The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-03-29
This Beautiful World and the
Destroyer.
BY MRS. L. NJ. HUTCHINSON:

When we look abroad upon this beau
tiful world, we are apt to inquire, why
we witness so much misery in it. At
first sight, it would seem to be strange
that misery should be found here, for it
appears to be out of place. And, in
deed, this world was evidently not de-
signed for uuhappiness. On the contrary
1t was made for happiness. This con.
ciusion could be easily attained by look
ing at its Maker. Infinitely happy him.
self, he could not have desired to witness
misery in his creatures. Nor is misery
deyislble from him it originates from
the miserable themselves. Moral rect-
tude is the source of happiness. Ifthere-
fore men or angels are the subjects Of
moral rectitudo only, they will be happv.
There is, it is true, incidental unhapni-
ness in the world, but there acQs not tin
the fall-Eden was place of perfect en-.
joyment And the world would still he
an Eden, at least such in comparison
with what it is now-if moral boiDgs
would feel and act consistently with the
requirements of moral obligation We
"~ however to 90 so far into
the metaphysics of the question, as we
have ventured to go; for it is danger
Gus matter to plunge into an ocean which
is unfathomabe, or to venture on sea
without shore.
We meant, then, to say, that it was a
sad reflection, that there is so much mis-
ery amongst mankind, and that they
themselves are the cause of it.
Let us look at that happy family
happy short time since, and possessed
of all the comforts of life--on every coun-
tenance was ioy-on every cheek the
bloom of health-the father was cheerful
and prosperous-tho mother was con-
tented and joyous--the children were
lively and gay-peace and plenty smiled
on them-want and anxiety were stran-
gers to them. But alas change ha;
come over them-degradation has be-
fallen the husband-sorrow the wife
Che children cry from hunger and shiver
with coldl Now why is this? Has
Providence doue it'll All no; Providence
has had no agency in it. Had His rule
of moral obligation been observed-the
DESTROYER never would have entered this
dwelling, nor "the seven spirits worse
than the man himself have dared come
and dwell there" Was the unfortunate
wife the cause of this sad change mo;
Che husband was led away by the des-
troyer, and he has brought the misery
and desolation upon his wife and child
rem. How easily reason and conscience
could have guided him in the right way,
had he listened to their admonitions-
and been willing to adhere to the princi-
pies Of virtue.
Again we see the man of genius, ris-
ing like a star in the intellectual world
and gaining the admiration of thousands
of his fellow beings. AS hessadvances, SO
he seems to glow in brightness and to
diffuse happy radiance around him.
Alas ! too soon his brlliance, like that of
the meteor goes out in utter darkness i
s.He has looked upon the wine when it
was red" aud so long indeed, has he look
cd upon it, that he has assumed its col
Grand felt its fatal power the SER
pent has bitten him and he dies How
melancholy the contemplation OF such a
character, and yet it is no fiction THE
brightest genius has often sunk to the
inebriates tomb
Cast your eye, now, at the beautiful
mansion on the vertlant bill that rises to
view There, once, was happiness and
qnietude. Now, though wealth still re.
mains, there is many sigh in its con
fines; many a sad hour that fills it with a
sepulchral gloom! A son, once the hope
Of his father, and the joy Of his mother
is seen at the midnight hour to reel into
its basement, mingling with his carous-
ings, horrd oaths and vulgar ilnpreca-
lions Poor youth! he is a prodigal in
deed--bat he does not return to MS faith
er's house restored to himself nor in his
right mind. The father mourns over his