The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-19

Llo 6c<tSOlkSs
Thank God for the seasonsl They come and
they so, and they come and 60 again-ever, In
their round Of happy influences, ending and
renewing the life Of the world, and keeping
before us the beautiful designs of an all.wise
Providence, and the merciful dispositions OF
kind and benefcent God. These dear seasons,
which so regularly perform their severai
Offices Of seeding, and terminating, and bloom
ing, and maturing the fruits OF the eartn, ana
of preparing the earth again by rest, by send
ing thetsrosts into it, to soften and pulverize IL
and give it new energy when the warm, ver-
nal sun sends its rays upon it-these dear,
delight seasons, which thus perpetuate our
homes and fulfil their mission to cheer and sup
mort mankind since its fall and Punishment
from Paradise, should be alike the objects OF
our gratitude, admiration, and love. When
we behold the ripened and golden grain waving
in the wind, and remember that the good Goo
has, through his seasons, matured II mus 1or
our sustenance, we cannot suppress the emo
tions Of gratitude. II we are grateful, we can
be no less sensible Of the wonderful nature OF
His works, and our hearts must be filled with
admiration.
Let MS remember that the parable of the
ripened grain falling before the scythe OF the
reaper is the symbol of our own maturity ana
death, and our own entry into the tomb. FOL
lowing the seasons, however, in the divine
circle, we see how ont of the death OF the
vegetable life there arises n new lie
the life to terminate, to bloom, ana 10
flourish for another year and In like manner
we may still continue the symbolic representa-
ton of our own nature in our death, and the
perpetuation of our species through those who
come after us, and who assume, in turn, the
responsibilities of society, and all the cares
and duties which grow out of them
These lovely seasons teach us great many
beautiful lessons We never can be too CRATE
full for them, nor can we ever admire them
TOO much. They may be looked upon as our
dearest and best friends in all adversities and
ALI the yicissitudes of life. How sweet are
the blossoms of spring to the stricken heart
to the Inflated victim of fortune, or the way
ward transgressor! The winters prison is
dreary, and Hope can but plume her wing for
short flights but the first fc .yer that blooms
sheds a fragrance that revives the spirit,
brings back the memory to the sweet days OF
childhood and innocence, and stimulates in
the heart hope for yet new life OF peace
and happiness. The early spring steals
through the lattice of the opulent. and the
bars of the prison, and dispenses its joys TO
the millionaire and the criminal. 1t renews
the bright promise of the year, and assures
all of the repetition of that benignant Provi-
dence which has ministered alike to the hap
piness and support of mankind from the crea-
ton of the world.
These delightful seasons, which pursue their
courses with such unfailing regularity-whlch
cannot be changed or INSTRUCTED by any OF
the excuses, the monstrous outrages, and
even the maddest revolutions, of mankind
are to be hailed with more than ordinary
delight by our own people. The war and It's
disasters and desolatious have left them with
bruised hearts and subdued hopes. Memory
vet fingers upon the battlefield, and affec-
ton seeks the graves of the heroic dead TO shed
it's bitter tears. But the spring time comes,
and It's flowers grow upon the graves, and It's
bright sunshine and its rich blooms cheer the
distressed and animate the hopes OF the des-
| pondent. 1t assures the afflicted by its beau
tiful types of the bright resurrection OF the
good and the brave, and it invites the despon-
dent to a new field of exertion and enterprise.
The Con who rules the universe in spite of
our perverseness and INSTRUMENTATION still
spreads before us his fructifying sunshine,
children of sorrow and adversely, enter into
the joys of the earth and be happy.
Sweet sad days of sorrow-of recollection
of the dear departed spirits of whom the liy-
ing were bereft by the fortunes of that strife
which is the work of man! Dear delightful
seasons, which give new life through the
bruised flower and the rifted seeds, and make
existence once more bright, and cheerful, and
hopeful! Thus are the revolutions, the out
RACES, the sanguinary conflicts of men which
fill the world with mourning, and multiply the
number of widows and orphans, softened and
blunted in their force upon our condition, and
mankind ever cheered by the promise OF q
brighter future, that shall dissipate all our
miseries, and bring back the joys of other days
How the daisy, in its early bloom" wee,
modest, crimson tippit flower and the
blossom of the tulip tree, that gives the first
honey to the bee-eXcite in the breast the
eager anticipation, the rich scene of springing
vegetation that is to follow! How the good
God ever reproduces the natural life and how
his laws proceed undisturbed by the political
and social commissions of humanity!
Letus thank God ever for his lovely seasons,
which so happily wipe out the sad marks of
"man's disobedience to God" and bring upon
earth in such regular succession those delight
full changes in nature which are q balm to the
wounded heart and the ever springing hope to
the child of adversely.
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The Virginia Springs.
We have before referred to these admirable
fountains of health-so long the Meccas of