Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-04-22
'sWe Are Passing AWAY,


this solemn Truth" I've are passing
array" Each dHy furnishes us with un.
mistakable evidence that this is not our
home. that we are here preparing for an
other and different life. AH nature, ami
mate and inanimate, teaches the same SOL
emn lesson. The gentle zephyr of spring
whispers il in our ears as j! floats calmly
by us on It's mission of JOY; the wild tor
nado with It's hoarse toned thunder shrieks
it forth as it prostrates the ghty giants Of
the forest or makes wild sport with the
hab;alons Of men; the meandering stream
loJ as 1t murmurs over its pebbly bottom,
speaks in low, slvery tones of the same
great truth; the broad blue ocean, as its
surface is rppled by the kisses of the soft
summer air or is vexed by the wrathful
tempest until It's foam capped waves al
most reach the clouds, rehearse with thrill
Ing power, 1--WE, too, are passing away"
The rose leaves as they fall from the
stem which has nuriured them in beauty;
the violet as il folds itself to rest upon the
bosom of mother earth, and the majestic
oak as il lifts its head above the surround
ing forests and drops its discolored leaves
before the blasts of autumn, ALL, repea. the +,
solemn lesson, eve are passing away"
The earth with all its myriad hosts
teaming with life, the sun, moon and stars.
yea, all the shining worlds in the starry
heavens. as they go circling around the
center of motion and playing their parts in
the sublime music of the spheres, reiterate
in mute but powerful language, 1--WE, too,
are passing away"
AS we turn from the inanimate to ami
mate creation. we are still more forcibly
struck with the solemn truth of our theme.
From the smallest mote that sports in the
rays Of the summers sun, to the gigantic
mastodon beneath whose tread the earth
shook and trembled; from the insect that
lives but an hour, to the huge leviathan,
whose life embraces years by centuries;
from the most insignificant animal upon
the earth. or in the sea or air, to that
GROWING glory of creation-man; from all
these we are taught the same solemn les
son.
"Passing awoy?" Yes, amid the ever
shifting scenes of life we are often called to
par with some near and dear friend, or
with some neighbor or cstimable citizen.
and follow their cold remains to the silent
tomb; or may be we are called TO witness
the deep anguish of others as they are part
iny for the last time on earth with the
earthly remains of mucl, loved and deep
ly cherished member of their family circle,
and as they gaze thus lingeringly upon the
once happy.joyous, animate; but now cold'
paid, nanimate features of that friend,
how deeply do they realize the truth Of
1--WE are passing away"
To-day we see circle of friends rejoic-
ing in the enjoyment CT perfect health,
happy in the pleasures of each others So
cisty. joyous in the almost certain pros
pect of long life and a bright and glorious
career in the path that leads to fame. For.
gelful of the uncertainty of life, they dwell
with unspeakable rapture upon the glow
ING picture of human happiness. But alas
for the evanescence Of human hopes--to'
morrow the icy hand of death is laid upon
one Of their number and Notwithstanding
all his high expectations of long life o.
usefulness and renown, and all the earnes
warm -heartedness of his friends; he reluc
family bows his head TO the stern mandate
of--"pass ye away" His grief-stricker
friends gather around his silent remains
and as they gaze for the last time upon hi:
sunken and closed eyes. his motionless
breast and silent lids. they read the solemn
and impressive lesson; eve, too, are pass
ing away
See yon family group as they are gath
cred about the fire side of their happy
home; no cares intrude upon their joys
and the smile of contentment rests upor
each unclouded brow. The parents gaz'
with evident satisfaction upon their child
rem as they glide in sportive circles abou
them, and often join in the merry laugh a
, it rises in silvery tones from the youthful
heart where innocence and love are the on
, " residents. A few short days, and agai
we visit this family. As we enter thei
r dwelling we see that sadness and sorro'
have taken the place of gladness and JOY
The household move about with noiseles
tread, tears are coursing down the parents
cheeks. and the heaving bosom tells