Spirit of the age., 1853-05-04

She future! The shadows ofevening are gath
oring round your way, and soon, to you, the
sun Of life will set to rise no more until the
morning Of the resurrection would you
close your eyes in peace, as that sun goes
down in unclouded brightness you see
the sons that have grown up around your
hoarth-stone, go forth strong-armed to the
battle Of life-would you see your daughters, /
the light of your eyes and the JOY of your
dwelling as, one by one, the tendrils Of
their affections loose their holds and turn to
to twine around some new idol, find that Of
fection and support in the trials of life, which
the parent tree can no longer afford ?-whils
the light of life still fingers, come with us
and let the experience of years and the Wis
dom Of age be given to the cause of virtue
and humanity.
Iappeal to you. fair woman-by hatbright-
est jewel which survived the ruin Of the fall
by mothers holy love, by the remen-
brance Of weary watchings, and trembling
hopes-by all the bright expectations you
cherish for the son your hopes or the broth
er Of your affectons-by all the melting ten
dcrness which stirs the deep fountain of your
affections as you gaze on the face of your an
gel child you turn to the dim future
with dark misgivings, as you remember how
many bright promises have been clouded,
how many hopes crushed how many trusting
hearts broken how many homes made desc
late, by the trail of the serpent bid US God
speed on cur mission Of mercy-cheer US
with your smiles US with your ap-
probation, and let your prayers ascend to
heaven for blessing upon our labors and
oh by all the gentle cords Of mothers or
sisters swe ct influence, seek so to train the
generation committed to your charge, that
III I'll ell &l,r
way, Hey may rise up to take the places, wor
thier and better champions of the oi
truth, than those who have gone before them
Young mani | appeal to you-standing
upon the threshold Of life, a bright future
spreads in the far distance before you. Your
pathway appears strewn with flowers, bu
alas they only conceal the thorns that arr
TO pierce and wound you at every step. Like
the thoughtless mariner, who launches upor
summer sea, you are eager to spread every
sail to the favoring breeze, nor dream OF tn
hidden rock whore so many gallant bari
has foundered ; or the tempest which ma,
be already gathering to Overwhelm you. Lis
ton to the mournful voice of the past AM
learn from it lessons of wisdom for the fu
ture-of thousands who have entered the rae
with the brightest hopes and the fairest pros
poets, how few have ever reached the goal
lureu Dy Jne encldnUtneHtS Ol Gle oyTcIIJ nov
many have turned aside, or fingered by tn
way, until her silken fetters became manacle
of brass, and the despairing victim has a
wakened, only to find himself hOpelessly an
forever lost. Come, then, before you hav
yielded to the destinations of the serpent, o
felt his icy coils closing around you, and en-
list under our banner. Go forth from thes
academic shades, not only rich in the classi
lore of the past, but armed in the panoply {
truth, and enter, with high and noble resolve
upon the conflict of life. We who are pas
sing away, have been but the pioneers
mark the field where you may achieve
nal and glorious triumph. Another gener;
ton will turn their eyes to you with cage
expectation let not those expectations
disappointed. Lift up the Banner, upc
whose ample folds is inscribed the mott
Love, PuriG and Fidelity" and bear it {
to peaceful and universal victory. You mf
not be greeted with the acclamations of Il
multitude, nor crowned with the blood-stai
cd wreath which encircles the brow of Il
warriOr-but richer reward shall be you
tho recollection of we'll spent life
peaceful death-and name enshrined in t
affections of the pure and the good, throu
all coming time.