Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-06-14
THE CHANGES OF LIFE.
Observation-Disclosures.

ne reatltlcS Ol HE are Euf OI aumODitO
The events that pass before our eyes in The
course of few years, the changes tha. take
place, the characters that are developed, WILL
if read rightly, be found foil ofpraclical knowl-
edge, and calculated not only TO warn bui to
direct. We are TOO apt 10 overlook the ordi-
nary circumstances of existence 10 be startled
by results, without tracing out the causes
Most human beings hurry on from day to day,
wiihou, glancng at the past, rejecting upon
the present, or regarding the future. We are
all 10 certain extent creatures of hour. We
live, move. and have our being in the scenes
and excitements Immediately around u.s. IfI
We hear Of the fall the wreck, the ruin Of
friend or acquaintance, we comment hastily,
and in most rashly--seldom look back
with the objecs Of ascertaining the real source
of the calamity, and rarely perceive that al
least some of the errors which precipitaled the
downfall Of the victim are among our weakness
ses and infrmies
How numerous repeat--ihe changes
Of life In what wide contrast! Let an in
divdual who hns attained ihe age Of fifty, pause
for moment aid gaze around him. He will
discover that the children who long after he
had attained the years of manhood, played
bout his knees, are now among the fathers and
mothers of mankind while those to whom he
looked up in boyhood, are either decnped and
totering with age, or have passed TO the VAL
ley of the Shadow of Dea.h." The span Of
human llfe--how narrow Even the near.
es, and dearest Of The beings with whom our
existence is intertwined, pass away, and are
speedily forgotleh, or if not forgotten, are re-
membered so carelessy, as scarcely TO excite
momen,ary feeling. The philosophy of life
is understood by few. 1t is praciiced by still
fewer. We do not live SO az bes, to provide
for our general and lifelong happiness here, as
we'll in the life 10 come---bul in most cases,
for the qualification of momenIary wishes, de-
sires, appeies and objects. The young, when
they star, upward and onward on the hillside
Of existence, are naturally buoyant. gay, and
cheerful. Imagination colors and brghlens
the future.--,hey have little to regret in The
past, and hasten on their way 10 rejoicing.
When, however. they reach middle life, or y
poin. beyond, and pause for moment, with The
object of asceriaining their real position and
prospects, they begin TO realize that there is
much of shadow as well as of sunshine in hu-
man exis,ence.-.lhat men are false, corrupt and
reacherous-.-lhas evil still prevails 10 fearful
extent---and thus feeling of sadness and dis
satisfaction steals into their hearts. When, too.
as i, often happens, they find themselves de-
ceised and betrayed by these they Tried and
trusted or when. after having loiled for years
to secure some darling object, they awake in
disappointment and modification, ~e cannot
wonder that for the moment they should grow
misanthropic, and view with dlstrust all their
fellow men.
|, is a, such seasons ,ha, kind, and en-
couraging word.--is all important. They should
then be laught that life is full of change rha,
the brightest morning is preceded by the dark
esl nighi---thal time, faith and energy should
never be inculca,ed and praclsed with spirit
of more determination than when The heart ap-
pears disposed TO shrink and cover before the
lempess Of the world.
i Look through society. Mark the changes
iha, have taken place within few years-,en,
fifteen or twenty. Yonder passes citizen
who FIVE years ago was bankrupt
med with debt, and as TOO often The case under
like circumstances, withou, credit. and char
acer suIlied whou, suspicion. His creditors
lost by and hence suspected him. Nay, some
of them went further, and harshly---bltterly &C
cused him Of fraud. For time he was siung
10 the quick TO be unfortunate, he thought,
was bad enough but TO be assailed and reviled
because of his misfortune, ,.--he fell was cruel.
But what should he do? Should he yield 10
the storm, abandon the commercial walks. be-
come an ider aud pauper--or should be nerve
his heart and his mind for The Trial, and by Inv,
ing down his calumniaiors endeavor 10 regain
his character, and thus new iooshold IN soci-
ely! The latter course was adopted and pur-
sued with active and nniring energy. No op-
por,nniy was lost to convince the suspecting
and defaming that they were wrong, land. al
though for Tine the effort was unsuccessful, it
rrumphed in the end. Nay, in one instance, a
leading capitals, who had been sadly embil-
tered. was convinced that he had done the un-
fortunate gross injustice. He VAS high min
ded and generous hearted man---and as SOON
as The conviction was forced upon him. that he
had been assisting 10 crush sill further really
homes, bu, unfortunate fellow creature. re-ac-
lion took place in his feelings. He sent for The
debior-- apoiigzed for his conduct, and proffer-
red liberal assistance. twas adopted. new
start was thus ob,ained---he clouds disappear
ed-.-he sunshine of prosperity grew brighter
and brighter, and now the bankrup, of only five