The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-03-03

poctve only, ana consists III receptIon.-
Praise is the expression of an OVERLOOKING
funess-a voluntary tribute, which, to be
rewarded, needs but to be given. Its an
swpring blessing is immediate. and con-
slsts in the very fulness of JOY from which
it flows. In short, prayer is the voice of
conscious darkness craving promised light,
praise springs from redundant beauty
and brightness of spirit, endcaroring to
render back to the Source of its light the
RAYS it has received from Him. The one
is condition to which We are repaired
to submit,-the other privilege to which
We are allowed to aspire. Praise is the
music of Paradise in poSsession,-prayer
n signing for Paradise lost. The one
shall end with the present life,-the 9TH
or endure through all eternity.
That = worship then, that grounds it
self chiefly on interest, and occupies Itself
chiefly in asking, is not the only or tie
highest worship i'll which it is our duty
ana privilege to engage, is doubtless OBJ
vious enough. But it may bc objected
that to approach the Deity i'll any other
attitude than that of suppliants, aryaes a
degree of presumption, altogether unbe-
coming our fallen condition. Such an OBJ
lection was indee raised long ago, and it
seenlst come appropriately enough, fir om
that class of men who measure all things
by the rule of profit and loss. TO this
class our own illustrious Franklin belon-
ged, and certainly stands among rs most
distinguished representatives. Though
unsurpassed in his kind, he seems never
10 have arisen either in politics or religion
above the sphere of interest or economy.
His highest ideas are but those of NOR
nj and political accountant. Beyond the
region of frigid, penny saving economy,
he scarcely had any perceptions. Pru-
dental maxims, and gain-gctting apho-
rlsms, form the soul and substance of his
wisdom. With an intellect at once large
and luminous, he vet drew the button
OF worldly interest so near his eye, as to
shut out the whole magnificence of the
heavens. 70 him government was but
the political economy of the Social State
religion but the political economy of q
future State. National poyM was but a
synonym of National acealM, and the Ma
tional prosperity depended on the state
OF the national pocket. Such mon make
better hedsurers than teachers of ma
ton. 1t will do us more good to gaze
on the portrait of Washington, than to
compass the world with Franklin. But
to return, one of tie deepest woes result
ting from the fall, is human pride. aye
shall be as Gods was the form of the
first temptation, and We are rs Gods,
has ever since been the prevailing result.
1t is in this sclf-sufficieney that our real
insignificance shows ITSELF We have ex-
allied ourselves in the foolish and wicked
imagination that everything else is placed
below us, for us to look down upon-thus
forgetting that true elevation can only be
gained by humbly and reverently looking
to something higher and greater than our
selves. Prcfering light of our own, we
have kindled torch at the erucible of
vanity, and shut ourselves up from the
light of heaven, in the shell of our own
self-importance. We have so r;ycted our
eyes to the lamp of our own lighting, that
we cannot even recognize the ocean of
cfful gcnce which the everlasting Sun is
pouring around us. Becoming proud,
we also become mean-''for pride how
ever disguised in its own majesty is little
ness. Our contempt for the light of heav
en-, has rendered ourselves contemplate.
We have spun ladder of goS,amcr from
the film of our own self conceit and seated
ourselves aloft in pompous insignificancc.
We have abandoned tho greatness that
is above us, and, as consequence true
greatness has abandoned lis. We need
therefore both to he hnmbled and exalted.
But this is not tie whole truth, for we
need to be humbled, even in order to be
exalted.
What, vol may ask has this to do with
music. | answer Music when cultivated
in its purity admits no pride within its
temple, and when practised in accordance
with its only heavenly character becomes
most efficient means for remoy NO pride
from the heart.
Again, the natural tendency of music,
Is to awaken within us, and keep alive
within us, the sentiment of reverence, and
this is the highest and hottest feeling of
which we are susceptible. A disposition
10 look for a suitable object of reverence
is the first sign of moral growth-thc
opening of the moral germ-the incipi
ent development of orr Spiritual Be
ing.
The inherent beauty and blessedness
OF reverence, as principle of human ac
ton the effect of ;ts dnn o,,l.;,...: