Smyrna times., 1858-04-15
MISCELLAN e o U S.
Written for the Smyrna Times.
Evening Hours.
BIZ GRENvILLE SHARP.

Man is restless animal. His engagements
are momentary and evanescent; hope is the
sheet-anchor of his life, and with this sweet
soIace of consolation in his bosom he struggles
on in pursuit Of happier days than he now en-
joys. Notwiths:a nding the prospective happi-
ness in view, he seldom attains to more felicity
than the enjoyments of the present hour; yet
he is ever stretching forth the hand to grasp the
ideal phantom who shadows forth the invitation
to partake of pleasures, never to be realized by
the invited gsest to the bowers of ease, COM
fort and delight. Let man but take 4 retro
spect view of his past life, and count the days,
nay, the hours. of real enjoyment which he has
experienced 10 his pilgrimage here below, and
the conclusion will force itself upon him, that
there is no happiness in this life without full
mixture of trouble, care and anxiety. We are
informed by the precepts of Holy Writ that
man is born to die, and after death coneth the
Judgment. The inevitable stroke of death none
can escape ; the rich and the poor lie down to-
gelher, and there is ne doubt in the rising at
the last day the separation will be as wide In
that celestial home as were their friendly greet.
ngs while on earth. A vain and frivolous con-
ceit of ourselves, the superiority we attach to
our station and standing in society above our
fellow-man, is one source of misery and annoy
ance which grieve the naughty, the purse-proud
lordlng, who desires to be thought by others
what he cannot think himself TO be, and con-
tinues supercilous and vain of an empty head
and slim purse.
1t may be fairly settled that one great cause
Of the smaIlness of our church-members i'll good
standing, is owing to the injunction laid upon
them, in becoming such, that they renounce the
world, the flesh and the devil. 1t is certainly
plain that true religion works the bottom out of
vanity, ostentation and pride; and many, rather
than not enjoy their vain conceits, would stay
out Of the sanctuary of the Lord, and run the
risk of forfeiting Heaven, and making sure of
place in that region where there will be weep
ing and wailing aud kuashing of teeth, if they
can only succeed in getting there in what they
term "genteel society,""
Faith without good works are dead" elf
you would follow me. keep my commandments"
saith the Lord of hosts. The vain, the haugh-
ty and ostentatious are not enumerated in the
catalogue of those who keep the command
ments Such as they, make boasting of all
they do, and are consequently enumerated
among the cold -blOoded animals. The life of
the true Christian is one of tranquility, peace
and enjoyment, and little does the world know
Uf bis sound sumbers, the ease and comfort of
life spent in the following Of the saints, and
favor of his Saviour the Lord of Glory, whose
benign influence overshadows all his good
works, and continually steers him clear of the
ways of the wicked. True, the life of the true
believer is continued warfare, and he, by faith,
prayer and good works, continually arms him
self against the world, the flesh and the devil,
the great adversaries of his kind; for he knows
by being steadfast in faith, the Lord will cause
him 10 overcome evil with good.
Whatever pursuits man may choose for this
life, there is nothing calculated, in the shape of
occupation, to give him that comfort, content
ment, euse and happiness in comparison with q
life Of real Christian piety. Have well-bal'
anced correspondence with Heaven, and the
work is sure to prosper beyond doubt, moi
will the great Author of the Universe let you
depart without, your due reward. In fact, yor
will be sure to reap if you faint not by the way
side; and there is positive promise held ou
to all the, true believers that the faithful shall
meet in glory. Under such circumstances
and with the Heavenly blessing thus Literally
held forth for our benefit, who, that is willing
to pass for sane man or woman. would con.
tnue to walk Ia the path of sin, folly and crime!
None, trust. but the deluded children of vice
villainy aud crime. Turn, sinner for why will
yen die! .l t4
AKAxsAs goKe.--In Kansas, the other day
an old DIR. ]. B. Chapman fell in love with !
"young and beautiful" Miss Little; but she
refused to consent to a union until he had frs
settled upon her $4,000. Ts this the docto
readily conseated, but since she came In pos
session of the property she declined marrying
him, whereupon he brought an action to recOy
er the property. The gal, however, won tht
suit