Smyrna times., 1858-09-30
is 1t is, may be everyone's--Iook we'll to it, and
'e al sunlight instead of so much shadow.
Written for he Smyrna Times.
II have seen an End Of all Perfection"

The literal meaning of the above Is. " I
nave seen an end of all consummations: as if
one should say, everything of human origin has
It's bounds and limits, and, howsoever extensive,
noble and excellent. All arts and sciences,
sngnages, Inventions, have their limits and
end. As they came from man, and relate to
man, they shall eGd with man. adam Clarke.
AS an illustration to the above sentence or
phrase, taken from the PsamisI, look at the
beSleglng and taking of ancient Jerusalem bv
the lion hearted, blood-thirsty, coura geous men
under the command of the heroic Titus Look
for moment at the speudor of that city. Arts
and sciences greatly flourlshed in the palace
was seen the most sublime executions Of the
sculptor. Upon the walls of the tempIe and
altar were the grandest displays of artislcal
workmanship ever known. What surpassed
the seVen-branched candles;ick of pure gold
What surpassed those gigantic domes pointing
their tops even to the very clouds! What ever
excelled the external splendor and ma gnficence
Of the great temple, and walls which were the
protector of that city, that surpassed not only
in beauty and grandeur, but the almost inpene.
trabIencss Of their material 4! No ntelIigeucy
could look upon Jerusalem, but with awe and
admiration. He must say in wonder and as
tonshment, Jerusalem ESust be the city of the
most High God But, all look at Titus en-
camping about those powerful, gigantic walls.
Does he think of batering down those walls,
and demolishing that city Will he make a
single effort in trying to take such wel-dc,
Tended city mot only defended by the strong
est walls, but by soldiery not surpassed By any.
nation upon earth for their bravery and cour-
age! Yes; he encamps for that very purpose.
lie brings his instruments OF war to bear against
those walls, and they are beaten into atoms
This teaches that arts and sciences, and human
inventions, have an end.
Not only does the phrase mean, as says
Clarke, an end TO all arts, sciences and human
Inventions, but also end to perfection in man.
have seen man in the glory of his days and
the pride Of his youth. He was built like the
tall cedar Cf Lebanon that lifts its maiestc head
far above The forest trees like the gigantic
oak which has stood the driving storms and
sweeping hurricanes Of many winters. lie felt
no excruciating pains he feared no danger
he sighed not, he groaned not. lie seemed to
resemble lhe weather beaten rock. Disease
couldn't fasten its deadening grasp upon his
vtals His mind seemed to be as vigorous and
active as his body; he was perplcxcd at moth
ing; he was daunted at no difficulty; into OBJ
ecuriics he searched, and whit was crooked he
made plain and open. BY his ingenuity he
prepared vehicles that would convey him across
the blue waters of the mighty deep. With the
same ease, he seemed to measure the waters :
the land. He uplifted his telescope and calcu.
lated the distance of the stars, gave names to
newly discovered ones, and numbered the whole
visible starry universe His prominent desire
was, to seek knowledge and understanding: to
look into, and search out even what God had
concealed. 1t seemed that perfection was writ
ten indellibly upon every principle of that man.
His mird appeared to be as solid as a rock his
reasoning faculties appeared to be unsurpassed
But | look upon him some years afterwards
Behold what change time has made Can
this be the same man {! Yes. Ibis is he. But
instead of a man Of uncommon understanGu ug,
he is pronounced insane. He is like dem OIL
ished city; his body age has shattered like an
ancient temple; his reason and understa nding,
cultivated by study, are destroyed by too close
application; his eye is dlmmed by time, and
his hair is whitened by the frosis of many win
ters he has no memory he seems not to know
what is transpiring. Ah when looking upon
such scenes, am constrained to say, 3" have
seen an end of all perlectiOns.'' ANON.
Hil!sboro', Sept. 1858.