Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-12-03
LADIES' DEPARTMENT..
Written for the Spirit Of the Age.
TO THE SOCIAL CIRCLE.
Sabbath Musings.-No. 8.

0dDDabA 4AAoAA'
This one startling fact, then, admits
neither denial or evasion The certain
~ of death to each and every member OF
the vast human family. Ignorance as to
the exact day or hour of this summons,
will avail nothing; for since every days
demonstration proves that sooner or later
it must and will come, the only rational
view to be taken In connection with its
ineyi,ablcness is, the necessary preparation
to meet it peacefully. Did We possess
equal certainty of being called upon at some
indefinite period to take along journey for
the purpose Of establishing a well founded
claim to some vast estate, would the doubt
as to whether the summons would arrive this
month, or the next, or next, induce us to
fold the arms in tn. INDECENT security of,
time enough yet? Or rather, would not
this period of uncertainty be diligently en-
ploycd in investigating and arranging the
claims Of hcir-ship-in examining the
perils Of the voyagc-studying the manners
Of the people we expected to mcet-and
would not the acquaintance of any one
possessing power to throw necessary light
upon the undertaking, be sought after and
cultivated with ayidityI Would the doubt
even resting upon the result hinder the ex-
ercisc Of every mental and physical energy
calculated to obtain the golden prize in
view? Mcthinks not. And yet, should
this uubounded possession be won-should
gold glitter freely and the glare Of gorgeous
magni6cience fash on every side upon the
dtzzlcl yision-should the usual accom-
plnimont Of subtil aattery from fawning
sycophants break in dulcct notes upon the
car, would the ever restless spirit find even
in this richly gilded challice of brilliancy
aud adulation nectar sufficiently pure and
inspiring for its thirstiest hour? Or from
the very acme Of its glittering and luxu-
rious enjoyment, would not some portion
steal away from the mercenary influences
which fetter it aud assert n union with
something of q more ethereal nature?
But suppose we concelo that it does fill
up these spiritual vacuums, that the heart
leaps, and CLOVIS, aud overfows ever III
supcrabundant gladness at the display Of
earthly glory with which it is surrounded
can the vast glittering pile brought togcth
or, influence the hue OF the finest hair OF
the human head, purchase an hour strength
for the palsied limb, or buy one brief mo
mcnt's prolongation of life Wealtl
which has been too often obtained by tn
sacrifice Of all freshness Of youthful f%eelin
aud honest integrity in matured manhood
instead Of afFording happy reflections fc
the advent Of age or gliding the horizon
.waniug life with its e~ffulgent beams, shrouC
the radiance of its smile and suffers i
most devoted ~votaries TO go unchcered an
unsustained by its presence upon their dol
ful why. What power, then, lies in j
mere possession, to renCer dangers ligt
difficulties UNDECIDED, character ~yaluele'
and obstacles but idle toys. Aye, it
but a gilded phantom at best and VIII
most needed most utterly fails.
But death is an inheritance to which
uncertainty is attached. We know its
fallibility that there is no possible hum
cxcmptiQpDn and il IN 94eeggNdSeetttBessss BEST T% feseSr1
With the fact ever before US that this jol
uey through the valley and shadow of dea
mus: be taken, and that not one OF tn,
TO whom the heartstrings cling viii b.
US company on that lone voyage, surely t
voice of wisdom would teach us that pre-
ration for it were fit employment for
highest energies Of life. And is it
strange, that us rational crcatures-cla
ing n calm, discriminating Judgment
lowed with the highest order of reason.
faculties and ability to discern the t
from the false, is it not strange that r
scss,rs of all these high and holy mer
gifts, yet like the flowers of the field VIII
to day blooms, tomorrow will have pas
away, should fritter a probationary lft
pursuit of golden butterflies, whose bea
contact furnishes, or rainbow-tinted /
blcs which burst in the grasp
1t is perverted sensibility which VIC
seek To thrust such thoughts away, bccf
they sldden the heart, unless joined '
this boosted acuteness of feeling were
the giant power to hurl back deaths d
in defiance. The knowledge of an in
table event, instead of producing silly re
ings which avail nothing, or a DISPOSE
to Danish the fact from the mind, sh,
awaken n desire to investigate every Il
connected with it which would serv
strip off the gloomy garb it wears, and n
il in more becoming raiment. Thcl
nothing in the CHASTITY face, the rigid f
the snowy winding sheet, the narrow c
with its secure fastenings, or the cold d
grave, to effect this. And then the Ct
ing worms, amid the siekcning mas
noisome corruption until it has all sh
away from the grinning head and hard
bones, drives the contemplating mind
ing from its search after one single II
light to mitigate its horrors. Aye,
the past splendors which glowed ar
the pathway of the fallen victim, cor
gid his present home, or by contra
they not help to deepen the gloom {
abode? Pleasures, fame, wealth, "
transient and ~eycnescent greatness, 81
pas away, nor leave a trace upon the
ing waves of time which they part,
Above, beyond, must soar the enqr
spirit and where, oh, where, it v
asks, must it turn? "ForeveI anc
evcr'-echocs back from cternity's !
but brings no solace in its awful re
Deeper aud with moro startling earne,
the search must be renewed.
L0T
Marriage Of Senator Douglass. A
from Washington, dated Thursday,
t,Julre Douolass was married. IN,