Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-22
Gnrrrspanhing GAitur's 0fpnrtmrnt.
R. C. STAPLES, # BROOKLYN, n. Y.
For the Spirit Of the Age.
Blessings brighten as they take theil
fight.
BY HENRY A. KENDALL.


In the nineteenth century, when it is
-elafipeedu thaatv agaSgistfaaRef9Af Sii IS h9aAftR4A t. alb thff
blessings bestowed would be properly appre-
ciated, and enjoyed in a manner that they
could not brighten after the time, for their
enjoyment had passed but experience and
observation prove to the contrary.
We are human beings still, and posses the
same weakness as have others on whom we
would Tx our eyes, as not having made a
proper improvement of their Advantages
The careless manner and indifference in
which WI are apt to look upon our position.
result partially from pride, but mostly from
the fact that we do net think of their cost
and our duty. We feel ourselves quite i'm
portant, and entitled to notice without regard
to merit. We shut our eyes against the
great first cause of privileges and blessings
bestowed; and enjoy them as do the swine
that are eating the apples as they fall from
the tree, without looking up to see from
whencet they came. We make ourselves sinh.
born to the inquiry, by constantly receiving
the overlooking blessings of a kind providence
and friend-this constant enjoyment supplies
our nature with a source for evil, and if a
slight bitterness oyertake US, we are ant to
attribute it to some unknown and mysterious
cause, and hope for the better.
LII lllS nlahner we are carried along the
voyage OF life, as if it was always to be a
smooth and unruifled stream. The pride of
our spirits is such that we would fain think,
that 1t would not be becoming to our nature
and noble self, to acknowledge an act direct
ly for our benefit, as it would place US in too
humble a position. We drink. we eat. we
enjoy our health, friends and parental care.
as well, as a Republican form of Government
and yet many apprize those blessings. moth
ing more than a right belonging to them.
Time rolls rapidly by. The midway Of
life is passing All gone! We look upor
the spot of our existence and how surround
ed. What have We to call our own. or what
power or force have we to command and en-
force their continuance for one SINGLE mo
ment Another moment, and they are gone
we teel thirsty, we have naught to drink. We
feel hungry, we have nothing to satiatc thai
desire within the earth is parched. Goo
has spoken! Our form appears lanouid, dis
ease overtakes us and friends are few on
parents are gone to their resting place. AM
then, how bright does our path appear a
we have journied along? How vivid on tn,
tablet Of memory is the cooling draugh
from the ripping brook as we earelcssl,
drank. VI what value the DESTROYED youl,
be TO stop that gnawing hunger. Yea, tina
"HhO W. ohOuSuG worthless at the tIme-
how dear to US are those friends whose coun
sells we despised, or closed our ears bv mat
tention-how fondly would we acknowledr
the favors now. when some evil has oyert9
ken US their worth appears more brioh
than when enjoyed. How dear the sno
when cast away among strangers, %enioyin
the cold formalities of an unthinkino worlG
IS the place OF our childhood. The parenta
care, the associations Herewith connected
now beautiful! The vine that overhung tn
piazza, the fruit trees that stood within tn
yard. the grove on yonder hill, the ioyfr
hmpld stream as it bounded from the stee
over the pebbles and stones in its windin
to the %rivulet, their beauty appear to stan
as monuments in the memory, of the parer
tai blessings bestowed upon US. What Lar
guago they pour upon our reflective minds
they repeat to US the early history of gu
lives, they tell US of the Joys of innocer
youth, they reprove each angry word spoke
to father, mother, brothers and sisters an
remind US OF our mis-improved moments
How strong IS the tone in which they repe:
the blessings we have enjoyed, how brigl
they now appear, when they have fed the
lustre will far exceed the most ioyous pre-
ent. Like the Grecian and Roman temple
always brilliant, and yet never have beel
until they were trodden in the dust. Tht
from the pride of our spirit, we rush onwal
i from step to step, looking for, and asking f