Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-01-13
For the Times"
&" THE SPICE OF LIFE.

IHE SPlCE OF LIFE.
Man seeks variety. He goes from east to
west, from north to south, wandering up and
down the broad face of the earth to find some
thingto amuse and diversity his experience of
life. Toll is nothpg-dangers, even to life it
self, by no means to- be considered. Perseve-
ringly he searches the works and crannies of ma
ture-huddles together the productions of art
dips into her bowels, and all 10 tickle his hll-
mour.
Ah had but the voice of stentor and a
towering, hcaven-high PEDESTAL from which to
proclaim the secret, how would vociferate in
the ears of men, that, hitherto they have sought
in vain, gone to the wrong place.
Concentrate your forces, ye flying, variety
seeking mortals Appoint me your guide and
I'll lead you to the fount of variety. Wellgo
back to the opening of life. Not to the thresh-
old worn smooth by creeping infancy"-but, to
the old School House. and as we open the wide
door, sight greets us of kaleidoscope type.
'Tis where the alphabet is taught and we shall
see that it is indeed taught for as we look there
is Mosac-work, but, as changeful as the
changes rung upon those self same twenty-six
letters.
Within the County seat Of Ottawa, of which
all We who read should know the locality-on
site twenty feet by thirty, stands time-rusted
building-Court House, Church, School House,
Lecture Room, each by turn. tits my purpose
to introduce you to week day scene beneath
its roof but before lift the latch of admit
tance, let us have perfect understanding both
of purpose and opinion.
know well, that from day to day, rs time
goes on, one hundred and seven immortal be-
ings gather there, to be taught respecting the
things pertaining to this life and q fully be-
leve, too) with regard to the realities of Eter-
nifty. Each possesses a soul, precious in the
eye of bis Maker, though rough indeed are the
caskets that contain them. | trust feel in
some feeble degree the Importance of a train
ing, that shall fit them to fill up their days
with usefulness, and eventually to sit down
with the gathered good of all ages in Heaven
above.
believe there are some among this number
who are destined to shine as ornaments in their
earthly spheres-the amiable, the beautiful of
form and feature, the lovely of character; those
who are generous, brave, manly, all that is no.
bic in childhood. All this know and rejoice
in: but it is my present design and have en-
gagged to show you pa,iety, therefore, merging
individuals into the mass, open the door and
introduce you to the living scene as IL is.
1t is Monday morning; at 9 o'clock precisely,
Miss W., followed by her train of assistants,
'epairs to the School House all with smiling
aces, pleasant words and even endearing ep-
hets for the little urchins, as they come scat
ering into school. This time, as she appears
n sight, some half dozen, all l-out- -brcath-re-
'orters, run up to her bearing the delightful IT,
lings for faithful teachers ear, that yesterday
he boys played, some of them strayed or stayed
lway from church, and even dared to disturb
he Sabbath worshippers.
Scarcely does she get inside the door before
he same story comes from the neghbors-at
he onset this must be settled. After bidding all
smiling "good morning." and looking to
Gods Word and the Throne of Grace for guild
'nce and strength to perform faithfully the du-
les of the opening day, the huing Babel begins.
A, b, C's to point out to one class-lessons
o spell for another-to read for still another
copy to set, at this desk--an ear to pinch at
a sum to work out-there, a bonnet
o "shm," (as a little Dutch girl said to me the
'ther day)-overin one corner, a sore limb to
lind up--quite in another splinter to extract
rom an aching fnger--now TO place this boys