Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-05-26
lessons of snrinr.

Let US contemplate for few moments, the
animated scene which is presented by our
spring
. The earth, loosened by the victorious sun,
springs from the hard dominion of winters
frost, and, no longer offering a bound-up,
repulsive surface to the busbandman, invites
his cultiyating labors. 1he streams are re.
leased from their icy letters, and spring for
ward on their unobstructod way, full ofspark-
ling waters, which sing and rejoice as they
run on. THE trees of the Lord are full of
sap" which now springs up into their before
shrunk and empty vessels, causing the buds
to swell, and the yet unclothed branches and
twigs to lose their rigid appearance, and as
sumo fresher hue and more rounded form.
Beneath them, and in every warm and shell
tered spot, the wild plants are springiug.
Some of these are just pushing up their ten
der crisp, and yet vigorous sprouts, thrustlng
aside the dead leaves with their folded heads,
and finding their sure way into tho light;
whilo others have sent forth their delicate
foliage and hung out their buds on slender
stems and others still have uofolded their
flowers, which look up into the air unsuspect-
ingly and gaily, like innocence upon an un-
tried world. The grass is springing up for
the scythe, and the grain for the sickle; for
they grow by commandment, for the service
of man, and death is everywhere the fate and
issue of life.
But it is not only senseless things which
are thus vlsibly springing at this their APP
pointed season. The various tribes OF ami
mated nature show thatit is spring also with
them. The birds rise up ON elastic wing, and
make Joyous music Tor the growing plants
to spring to. Animals, that have lain tor
pid through the bcnumbing winter, spring
up from their secret beds and doruiitories,
and resume their habits Of activity oace more.
lnnumerabe insects spring up from the cells
which they had formed beyond the reach Of
frost, and in new attires commence their vim
gel existence. The hum of happy life is
heard from myriads of little creatures who
born in the morning. will die ere night. In
that short term, however, they will have &C.
complished the purposes Of their living and,
if brought to this test, there are many human
lives which are shorter and vaner than theirs
and what is any life when past, but day ?
Let us 60 abroad amidst this general
springing of the earth and nature, and we
shall see and feel that Gods blessing is there.
The joy of recovery, the gladness of escape,
buoyancy of youth, the exultation of com.
mencing u renewed existcnce-these are the
happiness and blessing which are given from
above, aud the praise and the hymn which
ascend from beneath. Another and mildel
; order Of things seems 10 be beginning. Thu
gales, though not the warm breathings Of
summer, flow 10 us as if they came from some
distant summer clme and were cooled and
moderated on their way; while at no distant
intervals, the skies, in their genial ministry
baptize the offspring of earth with their soft
' est and holcst showers. "Ihou visitest the
earth and waterest it; thou makest it sof
, with showers; thou blessest the springin@
thereof"
! Surely we cannot sta.,d still in such {
scene, and, when every thing else is spring
Ing, let it be winter in our souls. Let u
: rather open our hearts to the renovatlng in
t auences of heaven, and sympathize witt
! universal nature. IF our love to God ha
t been chilled by any of the wiutry aspects @
the world it is time that it should be resusci
r tated, and that it should spring mp in ar
!, dent alteration, to the Source OF light ant
t life. 1t is time that our gratitude should b.
n walked from its sleep, and our devotion
n aroused, and that all our pious affections
shaking off their torpor, should come out in
to the beams of Gods presence and recev
: new powers from their invig ,rating warmth
f 1t is time, too, that. our social charities,
any "kiIliug frost" has visited them, shoul'
IS be cured of their numbness and apathy, ant
T. go forth among the children and brethren O
II the great family, and feel, as they rise ant
IS move, that the blessing Of the Almight.
u Father is upon their spripging-Dr. F. W
|, P. Greenwood.