Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-12-05

ones WOuIu ye return anu WIN luls ediNl,
would ye willingly renounce the heaven
ly bliss the ecslalc joys for the translo-
ry pleasures of this cold, this unfeelng
world. The monitor conscience bids me
weigh them in the balance Of Time and
see which will predonderale. Oh, then,
how insignificant do all. the joys. The
frivoities Of this world appear, how poor,
how low, how meek do they fall when
compared with heavenly joys.
But list what fond illusion beams up
on my sight. what magic sounds salules
and tails So sweetly upon my wondering
ear. Gaze on, lis lovely. Ii is child
hoods sweet and festive scene. Softly,
softly blow ye breezes, ye genlIest gales
OH hilher wafl thy most delicious per-
fumes, and fan their unspolted brows Of
innocence and purity. Oh, childhood
beautiful, beautiful childhood, how angel
ic Thy smiles, how glorious, how atlrac-
tive thy WAYS.
"Oh that | were a child once more" !"
that might hound DER the messy rocks,
and pearIy caves, and gently seat me be-
side some meandering stream whose pla-
cid waters softly slipped upon lis pebbIy
bed. How sweet TO me then the music
of the waters as they lulled my wearied
soul in soft repose, how would attempt
TO arrest their peaceful flow but on no
vain mockery, vain attempt, they with one
laughing bound would glide onward
down the stream Of life breathing so
sweelly, God is Love-"
How beautiful was nature. How calm
was all around. No playful breeze sigh
ed amid the wavy foliage Of the richly
studied trees, but hushed in deep and
solemn silence every gentle zephyr slept
upon the rowing winds. | marked deligh-
ted how revving nature seemed in all her
beauty. All was still. all was good, "aIl,
all, was beautiful as at the first when God
pronounced them So No sound was
heard save the pIain,ive distant murmur-
| ings of lone warbler whose delicious
strains fell so ravishingly soft upon my
ear Just in accordance with my spirit.
Every thought in silence HING in Won
lest should lose a note, but swift as ihe
wings of meditation its song had ended,
| its melodious strains had ceased and then
1t died distantly on my ear alone unwePl
away. Oh, then, how | would gaze up
wards to the expansive force of the-clear
blue heavens brilliantly illuminated with
myriads of stars, those bright beautiful
gliltering diamonds. and silently muse a
lone in all my childish simplicity and
think that God had claimed another spir-
it 10 watch and preside Ger my move
men,s. And oh when careless disre-
gardful word was said would gently
throw myself upon the messy bank OF
some softly ripping stream ami would
that nigh, float up in that vast and
boundIess element, and feel its ravishing
vibrations, and that God might receive
my spirit. All childish cares like the
shadows Of passing cloud they we're
| dlspelIed and happiness with lis genial
presence would steal silently Ger me,
warming me with its refreshing influence,
and the cooling zephyrs like a loving
friend would gently fan TO my troubled
brow peace and contenlment. On how
dear this world then was 10 me, but now
lis delusion, all delusion, a mockery, a
deception. All earthly things seem to be
whispering as we are being hastily borne
down the rapid current Of lifc's stream
Fading Away" One stray leaf is flung
upon the water dancing merrily Ger wave
10 wave; slowly il tires Of its chase, and
then sinks Of It's own weight into the wa
ers mighty bosom bearing the inscription
Time and its ravages. Change and its
rapid decomposition warning bidding US
not TO confde in the transrory pleasures
the volatile alluremenls that are fast lurk-
ing nigh. Oh my childhood did such
thoughts as these e'er modest thee. No,
| il was one smoothly gliding scene Of pure
felicity. But now no more, for why
should these few scattered thoughts far
ther soar when twilight has deepened and
all has become amassed in shadow. Sad.
ness steals DER my spirit in pensive
strains, and memory like the gentle breeze
comes softly to my brow, for as it touch
es with lis invisible breath my cheeks.
know il has been STOPPING so sweetIy to
the rose, lrifling with some or whisper.
ing endearing words 10 others. Oh |
love the hours, to note with what percls-
ion they glide along and also TO mark
their entire harmony, but have you not an
hour in which you would silently com
mune with your feelings. is it not the
time of twilight, beautiful twilight, when
The delicious breezes are calmly hushed,
and all is lulled into gentle repose, but
The much-loved hour, The sweetly ueasur-
ed time that am wont TO dwell upon has,
slowly but gradually disappeared, and on