Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-01-10


receiving .skim-milk'' cheese at the high
price of WOOL
The DEVIL.
Start not, most timid reader, at the name of
| this thine old acquaintance: for why should st
thou be frighte ned at the name of 50 familiar a
character2 Thou hast known him from thy
youth up good-looking and courteous per-
sonage, moves in the best society, is rigidly
scrupulous Of his outward appearance, and
prides himself no little on his knowledge of the
human heart. Polite to a fault. with voice Of
the richest tone, and an eye of the brightest
glance; bewichingly by his smile, and entranc-
ing by his eloquence; with mind laden with
knowledge and overaowing with light, he has
ever been one of the most popular and influcn
tial characters Of the day. Full often has he
taken thee By the hand, and led thee into green
pastures, and by the side of still waters, whilst
thou, poor deluded soul, imagined thyself in
the society Of one OF ''Heaven's elect.''
And yet thou tremblist at the mention of his
name-and the very idea of contact with him,
blanc,Ies thy warm cheek, and fills thee with
terror. Mistaken soul! On the pages Of the
primer, and on the tablet of the mind, this gen
tlemanly and accomplished Devil is pointed
perhaps, as poor. fleShleSs body, gaunt and
grim, having eyes OF fire and feet that clo-
ven; with horns growing from his head, and
barbed arrows from his mouth; with long tail
of many folds behind, and long arm with
many claws before; in short,
-ssa nonster of such frightful men,
As to the hated needs butto be seen"
roll tha render srch Il Dicture is u gross
slanderer on the personal appearance of the
Dark Prince. He is s-blact, but comfy, o ye
daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of kedar,
or the curtains of Solomon"
Herein, thou should's know, is the secret
of his power, the charm of his life. Deformity
has no attractions. Men are not drawn into
the snare by repulsive and s!ckening leaders.
They will not, unless barbarians indeed, wor-
ship at the shrine of any monster. No. He
would lead them captive, must array himself
in purple and fine linen. So, at least, thinks
the parsonage in question, and he acts accor-
dinghy.
l. He comes in the gilded habliments Of
| pleasure. With smiling face and lightsome
steps, he trips along, followed by gay and
thoughtless host, who sing and dance along the
road to ruin, unconcious of their danger, and
| careful only of Immediate and palatable enjoy
ment.
| Lured on, step by step, from innocent rec
reation to unlawful indulgence; from unlawful
indulgence to gross RIGHTEOUSNESS; from gross
licentiousness to loss Of self-respect and utter
| recklessness; with besotted mind, and broken
heart, and withered body; their polite and IA
cinating conduct leaves them at the portals of
the grave, where q press Of other business obE-
ges him to bid them polite and afcctionate
goodbye, pronising-the only promise the
deceitful wretch keeps-to meet them on the
other side efthe gravel
.. He comes in the flowing dishabiUe of the
Idler. With jaUnty air, mind at peace with
all the world, an enviable Indifference to all the
storms and cams OF life, an unwrinlled brow
and spotless hand-he allures many sons and
daughters of industry from their toll, and soon
teaches them to look upon work burden,
and industry as a disgrace. Cunning and Graf
ty art thou, indeed, oh Devil, with thy oily
tongue and bland address, and thou dost truly
erect thy busiest work ia the brain Of the idle
man.
3. The Devil comes also. in the sober black
of hypocrisy. Gentlemanly, indeed, is he in
this favorite character. In cowl and gown,
with smooth face and smoother speech, he
walks cautiously before the people, and gath
ers into his dark fold many wandering sheep.
Sympathizing with all sorrow, subduing all
passion, regular in attendance upon church,
loudest in exhortation and longest in prayer,
he soon wins upon the heart of the credulous,
I L., MI
name of his followers is legion. 1t needs not,
oh reader, that we describe them to thee; for
thou knowess them too well already. Neither
is it necessary that should show the too fas-
cinating Devil in any other suit from his many
colored wardrobe.
In conclusion, see to it, oh We people, that
ye look not for his Majesty as a horned and
bloated monster; but rather blooming and
accomplished courtezan. Not in rags, not in
deformity, but in purple and fine linen, works
he about thy paths, and turks he about thy
heart.