Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-02-13
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From .NoOrs's Rural .NsW Yorker.
LIFE'S PATHWAY.

I saw a lovely path narrow but straight,
5edecked with faresl flowers whose odor
made the ambient air like the sweetest in
cense. With boughs entwined, a lovely
cypress and noble oak cast DER the place
their warm, protective shadows.
Far above ,he bright blue belt Of Heav-
en-, shining form, with slken wings
whose golden lusIre far outshine the eIo-
rious sunbeam, views with care this fair
bower. All is complete; and now from
heavenly scenes through the ethereal vault
he haslens. Within his arms he bears
two infant souls, and nestled meath the
ambrosial shade, they find llfe's pathway.
How gently fold his azure wings as on
their brows he sets the seal OF Heaven,
and Ger their tiny form breathes holy
benediclion; then, again they softly spread
and high he scars above the stately shade,
Till far above, amid the ethereal blue, he
movers round 10 watch their progress.
Sweet babes how gentle is the pres
sure OF your footsteps, DER the flowery
path of childhood, and how well protected
ale your growing forms by those parental
trees
The path expands, and soon amid the
glowing flowers Of youth, behold those
noble feet are tresding. But see ! half
hidden by yon bushy border, another
form now gides along liGe's pathway.
His shape and outward mein he fsln
would make angelic, but in his bosom
wrangling scorpions hide, whose poison.
Gus breath like vivid fires fill every vein
and make his touch deadly poison. Up
on his well-masked form, two leaden wings
unfold, as if they, too, had power to soar
TO heavenly heights. OGiimes he loving
ly crouches round those youthful feet or
decks the fair surrounding scene with
more than radiant beauties; again, with
siren voice he fills the air with richest
melody or from The trembling harp-string
strikes the soft sweet cadences Of music.
Enranced, those youthful ears catch the
! heguiliug notes Of revel mid the fair en-
chanting scene. All how eXulung is
his vsage as he fingers near 10 breath up.
on their ears The tones OF hateTy. The
genial shade OF the parental oak and cy-
press deepen, but they yield small Ge-
fence against The tempter's arts. With
cunning wlles he enters meath their shad-
ow to wipe away the glorious sign God
set upon those youlhGul loTeheads.
Sul near now is flushing that angel
spirit. No movement Of the arch fiend
escapes him; too well he knows the fell
destroyer along LIES pathway. All {!
how he strives TO guide them where no
rhorns may pierce their feet; how ardu'
ously he fans away the poisonous breeze
and makes more bright and clear the Mas
ters seal.
The struggle deepens. Bright manhood
dawns, and through It's winding labyrinth
these manly forms pursue their way with
energetic zeal; but here each glowing rose
secretes lis lhorns, fair scenes allure to
trap the wandering feet, and pleasure s
fairy hand paints scenes that tempt their
fancy. Within that demons breast sill
iercer burn those hidden fires, as with
more gllded form and honeyed lips, he
tempts fair virtues power or lures their
tastes by foaming draughts Of ruddy poi
son. An foolish morisls, thus TO linger
round the templer's board. Oh! why
not hear those heavenly whisperings Of
the guardian spirit who for you adorned |
life's psthway-whose unseen arm, pro- I
:ecied through the ills Of bsbiHg child
hood, healed The wounds along the thor
ny path Of youth, and stroVe 10 guide
where the decelyer's snare might no! en-
trap you. List, as he beckOns you along
Ihe narrow path and whispers that IT leads
TO Heaven. He begs you TO cast one
lingering glance upon the fading cypress
and The falling oak. Upon yo0r brows
Gods glowing seal is din and fam the
foe of Heaven would quite erase and stamp
there on his own. The plea is not in
vain. One manly head is raised 10 HeaE-
en-; around his holy Ius:re seems 10 linger.
as Un The lowbeni knee the prsyerrol ac-
cents Of the cOntrite peDiieni pours forth.
Ah, yes, the eye Of faith obtains glimpse
Of heavenly treasures. and holy bands re-
jOice as they behold bis steady tread along
life's pathway.
But view The conflict Of The brother. !
Slowly and surely his feet are slipping
from the narrow pa:h. UnDUmbered besv-
enly messengers are gathering around
him, whose VOiceless whispers fall upon