The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-09-12
Sumbc,ms and Shadows.

one time our whole world is gloriously H.
luminated; brightness is about us, and
seems informing led with our very exist.
ence. Yes, joyous sunbeam appears
to be cast along our present and future
pathway, and we go forward without fear
or hesitation. Our spirits leap as lightly
as the fresh and beautiful waters of spark.
ling and limpid fountains. Being thus
situated, we are apt to imagine that we
will be lc,| on amidst lovely climcs,
whore bright and softly flowing streams
rise to view, and where harmonious
sounds sweet y echo on all sides. While
thus surrounded, we are caused to cx.
claim, "How full of happiness is this
world Of ours'
Some secret impulse so influences our
minds, that we are delighted with every
thing and every body. The air imparts
more life and spring than usual, and the
sunbcams send glow to our very hearts.
We view the world through pleasant
medium. Beauty enshrouds mother Earth
with her beaming robe; the hills lift up
their dewy heads, and the broad expanse
Of the nocturnal heavens seems to US to
be splendilly decorated with gold and
pearl. The queen star Of night sends
down her trembling rays, and they fill
us with gladdncss. The curIed clouds
appear as ose.lcaves and float through
the Hrial regions in much serenity. Yes,
Earth and Heaven are full of beauties, a
consideration Of which expands, elevates
and purifes the affections Of the interest,
ed beholder.
Then we arc in the lisht--no shadow
falls over US. How can we wonder that,
cat the creation Of all, tho morning stars
sang together and the sons of God shout.
ed for joy?" In view Of ma2nifccnce,
We cannot. Thus at times our world
seems to Us, and we fear no change
Charges, however, do come, and when
we least expect them. Do these changes
take place in the mind, or in the objects
by which we are surrounded? 1t is a
mere change of mind that exorts such
Influences over our feelings. The beau.
tIuIly mantled earth, that was so soul.
inspiring little while ago, now has the
appearance of sadness. Her brightness
that once animated us has departed, We
wonder that we were ever glad, and can.
not tell why our hearts a few hours past
thrilled so oyously. We feel inclined
to week because the visions OF our bright
hours appear to have departed, and left
US enveloped in gloom The robe Of love.
illness that was thrown over the whole
earth, its novelty and freshness, the fra
GRANGE of its flowers, the beauty of the
Joyous 5unbeams, and the melody incident
to the foahered songsters' simple MARBLES,
are not appreciated now as they were a
Iittlc while ago, The dowy hills, that
we looked upon in such thank(ulness,
are in reality as lovely as ever. Birds
and blossoms live among them, but we
enjoy not their melody and fragrance
we care but little for their brilliant hues.
The garnture Of the heavens is as rich as
ever-the bright stars, that compose the
clustering consultations, look down up.
on us from their high stations, and still
shine with the same living and everlast.
ing beauty, but this does not raise one
grateful, one adoring thought, in gloomy
minds Those whose minds are over.
shadowed in gloom can scarcely see the
grandeur Of beauieOus Morn, wearing her
hood of crimson, fringed with lucid
shadows, or the Western Sky at eve, that
CLOVIS like magnificent ruby fixed in
the ring of the distant horizon. They do
not seem to understand that the whole
earth is bathed in azure air for all to re-.
oico in and be thankful for. We neg.
lect TO trace the footprints Of God when
they paint the mould with heavenly
green, and huos that glow and bush like
angels wings.
The "sunbeams" that once prevailed
can and frequently do give place to
"shadows." Hearts are thus rendered
sad. Strange it is that we are subject to
such changes.
This being the case, it is most desira.
bic to know how to live in the light or in.
hucnce Of "sunbeams," and to keep our.