The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-04-27

cence but Folly.
While he was weeping, person of noble
mein, lofty bearing and intense eye, prcsen-
ed himself at the gate, and said,
Behold. my name is Ambition. Let me
come in, and will make thee great. l have
in my casket the treasures Of Learning, the
garlands of Civil Honor and Military Fame
These are the only treasures worthy the pur-
suit Of immortal intellect lfthon shalt posses
eitherof these, all men shall do thee honor.
and sing thy praise; and thy name shall be
remembered as long as the world endureth."
And the pleader showed him beautiful volumes
and golden pensplumed with laurels and civic
wreathss and finely wrought gold hilted swords;
and chairs of state, and sceptres.
And he was dazxled, and shut Conscience
again into her closet but still he heard her
voice and was afraid to open the door.
But Pleasure and Human Reason, who
were already inmates, recognized in Ambition
brother, and joined their voices in his favor.
He was admitted. And he spread his treas
ures bt fore him who once was Young lnnO-
cence, but had become Folly, and exhorted
him to purchase them and be wise.
And he said, unjust buy of thee? Pleas
ur e gave he treasures freely"
And Ambition said, They were not worth
thy acceptance. These are worthy OF long
Years OF toll
So Folly labored day and night for the need
af Ambition, and when be had won some few
Jewels, Pride stood at the gate. and said,
LEI me come in, and | will arrange those
glorious gems, aud show thee how much mob
Ter thou art than any man."
And he said, Il have heard that thou art
devil"
But Ambition replied. "He is my servant.
Thou shalt admit him.
And Pleasure and Human Reason insisted,
also: and POOR Folly opened his gate to Pride
And Price said:
.'Thou art exceedingly glorious, and capable
of ruling all men. lfthou wilt admit my com.
ratles Deceit aud Falsehood, Oppression and
A,arice, thou mays't bind all mankind to thy
footstool"
And Folly knew that these were demons,
but he had admitted So many that he was now
forced 10 do as they commanded and the new
comers vi ere admitted
Then all the inmates Of his palace placed him
higD upon an altar,ind sang peans lohis name,
and burnt incense before him; and he WAS into
xicated aud shouted his own praise, aud deem
ed himself tiod But the gold that WAS
spread around him WAS rustedby the sweat of
the unrewarled tuIiers; his drink was bitter
with the tears ofIlle slandercd and the oppres-
sed-and his laurels Wtre foul with human
blood, clooted beneath their leaves and drip
ping from Their blossoms. And he heard
men, women. and children groaning and weep
ing and mingllpg his name with .curses-and
.cr, ing seTlre Gpd, who careth for us, will
reward thee according TO thy works.
a. 1, h..f IL toI
his accusers. Then a dark spirit stood at his
gate and said
Il will RID thee ofthy terrors Let me in
and will eonviIee. thee that there is no God
higher than thou
And he felt his soul sl4udder, and said, q
will not open to thee. thou liari know there
is t1od, and The uslsl have blashF med him.
| will not deny LIZ i1aIne.
And Unbehef stieered and mpcked at him.
and sai.!, '.P,4r Young iHnncence, gJ and ask
Thy guardian to tell th,e again the nursery
tales ut heaven that used to amuse thy child
hood. Perchanee thou art silly enough TO
listen and brlieve though all wise men know
they are fables" Aud the vile spirits that
were within joined in his taunting and supper
ted his arguments, and forced him who ahould
have been master OF the mansion. to admid I'm
belief, and to assume the name of Atheist.
Put Human Reason was not wholly deprav-
ed, and he said. "Thou art foo, notxith-
standing all thy leaning. There is God. as
all creation tearheth. Thou has done wicked
Is. as well as foolishly. Go and ask thy
guardian if | baye not spoken truth"
And Atheist went trembling TO the place
where he had confined Conscience, and " hen
he looked upon her, he said, 'She is dead.
am past hope. l will 60 and revel while am
able"
Divine Mercy saw, and tear fell from her
eye, which pentrated the crystal and dropped
upon the face of Conscience. Immediately
she arose, flied with Indignation, an reproacf-
I'd him who had so feariully sinned against
God and her. And she scourgcd him with
whips, and said, "Thou ART accursed: thou
hast undone tIiysef" Andall the demons that
were in his house derided him, and said, .'Ah,
thou vast eastly overcome. We have deceiv-
ed thee etfcctually.
And he cried to Conscience, as there no
hope"
And she anscwred, "Nonp"
And be fell down at her feet, and said, "af-
fict me as thou wilt; deserve all torment" !"
And Divine Mercy said unto him from heav-
en-. sJesus Christ came into the world to save
sinners
And he said. @Where is this Saviour, that
may kneeI down before him, for | am in
great agony. The sharp therns of Pleasures
wi,hered garland. are piercing my brain-the
gold that ! have gathered by Avarice, is cam
kering my heart. The honors that have
gotten by Deceit, and the laurels that grew out
ofbIoodshed are FIRE and wormwood TO my soul !;
and conscience says they shall be nay torment
forever.
And@Divine Mercy said, thou shalt endure
them until thou meet the angel Death. But
20 thou to Mount Calvary. in the sight of all
the world, and sit down at the feet of Jesus
He will commission his angels Faith, Hope
and Charity to sustain, comfort, and counsel
thee Thou shalt follow their counses !;
and listen to all the suggestions and reprolch-
es of the guardian of thy youth. who knoweth
all thy ways and wickedness. So mayest thou
enjoy the quiet Of Humanity until death shall
free thee from all thy painful trophies. and
bring thee to the entrance of Paradise