The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-03-21
.H. For the STANDARD.
EVENING MEDITATIoNs,

One evening while medtating on circums-
tances, connected with passing events, the con-
dition of man, and tho almost unlimited sway
he exeris over his fellow creatures. imag-
ned myself elevated far enough above this
little world to witness all that was passing up
on it. What busy world behcld? 1t SEEM
ed to consist of hurrying confused mass of
individuals who were constantly running into
each others way, and it mattered not how
much they infringed upon tho rights of others,
ifnumber one was taken care of
While situated upon an eminonce beheld,
"with my minds eye,' many objects of inte-
rest; some of which will beg leave to men
ton. saw worthless Demagogue perched
upon a stump, haranguing q vast multitude.
who stood with open mouths TO swallow every
word uttered by their Loader and amidst
their shouts and cheers; as he pronounced the
names of Washington, Franklin, and LaFay-
cite as mere School Boy Politicians--he turn
ed, and whispered to himself, how easily
can deceive them. Again my attention was
arrested by the ringing of the church bells
which indicated that the Sabbath had again
appeared. Although but few seemed to real
ize it, as day God had designed for worship;
but merely for amusement, and various were
| the ways in which they sought IT, Some were
seen vending their way TO the billiard rooms
or grog shops; while others whiled away the
precious hours in C ling, or receiving calls
and visits, and conversing on tho fashion and
folos of the week-many of those who had
set out for worship, seemed striving to excel
| the other, in jewelry and ornaments of various
| descriptions, and with a conomptious glance
passed the poorly christians by, as if to say
stand aside; "for am holier than thou"
saw the greater portion of tho inhabitants of
China, Burmah and Hindoostan, were bowing
| to Idols, or casting themselves beneath the
wheels of the mighty Juggernaut, to appease
as they supposed, an offended Coda craven
image, the workmanship Of their own hands.
Nor did misery end here. In fact nearly all
of Europe, Asia and Africa were governed by
tyronical Despots, who were inficting upon
their millions Of Serfs, the most barberous
punishments, according to their own win, but
among these benighted regions there were
bright spots, inhabited by Missionaries who
were laboring if possible, to convince them of
true and living God; and to instruct them
in the ways of virtue, and usefulness. I also
beheld another bright spot on the face of the
globe, termed the land of Liberty-gently wa
wing her banner over free and enlightened
Nation, whose laws were established by the
people, to protect her country from the wrongs
she might otherwise have to encounter.
But even America is not exempt from op-
pressions; although she has long professed to
be an asylum for the oppressed, of every ma
ton; yet she still retains upwards of three
millions of slaves in bondage. / could but
mark the contrast as listened to the songs of
freedom, chanted by the free of the north and
waited on the breeze until it mingled with the
cries and lamentations of the south. All tho't
I, when will slavery, that awful curse to land
5f freedom havo an end? When will that
spirit that is barrelled and bottled to extin-
guish the temporal and spiritual life of man,
be known only to be hated' When win Idol
airy coasoi When will man leave his Golfers
of gold and silver and no longer bow to Nam
monf Ali golden age is sighed for, yea
looked for, when man shall understand himself
and learn of reality, that il is not all oflife to
live, nor all Of death to die. ALICE.
Somerset, March 1854. .8 a1em !