The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-08-22
The Past and the Present

As months and years glide by MS on the
rapid wing which is ever hurrying opportuni
ties into that grave from which there is no
resurrection, 1t becomes q profitable emplov-
ment TO occasionally renew the DAYS which
are past, and from the rich stores of memory
ana rehecton draw fresh encouragement or
warning for days to come. To how much O,
our liVes, 10 how many means of good, oppor-
tunltles OF usefulness, does the sad remem.
branee cling that it is past. Gone with all
the favor God stamped upon it. Gone with
all the wealth of happiness which was embodied
In It, The favorable moment is gone and
not an the power of the mighty not all the
wealth OF the affiuent can buy it back again
The friend our unkindness aliepafed i no.
yond our repentance. The grave swings its
dark door between them and our late en-
treaties. The calls for charity Which we have
denied have winged on to heaven, and the
gold we have since accumulated cannot now
par their testimony there. Youth. it NAV be.
Is past, and all the soul-wealth education once
Sonered is now Withdrawn. No longer does
leisure noid ,he door of her temple against
intrusion, and the rich mine she pointed to
Is now an unused shaft. These and ten tbou,
sand other regrets will arise in the retrosnect
and each with added eloauence cali To tho
Improvement of that treasure-time
but while we are sorrowful in view of tho
losses we have sustained, there is yet much to
remind US OF crowded mercies which have
followed us with ceaseless importunitv A.
the past lies in the track Of lipbt wh;nh
memory casts upon it, we behold pnrnose, a
plan In all the dealings of Providence which
speaks as loudly and as toucbinelv To tho
thougntful mind as could the tongne of on
angel Intelligent love has guarded us-;n.
ali Eca.s 1 deHohs.rance has guided us; and in
al NE dlihcultles and blessings we must be-
nold the Master Mind hedging our way to
soou' ana IRON the lap of the past we re-
ce.Se the present, fraught with its web Of
enjoyment and duties. Ours To t;ll ort .h -
shadowings of high excellence-ours To nos.
sess IN all Its vast capabilities for good-pnrs
~ ehrich with the triumphs of heart and mind
~ lfs III All It's glorious possessions.
io,aay IS mighty moral power-a little
t worie oi responsibility and joy-the bud of n
phssini future, the garner Of past exner;ence
10 we reaiize that each morning the greet
tral piece OF life is delivered to ms to act over
again. 10 remove the mistakes of Yesterday
py the well doing of to-day 1t is benevo.
tent guidance that shuts the night down IN
our weary and discouraged hearts, Strengthens
Irehi, ana tnen gives to us the stainless tablet
s ".io'iel uay' 10 write upon that which shall
:eem goou 10 US. And not only so, but holds
:" NNNP Vi JOY, Il WIDER range of
blessings than were possible before Yo,,h
SHOWS notu &c know the calm happiness
OF middle life, and that, like the dives Of SIM.
old age. 'Ae e'o's Vi serene
:. lime advances with its duties, its privileges
as blessings, and at each advance makes
;resh deposit of happiness. And when from
individuals we glance at the life of nations
me same truth is evident. There is no bach
track tor them, more than for us. They have
.heir great part to act and the opportunity in
I'M, ,he moral battlefield. The time of the Revo.
Iuuon made the men of the Revolution, They
acted upon. each other-evolyed the Great
pan Tor which each was destined and passed
on, to deposit their stone on the monument
Oh lne past And now the forward march of
progress has called to another raco - -,
and move in another panorama. Other minds,
great and gifted, are to shine through the
comets conn. Of the present, to which they are
called and prepared by the guidings of that
providence that ''Doeth all things well,'im
american Miscellany. "''i'