Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-05-07
ODD FELLOW.
For the Southern Standard.
TIME.

" The bell strikes one. We take no note of time,
But from its loss. To give it then tongue,
Is wise in man. AS if an angel spoke,
| feel the solemn sound. If heard Alright
1t is the knel of many departed hours
Where are they With the years beyond the flood
1t is the signal that demands despatch
How much is to be done !''-Young's Night Thoughts.
"When tits eveneng, we say twill be fair weather;
for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be
foul weather to day for the sky is read and lowering
Oh We hypocres we discern the face of the sky;
but can yc not discern the signs of the times !'-An
Old Book.
To observe the time correctly, and the signs of the
time, is the ultimaum of wisdom; provided the OBJ
server improves each fleeing moment it passes.
have been led Mr.. Editor, to look at this subject
from what have seen and heard in Columbus since
my sojourn in it. In the discharge of my duties as
Scribe, have made it point to visit almost every
niche and corner of your city. have learned useful
lessons in the richly furnished parours of the aiuent
and philosophical in the novels of the poverty srick
en- have mingled with those "whose eyes stood out
with fatness,' and gazed with silent wonder upon
others low down in poverty's vale. Both, the one,
and the other complained that time fingered that
passing moments, like mighty incubus, lay heavy
upon them. Why then is it, that he who is surroun-
ded with wealth, and drinks deep from the worlds
preferred cup of pleasure together with those in PEN
ury and want, should both feel that time, yea swift
wigned time, presses sorely upon them. Behold here
is mystery that nature cannot fathom. An ingma
that would forever remain in obscurty were it not for
one book the book Of books-the 'old family Bible -
In this book together with the sanctuary of God we
may learn thousand useful lessons.
1t is by the Bible alone, that the great inigma is
soved-the question answered Why is it that
differently situated agree in asserting that time is
burthen to them! 1t is because they "know not the
time ;the signs of the times, neither heed they the
improvement that they should make while time on its
swift wings is making its fight. 1t is this book that
informs "that time is short that man should
'walk in wisdom, redeeming the tme,' and that they
should redeem the time, because the day S are evil
1t is the Bible that unfolds the mind of enquiry
and research the reason why time SO sluggish
y with those who live in povertys vale, or abound in
wealth, and more amid the enchantments of music's
'voluptuous SWELL" repose upon downy pillows Of
ease.
| have often been astonished in passing along the
streets to hear menntellectual beings possessed OF
faculties capable of investigating the laws of nature
as illuminated by the word of God-of grasping in
the beauties of earth, and of reading the name and
attributes of the Deity, in the shining orbs that hold
their nightly festivals in the wide spread canopy re-
greet that time was so slow in its pace, and wish for
some excitement to kill it Off
The artillery of the Press and the Pulpit may be
leveled, well aimed and discharged at the ballroom
the theatre, the card table, the drinking saoon and
host of other time killers but still they will contn.
ue to exist until men learn the Importance of time
and to so number their days. to apply their hearts
to wisdom.
If you ask one of those on whose hands time ap.
pears to linger to walk with you and behold the beau
ties of nature and wisdom of God as displayed in the
spreading leaf, the twining vine or expanding bloom
you will receive answer have no time nor taste
for such proftless employment
Ask him to go with you and read the records of old
time itself, egiby stamped upon the pages of the
pre-Adamte EARTH and he will tell yon that such q
volume is too inspired for him.
Ask him to go with you to the house of mourning
or to administer to the relief of the faherless and
widow and his response will be, have neither time
nor means thus to squander
Again, ask him to go with you TO the house of God
and there learn the end Of all the living and that there
is Pear Of great price,, that is capable Of satisfy.
ing the longing desires of the SOUL and Of preparing
It for bliss 10 future world. and his reply win beno