Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-09-14
firtsiht StaNing.
For the Spirit of the Age
AUTUMN Is APPROACHING.
by A. D. @.

~ . N'
Dedicated 10 my esteemed friend DIR. J. B.
DUNwooDY, of Ga.
For several months the forest trees have
been clothed in living green, the air has
been heated by the golden rays ofthe sum-
her's sun angry clouds have passed over
our heads; sharp lightnings have played
ACROSS the heavens, while loud peals of
thunder have shaken the earth and, by
their incessant roar caused all nature to
pause and contemplate, with silent awe,
the wonderful works of an Omnipotent
Being.
But, anon, these dark clouds have been
dispersed, the god of day has looked out
upon the earth erial songsters have tuned
their lays anew, and re-echoed sweet
anthems, re animating al nature, and
cheering us, poor mortals, who, for an hour
or two had been wrapt in solemn thought
and gloomy meditations. Our minds were
temporarily detached from sublunary things
and wandered through the regions of inf
mite space.
But all these things are undergoing a
significant change. The forest trees still
retain their beautiful green mantle but,
alas it Is beginning to fade and become
less attractive.
The summer warblers have ceased their
merry chirps, which is good proof that their
pleasures are over. Heretofore, the clouds
have assembled the western and southern
skies only, and though accompanied by ter
rife thunderiDgs and ~lightnings, they shed
refreshing showers upon the earth, disap.
peared, and were succeeded by sunshine
and the most delightful breezes. But nov
the clouds are less dark. Yet they are seel
coming from every direction, a confuse,
mass Of vapor is seen floating in the frma
ment, and a monotonous rain continues t
fall till we become weary, restless.
Instead of those gentle zephyrs and Sc
and mountain breezes which fan our cheek
and administer comfort to exhausted ns
turc, a brisk wind blows now from th
moth, now from the east, causing a lon,
some moaning and signing in the tree top
which creates in the human heart a sens
ton of peculiar anxiety and sadness. Tn,
autumn approaches. Hoar frost will SOC
divcst the forest Of its green foliage an
wIap nature in the habiliments of decs
and destitution. So with us, my friend
Although, perhaps, we have not reach'
the meridian Of life, its autumn will come
yea, is already coming on apace. "
have passed the Spring and are now in Il
Summer OF life.
Dark clouds, troubles, trials and disa
pointments often cross our path; but tn
disappear, and allow us to enjoy an intery
OF pleasure and repose. But it will n
continue thus. Hitherto we have need
irmness and courage to Withstand troub,
\ trials and the assaults of vice, which ha
occasionally fallen upon us with a weig
almost insupportable.
Bot when we reach the autumn and I
winter of life, then viii we need paticr
AMI faith, for troubles will be "legion."
Time, with his long used but unwc
plows will not fail to make deep furro
upon our cheeks and frost upon oar loo
When this shall have been accomplish
Ahpu may We know that we are in the W
ter of life, and near the freezing zone
death.
Oh let as be provided with T" wings
llovr and arms Of faith," that when we CO
DO cross " the valley and shadow Of dea'
we rh9y /" fear no evil"
Gully. s. q.