Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-03-25
49, 8.
LADIES DEPARTMENT..
For the Spirit of the Age.
TO THE SOCIAL CIRCLE.
SABBATH MUsINGs-No. Is.

and grandeur, compared with the indescriba.
Die glories which are promised in that bless.
ca worldf The bare contemplation, with all
the letters OF mortality ranking about the
soui, dazzles US almost to blindness. This
TAR earth II tremendously beautiful. thouohl
inhabited by beings who wear the dark yes
ture Of sin. OH how supremely then, must
De endowed the home Of the grand. first
cause; the destined residence for the pure
IN heart, after all d~ebasing clogs are dropped
from the soul, and the freed spirit assumes
us original likeness to God. What are all
the notes that ever rang from wars vain
trumpet, when placed by the minstrelsy He
mas prepared for man, andinto what utter in
significance will sink its ravishing sweetness
when contrasted with the thrilling melody
which reyerberates mid the sapphire arches
OF Heavens respondent court, when its rich
est anthem Of praise swells out from angelic
and arch-angelic tongues, and olden harms.
and ever tuneful Tyres. We sing for the sun
which travels acrossthe outer Hoor Of Heaven,
many a grand p@an Of thanks, because he
lights Q world, and iuA@&ss new vigor to the
animai add ve@tablc kingdom thereof. But
the smile Of God shall Gil immensely with
unparalleled radiance, and continually warm
into Life fresh rills Of purity and love for re-
deemed souls. Kingly crowns dazzle us here
though time furnishes each glittering gem and
corrodes their gorgeous setting but there
no Tune will exist to dim the lustre of dia.
dems which sainted brows shall wear and
spirit eyes alone can view. The earnings
ahd insignia OF earthly royalty charm the
eye, ahd awe the admiring heart, but their
influence and glory fa6eth away like the
morning dew when we place them beside
th9 spotless raiment fitted to the ministering
ranks around the throne of God, and the
Jeweled sceptres which the unfailine armory
OF Heaven will furnish TO each accepted
hand. With aprospect like this based upon
such a foundation, the skeptic may argue in
VAIN that no God liEeth. lie may continue
u ne will, to attribute all that beauties and
gladdens this present bright home Of ours to
chance. Tic may recognize no Divine hand
m the sublimities Of a visible creation. But
can no thereby destroy the thrilling Joys
which n sense Of an eternal agency and
presence imparts to every quivcring fibre of
the soulY Can he effect the pleasure we feel
IN listening to the prisons of Gods tiny mu.
slciaEs as 1t Heats out in one united Law of
gratitude upon the balmy atmospheric Can
he hinder our appropriations, limited, though
We know them TO be, Of that perfect organi-
cation in every thing contributing to human
comfort and happiness Can he interfere
with TOE soothing reflection arising from the
most limited survey Of natural beauty or
grandeur that My Father made them ALL"
ana love Tor Ills erring children, is the ru-
ling spirit Of the universe? Can he distnrb
the security derived from the positive asser-
ton "that the word Of that Father shall
stand forever 2" O! no, no; with all his far
reaching Sophistry and keen representative
sklI, nc may do none of these things. There
lore, may We pity him and pray him to throw
open The Hood. gates Of his heart for entrance
OF this heller and happier tide, but we do
not envy. Envy-though, we stand hut nm
on the Threshold Of Faiths sublime temple.
how we can smile in derision at so inflated
an laea. All when hfe's sore trials thick.
en- and the cloud wreaths. grow dense and
black above his head. shah his hand have
strength to build himself a shelter when
his heart is depressed with care and the bu.
man loves, which should be his solace and
cheer, forsake him at misery's Threshold
WI bis philosophy support him will his
high banded infdelity come to his rescue
ana gladden. the sombre labarynth his feet
are forged to penetrate? Ills Kingdom and
glory, his hope and delight are all of this
world therefore, no sweet consultations q
hereafter can light the gloom Of his soul, Of
hit the burden Of care from his brow.
but, christian reader, / call upon We, tc
whCm the promise that "the word of oul
"oa snail stand forever" is q blessed truth
~ a &Akh nus EtEU, anu the H0n(
OF Hope appropriated until it CLOVIS as a ra,
OF uniading glory, tell me--do We falter AMI
SINK down in utter abandonment and desola
ton as he Methinks from the stern walk
OF adversely and want, from the heart strick
en- ones kneeling by the couch of death
from the souls pained through GOODNESS an,
arrangement, from the suffering and sor
sowing arises one sweet, yet trumpet-tone,
reply, no! thank Heaven, no. The morrow
OF a blissiui eternity daEns upon our leav'
SKY with deeper radiance, the echo of its fa
on melody charms the listening ear till tn
wal OF sadness is unheard; the golden spire
of the New Jerusalem, clint mon the ten
dimmed vision and the fountain Of sorrow !
dried, and tho wondrous smile of a reconc;l
ed God, teammates and quickens the wear
lie strings till the fair hand of peacs acail
plays its soft and pleasant tune. The com
forting influences Of christianity NAV be 70,
gotten when the brightest wreath ofloyean
happiness crowns the hearts sacred altar
but stHip it of these, nay. tear one cherishe
bur ting bud away and how helplessly W
retnrn to the living fountains brink.
The sandal wood gives ont it's choicest frs
GRANGE to perfume the axe that mutilates il
beauty and destroys its glory. The grace
tul swan retains her sweetest notes to GRE,
the sportsman's ear who hath sned m
deathshaft TO her spotless breast. 80 shall II
fragrance Of Q meek and holy life sweete
70 bless the christians dying hour-so sha
the cords wrung By sorrow or pain blend I'll
soitest and sweetest melody with the heart
low wall of hopeful resignation.
Christianity's song IS one of unparalIe
triumph list ye to its gladstone notes.
Man may trouble and distress me,
Will seek my Saviour's breast
Life with trials hard may press me,
heaven will bring me sweeter rest
OF tits not in grief to harm me,
While thy love is left to me;
VI twers not in Joy to charm me,
Were that JOY unmixed with theel
Let me haste from grace to glory,
Arm'd by faith and wing'd by prayer
Heavens eternal days before me,
Gods own hand shall guide me there.
Soon shall close my earthly mission,
soon shall pass my pilgrim days
Hope shall change to glad ~fruition,
Falth to sight, and prayer to praise"
Bible christianity is no phantasm Of Q
excited imagination. The principles ii il
enlcates and the adaptedness of those pri
ciples to this life which is but the preparat
ry school to q Tar more glorious state of O.
lstence must strike by its pervadinc harm
ny the most casual observer. Let others 4
nouhee these soothing influences as delus;on
we VIII reyel in them, still conscious the i
they impart are not chimerical but pure AZ
lHsIhg' Let us continue to drink fearless
80