind itself that which makes
us heirs Of immortality, is fine strung
harp, whose tones are ever varying with
the changeful touching of its strings. The
web of destiny which we weave here, has
its unrayelling in eternity; and so ex-
tremely delicate are the filaments of which
il is composed, that, when once inwoven,
they can never be withdrawn.
But the years of our probation are not
all alike. We pass the infancy of our be-
ing with little or no consciousness of the
immortal essence which dwels within
us. 1t is then, if ever, that we may be
said to live in the present alone. We
have no anxiety with regard to the sup
ply of orr temporal wants. As yet the
sparks with which passion will hereafter
kndlc her raging fires, lie dorman, in our
bosoms. In a word. we as We, know no.
thing of "the troubled JOY of ljfe"-i,s
"teverish strife" and lightning happi-
ness"
But these years pass, and we awake as
ii were to a new being. We enter upon
the arena Of life. knowledge comes-ad-
ministers her exhlarating drauglt to the
soul, and lights its slumhering fires. And
then man feels within himself the power
of a new and purer existence. He won
ders at the strange and beautiful visions
of his fancy, and at his unaccustomed
longings after things high and noble in
their nature. He is perfect study TO
himseli'-an anomaly in this world Of
wonders.
1t is at this period that man begins to
weave the web Of his destiny. But, alas
how seldom does he realize, that its
seemingly fragile tissue is stronger than
adamant. Good and evil spirits are ever
near to counsel and direct him. To lure
him from the path of rectiude, Imagina-
ton spreads her fairy fields around, ena-
melled by her twin sister Hope with flow
ers Of richest dye. Ambition on the fair
canvass of future years, is imaging his life
in rainbow hues of glory. Pleasure is al
Turing with the syren sound of many me-
lodies. Listening TO the voice of these
prompters, the web OF his destiny assumes
a sombre hue and oftentimes the fabric
is discolored by the bitter waters Of re-
pentance and regret.
But behind these appears graver
group. Wisdom is seated among ponder
GUS tomes-the chronicles of ages past
the treasures wherein are stored the
deepest musings of the creates, minds.
Her hand is clasped in that of her inse-
perable companion Patience, aud together
they bend above the glowing page. Rea-
son in the distance communes with her
own thoughts. Religion holds the in
spred volume, and from it instructs the
group around of whom the most promi-
nent members are Faith, Charity, For
bearance, and Love. lnclining his heart
TO these prOmpers. the web of his destiny
becomes bright and glowing in its tints.
Then, and then only, may he feel assur-
ed, that its unravo.ling will bring no sor-
row 10 his soul.
And he may choose his councillors as
he will. lie may have power, high pow
er, over his mind and heart He may
treasure up within his soul the richest
gems Of thought-he may be familiar with
the minuest workings Of the human heart
he may even discover the laws which
govern universe. He may do all this !;
yea, and much more. He may battle in
the fountains Of eternal love, and gain,
though he can never merit, the favor of
the Almighty. But he cannot do this,
and idly sit, and fold his hands, and dream
the while. No; he must be ever active
and vigilant-he must work in sunshine
and in storn-he must treasure up all the
moments Of his youth, as the miser would
the richest gems.
| repeat it, man may do all this but,
ah how few fulfil their glorious destiny.
And these few, what ale they p! Lues
breathing forth harmony where all other
tones are dscord--howers shedding their
sweetness on the "desert ir"--s,ars shin.
ing in lonely brightness. Experience
will not give Of the treasures of her store.
house, save to a favored few, until the
best years Of life are entombed forever in
the sepulchre of the past.
Some men have lived upon the earth,
who have excited the wonder and admir-.