Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-04-29
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Lovely J. 3. Johnson.

Lovely J. 3. Johnson.
Love medtates good in the abstract, and Is
The most grateful Of all the passions. It the
first at the cradle with its generous attributes,
and The last to linger around the pillow when
disease reduces the yigor OF health to the help,
lessness of infancy. 1t covers the lips With
kisses in life's earliest moments, and drops It's
warm sweet tears upon the brow when it grows
pale and cold and, when all is hushed and
passed, it gathers in its yearning arms, the
mute relic of mortality, and tenderly consigns
it to the narrow bed Of its last sleep. No in
6uence can entirely erase it from the hunan
breast and however Injured all individual may
be to the world impurities, there is always
left in his rude heart, genial spot that IL ever
filled by an object of its creation, towards which
il yields cherished thoughts, aud upon which
it sheds the verdure Of attachments freshness.
1t is the agent whose gentle wing ever hovers
over man to redeem him from everlasting deg
of his God The Saviour taught it to the
children of men to rescue them from sin, and
babe it ever remain as diapasoD OF celestial
power amid the things of earth.
1t is most active In the morning OF life; and
it is we'll that it is the monopolzing. passion OF
youth for it fills it's day dreams with an array
Of enchanting pictures which throw an inviting
calmness over the scenes of existence, and Sc
reney prepares the growing energies to meet,
in a b!aud spirit the vanltles ana cares ot the
world When mild, it exerts an exhllaratlng
effect on the different organs OF the body, and
conduces TO health by expanding the powers OF
lie, and causes the mind to contemplate the
objects of its attention with 4 Joy that is as re-
IF ~ w hen yJOlpnt
it overreaches it's Office. aud becomes not only
The origin Of disease, but sometimes the cause
Of death In such cases it will not be appeased
hy reason and being engrossed with the ap
prehension of deprivation Of the object Of its
solictude, it gives rise to all the injurious Ell
fects of strong mental commotlon Expecta-
tion disappointment, and jealousy, are brought
into opposition by it, aud the conflict which
eusues, soon tells it tale OF havoc on the physi-
cal system. The whole being often yields its
stamina, aud the harless victim sinks amid the
decay OF natures resistance and around the
altar Of unrequited devotion, is spread the
wreck of life's sweetest hopes: and fondest
dreams.
Friendship and ambition are the two most
important affections of love. They possess all
it's teuacity without its vehemence aud mani
fest themselves from the earliest youth to the
rarely subdues them and failing in one at
tempt, they make another, and evince q steady
diligence in their pursuit OF an object. Friend
ship has tor It's eujoymenttanglbie U!; ecta and
is formed by union of the sentiments OF con-
geniality which are found to live in two persons
OF Virtuous and intelligent attributes. 1t is
satisfied with the possession OF the fruit OF its
desires, aud never longs for that which is either
unreasonable or unjust 1t is enlitled to the
highest estimation, and legend and song have
given it a high place in the praise Of their
measures. No affection more richly deserves
it for it leads to the performance OF the most
exalted social Offices; and when TIE winter of
years renders the world cold and cheerlesa, it's
smiles ever linger fresh and radiant TO tighten
the gloomy hours CT declining age.
What friendship is to the physical world,
ambition is to the moral; end resteSsness
prevents it fronl feeling the pleasure of either
wealth. or fame II its object is wealth, it
usually degensrates into avarlce II tame, ii is
100 apt to overreach Itself, and sends its yotary
headlong to dismay and misery. It is common,
in greater or less degree, 10 all, and lives ae-
cordag to its vitality in the mind, to render it. |
dsconsented with the things which it can
Grasp, and induces it 10 strive for the posses
sion of those objects which. when attained,
prove decisions, and rebound tut very little to
either health or happiness. 1t duplicates in
It's action many Of the affections, and shows it's |
power upon The system 10 harmony with the |
intensity OF the desires which stimulate it
It's dealings are not with the present, but with
The future, and having its aims placed upon !
!he issue Of circumstances, it opposes content |
snent, and varies in degree by the form which j
chance causes 1t to assume. When the reala- 7
zation of It's labor is not equal 10 The task |!
which it imposes, chagrin is the result, and . |
inmult Of despair ensues that too often ends !
in anything but safety to the mina CT body
The contention Of the violent Sunpulses which |
it generates, causes the mind to vacillate be-
tween hope and fear, and overrides every prin-
ciple Of self-preservation. In its train, follow
envy, jealousy and p,.Alice and like IRE it
consumes every Consideration but it's aims
When correctly exercised, it is worthy of the
highest intellectual power, and its rea souabe
force has glven rise to all that is meritorlous in
art, science or literature; bat when it is tu-
tored 70 repel charity, and destroy usefulness,
n = =, all evil and its wayis through uncertainty