Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-02-16

| the periods of mmortalIty-but Its tnoughts
like divirging rays, spread themselves A.
broad and far, far into the boundless, the
immeasursble, the infinite. And these
dlvirging rays may be like cords to lift it
up TO heaven. What aglorious thing then
is this life To know its wonderful Au.
thor--to bring down wisdom from the etcr-
nal stars-to bear upward its homage, its
gratitude, its love to the Ruler Of all worlds;
what glory in the created universe is there,
surprising this? Thou crownest it with
loving kindness and tender mercy; thou
crownest it with glory and honor thou
hast made it a little lower than the angelic
life." Gen. Hamilton said Cesar was the
greatest of men, but DIR. Jefferson in the
true spirit of philosophy, had almost said
of christianity, gave the palm to Locke,
Boyle and Newton-oh what glorious men
the connecting link, as one of them has
been pronounced. between men and angels.
Am asked, then, what is life? ] say.
in answer. that i: is good. God saw and
pronounced that it was good, when he made
it. Man feels that it is good, when be pre-.
serves it. 1t is good in the unnumbered
sources of happiness around it. II is good
IN the ten thousand buoyant and happy at
fections within it. 1t is good in its con.
nectioa with infinite goodness and in its
hope Of snfnite glory beyond it. True, our
life is frail in its earthly state, and is often
bound down with earthly burthens; but
still It endures and revives and fourishes;
still it is redeemed from destruction and
crowaed with loving kindness and tender
mercy. Fral too, and yet strong. is it in
its heavenly nature. The immortal is cloth
ed with mortality, and the incorruptible
with corruption. 1t is like an instrument
formed for heavenly melody, whose mate.
rails were taken, indeed from the moulder.
ing and unsigbtly forest; but 10! the hand
Of the artifcer has been upon it; il is curi-
ously wrought; It is feariully and wonder.
fully made: it is fashioned for every tone
of gladness and triumph. 1t may be relax
ed but it can be strung again. II may send
forth a mournful strain, but It is formed for
the music of heavenly JOY. Even its sad
ness is pleasing anu mournful to the soul"
Even suffering is hsllowed and dear. Life
has that value that even misery cannot de.
stroy it. 1t neutralzes griei, and makes it
a source of deep and sacred interest. All!
holy hours of suffering and sorrow-horrs
of communion with the great and triun'l h
ant sufferer-who that has passed thr ugh
your silent monents of prayer.and re lgna-
ton and trust. would give you up for oil the
brightness Of prosperity!
Ash have discoursed upon this theme, it
is possible that some may have thought that
it has nothing to do with religion that it is
subject merely for fine sentiment and fog
nothing more. Let me tell such thinker,
that this subject has not only much to do
with religion, every way, but that in fact il.
furnishes test Of our religion. To the low
minded, debased and sensual this life must
doubtless be something very poor, indif.
fsront and commonplace it must be 4
beaten path, dull scene shut in on every
side by the earthly ,palpable and gross. But
break down the barriers of sense, open the
windows of faith, fling wide The gates that
darken the sensual world and let the light
of heaven pour in upon it-and then what
is this life? How changed lsit! how newt
new heavens and new earth, antlcipa-
tins the time ofSt. Peter Yes, this earth,
which binds one man in chains, is to the
other, the starting place, the goal 'ofin-
mortality. This earth which buries one
man in the rubbish of dull cares ana wea-
rying vanities. is to the other the lofty
mount of meditation, where heaven and in
fnity and eternity are spread before him
and around him. Yes, my friend, the life
thou leadest-the life thou thinkest of, is
the interpreter of thine inward beng. Such
as life is to thee, such thou art. If it is low
and mean and base-ifit is mere money
getting, or pleasure-seeking, or office.crav.
ing life-so art thou. BE thou lofty-mind.
ed, pure and holy, and life shall be to thee
the teginning of heayen-the Threshold Let