Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-09-02
THE ENJoYMENTs OF LIFE.

MANY lOsS blle True anu ldSLlnB RleasureS Oh Nv
ing because they are not content to regard the
instructions end experience of those who have
gone before them. The attractions of the pres
ent hour have complete control over them, and
they enter, with all their powers, upon the en-
ljoyment of present qualifications. The result
often is surfeit, and a consequent loss of the
power to enjoy. Life is wasted notwithstand-
ing all the admonitions of the past. But it is
ever true that they who will not heed the wis
dom of the past, and take advice must work
out the lesson for themselves, though they per-
ish in learning.
As was medtating upon these thoughts, and
deploring the folly of the human family, 1 must
have fallen insensibly into slumber which,
however, did not dispossess my mind of the
subject which had engaged it. A vast plain
was lying spread out before me, perfectly level
and with no boundaries but the horizon. /
knew that on my right hand it was East. 1
could see vast distance in that direction, al
though my power of vision could reach no limit
Of the plain. Yet l could not see all things
clearly. l soon discovered that this was the
II VI biic past uc u1OuuulellbS VI niSVOTy
were dimly visible away in the distance.
could see thrones and kingdoms, and orators and
statesmen, and all kinds of past characters and
events rearing their heads. And as further
observed, Iperceived that the objects visible in
this direction extended down to the point lust
| they were nearer to me. Though l could now
=
/ see that the whole plain ON my right, as far as
/ the eve could reach, was filed with the records
of the past, observed that objects near did not
prevent me from discerning objects at a distance
Each one seemed to have form and character
of its own, and yet to be transparent, revealing
| that which was behind it. was conscious of
discerning the outlines of all that i had ever
known of past history. was sensible, too,
that the plain was filled up with objects ofwhich
| had no definite knowledge. i knew the past
was peopled to, the full. As was gazing in the
effort to discern as clearly as possible what was
to be seen, became sensible of movement in
the atmosphere. A gentle breeze was waited
from the whole area / had been studying and
it brought to my ear quiet yet distinct whis-
ed. AS if the genius of wisdom were speaking
in my ear heard the words: '.FrOm the expe-
rience of the past learn lessons for the future"
The whisper though gentle, seemed to fill the
air, and make itself audible everywhere.
As the sound ceased thought of the future,
and turned my eyes toward my left to see what
| could of it. But could only discern that it
was without limit. And this was more an in
describable consciousness than a discernment,
for thick, white mist cloud covered the
whole area, resplendent with light, yet conceal
ing all that might be beneath it. l seemed to
know, however, that it covered only blank, va
cant space, for it was the future. The thick,
concealing mist rolled back its pOnderous vol
umes steadily and evenly, just as the present
advanced upon it. Not one hairs breadth did
ifyield except as the present took actual possess
sion of the ground. So nothing could be dis
cerned that was to be. Only what was present
and actual could be seen. My eye was now
brought to the scenes Immediately in front of
the place where was sitting. And here all was
life and commotion. The present generation of
men and women fell under my gaze. soon
discovered two figures who seemed to be endea-
voring to attract the attention of the crowded
masses around them. l was in no mood for
looking at the business men were doing, so
only watched their efforts to secure enjoyment.
l saw in the two figures before me two embodi-
ments of enjoyment l was struck with the
contrast between Them. The first had very
beautiful countenance, and was arrayed in the
most gorgeous apparel. She seemed possessed
of every natural andacquired accomplishment
Her movements were full of grace Her voice
was rich and its tones silvery. She sang de-
lightful songs. She invited men and women
to follow her. soon perceived that she was
the goddess of pleasure. She had umerous vo-
taries and followers. She taught them to sing
and to dance. She allowed them the wine cup.
She caused them to abstain from looking at the
cloud Just before them, or inquiring whittier
they were tending. She laughed at the ad-
monishing whisper of the past, and babe her
followers enjoy the present After contempla-
ting her movements awhile, discovered what
her followers were ignorant of, viz: that the
beautiful countenance and gaudy apparel Ofthis
goddess were all only thin and unsubstantial
appearance. l could see beneath them, and
could perceive that her real face was sad with
disappointment, and her lips were curled with
contempt. l could see that her expression
was thatof erussti, and that all of her movements
were really full of WEAKNESS. Her followers,
too, became much like her in short time
Their enjoyments had no substantial basis.
They were merely the things of an hour, and
without permanence. The admonishing whis-
per of the past ever and anon would lind its
way to the ear of this great company, and then
the gloom of care would gather on the brow
The great luminous cloud before them would
sometimes alright them, and cause them to stop
a moment andrefect. But they commonly en-
tered again into the giddy whirl and went on in
thoughtless qualification till, worn out and wea-
ry they fell to the earth.
contemplated the other figure also. Her
face was very plain, and was commonly consid-
cred wholly unattractive. Her garments were
chaste and neat but without gaudy ornament.
Her gait was steady and dignifed but nothing
more. She invited men to science, to virtue,
ures Of the world. She admonished men to heed
the whisper when it came to their ear. She
pointed to the cloud and its light invitingly. ~
She warned against the snares of the willy
temptress, who in her turn, ridiculed her staid
and sober ways. She had her followers, but
they were comparatively few in number They
exercised much self-denial. They sacrificed the
present to the future, and in SO doing made the
best use of both. This figure / discovered to
be the goddess of genuine, virtuOus satisfaction
She, like the other, was masked, but thought
her followers seemed to know it somehow
They seemed to think her better than she look
ed. And SO she was. For although she wore
look of care for her vOtaries, and was anxious
lest any of them should wander, underneath all
there was a smile of satisfaction unalloyed.-
Her substantial was that of the most
enduring felicity. Her attire beneath the plain
mask was of the richest fabric, and adorned
with gems and the richest gold. Her disciples,
for they were in the truest sense learners -
grew ever more joyful and happy Their tastes
were formed by solid instruction. Their pleas
ures were pleasures of the mind and the heart.