Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-04-09
For the Spirit of the Age.
Endurance IDA.

RONhSA Ah VIM /
rance, but it is the source of the most active
energies. Thus 1t is essential to all ~intellec-
tual achievement. Only through patience is
knowledge acquired. Though the apprehen-
sion OF genius may be maryellously quick,
the great fundamental truths of science are
the results of this virtue. We are not made
acquainted with nature By inspiration-the
glittering volume of the Universe is not
open to be read at a glance. We learn some
thing of its f~ullness only through the dis
clpllne OF severe induction. Long must
Culver study the crumbling fossil and the
broken bone, ere he can reconstruct the gi-
ant forms of vanished epochs long must
Newton pace the solar track and toll in
the twilight confines of the system ere he
can detect the law that binds atom to atom,
and the universe to its centre. Long must
LeVerrier swing the pendulum of calculation,
ere ne can measure the march of the unseen
star. So in the intellectual field they have
been most distinguished who have meditated
most-whO have projected their plans from
the silent depths of the soul. And so with
those who have moved the worlds heart, and
changed the aspect of humanity-the Apos-
ties of truth and of love. They have acted
~strenuously, yet their real life was not in ac-
ton, but endurance. They learned to over
come themselves to endure as we'll as hope
all things; and thus were enabled to act
powerfully upon Observation-Disclosures
they nourished the still seed of thought in
the sunshine OF reason and with the aid of
prayer. But let us consider Endurance as a
power within itself, and as an attainment
of the highest practical excellence. In the
common circumstances of life, in the issues
OF every day, it not only becomes US to act,
but to bear and even to suffer. How many
Things there are In our sphere of laborand of
duty, which we can not help. In physical
accident and pain; in our social relations,
In our spiritual wants, woes, and trials how
much that we can neither restrain nor him
der. But as these bear down upon US,
harshly and heavily it may be, there comes
voice which says Be patient! Action
Will not avail anything. Your strength, so
lmpetuous and so confident, will fail you here.
You can't change these things they come
upon you and surround you with a power
greater than your own.'
You are stretched upon a sick bed. The
business Of life summons you to be no and
doing, the springing year with all its plants
and possibilities awaits you, and various in
terests demand your utmost attention. Yet
in the midst of all, you are stricken down
by the dull hand of disease-you are pros
trate, you are helpless, you must give up.
The tangled web of business must drop from
your hot and nervous hands, you must lie
down under the pleasant sky, with the soil
cltous cares and the turmoil of active life
murmurlng by you you must lie for weary
days and long nights, inactive and suffering
Now what Is 1T that you need? Evidently,
acton is impossible. Nay, impatient, stri
wing to forestall nature; to put by the nurs
ing hand and the healing draught, and risC
and master the disease, and to be in your felC
OF labor, only binders recovery. What then il
needed? What is not only the great dut,
but the true policy? Why, simple, obed;en
endurance. Or again business does not o,
well with you. A venture fills, or som4
sharp disappointment intrudes, and 10 YOU
tattering promise is spoiled. Your conf
dence has been betrayed, the resource yor
looked to had not met your expectation--th
reason is backward--the sunshine and tn
ram do not fall propitiously--in short, you
skill IS bat1ed, your strength is impotenl
your action is all in vain. But you still pos
seSs 9 maEHeI9as power, for if you canine
enable you to bear, to hope s~erenely, believin,
tnat ohe wiser and better than yourself hold
the balance OF nature and the visisitudes {
human effort. And there are trials of
sterner kind than these trials that cove
existence with u veil Of mystery. For som,
dispensations of pain are lifelong. The
have been called to endure the most extrem
suferlng-dlsease of body, distress of mind
1ears OF sickness they have known, dragge
out under all the ills Of poverty, as it were
a lingering death of ages, ~infusing soul TOT
ture In every limb and organ, yetleaving th
spirit conscious of all. Poor, emaciated no
ings, they have sat down in their desolat
MONIES TO hear the vigorous round of life mas
by them, to see the pleasant sunshine Of a
the lace OF nature, and yet to feel that ever
hour brings some pang. And when we hav
looked upon such and seen how thew coul
bear; heard them under the torture Of li1
lnS-death, singing hymns of celestial meel
ness and seen by the light on their face
In what a calm atmosphere their spirit
dwelt; and have borne witness to that ore,
patience springing from their lips Fathe
not my will, but Thine be done Have v
not felt that there is a power in enduyonc
greater than IN action, and that men who ca
weld armles arc not so strong?
There are those whom as it were. death h,
haunted. This shadow has lain UNKNOWN
upon their path, their cherished objects ha,
oeen claimed by him-he has said of th
and OF that bright fower-he has said
though an memorable fate spoke throua
the mouth OF doom: 1t is mine; mine
blight and to gather it is yours to mourn
ihey have bent around the graves of the
oead, again end again they have put on tn
sackcloth of lamentation, and sat down !
the ashes Of their hopes. And as "
nave beheld the widows calm face and IL
clasped hands that say | trust in God
as we have seen that bereaved mother wit
all the agony Of her heart TRANSPORTED int