Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-06-22
Mlstellanrous.
From tis Philadelphia Enquirer.
The Changes of Life.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

Theevents that pass before our eyes in the
course Of few years, the changes that take
place, the characters that are developed; will. if
read rightly, be found full Of practical knowI-
edge, and calculated not only TO warn but to d.
rect. We are too apt 10 overlook the ordinary
circumstances of existence, 10 be startled BY re.
suits, without tracing out the causes. Most hu:
man beings hurry on from day TO day, without
ganclng at the past, reilecling upon the present,
or regarding the future. Weareall TO a certain
extent creatures of the hour. We live, move,
and have our being in the scenes and excite
ments Immediately around US. If we hear of
the fall, the wreck, the ruin Of friend or ac-
quantance, we comment hastily. and in most
cases rashly-seldom look back with the object
Of ascerIainng the real source of the calamity.
and rarely perceive that at least some of the er-
rors which precptated the downfall Of the VIC
tim are among our weakness and in6rmties!
Hownumerous, we repeat, the changes ofIJel
In what wide contrast! Let an individual who
has attained the age Of fifty, pause for a moment
and gaze around him. He will discover that the
children who long after he had attained the
years of manhood, played about his knees, are
now among the fathers and mothers of mankind;
while those TO whom he looked up in boyhood,
are either decrepid and dloueringwilhage, or have
passed to "the Valley Of the Shadow OF Death. "
The span Of human Iife-how narrow! A few
years, we appear, struggle, and are gone! Even
the nearest and dearest of the beings wilh whom
our existence is intertwined, pass away. and are
speedily forgotten, Oh if not forgotten, are re-
membered so carelessy, as scarcely TO excite a
momentary feeling.
The philosophy Of life is understood by few.
1t is practlsed by still fewer. We do not live SC
as best to provide for our general and lifelong
happiness here, as well as in the life to come
but in most cases, for the qualification of mo.
mentary wishes, desires, appetites and objects
The young, when they start upward and onward
on the hillside of existence, are naturally buoy
ant, gay and cheerful Imagination colors anC
brighlens-lhey have little to regret in the past
aud hasten on their way rejoicing. When
however, they reach middle life, or a point be-
yond, and pause for a moment, with the obiec
o. ascertaining their real position and prospects
they begin 10 realize that there is much of shad
ow as we'll as of sunshine in human existence
that men are false, corrupt and treacherous-
that the evil principle still prevails 10 fearful
extent-and thus feeling Of sadness and dis
satisfaction steals into their hearts. When, TOO
as it often happens, they find themselves decei
we'd and betrayed by those they tried and trust
ed or when, after having toiled for years to Sc
cure some darling object they awake in disap
polntment and modification, we cannot wonder
that for the momentthey should grow misanthro
| pic, and view with distrust all their fellow men
1t is at such seasons that a kind, an encoura
ging words all important. Theyshould ther
be taught that life is full Of change--that thC
brightest morning is preceded by the darkes
night--that time, faith and energy should neve
be incucated and practised with spirit Of mort
determination than when the heart appears dis
posed to shrink and cover before the tempest
of this world.
Look through society. Mark the change
that have taken place within few years--ten
fifteen or twenty. Yonder passes a citizen whr
five years ago was bankrupt--overwhelmet
with debt, and as is too often the case unde
like circumstances, without credit, and "a charac
ter sullied by suspicion. His creditors had los
by and hence suspected him. Nay, some o
them went further, and harshly--biuerIy accu
sed him of fraud. For time he was stung Il
the quick. To be unfortunate, he thought, wa
bad enough; but TO be assailed and reviIed be
cause of his mislortune,--he letwas cruel. Bu
what should he do? Should he yield to III
storm, abandon the commercial walks, becom
an idIer, or by living down his calumniators, en-
deavor 10 regain his character, and thus a hev
(oothold in society! The latter course was g
dopted and pursued with active and uutiring en-
ergy. No opportunity was lost to convince tn
suspecting and defaming that they were wrong
and, although for a time the effort was unsuC
cessiul, il triumphed in the end. Nay, in on
instance, leading capitalist who had been sad
y embiuered, was convinced that he had don
the unfortunate gross injustice. He was hig
minded and generous hearted man-and so 500
as the conviction was forced upon him, that h
had been assisting 10 crush still further a reaI
honest but unfortunate fellow creature, re.ac
ton took place in his feelings. He sent for th
debtor--apologized for his conduct, and proffel
ed liberal assistance. 1t was accepted. A me-
start was thus obtained--the clouds disappeare
the sunshine of prosperity grew brighter an
brighter and now the bankrupt OF only five yeal
back, is fully on his feet again--wilh resusc
tated character-hgh hopes--and asmiling pat
before him.
Again. The three men standing together b.
fore yonder substantial edfce each now worl
an hundred thousand dollars, were ten years
go, no. worth as many cents. They atthat tim
hit upon happy hought--ventured upon a ne
enterprise--prosecuted it day and night with il
delatigabIe zeal, and the results are before you
And these are not rare cases, The chanc,
; are as numerous as ever. Life is full of cha
: ges. But in order TO take advantage Of ther
the anxious and adventurous must have the
thoughts about them. Theymu watch--thir
t -caculate--and having at last determined, tn,
: must be prepared to act and with energy. L
] US despond and despair because of one or "
S reverses, and all will soon be over with U.s..