Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-11-12
The Approach of Dawn.

There is something SO cheering 10 the first
ray Of light, following the darkness, that
forms matter for profitable c0nsilerssbIn.-
The contrast existing between the iDifnenee4
the darkness invariably spreads esSer the
mini, and those cheering and comfo1table-ir-
fluences which light is calculated to- inspire,
we delight to contemplate. There Is scarcely
one, whose present position in prosperity, and
whose vast hlstary contrast with the present,
who does not with delight look upor. abe frst
ray Of the Light of bcrter days, a2at often
. draws the contrast between the scenes of the
mind now presented, and those of ky-gpne
days the lonely hut, the seanty Esseta, sie
many cold AMI wretched nights, spesAs lib that
iIl-furnished home; the anxiety, the s,rruws,
are still fresh in the memory, AMI the senbJect
of this desirable change in life is st once
ready to contem plate the contrast existing be-
tween that dreary night in the history VI life,
and the bright d1y Of the present.
The poor orphan, who, friendleSs szxs &c
iected, after successfully applying For a
warm shelter and protection from the p%elting
storm, amid the darkness lays himself down
to pass the night on the cold flags, sleep. re-
fuses to alleviate his wandering Of m5nd and
its attendant anxiety, he looks for the byeak
of day, his only comfort is the hHYe Of .
bright sunshine to follow the darkness that
now ntueS ifOm his VISION every lH8aG THAT
might allure his mind from reflections upon
his pitifui condition. How Delighted is he on
beholding the first ray of light appearing in
the eastern horizon. The invalid who has
rolled upon the couch from one side s> the
other, and during q restless night of sRfSer
ing pain, and amid the ~tortures Of disease
tue mind rs afSeted, the spirits Oppressed a.
the dismal appearance of the sick cssaHabel
bursts upOn the view of the sufferer; the
darkness is slightly lessened by the Mcker
ing rush of light the cold damp air IS TEN
pered by a sInouldering fire, and by TIE din
light is seen the small round table by the sid,
of the couch, upon which are the visis con
tanning the various restoratlves, at the sigh
of which the heart of the afflicted sicEers.-
Dismal scene and the restless, CLASSY ey
looks anxiously for the approach Of dawn
and at its approach gratefully halls is aDi re
joices the long night passed by, the reflection
of the rising sun cheers that distressed beane
J The mariner after a night of fearful anxi
ETY. tossed upon the mountain wave, blow
by the fierce winds, has watched the henVIn
t of that bark and as the terrific clOu9 han
e over that vessel, and make night stiM mol
e awful, not a star to guide, not one FaJ
light on the mighty deep, no comfort ther
but hope all he looks forward to the al
proach of dawn, and when the light Of da
bursts upon that scene, the foaming btilow
the SCATTERING spars, the torn sails, the broke
ropes, yet the light, notwithst tndins tt
L sight, is calculated to drown the spirit:
really administered life and yigour to Il
L hardy crew the fearful night is past, Il
,e day has dawned, and by its light they c;
= discern the breakers, if danger is near tn
may be prepared.
And thus the various classes Of the hum
@ fa-~ilv rss1 q nxw-1ah 1f Hovwn 4
Us merry birds arrange their ~plumage and Sc
e. forth their thankful songs, and their melo
? seems to bespeak their gratitude to the A
:, thor of light. Thus all nature smiles at t
dispersion of darkness aud the approach
dawn.