Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-01-10
GaOirs' Department.
FOR II SPIRIT OF THE ACE.
THE SOCIAL CIRCLE.

Il u "a = " " \ 49,
TO LoRA, FLORA FLAvILLE, N INEz IRVING:
Dear Girls: As old Time in his rapid
fight has brought US to the close of another
year, it is natural for us all, to take a retro
s~pective glance into the past. / have drawn
my little desk to the window, thinking to in
dnlge in a long, undisturbed r~everie, and to
write you Of some of the past. But it is such
q beautiful moonlight night, and SO inviting
TO a rambler, like myself, that / am half In
clined to throw aside pen, ink and paper, and
roam at pleasure. But
"Memory stands sideways, half eover'd with flowers
And restores every rose, but s~ecretes every thorn"
I turn then to the past. Oh there are fan
cies / could wish buried forever but no
Memory still loves to linger on each moment
Of happiness, to Irvine its power around my
heart and Danish the present from its throne.
How many times have / built the airy castles
Of fancy, and prayed to find them all realized,
and productive Of pleasure. Would that |
could weave q wreath Of never fading flowers,
and each flower be a token of happy hours
that cannot be forgotten. All those memo
ries fond and dear Of the past, how they
crowd my throbbing brain, and steal over my
senses with persuasive tones alluring me on.
Memory thou art a golden link Of the past
with the present y zephyr hat forever plays
aroucd the heart OF man q sigh that tells
80 sweetly Of bye-gone hours.
But are there no painful associations p
Does this year close with the same number
of beloved ones around us, rs the last Yes,
I look around and feel that among the famil-
lar forms and faces around me-, | miss two
In imagination | see them, far away in the
spirit land, singing praises to the Lamb of
God. Sister and brother 1.-TWO that loved
on earth are not separated above. Must we
complain Of the Providence that snatched
them from us in the bloom Of youth ? No;
if the toar glistens in our eye when memo
nv recalls the past, the smile of contentment
succeeds, for we know they are far happier
thar we. n n n n 1t is Christmas now,
and rs we gather around the social board,
two that partook with US last, are missing
Oh Death but wherefore should we complain,
for there is a bright eyed Willie come to take
the place Of the loved and lost.
Perhaps there is no time which calls forth
more reflection, than the close Of the year.
We remember we are marching to another
home, either Of happiness or misery, and
wonder If W G ore nearer the homo of our hope.
Another year is added to our experience, and
all our works, whether good or evil, rise in
imagination before US; and according as we
have sown do VIC reap. We remember the
many blessings we have enjoyed. and our
hearts rise in silent prayer to the Giver of all
good. There have been seasons of affection
and sorrow. Did we murmur against " our
Fatherl" We answer no. But often-timcs
was our heart sick and weary, when all that
it held dear had fled, never to return. Then
came the appeal to God. 1t was unanswered
our own prayer unheard. "Our Father"
forgive, when wemurmured against Thyright-
eous decree.
But another year is ~dawning, and with il
noble resolyes-resolyes that perhaps cost us
many u weary hour, in ~humbling the heart
and which we should strive to maintain fol
each broken resolution weakens the menta
power Of guarding and governing the heart
Hope and fear rests alternately upon the
brow. But why need we feari Surely W,
caunot fear to resign cur all into the hand
of our Creator, for another year. Let u
hoppe on, nope ever J Philosophers deem 1t
wise motto, and we cannot be injured b.
adopting it. True we have seen sorrows, bu
ON the other hand we have been blessed.
And now, dear friends, my reverie is over
and / awake to sober realities. Not Away
sober though, for oft times my heart is ligh
and free, and l wonder if there is anothe
such happy little girl as I. With a happ
New YEAR to you all, | must write-Goo
NIGHT. MATTE MAY.
Elm Wood, January l, 1855.