Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-03-17
True Affection.

Can there be anything in this
world of tears, so lovely, so beauti~
ful, as pure and true affection? Is
there any gift of human excellence,
any virtue so rare or so strong as
disinterested lovel Wander the
world over, and thousands of broken
fragments may be discovered. once
embodying tokens of attachment,
apparently imperishable-fond hopes
blasted by the GOODNESS of self-inter-
est--prospects bIighted by those
once revered and loved. But now
and then we meet the soul-stirring
light OF truthful, faithful attachment
the star-lit brightness of deathless
love-av, now and then we behold
the reality Of those transactions,
which fancy has traced in the dim
shadows OF the nightly vigil--we see
the embodiment of the poets most
bliss(ul dream, quite enough to con-
vince US that heaven has not yet
separated from earth.
Take the world at large, mingle
in the mighty stream that ever flows
onward and onward; look upon the
mass of discordant and opposing
principles, as they float everywhere
around, and we are at a loss 10 solve
the question of human responsibility.
Each striving for himself, men forget
the whirlpool beyond, and struggle
only ior present good. We should
suppose friendship ga name," and
truth a sophism, discarded forever
without thought or consideration;
malice, hate and envy abounding.-
The mocker Of holy things, the
gambler, the drunkard, the licentious
all passing under different and
fictitious names, and so received by
the pure and good, that one wonders
if truth does eriSt. But happily,
amidst this mass of corruption,
heaven throws a beam of its own
effulgent and glorious presence, lead
ing US by its light TO some blissful
retreat, where every feature Of an
gelic excellence may be found. Yes,
we are not left without some exam
plies Of pure friendship, Of devoted af-
lection, oil transcendant virtue, Of
unwavering constancy. Few and
far between as they may be, they
yet grace this vale Of sorrow and
trial, and like roses in the wilderness,
shed the fragrance of their virtues
upon corrupt and unworthy man.
Let the oak be riven by the light
ming bolt to its base, the green and
lovely ivy will still cling to the
blackened stem. So let storms Of
anguish come; let men deride and
mock, and scorn, and defame; let
wealth flee away, and all that goes
to make up the enjoyment Of life;
let poverty and shame come; yet
there are bright beings who bend not
to mans suggestions, who yield not
TO the all-powerful sway Of passion
or prejudice, but calmly look on,
with fearful eye it may be, but with
an unalterable purpose, neye,. to for
sake. Il is a purpose which alters
not with the altered purpose OF
another, but is faithful and true to
the last. '.,.-
Such principle and such fdeli-
tn are transcendehtly portrayed in
the character Of RUTH. of whom
we read in Holy Writ. Ii is not 8
picture, as artifcially delineated by {
brilliant fancy OF warm and glowing
imagination. II is a real scene, pre-
cious because exceeding rare. Gaz'
upon il; it is farewell scene. =
NAoMI, ORPHALI and RUTH from thu
interesting group. Sorrow and sad
ness rested upon each BROWNE
smile graced the lip, for death hat
been IN their midst and left then
alone in the world. NAOMI woulc
return TO Israel, bnt her daughters
in-law, being Of the land Of tn