Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-10-16
By IGNoTUs

By IGNoTUS.-CONCLUDRD.
In thoughtful mood Alonzo was pursuing
his journey hen restrospection turned his
mind upon the past. And he began to think
OF loved ones lost-the absent and the dead
and the thoughts of other days come rush
ing through his soul like swift shooting me-
teors through a dark and lonesome vale
And he saw in his Imagination a loved sister
bending DER the couch of pain like an angel
OF Mercy, to soothe the sinking, restless spir.
II OF a lovely boy, laid low by the unrelenting
hand of affection. And he saw in his imag.
nation a bereaved father walking to and fro,
and wringing his hands in deepest sorrow
and lamentation for the loss of a fayorite
child. And again he saw that father seated
by a friend, weeping as though his heart
would break, and telling of his firm resolve
already made to live and die for Heaven
And again he saw that father low in affection
lie, and most devoutly pray for mercy on his
soul; and Mercy came to his relief and
healed his broken heart and he uttered
praises Tor redeeming love, which came to
cneer, and bless and heal, his sin sick soul
IN the days OF sad bereavement and affection.
Again Alonzo saw him sinking in the grave:
though Mercy had healed his sin sick soul
disease still preyed upon his mortal frame.-
A friend stood by his side: he took him by
the hand and said
Had 1.-THE power to call one soul to life again,
Of all that ever died since death begun TO
reign,
The soul of him / would recall now from the
spirit land,
Who most earnestly said to that friend, save
me if you can.
have something 70 tell you when | get we'll
again.
And as Alonzo thus was musing upon the
past, he came to where a kind-hearted maid
en- was sitting down in that solitude which is
unknown to all who enjoy the light of this
material world, and listening to the mournful
song of the waters as they glidcd away in
the distance, and to the music of the gentle
sas they played upon the ~rustling
- Inn hsE JeFRgd d tr sae groves, as Tnty
Through the sylvan shades and as
he drew higher to the place OF her solltuoe,
he perceived that she was weeping. And be
inquired, lovely maiden, why weepest thou
In accents mournful but lovely she excla,niuu
1.-THE music of the world around mo Is lali-
ing on my ear, but "
t;es i"-She was blind.
Alonzo endeavoredat to console the unfor-
tunafe young lady, by reminding her that
though she was deprived of one of the great
est enjoyments of this life, yet she might be
happy in giving the alteration of her heart to
Him, whose Apostle hath said, that all
things work together for good to them that
love Him. and that though she could not
enjoy the light of yon material sun, yet in
her soul she might have light from the Sun
of Righteousness to cheer and comfort her
in her dark way through this vale of tears
and that she might yet be happy in the com-
pany of those of whom it is said in Holy.
Writ, Blessed are they that know the joyful
sound, for they shall walk, 0 Lord, in the
light of thy countenance." And though she
had more thSn the common lot of a~f1iction
to endure in this world by being deprived of
its light, she was also free from the direful
influence of many of it's allurements and that
she might have the light of Heaven TO cheer
and comfort her in her dark pilgrimage thro'
the darkness of this world to the light of the
happy spirit world above, and in the bloom
ing prospect lose the sorrows of the way"
AS Alonzo was passing pensively along the
highway, he met an old man holding along
upon two sticks. And he said to him, "old
man, how far are you in your journey on the
highway of life I" A tear CAM stealing
down his weather-beaten, care-worn cheek.
"Ah." said he, sit has been a wearisome
Journey to me. Here and there Imeta a friend
of humanity, who gives me comfort and con.
ISOLATION on my way, but the world disregards
my helpless condition. Fortune once smiled
on me, and then the world smiled on me too;
but misfortune came both TO my person and
property, and made me lame and poor; aid
now / DO longer have the smiles of the world
-E4aA-- - al urhA 80 49, cs~-l- II
Those whom / once thought were my besi
friends were friends only to my fortane anc
when ~fortunefed they stunned me. The poe
hath said, hard is the fate OF the inirm ant
poor" and SO I find it to be: but my jour
ney will soon be ended. Ishall soon get nom,
to the bosom Of my old mother Earth. wher'
none will be poorer, none richer than | ;ant
there this wayworn body shall ~recline, AM
re-mingle with the dust from whence it came
and wait until the Resurrection morn, to b
renewed and reunited to my soul, which