Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-03-30
For The Grand River Times.
A PAGE FROM MEMORY.

A PAGE FROM MEMORI.
How strangely appears the pathway ofhuman
life in view retrospective. How much does it
resemble in appearance an extensive Arcade
AS the vision extends on and onward, still thro'
its massive archway, you see standing forth lit
orally in bold relief amid the darkness around
some pillar of its support far in the distance,
exhibiting its true dimensions, and the wherea-
bouts, form and size of some skylight or other
necessary aperture, above its lofty ceiling, while
objects near are shrouded by darkness from dis
tinctness Of perception. Such is life, like the
columns of an Arcade, incidents present them
selves to the mental vision with the greatest
particularly, even TO the minutest circum-
stance connected Herewith, although many years
have gone by, and the wheels of time have
Of the acts Of life These may be termed the
guide boards of human life, the mile-stones
along its pathway, leading us back to the days
of childhood, and infancy even, with feelings of
pleasure, and pain, as the mind travels back in
association DER the way once trod. In such re-
Elections we all more or less participate. From
such a train Of thought we draw much of our
happiness, and also we allow crowded into our
bosoms, (although seemingly not courted) much
of the misery of mind which humanity wrong
fully deems its rightful heir and elected portion
1t is one of these land marks in lfe's highway,
that has caused these thoughts, these feelings
and these expressions Various as have been
the scenes of years, tried as has often been the
heart, complicated and numerous as have been
the duties to perform, removed from every as
sociation or memento to call to mind, save that
of thought and memory; yet the incident |
am about to relate, is with all the circums tances
connected Herewith, as vivid in my recollection,
as fresh in mind, as any thing of to-days occur
renee.
see the sunlight gild the utmost height of
natures walls around peaceful quiet village,
away among the green hills made memorable by
song and story, daring deeds and hearts of
bravery. All was still yes, stiller than Sab
bath morning, here. 1t is not the confusion of
Western life that they are wont to witness in
that lowly village; no heave-ho of the sailor,
no gathering of the steam engine, no roaring
of yon lake greets the ears of those quiet vii
layers, as sleep unfolds her arms and permits
their senses to enjoy the bamy morning. But
a solemn stiffness, painful to Western hearts,
pervades that community each and every MORN
ing. They are those that have moved on from
nf in fba al IN, fha;r
duties, public as we'll as domestic In their ev-
cry day walk, the same yesterday, to-day and
forever" Thus that morning dawned, whose
light is witness to the truth Of what am about
to say, and as it settled between those grassy
hills, darkness, that gloomy sojourner for a
night, seemingly descended into that bourne
from whence no traveller returns, to brood in
silence in the embrace of its kindred spirit earth
and wall its power so limited.
Go with me on bright May morning, to this
delightful valley, where nature has woven a
pleasant lawn, and art has checkered it with
beauty. First Of all, as you ascend from the
East, out of a valley deeper still, you see what
always there is seen, 60 where you will, stand
ing prominent in mind as well as in form, (and
it should be thus here and everywhere), the vii
lage church; heavens beacon in that land of
oracle and pure example, pointing the first
thought of morning back to Him who grants it.
Here and there, as along we walk, we see the
neat, though comparatively humble dwelling;
and as we pass still on, we see the home made
up and marked for him who is stranger travel
ing through the land. AS you and are sojour-
ners but for the moment, occasion calls us not
to enter-mark it; for may yet make refer
ence thereto. As further on we 60, by dwell
ings on either hand, (all shaded by sugar naples,
fragrant as is their nature), beneath whose sha-
ded windows oft is seen the lilac, ana almost
the damask rose that emblem Of