Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-01-11

ISIouo OOOho, We have SbIlFou W
place in each mind foundation from
which shall arise moral superstruc-
ture-a towering height of noble, in
telligent, holy. christian experience
and character which shall successfully
withstand every temptation, every
"fiery dart of the adversary" and
shall stand forth as shining signals
guiding deathless souls heavenward.
And what has been the result? Who
can compute the greatness of our sue
cess? Only the revealings of eternity
can make known all the benefits of
our arduous, cheerful, prayerful la
bors. From little band with whom
such exercises were new and strange,
we have come, with added numbers,
to know, and love, and appreciate
these scenes and seasons well, as the
sparkling eye and heapy heart of
many Of these truth-loving little ones
here tonight. united with the deep
interest and abiding JOY of more ma
ture minds of parents and teachers
will attest. Sweet seasons of pleas
ure we have enioyed-pleasure in lis
tening to holy accents Of prayer and
praise-in singing the sweet, cheering
songs of Zion-in treasuring in the
mind the blessed truths of Divine re-
velation, and in learning more Of that
pure home where "there shall be no
more DEATH nor sorrow, mo more
curse" "no more night" and where
we shall reign forevermore."
Pleasures are there sWeeter and
purer far than those of the giddy
dance, the sparkling, wreathing wine,
the bacchanalian song and revel, the
gaming saloon, or any kind Of vice
These fatal mistaken, miscalled pleas
ures may, like the apples of Sodom,
seem very sweet, and pleasing, and
enticing to the view, but when taken
yield only woe, and suffering, and
bitterness and death. Oh. youthful
heart! exchange not the pure for the
vile-give not eternity for the finite
and perishing. Barter not away the
smiles of Heaven and the happiness
of eternal life for a few years of I'M
satisfying, soul-destroyingioy. Show
we unto YOU a more excellent way. "
A quiet, holy, happy way, pointed out
/ by the matchesS teachings of the
/ '1Owly man of Galilee" A way of
peace, of strength, Of rest, Of JOY. A
way which enslaveth not in the de-
pravity of a fallen world. the lofty
and noble expirings Of our higher ma
ture-a way which maketh even the
darkest hours of life shine with ce-
lestial radiance. and which affords
material for happy, satisfying refec
tion of a dying hour. Our labors
here have also brought a rich reward
to each heart. We may not count
it as doth the miser count his gold !:
for money alone cannot make man no.
BILE; but there comes to each soul
: these hallowed words: "Yc have a
treasure laid up where moth and rust
, doth not corrupt -"ye are learning
to walk in a way which is profitable
unto all things, having the promise OF
the life which now is, and Of that
which is to come" 1t brings a con-
: Stant consciousness Of the approval of
Heaven-a power to contend more
successfully with the stern duties
2 and sorrows of life-while it enables
t the lisping tongue of infancy, the glee-
/ some, happy tone of youth, and the
t failing voice Of age to rightly direct
: the wandering soul in the way to life
+ eternal. Are not such pleasures, sucl
rewards worth the striving, worth
g the sharing? No other pursuit of life
II hath power to yield such a wreath o
h permanent, enobling JOY, and it is Civ
$ en- without money and without price.
d All through the hurrying march OF
e life do the mind and heart need to b.
l. guided by the teachings of wisdom
If and truth and in the Sunday Schoo
e is this knowledge most successful
0, obtained. Very fair life's visione
Of vista seems; yet there are foes to cor
N quer all the way along-loes fror
ID without, and more to be dreaded still
m foes from within the heart.
Sc Self-love and folly will seek to lea
~ onward, step by step, down their fats
al descent; but the very appearance o
a. evil should be Stunned; for sinfl
ct thoughts, if cherished, lead on to deco
OF of crime. Opportunities for cultur
be and improvement lost in youth ca
never be rcalled, and there is I
at greater danger of youthful tempt
'r- ton than by not properly improvir
IN leisures hour. Above all is the
all needed a knowledge of the law
We Sinai and the precepts of Calvar
We and the early discipline of Sund;
en- School instruction which embodi