The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-01-05
Published by Request of the Society.
OUR LIFE.
An Exaugurai Delivered before the Phil0-
Logan Society Of Biiisdaie College, Nov.
"a, 1857.
BY 7. J. sLAYToN.


BYT ]. sIAYToN.
Two artists are employed to paint in
fresco the walls of Cathedral They
stand on a scaflold some eighty feet from
the floor. So intent is ono upon his work,
that as his soul kindlcs with the enthusiasm
of Genius, he stands of from the picture
and gazes at it with intense delight. For
getting himself, he moves backward slow
ly, surveying the creation Of lis pencil,
until he neals the very edge of the plank.
At this critical moment his companion,
with terror, discovers his imminent peril.
Another instant ard lie enthusiast will be
precpitated upon tho payment bcncath.-
If he speak TO him it is certain death =
If he remain silent death is equally sure !!
Suddenly he rcgains his presence of mind,
and sczing brush, figs it against the
wall, scattering the beautiful picture with
unsightl, blotches. The painter springs
forward upon his fricLd W th fierce impre-
cations, but, arrested by his look of horror
he listens 10 the recital Of his danger,
looks shudderingly over the dread space
below. and with tears of gratitude blesscs
TN hand that Sa'ec him.
80 we sometimes become absorbed IN
looking upon the pictures of this world,
and admirng them, step backward uncon-
scious Of our peril. An Almighty hand
blots out the beautiful image, and adj
monishcs us TO center cur atf, ctions and
hopes on something higher.
Man !" IN i.oIa''r. Whatever may tie
h'' lot ne has idols on which TO lavish lis
l1'c. Lii'i, at hrSt 'iiCy may seem, but
tneir strength grows ",!h 'n'ir g,"W'l un-
I'll Tue created uSurlS Tue pace o' 'he ere
"'or NO" "HL 'heh ,nh',''' WISDOM III
.''''","-- ".'' '''e ''' - p'"N'" lne'c
Is one i'So u 10 9 F'i'--'"''"e' attraction
III heaven
=, mus 1t was wan ."' "','"If RON
tnG ii'S' we had l"',' "'"' Aho not more
oii We 'eci i'" !" D' " necessary nor more
p'i~' MS eouIS'I anu ,,' - >','T,' u" " when
inc message came we IoloM,d nm &c
his resi-. ilc sleeps On mat NIL, ana 'mc
spirit mat swayed us mas found inc reaIi
'lcS cxcceding his hopcs'" MS character
ana influence remain DaiIy 90 they
'each us Tn j., lessons q aS'rong ana earnest
ana laitilIui NE. ihey VIII always H'e'
ana inc 'rulh 'h'y teaeh Is; n "00.e P"r-
pose d.Rge"fy "orhea' 70" gro~ mto
conS'e''0fto" OF .rtrtHeS, Oea"y"' ".PcF-
V01"9, Stro"g' T,a dHrde''0e'
but beware! l1ue progress Is oy no
means a necessity. Inc same Winl drives
vessels IN opposite directions, All d,eePe"ds
on now the sails are SET, ana mere iies our
responsibility. IL a squat should e'eak
the rudder, or twlst The masts, or snap the
shrouds, there are pianks ana ropes In the
hold, and soon again 1t drives betorc the
storm as though the gale were sent to help
it on, or faces it with moro than Indian
cunning or Roman perseverance,.
reverse is not defeat. Adversely is
our school. And hope, which is the char
acteristic Of strong mindc, is ever with the
struggling soul, to cheer as it cheored
Kane through those long Arctic nights
Deprive the soul of hope, and it is no long,
er self-reiant and fearless. Take that a
way and you take its rudder, aye, more,
its engine. With hope, it is no sail craft
uoPehuen. on Wlhu ana 'iue' out s'ea'll-
snip ploWIng It's way against them. 1t
NAV be heavily loaded. and thus sooner
s,,;l,o -, H. -. -. H., :. -. "a.
danger and avoids them, because. not sit.
ting on the surface. il is not at the mercy
of the TEMPEST.
Nor is man a creature Of circumstances.
IL ne is, he Is an undutiful child, for no