Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-02-28

dear friends since my Tong silence should
scarce be broken up With a mournfui wall
over the ~thoughtless folly that sometimes
darkens the pathway Of the young. Aye,
YOU must bear with me, and il bring for
the time n sore heart and a sad face to our
weekly reunions, you must only remember
that every heart knoweth its own bitter
ness, and realize afrcsh that in this world
for none is reserved the cup Of pleasure IN
which no bitter less remain. And who shall
dare to say this is not weEg We would forget
20 rejoice in the genial warmth of the golden
Sunlight if ne Threatening cloud ere swept be-
tween. We should cease to look down with
such wondering delight in the beautiful heart
of the hlushing flower If it were forever sway
ell by the evenings zephyr wings before our
vision. The rosy flush, the bounding step
and gleeful shout Of infancy would become
shorn of their interest il time did not braid
his silver threads through their raven curis,
or death did not step in with his cold, and
still and awful contrasts. And we should
thnnklessly surieit ourselves with the rich
behests of Heaven without q recognition OF
the hand from wheace they came, if in some
way we were not reminded of their original
source.
As [ write | begin to feel what | have been
tryinr So hard to realize for many weeks
mast, tllL liG ~ SUN u Wgtllllul, blON2h lChA
Iul mystery, with its responsibilities and
destinies-that tho world remains full Of evi.
dcnce Of our Fathers love and to rejoice
hat even my heart, dark and full of repl-
nings though it he, is still blessed with the
power to perceive and appropriate some OF
those evidences to itself.
can never feel thankful enough for the
influences Of Christianity which have been
around my early years. They have not
only sustained me when the tide of life was
obbing slowly way from those dearest t
me-when the shadow of liie's sterner reall
ties lay ia that pathway which had beer
smpcthcd by tic hand Of watchful affection
but without them in the souls dark hours
could discern no beauty, no poetry, no melo
DIV in connectiOn with the azure skies, twink
ling stars, bectljng crags, surging seas Q
the ever varying pleasures pervadlnS 01
social qualifications. 1t is through this bliss
full medium that animate and inanigate nj
would hecumc onerous bUrdons. She adds
brighter radlauce to the hour of joy ITSELF
She edges the dark cloud of sorrow with
silver thread. She chaunts q dulcet strai
over the mutlbiIity of earthly hopes. Sh
imparts strength when we staggcr meat
the burden we bear. She smiles q sweet an
holy smile beside the death-bed, even as tn
~ . NNhAN'b BoSo WI, NV tOl nv gray
of earthly love points away off to a HON
where sorrow aud suffering ne'er can com,
Perhaps, amid your youthful dreamings, IN
dear girls, you have never realized all thi
But should you live to see, one by one, yor
cherished hopes swept away-your aspir;
tons dimmed-your confidence d~estroye
and liie's duties, that now wear but tt
seeming Of u garland to be Sreathed abo,
the heart or cast aside at pleasure, assume
sterner and more e~xacting aspect, we'll i
deed will it be if We can fail back upon tho,
promises Of our God, not one jot or title
which can ever fail. Well will it be if
can turn to that fountain head which new,
dries up and quaff those waters which alol
can slnke the fevercd spirits thirst. W.
will it Lee for each and every one Of our lit
band if Heavens choicest beacon flame sha
stream across the dark waters of death al
light our barks into that sure, and safe, u,
happy hsrbor where, their devious wandC
inSs DER, they can repose in blissful securi
through all eternity's unfathomable ages.
God in Heaven bless you, my dear, de
friends, now and forever. Good night.
LORA.