The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-01-17

| tempting TO reach It's proper goal-losing at
! each successive failure more of its buoyancy
and strength, II sinks at last into its earthly
prison, and is barred in by the sensual lust. of
the heart. W. are aware that this is not the
popular doctrine OF the duy, and that seeming
excuses are made for, and and arguments used
in favor of, light literature-alias trash. But.
we are also aware, that these arguments have
their only origin in either ignorance or selfish
ness. The ground is not tenable, and when
brought in contact with Truth the sophstry
must be exposed.
live dispute the claim to the appelaton of
Literature, set up for this kind OF matter. we
must also enter demurrer against the assump-
ton by its authors of the title of Literaii. We
hold it as fundamental truth, that every human
being has his part to perform in the great life
drama ana, furthermore, that every man-un-
less his moral nature becomes utterly debascd
at very carly period of his life--is, by some
comprehensive means, made 0,rare of the mart
ne is called upon 10 act. We firmly believe that
TO some the spirit says--'s H1He!' That it is
laid upon them of necessity 10 live in the world
of thought, Of ideaism--lhat they are entrusted
with high mission, which is nothing less than
TO tell mankind of their spiritual destiny, and TO
point out the celestial way to its accomplish
mcnt. 1t is not enough that a mans inclination
leads him into the world of letters; and we in
sist upon the distinction we have made in a
former part oft this article, between the Priest,
who sacrifices al the shrine of Literature. and
the Worshipper, who only comes anon to bow
at the altar. And woe be unto that impous
wretch, whO--cnvious flhe honor which some
times accrucs to The incumbent of the sacred
oflicc--assumcs the saceldolal robes, and takes
into his sacrlegious Lands the cmblcms ofthe
priesthood.
But, severe as is our condemnation of the
usurpers, far biuercr is the curse we have to
pronounce against him, who, feeling hmscfap-
pointed to the work ,--colnmissioned to deal in
the deep mysteries of the spirit.--to reveal to
his fellows the nature OF that "divni,v within''
them, and its immortal destiny; takes council
with flesh and blood, and forgetting his holy
vocation, like Nadab and Abihu of old, offers
strange fire upon The alter "Hs ear is quick
| for celestial messages, and in him speaks the
rro9hc>yins spirit in awful prophetic voice.
But the sweet toned whispers of the heavenly
viSIlanls are UNDECIDED while he listens TO the
cnrlanting song Of the syrcn as she chants her
''sreli- piece" in his hearing; and even the loud
or mandates VI the spirit are drowned in the
hoarsc huzzns Of the rnbble, to whose guilty.
| tastes h" Iarcis. He looks around among the
sons Of Genius, and sees them too often crushed
by weight, which 10 him seems too gricvous
to b" borne. lie remembers Milton sending
forth the song 81 Paradise from garcia
Burns begging the loan of a few pounds TO close
the prison doors, which were gaping to receive
hun, and at last dying of very poverty; and in
later days, he behUlls Poe in la,tcred carb
and with grim want logging close at his heels.
hnckslcrlng the produce of his brain from pub
fisher TO publisher. We forget that your re-
ward is not here, o, We of little faith Ie forget
that IN o!cn time they stoned the prophets, and
killed them who were sent unto them; and that in
all ages, those who have laborcd Tor their race
were dcspiscd and rejected.
But he who forgets this is not worthy to 5ear
the censor before the shrine. Let him be
stripped ofthe sacerdotal robe, and his priest
hood be given to another.
To those who are s'not disobedicnt to the
heavenly callins,' we have word to say and
then We close. You who have counted well the
cost of the sacrifice You must make-you who
shrink not as You look along the uneven path
way-who can al once cut loose from EARTH and
forever bid adieu to the senses-who have taken
upon yourselves the vows of perpetual chastity
who "count all things as oss' for the excel |
l'ncy OF this spiritual acknowledges" with what
feelings OF reverence, nay more, of holy vene-
ration, does he who now pens this article, re-
gard you. True he is but young, and has en-
tered but the porch, not yet reached the vcsli- |
bule of that temple where you are the High
Priests, but scintlaion Of that "spark i'm
mortal' is glowing within his youthful breast,
and he bows an humble worshippcr even at the
Threshold.
Does 'the spirit say write" and ask you,
"what shall we writer" Weanswer: write truth
"Pierce through the thick veil orthc senses"
INTO the magazine of thought; aye, deeper, INTO
the labyrinthine maze, and bring forth the hidden
treasures. Draw from the secret cells the
chrysalides, and let the light ofday perfect them
TO bright winged forms of beauty. Let him
who labors IN the cause oftruth faint not, but
let his faith be strong that he shall yet gain his
reward! Truth cannot "return voido but must
accomplish that whereunto it is scntn' The
newborn thoughls-the mystic fancies, may
find no visible appreciation in our own circle.
but away in the desert waste, or the trackess
wilderness, far from the haunts of men, the
worn traveller or the tired hunter, may light
upon them, and feeling they are truth, his heart
will leap with joy.
Ills hard 10 crush the flesh to cut off the /;