The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-09-18
Moral Readings,
There are Storms on Lies dark
Waters.

Fancy generally sketches her pictures il
lighG or, at least, so dlsposes the sunshine
and shadow,ns to form one harmonious blen
ding, which we love TO contemplate. The
pcnciIlings of truth are more deeply and
darkly drawn, too frequently, alas! without IL
ny cheering ray save that which the lone stan
fhope throws out, as beacon anna the
surrounding gloom. Thus. again and again,
when Imagination has been revealing in some
scene ofrepose, OH the wide sea of human
life, the finishing stroke ofstern reality would
reven in the distance cloud like 10 mans
hand or n biIlow bounding onward, bearing
tie wreck of joys, which just before seemed
destined for cloudless skies and placid wa
tiers. Such were the musings suggested by
that POLITICALLY beautiful, but mourntully true
sentiment, " there are storms on liie's dark
waters.
| sec childhood innocent childhood, beside
a fount which bears on its bosom toy2shop,
gently guided in its movements by the in
fluence of n magnet AS he gaZes on that,
which he would fhin believe to be tho effects
ofhiS own skill, he dreams not Of the wlntry
day that will CONCEAL those Tiny waves, nor
ofthc cloud that, sooner or later, will mantle
in darkness the sunny sky reflected there;
but truth says even to laughing childhood,
Shore arc storms on llle's dark waters
On lake, where
"The silver light with quvering glance
Played DER the waters still eXpanse,"
a light slliff is gliding Thoughtess youth
is there, ulled into iorgettulness by the soft
rpplings oflhe tide, that is bearing his fragile
bark onward Yonder vista is the opening
to deeper channel and moro dangerous
waves; but heal absorbed with the present,
thinks not of an adverse wind or rciluX tide.
Shnddcring, turned away, for it needeth not
Il prophetic eye to discern that ere long, he
fbut Gtlprp
dark waters,'
Manhood, rs thou standest by That gallant
prov, why is thy counenance stern, and thy
brow knit with the indications of rcbellous
thought? Is there no music in the penslvc
waings of the wind through the set sails and
tightened cordage? Why dost thou remble
at the lightning's flash, and why art thou 81
lent when the thunders roar? or what are
they harbingers, that thou shouldst long for
hiding place? OH he knows that it is the
dark spirits Of the tempest marshalng the ell
emcnts against him, and soon he is to expert
ence, that ''thCrc are storms oil lites dark wa
ters."
Yonder vessel has cast anchor; age is re-
clining there, regardless ofthe helm that has
safely guided his once stately but now wealth |
er beaten bark, so Lear its fra. resting place; |
its "silver chords" are oosening,the sails flap |
idly TO the winds, and but one more mandate
will echo thro' them; THAT will consiSn all TO
oblivion. What do the rent sails and splin-
tered masts tell of? What voice have those
cracking beams, and sundcring planks?
What do the dirge like sounds of the wave
closing over them proclaim? All, all give
hack one answer, "there are storms on LIES
dark waters"
Childhood, y6;,ih, manhood, age, venture
nor m the ocean of life withouta heavenly |
pilot, n sacred compass an anchor cast with,
in the veil, and passport TO the Eeven OF
rest beyond, for, ''ihcro arc storms on E!H's
dark waters"