Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-11-07
Gurrespauhiug Ghitur's Department
R. G. STAPLES, 4 BROOKLYN, N. Y.
L. G. RIGGS, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
For the Spirit of the Age.
DELIGHT.
BY HENRI A. KENDALL.

-
All delights are vain, but that most vain, winch
with pain purchashed, doth pain inherit.
We rise as with the eagle and soar away NJ
as if we were to live in the ETHEREAL regions, !,
and with every power exercised IN accor =
dance with our idea of what will please III !"
the most. we are borne on with rapid striues' )"
until the fuel is exhausted, and we ma our I
selves destitute of the means to bear us on /
ward in that course that we had hitherto
possessed; the delight is turned into a swamp,
and the point to which we have arrived is
nothing more than a point, a name nos 10 DC
felt nor enjoyed.
1t may be looked upon as a shadow whose
appearance is most beautiful to the eye, ana
whose delineations can charm the nina, Dut
when the image is removed no trace nor out
line can be discovered, neither can the mlnu
with all its reflective powers, call into exls-
tence the inspirations originally received,
they have fed as with the shadow and the
remembrance is gradually lost until the
brittle thread is broken, and all appears as
vanity.
So it is with delight it is with an emo
ton inspired by some act or association con-
seuuent to our physical or mental organlza-
ton. in accordance with the development
and culture of the combined influence of the
animal and mental faculties over others, and
when in the most healthful state, the pur-
suits cannot fix the emotions permanent and
active after the association or employment Is
changed.
There may be delight in gratifying the
appetite with something known to be deli
cious-something suited to the palate, yet
this delight appears as vanity, when once the
appetite is satisfied so it is with the delight
furnished by the social or mental propensl-
ties. as long as there is a demand for action
in order to obtain the object in which, or for
which we are to be delighted.
The enraptured mine Of a Newton, in
prosecuting and discovering thelaw of grayi-
tation, from the mere incident of observing
the falling of an apple, to the more overpow-
ering thought of those vast planets IN their
orbits, by the same power throughout, could
not satisfy or satiate that mind, with the
constant outbursting Of delight, during the
progress and discovery of that of his, and
mankind's acknowledged importance,-his
!, power failed him and as old age came upon
him, he would look to his discovery and point
away to the planets and exclaim, al have
learned but a child's lesson,I have bu
gazed upon planets, while thousands OF thu
sparkling CRIBS are unseen. | have spent m,
life in gathering pebbles from the shore
while the ocean lies before me unknown"
AS it was with Newton, SO it is with ever,
student or lover Of knowledge. They fin
delight, but that delight is vain, when witt
a glance and thought the mind is convince'
it can do but little-know but a little at th
best the same with the philanthropist, an
all whose time and powers are devoted t
the well-being of themselves and mankind
They are conscious that it is their duty, an
that it is but poorly done at the best. Hence
if that delight is vain which has its origl
in right, that delight is more vain which
with pain purchased, and doth pain inheri
The origin of such is in a perverted state
seeing and doing things.
We are astonished to see the differer
sources from which many persons are d
lighted. 1t is purchased at the expense
pain to themselves, as well as to those wi
happen to be the object of their action al
it is delight only when it causes pain, an
only pain.
That this delight is vain, more vain til;
the first spoken Of, is evident from the efe
and continuance. When the mind is ell
ployed and working through the organs in
perverted state or condition, it receives ne
and additional strength at every effort, ca
requires additional strength thus %increasil
the labor in a ratio at every step in ord
that the emotion may be supported while
intervals comes the consciousness of t
character of that delight, which overwhell
the mind in gloom and sadness, ~increasi
in the same ratio with the delight receive
This is the case with those who are deligI
ed by the gratifying Of the appetites. III
the man who pains himself to drink into
eating drinks for compGny's sake, purcha
his delight, his emotion, with pain, and ii
delight is vain, and doth pain inherit.
The same with the gratifying Of the
sire of superiority, if that superiority
founded in doing good or evil, there i.
delight, but it is vain which purchases su
riority in doing wrong, as it inherits pain
The same occurs with every faculty Of
mind.
Let US ever seek that delight which COZ
from doing good. A mind with such obie
IN view, will soar away above those narl
and contracted possessions and grapple "
things which yield harmony and beaut,
all created matter, whether it be animate
inanimate, making the very earth reioic,
the stirring emotion of delight in the hear
man.
This IS the delight sought by the phi
J, thropist, the scholar, or the man of sciel
and their delight has broken the chat
:. bondage, unfurled to the breeze and |
- waftcltoa al parts Of the Garth; tie truths
T. principles inherent to all mankind, are
flor clared with reason and earnestness,-
hidden, mysterious, and powerful operat
our W.. : iI"u0 SupSerNlent TO the WI
the man. With steam as a power, the W:
itb bound, and the winds obstruct but in '
The first is made to echo back the GLAD
he Spouse, the cars are coming" The Ii
!n1ng drawn from the heavens by a Fran
IS made to bear the news from city to
cells 49, rne = ocean 10 ocean, In It's r
use 3" i"ye vi Ohe sun are made to
hill go upon d piece OF metal the form
den +;c,i 1T Inu Ianuscapes, as well as the b
- marked by the dIfe
Drn. has arrayed before our vision, to beautifv
delight US.
ten Then we will no more strive for tina
and light which has no good, no noble obie
the view but be guided by pure and holy
tor. not inherit pain.