Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-10-21
NUMBER 80.
TILE DEVIL.

Start not, most timid reader, al the
name of this thine old acquaintance for
why shoulds't thou be frightened at tho
name Of so familiar and popular a char.
octer? Thou has known him from thy
youth up--a good looking and courteous
Ipersonage, who could tell thee, OF many
a forgotten Renaissance Of thee and thine
and who is, wlthal, one of the blandest
and most aflable creatures in the world.
He moves in the best society, is rigidlv
scrupuIous of his outward appearance, and
prldes himself no little on his knowledge
Of the human heart. Polite TO fault, with
a voice Of the richest tone, and an eye Of
the brightest glance; bewilchng by his
smile, and enhancing by his eloquence
with a mind laden with knowledge and
overiowing with light, he has ever been
one OF the most popular and influential
characters OF the day. Fnll often has he
taken thee by the hand, and led thee into
green pastures, and by the side of still wa
ters, willis! thou, poor deluded SOUL imag
| ined tbyseIf in the society Of one OF 'Hea.
ven's elect"
And yet thou tremblest at the mention
OF his nome-and the very idea of contact
with him blanches thy warm cheek, and
fills thee with terror. Mistaken soul -
on The pages Of the primer, and on the
tablet Of thy mind, this gentlemanly and
accomplished Devil is painted, perhaps, as
poor feshless body, gaunt and grim,
having eyes Of fire and feet that are clio.
ven; with horns growing from his head,
i and barbed arrows from his mouth; with
long tail Of many folds behind, and
long arm with many claws before, in short,
! "A monster of such frightful mien,
To be hated needs but to be seem"
tell thee, reader, such picture is Il
gross SANDER on the personal appearance
OF the Dark Prince. He is "back, but
.comely, o ye daughters Of Jerusalem, as
the tents Of Kedar, or the curtains of Sol.
omon."
Herein, thou shoulds't know, is the Sc.
cret of his power-the charm of his life.
Delormity has no attractions. Men are
not drawn into any snare by repulsive and
sickening leaders. They will not-unless
barbarians indeed Worship at the shrine
, of any monster. No. He who would
lead them captive must array himself in
purple and fine linen. So at least thinks
the parsonage in question, and he acts ac.
cordingy.
|. He comes in the gilded habilments
Of pleasure. With smiling face and light.
some step he trips along, followed by a
gay and thoughlless host, who sing and
dance along the road 10 ruin, unconscious
of their danger, and careful only of imme.
date and palpablo enjoyment.
Lured on, step by step from innocent
recreation 10 unlawful indulgence; from
unlawful indulgence TO gross liceniious.
ness; from gross licentiousness 10 loss Of
self respect and utter icckiessness with
besotted mind, and broken heart, and
withered body their polite and lascina.
ting conductor leaves them at the portals
Of the grave, where a press OF other bust.
ness oblges him TO bid them polite and
afiectionaie good bye, Promising-the on.
Iy promise the decetful wretch keeps--to
meet them on the other side of the grave
2. He comes in the flowing diShaJiIls
OF the Ider With jounly air, q mind at
peace with oil tho world, an enviable in.
/ difference 10 all the storms and Gains of
life, an unwrinkled brow and a spotless
hand-he alures many sons and daugh-
ters Of industry from their toll and soon
teaches them to look upon work as bur.
den, and industry as disgrace. Cunning
and crafty, art thou, indeed, oh Devil,
with Thy oily tongue and bland address,
and thou dost truly erect the busiest work.
shop in the brain ofthe idle man.
g. The devil comes also in the "sober
black" Of hypocrisy. Gentlemanly, in.
deed, is he in this lavorite character. 10
cowl and gown, with smooth face and
smoother speech, he walks cautiously be-
fore the people, and gathers into bis dark
fold many a wandering sheep. Sympa-
thizing with all sorrow, subdung all pas
sion, regular in attendance upon Church,
loudest in exhoriaiion and longest in pray
er, he soon wins upon the heart Of the
!. credulous, and ingratiates him into his
black art. The name Of his followers is
legion. Ii needs not oh reader, that we
describe them 10 thee for thou knowest
them TOO well aleady. Neither is il ne
, cessary that we should show up the too
fascinating Devil in any other suit from
his many coored wardrobe.
In conclusion, see 10 il, oh ye people,
that ye look not for his majesty as horn
ed and bloated monster, but rather
blooming and accomplished courtesan.-
Not in rags, not in delormity, but in pur-
pie and fine linen, works he about all thy
paths, and lurks he about all thy hearts.
II. CLAP, in.
nA-EIl;s Runinu,on md William Eng