Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-04-02
THE BALANCES OF LIFE.

tentiary for life.
THE BALANCES OF LIFE.
From the Pennsylvania Inquirer we take th
following suggestive article:
We have often thought, in examining calmly
and carefully int" the various phases Of human
existence, in analysing the bills of mortality AM
comparing the changes md The cIances that nc
cur in the furlunes of the rich and the poor, the
proud aud the humble, that despite the broac
contrasts that appear OH The surface of things,-
! despite the fact that the many seem miserable
and The few happy, comparatively speaking. the
enj"yments Of this world are more nicely blan.
ced more wisely and equitabIy divided, than the
superficial are apt to imagine. We now speak
in general sense, and not with reference to indi.
vidual cases. The position, too, as it seems to
US, is rational. Why should the few he favored
at the expense of the many! Why shuud Il
handful of human beings be selected out us the
recipients of the high f,vors of fortune, of
health and happiness, 10 the neglect of The mil.
lions? Why should the rich by inheritance, or
by some sudden turn Of pro, perity, he eminent.
" contented in mind, and exempt from the ord.
nary cares TO which flesh is heir, and the multi.
tude, equally upright, Intelligent and virluous,
be subjected 10 every species Of anxiety and
anguish! 1t is not 50. Such law would con.
fict with The brnefcent principles of the Auhor
OF our being, and The Ruler of the World. II
would chill the heart Of philanthropy, and dead
en- The incentives 10 virtue. II would discourage
the lover OF this, aud retard the onward march
of humanity. But, we repeat, it is no, so. The
enjoyments of life are nicely distributed and
wisely balanced. However desirable wealth
may be, however power and place may be cove
ted-it by no Means follows that either is inev-
tably assoclated with happiness. And assured
ly not when the means of attainment have been
torluous, unfair unmany or dishonest
We are among lhose who believe that willie
virtue has its own reward, vice is sure to be ac
comPanied or followed by an adequate punish.
nent.-And thus, We hold the doctrine that,
however dizzy the elevation, or however Closus.
like the wealth there cnnnot be ease of mind,
,altn OF spirit and repose OF conscience if fraud
Ind lreachery and crime have formed :" the rungs
1f the ladder" through which the elevation hns
been attained. Nay, in the very supposed hour
,f enjoyment and Of triumph, some unseen, |
some unexpected calamity will be sure to track |
he Footsteps of the ambitious and The avariciOus |
Sickness will come with its debililating and par-
Lying Influence, the loved ones of the soul
vii be born away in The arms of DEATH sud.
len expose will darkcn and overSIlndow reputa.
1on and dr!eP lh44 na; @ t 44Rd 4RodeFats in cifcam7
es, but the pure in heart, the Individual VII" Il OF
cheerful aud rontrnted spirit. who is in the full
ninym.nt of health, and uf ali his faculties who
y regular in his habits, and cnrrect in his social
Iiscipliues, who has no gnawng adder of remorse
atiDr away at his conscience, whose sleep Is
leep and Tranquil, and whose waking moments
ire free from prcach-surely such a per.
ION, and there are thousands aud tens OF thou
sands of such in all the walks Of humble life, is
speaking, happy and IN envlrd
,eing. Hc appreciates his position, is grateful
'ur the blessings he enjoys, and while prompted
,v Il !audable desire to attain an independent po-
,i,i ion, he does not tiet his soul away III bitter
calousy at the success Of others, and would not,
'or the mines of GoIconda, wrong friend,
nalicn neighbor, defraud fellow creature, or
iarken s memory in all time 10 come, by the
perpelraliun of any base or unworthy act.
True, he may live for years, and only live.
He may find it difficult to save anything Tor
rainy day; ind ut times, for such is The human
lot, he may have his trials, his temptations, his
unxirtes and mis- pangs. But, With due rell-
ance upon self and upon Providence. with
that all il right wilhin-wilh the
proud satisfaction that if the grave sh"nld
claim him 10. morrow, he would PASS away with
out dark spnt upon his character, perpetual
sunshine MAJ be said to play around his heart,
to etherllize his mind and spirit, and to rob
even care of its frown. 1t is thus. We contend,
that the hopes and the pleasures of life are NICE
ly and wisely talanced. On the other hand,
how many temptations is wealth subjected to.
fr"m which poverty is exempt-lemplatlons IN
a thousand forms. and which The atiluent them
selves do not realize until too late.-'rhere is no
greater curse IN this world than idleness-there
il no more miserable man than an idler. He
either is often The victim of bad habits, or the
prey of morbid fances His Imagination is
quick and active, he becomes miserable. and he
scarcely knows why The subject is a fruitful
one. and capable of many illustrations The
true Fhilan,hr"phy is to appreciate and enjoy the
comforts we possess, the blessings that are
youched to us, and not to wander after forbid
den fruits, covet cur neighbours property, or as
pire beyond reasonable bounds. II we look
around us, we will find that there are others lar
less favorable cirrumstanced than ourselves, ana
who vet are cheerful, conlenied and grateful.
There are certain laws which govern human
society, ellner OF ~uICH ~ S""''"'J
aud habilually will be attended with bitter con.
seouenres. This, all should remember when
examining their own cases, and complaining of
their own misforlunes Thus he who is habltu.
ally ,reacherous or false, cannot look for conf.
dence and respect on the part Of his friends and
associates. And thus again, he who is idle and
dssoute, will be sure, sooner or later to pay the
adequate penalties. And so TOO he who is care
less and neglecttnl, may look for carelsssness
and neglect, with regard to his family, his friends,
his business und his forlune-Each should act
according to his position. his means and his res,
possibilities, and with reference. not only TO self
and to times, but To society, and higher, holier
and happier condition in the life to come.
"Act well your part,
There oil the honor lies"
BIT LAND SPEcuLATuRs,-An affidavit has
been sent out from the Land Office bureau re.
curing al those who entered lands at the redu.