The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-11-17
From Hours Of Devotion.
DOMESTIC HAPPINESS

whose hand wipes the tear from oul
cheek, or the chill of death from our brow
with the same fondness as that of wife
If the raging elements are contendins
without, here is shelter. If war is des
olating the country, here is peace and tran
guilty Blssful and happy hours, tina
unite us together in sweet and holy COM
panionship, | bid you joyful welcome.
FAMILY DEVOTION.
tits beautiful thing to behold fami.
ly at their devotions. Who would not be
moved by the tear that trembles in the moth.
er's eye, as she looks to heaven, and pours
forth her fervent snpplications for the wei.
fare of her children? Who can look with
indifference upon the venerable father sur
rounded by his family, with his uncovered
locks, kneeling in the presence of Almigh-
ty God, and praying for their happiness
and prosperity? In whose bosom is not
awakened the finest feelings, on beholding
tender child, in the beauty of its inno-
cence, folding its little hands in prayer.
and imploring the invisible, yet eternal
Father, to bless its parents, its brothers
and sisters. and its playmates.
AMBITION.
Do not aspire 10 things that are beyond
your reach but be satisfied with the pres
ent good which you enjoy. If you are
actuated by a laudable ambition, let it be
to excel in the profession you have chosen,
instead of sinking below mediocrity in
some other
1t is common error of mankind, that
they will not be persuaded that every call
ing of business, has its mixture of good
and evil. They see the gliding of the OBJ
ject to which they aspire, but not the can
ker within. Our seeming good fortune is
often envied by those who can know moth
ing of the anguish we endure; as we envy
that of others, whose trouble and anxiety
do not afflict us. ...
CONFINEMENT.
Contentment inclines us to good actions.
Innocent pleasures, also, have healthful
influence upon the body and mind. As
melancholy and grief wear away our
strength, SO is it proportionably increased
by oheerfllness and joy. The mind would
often sink under the weight of its sorrows,
if it did not receive an impulse from some
other source.
AVARICE.
Never has the avaracious man enough;
he is always eager for any lucrative office;
caresses and flatters the rich; is cautious
in lending out money to the poor; COM
plains of hard times, is oftentimes penuri-
Gus with his relations, whom he perpetu-
ally admonishes about prudence in ex-
penditure; assumes very sanctifed de-
meanor in church; has no relish for the
enjoyment of life, yet his selfshness is still
alive 10 the increase of his riches. He
deprives himself of the necessaries of live;
he fancies himself TO be INDECENT, and
trembles with the apprehension that he
may become still more so by accident
He is even poorer than the beggar who
subsists upon aims. During his whole
life he has seen nothing but rent rolls, and
deeds, and mortgages. By degrees he
withers away, and the fruits Of his toll are
left to his heirs, who do not even respect
his memory.
RICHES.
1t is strange delusion for men to sup
pose that happiness consists in riches.
Contentment is not to be found in splendor
and magnifcence; or why is itthat princes
have sometimes exchanged the grandeur
of a palace for the more simple enjoy
ments of private life? Why is the coun-
Of the rich man furrowed with
thought and anxiety, while the poor go on
their way shouting and exulting in the
blessings which God hath given them?-
Why does the man who has grown in
wealth, look back to the days of his pover-
y, and ask himself why he cannot now
'ejoice as heartily over the much as he did
over the little?
RELIGION.
Take away religion, and you take away
he foundation of much that is noble and
exalted in man. He who possesses it,
ooks upon the world with an increase of
admiration-he feels himself glowing with
| renovated love to his fellow creatures
md at once acknowledges the invisible l
md all pervading power Of the Eternal.
Religion throws brilliancy upon the t
morning of life; it embelishes the gay fam
iful dreams of childhood; it falls like
dew, upon the hearts of the y
-oung and innocent, softening the feelings f
nd affections; without their knowing t
Whence it proceeds. b
THE TEAR. N
A tear is what! IT'S the overfowing of P
he cup of sensibility, the index of a soul Il
raught with feeling, the ailment of a heart n
Irooping with solitude; with the base, It's "
# warfare against the innocence of love- f"
mess, simplicity and beauty: with women, RI
lis the shield of defence to the cold, the Y
bdurate and the unfeeling; with the pa 1
ent 'tis the blessing Of age on the off 81
pring ofyouthful yigor and affection; with il
lie child tits the supporting staff of filial
iety; with friends it's the token of the Il
Of souls. TO the afflicted IT'S d