The State guard., 1847-09-14

ges, which now em5osom mighty streams, would be laid bare. The depths of he daik mysterious sea would be unveiled, the wrecks of ages, the remains of the once honored and beloved, all it's seized and hoarded wealth, mingled with lhe decaying masses of its innumerable in . habltants. would form a sight that would appal the boldest heart. The air would be filled with the wild scream and search ing Night of all The winged tribe, until bineed by the fierce glare oflhe unveiled heavens, they would fall lileless to the earth. The bensts of the field, in tire- less rnge, would rend each other, or roam in madness over their once bouniiful and smiling plains, oi plunge headlong down the deep abyss in search of the cooling stream. From every spot pressed by mans footsteps, such wall, so long; so wild, so full of bitierest agony would arise as creation hath heard but once. Eoncest affection would be forgot in in |. dividual anguish. No cloud would cheat the sufferers vision with the seeming oasis, "huse waving vefdure and fancies streams lie before him, bidding his heal take courage but bereft of hope in fear. fnl suffering would he wrilhe, uitering piercing sounds of woe until at length, deprived of expression, long deep, un , uiterable silence would mark ihe death hour o. creation.
 But we wlll torn from the ,etrors of it's loss, to the pleasures and bene fits of It's possession. As man gradually in- creased and extended his empire over the earth, research into natures works became more his occupation and delight. Bur upon first awakening from the night of ignorance, his untried reason proved teo weak 10 penetrate their mysteries; il attempted lofty flights, but fell back to Its starting point, havirg accomplished nothing but gaiuless eyrations. Want, ing the key 10 the portal he could mol enter the halls of the great arcana of na. tue He falsely drew the conclusion that all matter was composed of four simple elements. Water was one of these and continued to be considered a simple element until the research of Cdvendish determined ,be cont ary. On account of the simplicity of it's compo. sitlon, and the peculiarly of its governs Ing principles. and is extensive appli. cation to the wants and the comforts of man, 1t may t'uly be considered one ol ihe most wonderful of nature's creations. Being in it's most abundant form hea vier than the atmosphere il m in;ains is place upon the earih's surface, Ter der. ing easy its attainment to man and beast
 Having been made necessary 10 ani, nal life such laws govern it as alone admit of ifs continuance. Were not the effect oi heat and cold modified in their action upon il the winds of wintcr'sa eep. ing down from the poles, would con- dense the countless particles, till every lake and stream in the more northern and southern regions would become sol i'd masses of cold and gli'tering ice.- Their iDnumerable inhabitants would perVade all nature. But here the great Creator has inerposed the law of crys. utilization, and m mantle of prote ctlon is cast over the waters, beneath which its inhabitants continue their active life and gleeful sports.
 Truly invaluable is the part which ths element susfains in the economy of na- lure. Not a radicle finds shelering home in the earth's bosom-not a seed 'mprlsons its germ-not leaf unfolds itself 10 the genial influence of light and air-not flower beauiities the earth unless the agency of l0aier be present. See! where nan is busy in weaving richest fabrics, in framing endless ar:i- cies of civilization and refinement. and there is heard the murmuring fall of the water. See! how over It's waves com> merce spreads her sails. |, offers highway to every nation-by its means man becomes less of a stranger 10 his )elloo mGn-by interchange of gifts. tn, ion springs up bet~ cen them; and the condition of each is improved. The word of truth, laden with it's holy and harmonious influences, is more speedily waited upon it's surface 10 the far dis tant regions of healhenism. When con verted by mans ingenuity into steam, what mighty aid il lends him ii giyelh wings to ihe giant vessel, enabling it 10 outstrip the winds of heaven.
 How are We filled with amazement as the mici oscope reveals each drop teem. ing with varied and wonderful forms of life. containg a ,oorld within it's narrow compass, making the very water v- ing thing. How mysterious. when we consider each of these minute animal> cu@ as q formation of the same Being, who created those majestic worlds that through the regions of Ininity circle round his throne.
 What sight more sublime than the mighty ocean, SO lone, so vast, with its never ending flow! Behold when mos, quesrent, it has the power 10 soothe the troubled soul. Fit emblem of eternity, leads thought hitherward. Our inward nature finds here'a a chord attuned ress ponsive; it has it's storms and calms it's moments of joyfulness and sunshine, its seasons of sorrow and darkness. iil seems friend tried and familiar, with whom we are privledged 10 hold most solemn converse.
 E,verv form of thic cn,r klino ole m pnt