The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-10-28
NOT All Sad.

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Every hour comes freighted with change
Every hour brings decay and death, Change
is whispered in every passing breeze,-writ-
ten on the air cloud, painted on the forest
leaves, and doomed by tie. ocean waves as
they lash the shore. But changeis not always
sad. Autumn is but the harbinger OF spring.
The flower droops and mingles with the dust.
that another, no less beautiful and dear, may
bloom. Ii happy hearts are made sorrowful
by unfortunate occurrences, sad hearts, too,
are made joyful. by pleasant changes. If
some are left desolate and alone who were
surrounded once by kindred and friends, so
some who were friendle3s and uneared for
have found an interest in the hearts, and a
home in the affections of those about them,
gladdened by the good fortune that has better
ed their condition. Suppose a revelation were
given US to-day that everything henceforth in
this world should abide as it is, that the time
for change had ceased, and should be known
no more forever; what CONSERVATION would
seize Us. Do any live wholly in the present
Are not we all looking for the coming future
to bring US the higher good we seek 1t is as
true as Trite that man is never quite satisfied;
the good he pursues is never quite reached
and were all to stop now, farewell to ever ac-
complishing the great aim for which he lives
Now misfortune assails US, there is hope
that some kind change may suddenly turn
things to our advantage, and we bear our bur
dens more lightly as. we remember che muta-
bility of earthly things. We are accustomed
to speak sadly of earth's changes; but where
is the person who would be satisfied with
fixed, ,mcnotonous, unVariea life2 Change is
the power which keeps all things moving. the
impulse which stimulates us in everything we
do; and in thanking the beneicent Author of
existence for the many blessings we enjoy, we
should bless Him Ior the changes that checker
our lot. In the spiritual as well as the materi-
al world there is acontinual Change, and vast
ly more Important. 1t is a law of nature that
nothing stands still; that in everything there
is progression or retrogression. The human
mind is advancing IN goodness and knowledge,
or IS taking the downward road of ignorance
and degradation. BY far the most Important
change, then, depends wholly on our own
choice. Earthly change VIII affect US but lit
tie if the mind and the heart are becoming
better, more enlightened, nearer to the inhab-
itants of that world who know no cnangc but
from the beautiful to the more beautiful, the
good to the better, becoming ever more holy,
more happy, advancing nearer to the King of
glory, forever progressing upward and onward.
But the great first change must be here. Here
must be the preparation for the endless pro-
gression or retrogression. AS the duties of
one hour fit US for the next, SO the -deings of
our present state fit US for the everlasting ft1-
ture. Let us, then, instead of bewailing the
changes which time is working around us, see
carefully to the change 1t Is working within
us, and see, too, that they be such as shall pre-
pare us for the elevated society of the Just
made perfect in heaven, that the last mortal
change may introduce g,us to the sweet sur
prise and iadeless glory Of a happy eternity
Let the mutations Of life stimulate us to great
4 er ealnestness. ss a