The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-09-18
From the Boston Rambler.
WE at Shall We Coyet2
Covet earnestly the best gifts !--ConINruAys.

II would be well for each one to COM
mune with himself. and ascertain, il pos.
sible, what gifts are most earnestly COW
eted. Every per son has an object ir life,
whether distinctly defined in their own
minds or Otherwise, and also something in
the future to which their most ardent
wishes turn, through the shadows which
intervene.
Some seem indeed 10 lead an aimless
life but is il so? Could we break the
tangled web of !rivoli,y, passion or care,
which holds the spilit captive, and gaze
into its labyrinths, we should see that a
hope Of better things, resolution TO make
nobler effort, keeps alive the divine spark
tn the soul which is 5nt rarely visited by
a breath from Heaven.
There Is no gift OF talent, wealth, pow
er, or beauty 20 be compared with the
possession OF an unaccusing conscience.
That little monitor within, possesses an
angels power 20 comfort and sustain, or a
demons 10 inhict upon the transgressor
his merited punishment. To one having
"a conscience void OF offense," the re is no
day so dark but has its rays Of heavenly
light; no wound so deep but what an an.
tidole is found 10 sooth its smarting.--
Amid perplexing paths, TIE unseen guide
points TO the right one, and sheds CRATE
iul blessing on the wanderers way and
when, at length, he faints by the road
side, and his bodily eyes grow dim. the
long cherished guest in his bosom clears
from the eye Of his spirit every shadow,
and goes with him to the world where the
sinless dwell. "a conscience void of Of
fence towards God and man." is treasure
more to be coveted than thrones and
earthly donors, heaps Of glittering gold
and gems, which would be all too dear
at the price Of that peace which passeth
understanding. Where is this great bless
ing to be found ? 1t blooms not amid the
floral treasures Of the earth itsparkles
not amid the starry host Of heaven the
sea boasts not OF it. in all its sunless
depths the breeze does not whisper Of its
dwelling. place.
1t has a home more wonderful and mys-
terious than all these. and that home is
the heart Of the good man, where "the
breath Of heaven doth fan the house
ana angels ward it," This treasure
which hath not its equal, is free as !h,
sunlight. but not. like the sunlight. poured
both upon the just and unjust. The un.
just and reckless man keeps up perpet-
ual warfare with the heavenly guest in
his bosom. She speaks when the poor
plead to him in vain she demonstrates
when the fatal cup is raised 10 his lips ;
she entreats when bis foot presses the
threshold OF iniquity but he browns her
voice in the storm OF his passions. He
may silence her opportunities for sea.
son, but they cannot be hushed forever
and when the enfeebled frame caI no lon
ger bear its sin -sticken tenant into the
haunts OF vice, where memory may be
banished. then conscience has resistles'
sway and suggests to the miserable vic
tim Of bis passions awful thoughts of "tbe
worm that dieth not, the fire that is moi
quenched." Thus by sin is Gods good
gift OF conscience changed to tormenting
| fend.
Let each one, then, covet first the pos.
session Of good conscience and what
ever else beside a kind Providence may
bestow, will become dearer and farer
from the spirit in which it is received.
Let the simple question, "Is it right ?"
precede every act OF life and though the
judgment may err, the consciousness that
the heart is pure before God, will sus-
tain the courage, and suggest all holy con
ISOLATION. No: in great deeds alone. which
attract mems gaze, but in the obscurity
of home, or in the entire secrecy Of lh'
heart, let there be perfect rectitude, will
a constant acknowledgement Of the pres
ence OF the Judge of the whole earth
The falsehooG uttered in the transactions
of business wi,hdraws not its baleful in.
fuence upon the soul when the hour Of
relaxation comes, and the honeyed words
Of courtesy hang upon the lips. No I! ii
has eaten IN, and left blot upon the soul,
that full repentance alone can wipe away
Let each one resolve to be trne 10 the i'm
pulses Of his highest nature, that he may
not fear 70 lay bare the record Of his life
before the pure spiritual eye that cannot
look upon iniquity. H.. L.
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