The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-05-22
mis- BELLA II &WWS
THE BALANCES OF LIFE.

calmly and carefully into the various phases
of human existence, in analysing the bills
of mortality, and comparing the changes
and chances that occur in :he fortunes Of
the rich and the poor, the proud and the
humble, that despite the broad contrasts
chat appear on the surface of things-des-
bite the fact that the many seem miserable,
and the few happy, comparatively speaking,
The enjoyments Of this world are more nice
1y baianced, more wisely and eqnitably di-
vided, than the superficial are apt to imag-
inc We now speak i'll n general sense, and
not with reference to individual eases. The
position, too, as it seems to us, is rational.
Why should the few b. favored at the ex-
pcnsc Of the many3 Why should hand
full Of human beings be selected out rs the
recipients of the high favors Of fortune, of
aIealth and happiness, to the neglect Of the
millions? Why should the rich by nheri-
tancc, or by some sudden turn Of prosperity,
be eminently contcnted in mind, and ex-
cmpt from the ordinary cares to which flesh
is heir, and the multitude, equally upright,
intelligent and vir,uous, be subjected to
every species Of anxiety and anguish? 1t
is not so. Sucl, law would conflict with
the benefcent principles of the Author Of
our being, and the Ruler Of the World
1t would chill the heart of philanthropy,
and deaden the incentives to virtue. 1t
would discourage the lover Of this, and re-
tard the onward march of humanity. But,
we repeat, it is not so. The cnjoymen:s of
life are nicely distributed and wisely bal-
anced. However desirable wealth may be,
however power and place may he coveted,
it by no means follows that either is incvi-
tably associated with happiness. And as
suredly not, when the means Of attainment
have been tortuous, unfair, unnanly or dis
honest.
We are among those who believe that
while virtue has its own reward, vice is sure
to be accompanied or followed by an adc-
quate punishment And thus, we hold the
doctrine that, however dizzy the elevation,
or however Croesus-likc the wealth, there
cannot be ease Of mind, calm of spirit and
repose of conscience. if fraud and treachcry
and crime have formed "tlc rungs Of the
ladder" through which tile elevation has
been attained. Nay, in the very supposed
hour Of enjoyment and Of triumph, some
unseen, some unexpected calamity will be
sure to track the footsteps of the ambitious
and the avaricious. Sickness will come
with its debilitating and paralyzing influ-
ence, the loved ones Of the soul will be
borne away in the arms of death. sudden
expose will darken and overshaJow reputa.
ton, and thus life. although apparently
golden and giittering, will be hollow, emp
ty and vain. On the other hand, the mod
crate in circumstances, but the pure in
heart, the individual who is Of cheerful
and contented spirit, who is in the full en-
joymcnt of health, and of NIL his faculties.
who is regular in his habits, and correct in
his social discip!nes, who has 10 gnawing
adder of reInorse eating away at his con-
science, whose sleep is deep and tranquil,
and whose making moments are free from
self reproacl,-surely such person, and
there are thousands and tens of thousands
of such in all the walks Of humble life, is,
comparatively epeaking, happy and an
nnvied being. lie appreciates his position,
is grateful for the blessings he enjoys, and
while prompted hy laudab|e desire to at
tain an independent position, he does not
fret his soul away in bitter jealousy at the
success of others, and would not, for the
mines Of Golconda, wrong friend, malign
neighbor, defraud fellow creature, o,
darken lis memory in all time 10 come, by
the perpetratton Of any base or unworthy
act
True, he may live for years, and only live
He mny find it difficult to save anything fo
arainy day; aud at timcs-for such is thu
human iot-lle may have his trials, hi
temptations, his anxieties and his pangs
BHt, with due reliance upon self and upor
Providence, with a consciousness that all j.
right within-with the proud satisfaction
tbath the grave should claim him to-mor
row, he would pass away without darl
spot npon his character, perpetual sun
shine may be said to play around his heart
~ etlsefis'ize his mind aud spirit, and tt
rob even care Of It's irown. It Il titus, ".
cDntsod. shat The hopes and the pleasures 8
ne afe nicely and wisely balanced. aoI
the osher hand, how many temptations i
wealth subjected 70, from which poverty i
exempt -ssmptaiions In thousand Torn forms
tna s6l6dfssihs afineni Ttl,eniselyes do d MS
rsaliss un,il TO la.a sgrasss. is:no create
cusSe inc This world 4safau IdseneAsr xlisfe q
b6G ssb!s haaa @ dan IN d s;dler.- Ii
sshsE k,olssn tie yiufim 81 Bad b habitsaeo
ths6SAy Of morbid sant:ies. suiss ipfsri6i;;