The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-02-05

There is something peculiarly solemn in
the comparison, which this season suggests,
between the course through which external ma
ture has run and that Of man. The soft mant-
ling snow covers up the earth, aud gives its
blessing as it leaves it to repose. Its work
has been accomplished, its duty done; the
varied seasons have contributed to pour rich
treasures in the plenteous lap of Autumn,
and winter is to their more productive pow
ers well-earned Sabbath Of repose. The
physical soil has been prepared, and the seeds
Of harvest sown, which has been reaped
and gaFnered. But what efforts have been
made to prepare the mind and heart of man
to receive spiritual seed and bear its harvest
Of love and hope before the last season Of
progressive year. If to the poor, Nature has
given strong nerves and firm sinews to do the
work Of physical cultivation, to the rich have
been given the power and the duty Of the
nobler cultivation Of. the human soul
And what severe reckoning should this time
suggest Of duty neglected and work undone
Charity is one great duty of the rich. This
word, once was worthy of utterance by lips
divine; it meant something higher than the
wisdom of angels something which carried
man nearer to the heart Of God than the grand
est philosophy the most universal knowl
edge. To be charitable was to hold all men
dear to be linked in brotherly love to every
member of the human race; to give every energy
of mind and heart; to diminish evil..and diffuse
good; to raise the human family from crime
and misery to state Of aspiration and pro-
gross to lead the human mind into the sun
shine Of Almighty love, where it could put
forth blossoms whose brightness should never
fade, and whose fragrance should fill all the
ages of eternity This was what charity
once meant, and great deal more now 1t
has come down to subscribing to eleemosynary
institutions. The rich are too often separa-
ted from the poor, by gulf wide as that
which separated Dives and Lazarus and the
chasm will never close until what too many
hold most precious, is thrown in and sunk
forever in its unfathomable depths. 1t needs
no infant in the unsullied simplicity Of ear
Hest llfe-no virgin in the peerless innocence
and beauty of ripening womanhood arm
ed knight full Of noble and heroic devotion.
but what by many is esteemed higher than all
these, higher than nature, ay, and natures
Creator himself-the base and sordid passion
for gain, the miserable conyentionallties, and
class distinction. the unchristian selfshness
and pride, upon which the trumpery dignity
Of successful SPECTATOR is too often built.
Aristocracy has faults enough and bitterly
will it pay for them if they remain I'm pardon
ed and uncorrected. Let them then think Of
the season the water stands in CLASSY columns,
its voice is hushed, and no sound breaks
the strange, exciting, and yet reflective 81.
lence which is SO characteristic of the time,
when hill and Valley is wrapped in one
great mantle ofunsullied snow and then in the
language Of the Poet,
Remember thepoor. in their comfortless dwellings,
Il-clad and ill-fed, and e'er burdened with care,
All, turn not away with look SO repelling-
Thy kindness may save them perhaps frcm
| despair.