Spirit of the age., 1853-06-01
The Battle of Life.

Mans career through life has most antlv
been termed sCartare-a battle-it is indeed
one of many conflicts, fierce encounters, and
rugged trials. From the cradle to the grave
he is beset by dangers, disasters and death
requiring the utmost Vigilance and watcbfuI.
ness that he be not Overwhelmed by the per-
lis that surround him. The occupant Of tbo
lordly mansion as well as the son of poyertv
has to battle manfully against the manv
snares which begirt his pathway, and Herr
indeed is he that wages a successful warfar.
against the many ills by which he is surroun-
ded. How prone is the human heart to rrn
after things attractive and pleasant in appear.
ance, though viper is known to be lurk;n,
beneath the beautiful exterior; and how bs,5
is it to resist the promised pleasure even
though it be known that its attainment will
be purchased by sorrow and anguish Of
heart
The BATTLE OF WEALTH-surrounde bv
its thousand seductions-its lack of incentive
its want of resolution-how hard is it fo,
the child of affluence to break through the
temptations to Incidence and rise superior to
the gilded, deceitful trappings surrounding
him, determined to be MAN-whO will adOrn
his age and leave an impress on the history of
his generation-and how few of this class
prove sufficient for the struggle Alas they
grow weary, after a few impotent resolves
and cushioning themselves on their abup.
dance they sink into listless cnnui, mere drones
in society-caring neither to bless or be bles.
sed. Why need | struggle for distinction and
usefulness-have not all that heart can
wish Soul, take thine ease eat, drink
and be merry, for thou hast much goods in
store for many years" The world is little
better that such a man has ever lived in it.
THE BATTLE OF PovERTY-How fierce and
bitter is the warfare which the son of penury
has to make in his struggles for usefulness,
and distinction. How eagerly he pants for
the living streams of learning and science
how wistfully he gazes upon the far off Tenn
pie of Fame, and catches an obscure GLIMPSE
of the illustrious names registered upon its
sublime portals. But he is chained down by
the relentless hand of poverty and want and
the divinity within him struggles to be freed
from its bondage. With a resolute heart and
an iron will, however, he determines to rise
superior to the obstacles in his way, and step
by step he advances to the desired goal-
Many bitter conflicts has he encounter-rug-
ged mountains Of impossibility rear their i'm
pregnable heads to battle him in life's stern
battle, but slowly he ascends their sides and
plants his foot in triumph on their summit.
EXCELSIOR ! glitters in the coronet of fame
he seeks to grasp, and again he scales the
giddy heights vet before hm-and thus over
coming each obstacle as it presents itself, he
stops not till he laves as it were in the ocean
of light and knowledge. His proud genius
then looks disdainfully upon all vanquished
opposition, and as he recounts his battles Ger
again, laughs derisively at the mole-hills that
he had magnifed into mountains.
II is " him, ana sucn rs lie, the wUTll owe.
all its knowledge of the beauty and useful
mes of heaven, earth and sea, and to them tho
: world looks forward to still greater triumph.
and glory by the interminable research o.
:, =, mind. Wealth may boast of its ease and lux
ury, its glittering show, and pomp, and par
ade-but the lofty genius, struggling for de
livery over the feeble candle or ruddy pine
knot glare, in the humble cottage,wi sprin
forth, developing new lights, new sciences
new truths along the brilliant pathway ofex
: cellence and glory, remembered, honored an,
= praised. While the driveling debauchee ant
= lordling, will have gone down to an obscur
= and ignominious grave, the victor-wreathe
Genius Of Poverty sits enthroned, where
: " The burning thunderbolt of human Thought
'e That sends the living light of Truth abroad.
If And dashes down the towers of Force and Franc
Andawes the trembling world like oracles OF q cd!