Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-25

VANITY OF NANTES.

Il is conceded by all healthy moralists
that the tendency Of this generation is head
long towards materialism. Selfshness, IA
pacisy, avarice and atheism prevail to an
alarming extent, and, as the iron, brazen,
silver and golden ages have gone out Of date,
we do no. hesitate 10 characterize our present
chronology as the cdnRed-rcgctotle epoch Our
civilization is an Dramatically sealed pre-
serve, and in the pride Of our intellect, we
warrant il 70 keep in any climate. Next to
sensualism, arrogance is the greatest provo
cation Of insanity, and IL the shoddy era,
'eS, is not besotted with conceited lunacy,
We have studied chronological logarithms 70
no purpose Before the war, the patriarchal
institutions Of the South saved her. i'm
measurably, from Northern msxims but
when she saw how the late revolution was
about TO terminate, and saw, too, reign Of
suffers fastened upon our hungry soil,
tempting our simple-hearted people with
refuse mackerel and consumptive herring
we folded our robe about US and died
rs game an Cesar, at the base Of
Buffers statue. We have had resurrection,
as one from the sepulchre, and gazing abroad
in wonderment behold the same poison at
work amongst us, as long since shot through
the Northern vein. Laocoon's serpents held
him not more constrictiyely, and, with the
departure of olden sympathies, we grow
more ard more self-seekers and heaven de-
liant. The material aspiration has sup
planted the hospitable faith of yore; may
God help US, for human help there is none |!
The sweet uses Of adversely have bee. lost
upon many, and the bodies of men and wo-
men, instead of being tabernacles of the
Holy Ghost, shrine some joss image, like a
chinese pagoda-calling it Fashion, Concu-
piscence or Gain. nsrT Hst
Upon this holy day Of rest, while the
church bells knell around us, let there be
Sabbath in our souls for once Let us ex-
anime critically and unsparingly how far
each one is amenable to the corrupt spirit of
the age. The world has girdled our hearts
with It's earthiness; LET our conscience spade
il away for ever. Let US sanctify every ac-
ton, however humble, making even the
commonest transaction hostage for us with
the Great King. i4o~
The only way to counteract the sinful
processes of the world is TO preserve invio-
late the white robes Of conscience. When
we remember the evanescence Of human
passion, it should command a pause. No
faculty has been bestowed vainly; all may
be exalted here, 10 be perfected hereafter by
the Divine Architect who has reared a man
sion for his creatures not built by hands To
reach this radiant palace, the heart must not
be srfiocated or the spirit quenched. The
fall of the mightiest empire casts no shadow
into heaven, but the loss of a single soul
dims the stars. H
Here are some singular verses from Rueck-
ert, which come not nsaiapnpes, and embel-
lish many reflections beyond the jurisdiction
Of prose:
solomon where is thy throseY ItissOne in the
BsbyIOnl where is thy misht7 Il is gone in the
Like the swim shadows Of Noon. Ike the dreams
Of the blind.
Vanish The glOries avd pomps of the earth in ihe
Man canst thou build upon aught in the pride Of
Wisdom WIN teach thee that nothing can tarry
Though there be thousand bright actions en-
balmed and enshrined,
MyriaGE and millions Of brighter are snow in the
wind.
Solomon where is thy thrOneg 1t gone in the
BabylOnl where is thymighig It's gone in the
All that the genius of man hath achieved or de-
Waits but is hour to be dealt with ms dust by the
wind.
Say. what is lpleasures A phantom. mask un-
scienccS An almond. whereof we can pierce but
the rind; ~ itfi.a
Honor and AiHaeuceG Firmans that Fortune hath
Only 10 glitter ard pass on the wings of the
wind.
solomon where is thy throhe' II is gone in the
BabylOni where is thy mighty Tits gone in the
Who is the FortunAteY He who in anguish hath
Heshall rejoice when his relics are dust in the
Mortal be careful with what thy best hopes arc
Woe to the miners for Truth--where the I.ampIess
have ninedl fH t
Woe to the seekers on earth for--what none ever
They and their trust shall be scattered like leaves
on the wind.
Solomon whore is thy throneY 1t is gone to the
Babylon Ehsrs s.hy mighty nisaOno to the
Happy in death are they only whose hearts have
contigned -. 49, an
An Rart6;s affections and iOnsinss and cares to
the wind.
Pity, thou. reader the madness Of poor Human
Raving, Of Knowledse-and Satan so busy to
bl.ndt
Raving Of Glory--iilSe me--for the sarlands bind
(iarlands Of song are but gathered, and-strewn
solomon whore is thy throneH tits gone to the
Babylon where is thy might It is gone TO the
l. Abul; Manner, must rest; for my ere hath
And hear yoi9cs from Hades like bells on the
wind .e