Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-03-30

hai OF science. This institution, planted by q
valient soldier of the Cross, who was wounded
in his masters service, and endowed with little
else than the prayers of him whose name it
bears, is the spot where many, now in this, and
foreign lands, preaching the everlasting gospel,
expounding law, training the human mind to
virtue and intelligence, and host in the hum
bier walks Of life prepared themselves for USE
fulness.
Further still we 90, and as before we pass the
tidy dwelling yarded in front, neatly embellish-
ed to suit the taste of him who occupies and
calls his own. On our right, as with the sun we
90, stands mechanics shop; a little distance
from the road we travel, and nearly on the mar
gin Of a creek-bear this in mind of this
shall speak hereafter. A little further on we
readily perceive the waters source, small but
beautiful lake; gentle elevation all around,
clothed with the freshness Of the forests garb.
In yankeedom, they call it pond, and so I'll call
it, for it seems more natural, far. | have been
thus particular, in description, further than re-
quired you may now think But should time
and inclination meet again, and produce an ac-
ton of the pen, | may relate other facts spread
out upon the pages of the minds of all who
then were residents of this village.
We will face the sunshine now, and our eyes
will travel over where our feet have trod. Now
as we gaze along that mile we walked, over
those painted dwellings, and along those half
grown trees, all fresh and green; for nature had
dressed them after art had pruned. That brook
too, on the left, (for we have turned around re-
member), thus I'll call it, for | always did; l
like the name of brook the best, for, because
I'll not say why. How beautiful it looks, as
spread before us in the landscape; truly SER
pentine it is in form, as meandering through that
vale it flows; q gentle hill on either side, mar
row space between that we term bottom. What
say you to this view? to me It's pleasant
Why! see you where northward flows the wat
ers until lost to sight, from where we stand,
around yon bluff; thus far it flowed as side by
side the path we travelled; just midway of the
village, at short distance only from the road,
as before have stated. Those little hills too,
that range along the side of this little rivulet
as if to prove affection for it, or from love Of
order also turn right angle to keep aside their
old companion. Can you see it now as I've
portrayed it? Let us walk, retrace but half
the steps we have taken, that we may view the
valley further on. Here we find dwelling
shutting out the view; describe it | will not, it
would be of no avail save alone to me, and
while you step aside to view the onward MUIR
muring water, will stay, for | can 60 no fur
theryet. Oh hallowed spot, a thousand tho'ts
are chasing each other around this bosom, thro'
this heart, tearing it as thorns they wear, or
healing, as consultations balm is found oozing
from "reminiscences happy, gladstone, joyous.
But why this reverie because cannot rid my
self of it, these thoughts | have tried to ban
cast them from me, but they return
like the house fly, driven from some
sweet morsel, with others of his species, to
enjoy the repast, or like the haunting spir-
it of the maniac rs he hurls it from him il
breaks in pieces and in his imagination every
atom becomes Il demon and they return host
W tdAo tiic iiu
myself of them, unless / pour them out,
that space be found for other thoughts, and
| proceed as intended with my story. 1t was
not here [ ever dreamed of stopping, or saying
even one word, when / commenced my tale Of
truth, firm fixed in mind but here am, and
must the facts unvail, whereby the charm is bro
ken, the bubble if it be bubble, burst Why
you doubtless ask me, has fancy thus beguiled
you from the path marked out at first! 1t is
not fancy, or any thing akin thereto; it is stern
reality, stubborn fact, so called. This spot thus
around which memory clings with
such intensity of Thought, causing feelings burst
ing to the bosom, demanding utterance this spot
was once my home. Oh, blessed word oh, sa-
cred thought 1t fills the heart at times brim-
full, Gf am allowed the homely expression of
what mean), of that same principle, perhaps
in less degree, that constitutes the harvest yield
of all faithful watchmen and well-doers, which
is bliss. Home! 1t was there that heaven first
gave the breath of life to me. Home! twas
there first was rocked beneath the hand of
care and in the lap of her who bore me into
life. Home! 1t is there where first the pow
er of speech was given me, raised my flaxen
head and lisped, my mother. 1t was there first