Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-09
Woodland Reveries.

Woodland Reveries.
We love the silent woods where none arc
near to speak to as but the whispering vol
ces of nature as they 60 up in a soft voice Of
praise. The sturdy trees are faithful senti-
nels, the breezes, the birds, the clear brook
and chirp of the cricket make melody, and
an through the green arches of the forest weA
catch glimpses of the blue Ocean on high,
whose gentle ripples play about the throne
of the Maker. There is no fashionable wor-
ship away in the deep green woods-no gilt
tering silks or sparkling jewelry-no twist
ing to see how a dress fits, or what is the
texture and probable cost of what a pew
Reighbor wears. Gods sermons there are
not in studied phrases of the modern studio,
nor do the choir of birds await the fantasies
of a costly organ. The eloquence of Jehovah
is seen and heard in every trembling leaf and
blade, in the warbling of untutored songsters
and murmur of gliding brooks, in the flash
of the deadly fire cleaying the sky. and in
the %groaning thunder leaping from cloud to
cloud. There, stretched upon the green
grass, the heart can go so close to Heaven
that in fancy the low humming Of angel
wings is heard tanning the sweet winds Of
! Caanan's hills, and dream oftke folly of fash
ionable worship and realize the truth that
it endureth but for a day.
The summer sun never shone brighter than
it does to-day. Thank God it cannot be made
= an article of merchandise. Sordid specula-
: tors in stocks cannot buy up all the blessed
sunlight and sell it out at forty per cent. 1t
falls free from the blue heavens above. The
dusty threshold of the hut is as light as the
clean marble of the gorgeous palace. 1t falls
as brightly on the green grass of the poor
mans yard as upon the exotic plants of the
Nabob. Could Ayariee convert it into gold.
how many a pale cheek in the novels of the
!: poor would lose its last tinge of health and
the languid eye grow dim in the gloom Of
Q death 1t hath never been known to take
wings and fly away when misfortunes befall
one Of earth's pilgrims. 1t shines for youth,
= manhood and old age. The old pilgrim is
not driven out into darkness by sordid Shy
- locks who have swallowed the golden wealth
which shone on brighter days forever fed.
ng
- "What happy things are youth, and love, and sun
shine!
t a How SWEET to feel the sun upon the heart!
a To know it's lighting up the rosy blood,
And with all joyous feelings, prism-hued,
ne Making the dark breast shine like a spar grot,
til We walk among the s~unbeams as with angels"
"LETME REST" said an old pilgrim, as he
I'VE seated himself on a rock by the side of the
bit path. He was dusty with a long travel, and
OF the sweat stood in drops upon his wrinkled
ion hPoU Tho cool uiDdS y, Iin1Iv frop, 4ba
aid hill and lifted his thin and silgery locks. His
nes eye was dim-the fire of youth hadlong since
I'VE gone out from it, and as he looked towards
SO the setting sun his trembling hand was held
tn at his brow to shut out the beams that were
bed too piercing for his feeble vision. Ali the
ele- old pilgrim waswearv. he had seen the suns
up gilmore than four score summers. One by
SEQ one he had seen schoolmates, and friends,
tue and kindred 90 Down to the grave and he of
60 ~ that might be read with profit: ne nau
seen youth, manhood, joy and sorrow, and
ave now the busy world needed him no longer
all, He was in the worlds way. A full bour the
hat old pilgrim sat upon the rock until he was
lille rested from his toll, and then with his trusty
ems staff he assembled the hill. His bending fran,
ren stood out clearly like a picture drawn on tn
blue canvas of the sky and the sun sat ava,
: beyond him. We shall see the old man n
more-he rests on an earthly pillow; for i
the graveyard, among the poor strangers, h,
Rs has a claim to six feet of earth. He wa
OF a weary but he resteth now.
Ma THERMOMETER OF l01l! No wonder th
the denizens Of the crowded cities are fleeing t
stry' the country for if man, sayeth the Poet,
and "Would read a lesson that will keep
;+b His heart from fainting and his soul from sleep
Go to the woods and hills. No tears
rove Dim the sweet look that Nature wears
nus BLOOMING ON THE OTHER sIDE.-How man
we hearts must be touched by the following swet
=. little gem. There are but few of our reader
who have not lost sight Of some flower the
0'S loved, but it is cheering to think that thc
are blooming on "the other side":
"uo1 Even for the dead I will not bind
wise My soul to grief,-death cannot long divide;
,r ~ For is it not as if the rose that climbed
My garden wall had bloomed the other side ?
" GENIUS when uncultivated, like the rie
800 est soil, springs up in the rankest weeds; al
instead Of fruits and olives for the comfort
- man, produces for the slothful steward
ga abundant crop of the rankest poisons.
ding "WHEN I get to be a man l will help 20
land Grandpa" said a little boy to an old m
eller, hopolhs oh ms crotch ana stan. Uraho
will need no help from the child then f
long before, the crutch and staff will be Ia
a.. down at the threshold Of the grave and t
- old pilgrim will be forgotten.
g Old HONEST and smiling faces are not alwa
% .rse the index of a generous heart. Ashark m
ward play beneath the waters sunny surface.
- If stimulating drinks were necessary to t
comfort, health and happiness of Gods err
alton, ton, would He not, in His wisdom, have 81
Bib piled them ready distilledP He coret.
rIb;; : the "sparrows' even. If they had been
signed for beverage use, rum, wine and br