Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-04-07
For The Belmont Chronicle.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME.

/
Time It's but a monesyllable, vet, nev
ertheless, who may fathom its deep mean
ing! its mysterious signiication, The
word Time may ring in joyous music from
the rose-lips of the young. for to them it i.
suggestive of naught but mirth, and gayety
and festive scenes; but the aged, in broken
d:rgelike tones, will repeat it slowly and
mourntslly, for well do they comprehend it,
solemn meaning: well DO they know the
changes and mutations that Time has
wrought, and is ever working. Though
life may have been brigh, and blissful to
them, sill there were moments when gloomy
clouds Obscured the golden sunshine; when
thorns were concealed among the flowers,
and pierced their weary feet; when festal
melodies were suddenly and myster;ousIy
changed to wailing. Often have their steps
led to the "house of mourning" They have
watched with fearful gsze, and breaking
hearts, dear and beautiful ones fading away
from earth, like the rose of Summer, or the
hues Of sunset.
Often have their tears glistened like dew
upon the low roof OF grass and flowers which
vailed the lovely sleepers below from their
sight forever. Often, in the pathway OF
life, like the "sweet psaimist of Israel"
have they sighed for the wings Of the dove,
that they might fee away and be at rest.
But the beauteous youth, with healthy,
symmetrical form, clear, fearless eyes, and
cheeks tinted with the rose, carelessIy
throws back the bright locks from his fair,
unshadowed brow, and glances gayly, proud
" over the glorious earth which God has
fashioned for his dwelling place, scarcely
regreIting sor that sweet, los, Eden, whose
portals, uvergrown with fadeless nIiage and
blossoms, were closed against his exlea
ancestors forever. No haunting vision hits
over his heart, that Time will ever offer
him aught but fruits and flowers, sunshine
and sweet melodies; but, unless early re-
moved from earth to the aims of everlast-
lag spring, he yet shall listen to chilling
winds, as they wall wild re guiems over the
sere leaves and flowers that have wi,hered
in the path of his life; and the SHOWS of
Time shall yet gleam upon his head. BUT
the "a!iaond tree shall flourish" and a
chaplet of its blossoms gracefully entwine
his placid brow. "The hesry head is a
crown of glory, if it be found in the " ay of
righteousness"
Time, like his great Creator, is "no re-
specter Of persons" The snowy brow Of
the queen, wreathed with cleaning gems,
and the sunny tresses Of the cottage maiden,
garlanded with flowers, alike are by him
vailed with dust. Needing not whether she
be royal lady, or peasant dsmseI, relentless
ly he plucks the rose from Ter cheek, the
lily from her brow, the diamond from he5
beautiful eye, and the gold from her floating
ringets. and bears away the lovely spois,
never to return them again. But, if she be
adorned with the .'pearl of great price," and
the Ornament OF meek and quiet SPIRIT"
her face, though faded, yet beautiful and
h 'ly in lis spiritual Iove!iness, and radiant
with the light of Heaven, may smile tri-
at tie stern despoiler, Time.
But let US gaze back through the long
vista of ages, and down the dim avenues of
thousands OF years, upon the varied scenes
that have been enacted since Time began
his mystic pilgrimage at the rosy dawn ofi
Creation; in the blushing morning of earth,
when the crystal dews g.istened ike pearls
upon the verdule and bloom of the garde n
Of Eden; when the birds of Paradise warbled
sweetest music amid the foliage of the "tree
of life," and in the fragrant groves that
shaded the howery banks of the bright
rivers of Elysiunl; when angels wandered
with man and his beautiful coLsort amid
those hallowed retreats and blooming ar
cadcs. Paradise, with all its fruits and
flowers, trees and streams, has faded from
mortal vision forever. The earth has been
baptized in the moaning pillows of the
Deluge. Venerable men OF God have been
conveyed by angels to Heaven, in lumincus
whose bright wheels rolled not
through the VALLEY and shadow Of Death ="
The blooming earth has been pressed bv
the footsteps of"God manifest in the flesh.'I
The cedar clad mOuntains, the sapphire
seas. and si!very brooks OF Palestine, ba, e
listened to the prayers OF the Son of God,
as they flouted, like holy music, through
the tender starlight. The son vailed Lis
dazzling face with darkness, and turned his
flashing eye from the scene Of the crucifxion
OF Christ. Mighty empires and Kingdoms
have arisen and been Cverthrown; end
thrones and diadems have crumbled away.
and strcw the path of Time with glittering
dust. Heroes. wreathed with lsurels, bay
crowned poets, kings and queens, patr;archs,
priests, and prophets, with countless nj
lions of moriais hose names are unSri;ten