The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-05-21

country by usurper.
For the courier.
The Henrth,stone and the uni.
verse.
The simple ideas Of self and Inf, itude,
are the first to which the human soul ava
kens. From these are gradually unwound
oil the relations in which man's existence is
involved. The child opens his eyes upon
the earth, the sky, and the loved faces Of
cherishing friends. The blue arch above is
a mystery he looks upon With silent won
der, the earth to him is vague expanse. -
The first lesson in Psychology is impressed
upon his mind with q vividness to which
the reasoning Of Bacon cannot add one
ray Of light, nor the misty logic or ''Berk-
ley obscure with single shade Not less
distinct are bis impressions Of things ipme-
diately about him-,he cottage door, the
green SOD before it. where he plays in the
shadow Of the elm, trees. the little garden,
which to him is fairy land, and the smiles
which beam upon him from loving eyes,
Home is his world, and long after, when the
broad spheres Of life are reached. he looks
upon it as the inner circle of his existence,
where all that is most pure and blissful is
enshrined,
But with the consciousness of self, there
appears another spontaneous idea-that Of
the Infinite. the stars, the ocean. the migh-
ty wind, send forth their sublime Theology
into the heart Of the youth. The "still small
voice." within confirm their searchings.-
Thus the universe and its Creator becomes
q reality, mysterious reality that encir-
Gle him every where. like an overw helming
presence. 1t is a misfortune Of any nature
not to be developed amid the gentle inf1u.
ences OF true home. Nowhere but in the
bosom of family whose atmosphere is one
of intelligence and virtue, can the whole be-
ing systclnatica'y y unfold itself To whom
else can the philosophy Of human happiness
be acquired in IFS first elements. There we
We learn how all the minutia Of kindly looks
words and deeds blend their almost imper-
ceptible tinges, to form the rure glory Of
the hearts sunshine. There, every day du-
ties become more beautiful, - nay, even sub
lime. IN the dear shelter of our infancy
were fixed the first ronnds Of that ladder by
which we ascend to the dwelling place Of
the angels, and through life there words ev-
er recall each other Home and Heaven
Heaven and Home. Pity the orphan. for
the rose bud. removed from its parent bush,
to open in some cold, dark room, will lack
the beauty and fragrance, which are woven
Of the air, the sunlight, and the nourishing
juices Of the tree. Yet they to whom the
discipline oflife comes early, and PASS the
hours buffeting the storms, have often rich
er character, than those who shrinking from
contatact With the world and its stern re-.
sponsib'iities, never hear the throbs that
rend the heart strings Of humanity. By
The hearth-stone tie bud fouri.hes but
the universe expands the flower. To per-
feet the bloom Of immortality, we must have
purity within us, fresh ss the dew drop
/ hat never dies from The heart of the rose
knowledge, summed like light. into the very
Iibres of our being, and svmpathies that
alike to the wall from the c, ushed spirit Of
the outcast, and the peans that ring from
the Tyres ofthe seraphhn. tits said, IL ey.
cry hearthstone cherished the elements of
it's own happiness the world would be hap
py too. Hardly so; f,r "a by inimitab,e
laws, human influence constantly radiates.
L,fe's missions cannot all be fulfilled ut the
ireside. True, one who il faithful there,
s better fitted fitted for usefulness rs
member of society, but to make home the
Of duty, is to be q planet moving
indeed ON its own axis, but never revolving
With other rlanates arounda central light.
From green and sheltered spots, lyrg in
he moon shadows, il is pleasant to look
up into the radiance of the far away stars
-suns to other systems. they are the jew
ills the, nightly pin up our purple canopy |;
o the light Of lofty intellect shines in upon |
ecluded firssides. The inspirations Of Mo-
art OF Milton, may blend soothingly with
he duh monotone of daily cares. The dis
overies Of Newton or Kelper make the win
er amusement Of happy children at even
ing, and the small plaster cast or engraving
'pon the mantel, reflect to the cottnger the
glorious creations ofa Re, hazel era Phidias.
IN that is good is the heritage Of him who
ooks upon Il with an appreciaiing eye.---
That is true homo that admits the rays
visdo,n, through every loorhole and case.
nent, and without that wisdom brought |
rom the nights and depths Of the Universe,
he most princly mansion is only rather
more desirable dwelling than the hut Of the |
Isquimaux, and families who live merely 10 !
njoy their comfortable residences, arc only
rather more refined species or Aluiianss, .
,urrowing in their native sublerrsnean den. |.