Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1850-05-09

then have no fearful forebodings, no terri
bile dread Of that moment when the spirit
must yield its grasp upon mortal things,
and pass away to the judgment OF its deeds
while here. Ordinarily, homes, men are
actuated by conscience, or pride, or some
thing Of that kind, and in their transactions
with each other, they so eIdeavor to dis
charge their duties as not to be ashamed of
them at future time, particularly if they
know that they are to be reviewed by 9TH
els IL a distant period. How much more
important is il, therefore, for all so to live
that when their deeds are to be inspected
by the Power Which is infinitely above and
superior to all earthly tribunals, they shall
meet the full approval of Him who will
justly discriminate between Iicht and
wrong. We are not living on this earth
for a day, nor for all time but we are
living for eternity; we are now carving our
own pathway we are selecting our own
destiny we are choosing home for the
future. If We trlfle away all the opportu-
mites which are afforded US /; if we sneer
at the stern realities which surround and
await US, in this hour Of our possession and
our fanced happiness, we must take the
consequences which will ensue. Some do
not consider il manly to po sess humble
spirit, and 10 ack1owle lge the perilous con-
dllion of life some laugh al the ldea that
Il ular ress should devote any of It's
space to matters of so serioos a nature, be-
cause they say that the source from which
such thoughts and suggestions cmana!e is
not the proper fountain Of goodness They
are fully entitled TO these opinions, if they
choo,e to entertain them. 'We are all free
moral agents in this world, and we are
perfectly al liberty to do just as we please,
and we are answerable to no power on
earth, provided We do not violate human
laws there is no auIhory, in this couL-
try, Which can ho'd US responsible for our
creeds or our doctrines. We may be I'M
moral and irrelig Gus, and yet pursue a
harmless career 1t is beyond the storms
OF life, and beyond the gloom of the grave
that's we are 10 rendr an account of our
steward hip and five are Individually dis
posed to assume that responsible ty, ear,h's
powers canno; prevent us. Neither has
any man right to question good advice
which is given, particularly when that
counsel corresponds with The Divine law.
Reason and Re, ealion are sufficiently
ample to guide us safely along the pathway
of life, however dark and mir cate its as
sage may be and we prefer to give sound
advice, at the risk of mans dcrision, in
stead Of irifng time and opportunities, and
neg Iecting duties, with the certain prospect
ing excr,ed an ev.l influence, or neglected
The occasion Of doing some good among
those with whom we live, and with whom
We are intimately associated in all the va
red re atoms of lie.
We have an indistinct idea Of what the
reflections of the mind must be, 1t lfe's
last closing scene, when but an hour or
two more will be given it ; we can dimly
conceive Of that crowd Of events passing
rapidly yet wildly in review before the
| agonized SOUL conscious Of its condition,
yet trembling for its destiny We can see
| il writhe in lis torture We can hear 1t
moan over its follies and it, sins we cen
hear its desparing sigh as it feels that it
is too late now to relrace its course-that
30 act, at this moment Of dissolution, can
make amends for its rs,-and we can
see il inwardly shrink, as it is tossed with
the last ccnvulsions Of woe. aud vaInIy en-
deavor TO escape from the grasp Of death,
which is more fearful and more horrible
from its silent, its cold, its paralys'ng
progress
Our moments here cannot be too eau
tiously guarded and cherished they cannot
he too carefully improved, for just in pro-
~ p"i'ioH 40 "O P'oP''iy uoc 'Ht", ohsi' "p
be useful on earth, and rewarded hereafter.
|, is not only necessary Tor us to be
scrupuous in our actions, but our thoughts
a'so must be trained and watched ; mis-
spen, time in idle and Improbable thoughts
will be charged to our 9ccount in the last
settlement OF life's transactions. There
fore,
" Beware Of thoughts They whisper to the
II heavens;
Though mute to thee, they prompt the diamond
\ pen
OF the recording angel.
\ Make them friends
Those dread 'eed-plantcr. for eternity
Those sky-repor,ing hcralds, ,--o,ak, them tiends'