Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-06-27
For the Spirit of the Age.
The Social Circle.

4nO OOCAG4 NA4SAS' Lo
Twas a calm, sunny evening. had na
been sitting on the doorstep, reading a DR.
beautiful extract from the Knickerbock- hs
er; aye, and it was SO truthful, Ipaused 0
to think upon it again. "The joys of in
Life" All! 81 shall not soon forget of
this piece mentally exclaimed |, as sV
laying aside the book | turned to look lie
upon the fair landscape before me. "
The sun was setting ; slowly sinking a
behind the dark forest which festooned -
the western horizon, and it's golden =
rays brightly gliding the tops of the I
trees all around. Long shadows we're a
cast upon the hill sile, andiN.the groKe =
a few bright rays eEhghtened the dense
shade. A deathlike stiffness reigned, I
excepting now and then the gentle
rustling of the leaves. All, calm and
holy was that sunset; warm and bright
that Summer eve; = but brighter far
were the fancies fitting DER my mind.
The fancies fitting DER my soul,
No language can portray
Ever Frightening as they roll
Onward to brightest day.
The uncertain future, with all its
hopes and fears, was before me. One
hope, resplendent with the joys of the
past and still burning. brighter, lured
me on. | closed my eyes to the outer
world and sank into delicious r~everies
of the heart, | was blessed my life
thus far had glided smoothly on, like a
day-dream. Akind, e~ver-watchful PROV
idence has guided me, leading me gent
ly through the guileless years of child
hood, the gay and happy ones Of school
girl life. And now [ stand upon the
threshold of a new existence. The
world as yet gaily smiles upon the new
conner. Pure and noble h~eartssurround
me, and | greet neW-friends and faces
daily. Yes, bright and happy seems
{ nay life voyage, but l may not see the
! lowering clouds gathering in my still
cloudless sky. IT'S well. A kind Provi-
Il dence guides me there. [ can but look
= on the bright side. Why turn from
: the glorious array of sunset beauties il
. the West, to the few floating clouds il
the Eastern sky?
|; But a gentle hand IS laid upon my
:. arm, and looking up | see the sweet
&c mild countenance of cousin NJ, bending
Vi over me. CHOW do stop dreaming 70
a while" is her laughing injunction, a
J she leads me forth for our usual evenin
W. walk. Soon we enter the grove, an
- look around for the most interestin
II we move IN. Cousins eyes are fXe
upon a little enclosure, off from til
,oJ beaten path. Somehow the grass
" torn up within it, and a few white rose
are visible through the railing. Apail
ro,. full truth flashes upon me. Iremembe
~; a young and lovely cousin, early CT
down and who SAUNDERS beneath tt
n59 damp, cold clods of earth yes, and
g noble young brother is resting quiet
'nu by her side both awaiting the resu
reetion mora, when mortality shall p,
in on Immortality. So young, so pur
100 living and loving on earth, they are n
700 separated now. We lean upon the raj
ing, and gaze steadily upon the new
r. made graves; while faithful memory
busy recalling the faces of the dea
Happy hours OF ~chlldhoOd'S merry Ii
nc rise and pass before me. Gay scene
If in which the two sleeping ones partic
~ pated, are called up in all their fres
= ness before me, from a heart where {
IS that is beautiful slumbers.
But | forget my companion. Fl
&c tears are scalding her cheeks, and h
NJ whole frame trembles with grief. VIII
would | not give, to possess for this ono
10 the power to breathe a few words
~ comfort, to soothe a wounded hear
~ but | cannot speak, | am choking wi
~ grief. With a long lingering gaze i
on the resting place of the brother a
Il, sister, we turn and wend our way to t
r;S Sroad. A group of children with buc
ant hearts await us. How changed t
scene. There sleeps corruption, a
here is life, active life.
L Elm Wood. MATTE MAY
The METHODIST CHURCH SOUTH has j
published the tenth annual report of its n
sionary Society, from which we learn t