Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-02-13


his inmost soul-but still he parleys. Fed
with tie tempter's sweeIened bane, he
turns his hardening hear, from Heaven,
but mercy still protects him. Al length,
her slilI small vpice awakes his blinded
vision, and he finds his feet are trembling
on the thorny brink. Hark as he turns
his gsze aloft, celestial choirs have faint
" touched the trembling chord Of hope.
But ah upon his listening ear beguifng
tones Of fiendish hosts are falling, and
rashlv does he thrust away the protiered
Heaven. Mangled anew, fair mercy's
bleeding form recedes. "All nature from
her sea, gives signs Of woe, that all is
lost" A heavens seal becomes obscure,
the soft.winged spirits signing turn away,
and demon shouts lriumphantIy resound.
Along the cragey,s Siding steep,now tIav-
el hand in hand, the tempter and the tempt
ed, but oft upon his ear is borne The
glorious shout or song Of praise, and as
he looks alofl he views his brother man
lreading The straight and narrow path,
while sometime DER his brow he feels the
waving of some heavenly wing that how
ers DER life's narrow way. All then
he would foin re,rsce his steps. Alas his
feet are slippery and he cannot climb the
ascent with the ease he wandered down.
The tempter's iecrs are in his ear, bright
culors false but fair allure him on, until
along the path of crime he boldly travels.
Scarce half the days allotted human life
are passed. Within the gloomy wiIds OF
grim despair, where friends exul AMI iery
serpen,s throw their bane(ul slings, be.
hold the PROSTATE form Of the transgres-
sor. Aluring scenes of vicious pleasure
yield him no delight; with eager lips he
Quafs the poisonous drsught, bu, now il
gives no peace. Beside his bloaled form,
with bideous triumph 10 his eye, that
demon guide is watching. He has been
his leader full many long devious path
which he has chosen, and he will not leave
him now. The burning page OF envious
hatred and revengclul malice he has taught
him, while for his hand The assassin's
knife he fondIy sharpened, and now with
out disguise, he waits 10 stamp upon the
death -damped brow Satanic seals and
symbols. NO heavenly messenger can
linger round that scene; but from the mar.
row way; the holy brother views the pain
ful struggle, and too well he knows no
voice Of prayer could save him.
With frmer step the Christian presses
forth, and strong ye.. buckets on the sa-
wing shield until the sun sinks behind the
years Of ripe old age. Famed by the
breeze lIom unseen wings, whose shad-
ow fingers Ger his brow, he gently falls.
while 10 his ear are borne sweet strains Of
holy melody. Once more he views these
parent trees who long since mingled with
the dust. Full well he marks where all
gels and where demons fought, the slippe-
~ footprints OF his brother, The path where
of his feet had well nigh slipped, through
which his guide has safely led him. aud
now upon deaths brink lie waits. That
lovely guide, with missioBed conveys,
hovers round. and while tho pearIy gs,es
of Heaven are opeuing. sgsln he folds
that fluuering spirit on his breast, and as
above Deaths chilly tide he scars, back
o er the breeze is borne the shout The mar
row path has led to Heaven.
NELLIE.
Ftee,own, N. Y, Nov, 1857.