Smyrna times., 1856-07-16
Original ArtttIe,
Written for the Smyrna Times.
The Love of the Beautiful and the
Spirit of Home.

MAN, though fallen from his pristine purity
and perfect holiness-though lapsed in sin and
lost to much of the moral grandeur and true
greatness of soul enjoyed in his " first estate"
is still noble being, blessed with aspirations
for real worth, and faculties equal to the lofli-
est aims. Ay, there are still some traits in his
character-some sentiments in his soul-some
feelings in his heart which, when cultivated
and developed, stamp him with a majesty almost
divine, and prove him the legitimate offspring
of eternal Truth and Love.
And of these traits-these sentiments-these
feelings, the most remarkable and striking are
the iOUe Of The beautiful and the spirit Of home.
They are feint features of the Divine image
which have never been fully erased from the
human heart. They are lingering lights of
beauty and bliss which show us our high origin
and lead US on through the mazes of life to the
fruition of good. They are the sacred gen,i of
life, and light, and love, that lift the soul in a
measure above the sordd things of se<se, ava
ken its latent energies, brings out its dormant
beauties, prompt to persevering effort for the
promotion of its own best interests, prepare it
for the reception of religious light and write
excelsior" on the cgis of its faith in letters
OF fire.
Wherever they go-whereVer their genial |
influence is felt-wherever their dictates are |
Obeyed, pure virtue smiles, the social sympa-
thies are quickened, the affections flow with a
purer, holier freshness and fervor, and man be-
~ ;ttlo I,cl
harmony and happiness in himself-full of sa-
cred intellcctions, noble impulses and lofty |
aims, fitted to enjoy life as it is, and able to
render it brighter from his own deep moral re-
sources-by his own pure creations of love.
The lore Of the beautiful elevates and re-
fines the human soul, and, in some degree, as
Stimulates it to the high and holy nature of its
great Creator. The spirit Of home awakens
its dormant affections, chastens and weds them
to virtue; and though it does not clasp their
tendrils around the Eternal Throne, yet by d.
recting them to objects OF real, sterling youth,
and attuning their deep-toned chords to the
mild, melting melody of fireside Joys it softens
their .urgid swells to sweetest harmony and
renders them susceptible to the tenderest touch
es of Truth
There is, doubtless, no person in the world so
utterly debased and brutalzed as to be entirely
devoid Of the tOUe Of the beautiful, or fully free
from the mellowing charms of the spirit OIL
home. Their combined influence is seen and
felt in the commonplace scenes of everyday
life, and all, all, to some extent, enjoy its hap
plying social power.
We 90 forth in " the city full " or visit " the
country SPARSE" and we everywhere behold the
masses of mankind busy in the great battle of
life. The learned barrister, I" with curious eye
Of nice inspection keen," pores over his musty
tones, and serves his monied clients with un-
firing zeal. The Doctor marshals his pill-boxes
and nobly dares to assault the ruthless messen-
gers of death. The merchant rises early and
sits mp late, and taxes the best energies of his
body and mind to succeed in his pursuit. The
mechanic, with stout heart and iron will, sal
lies forth in the morning and makes the envi-
roDs vocal with the music of his work. The
plOdding plowman 4" drives his team afeld and
pGrsues the tOilsome tenor OF his way with a
cheerful mir aud heart full OF hope. And why
all this stirring activity! What are the lead
ing Incentives to this assiduous toll Are they
not the love of the beautiful and the spirit of
home!
We con the history OF the past, and we look
out on the world around us--we see everywhere
the traces of progress and the mementoes of
ndefatigahle ciIort The pyramids still stand
IN massive majesty and defy the tooth Of time.
The remains of ancient art in every land speak
Volumes for the noble moliyed industry of ages
meats Of enterprise aud lofty aims. The relics