Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-25
For the Spirit of the Age.
Glory.

There is, in the mind of man, natural
love for glory, that stands pre-eminent. For
this he tolls and struggles, for this he ex-
erts every energy, and puts forth every ef-
fort. Some have been successful they have
mounted the triumpEal car, and drank from
the golden bowl; others pursuing it as ca
gerly, with expectations as high, when
seemingly about to realize the prize, have
seen it eude their grasp; despair has seized
them, and they have sunk into the ocean Of
oblivion there they have found a final rests
ing place.
Various and innumerable have been the
means devised to obtain glory. The warrior
seeks it on the battle field; in the deadly
combat, he bids defiance to danger, and goes
forth amid the roar Of war, and clashing of
steel to do mighty deeds-to conquer or die.
If he is successful and returns victorious,
his brow is encircled with laurel wreaths;
the harp celebrates his return, and Joy regns
in the festive hall. His name is heard in
distant lands, and when thev hear of his VIC
tories, Kings fear for their safety. His valor
has won for him renown. The towering mar
BILE points out to future ages the place where
the warrior rests. Grief may have often
bowed his spirit, and swept over his soul like
ocean pillows over some lone wreck and then
again bright visions may have caused his
heart to leap for joy; these are alike un-
known; but his name and heroic deeds are
recorded in the annals of history, and upon
the tablet of every heart. The poet takes
up the theme and sings in lofty verse of the
glory he has won. Has not the name of the
world-renowned Napoleon Bonaparte been
echoed and re-echoed from the shores of the
Atlantic to the Pacific for the last half CEN
tury or more? That mighty warrior, once
poor charity boy, rose to be an Emperor !;
he overthrow nations-all Europe trembled
at his nod-and although Napoleon was
hurled from power, his name is one of the
few handed down to US from a former gene
ration, as one who had arisen in his might
and won for himself earth's brightest honors
But not alone upon the battlefield has
glory been won; other victories, other tri-
ump phs there are. :" Is not he as great who
n moves senate, as he who commands an
G army?" Is a nation only in danger when
e engaged in conflict with an enemy in devas-
q tatinr war? There are times in the history
% Of every nation when its happiness and pros
! perity are threatened then arises some Pat
: rick Henry, and with deep, burning elo-
I quence kindles a fire In every b )som, arouses
IS his listners to action, and saves his country
S. by one giant effort. Such victories has the
We Orator won, and succeeding generations sing
V. his triumphal song. The great Calhoun
ye whose bursts of eloquence have echoed thro
os the Senate and been treasured up as pearls
- by his countrymen, has written his name
~ high upon the scroll of fame; Glory has en-
Is circled it.
n There is still another sphere in which glo
" ry has been won: The scholar in his study
ri removed from the cares Of life, labors 70
-or glory; he conyerses with the mighty dead G
oIl apes he searches for hidden truth that h
III NAV make some new discovery, and wit
lu- that new discovery his name will 90 down t
:. future generations. Although confined i
of the walls of his study, his mind was in othe
asst worlds in his mystic flight he penetrate
,se the thick cloud Of ignorance that envelor
n common minds, and obtains glimpses of tf
~ " unknown, His labors have not been in vair
he he has discovered some new principles in tt
not laws that govern the universe, and the maj
ner in which that principle may be used ft
md the benefit of mankind. Thus Newton b;
MS blessed the world and Franklin has chaine
oro the lightning of heaven, and made it su
rbt servient to his will.
5n But there is yet another path to glor,
ii"' and although the way seems humble in Il
to ewes of the world, it leads to immortal !
the nown. 1t is not that which decks the wa
yes, rior's brow, that encircles the orators nan
and or that rewards the labors of the student
.oos thew pertain to this world. True, they cla
- the brightest rewards that earth can giv
'h'' hut when compared with the glory of t
pu- Christian, they are but a tinseled show.
Earthly glory" as the poet has said 8
1t like circle in the water that loses itself
over it increases" When few ages shall hs
IS to passed away, no traces will remain of it
now to th9 Christian, who like Bunyan's Pilgl