The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-09-17
VOL. XIII.---NO. %.
Reflections Of q Historian,

Samuel Whelpley, in his compend histo-
ry, after reviewing the rise and fall of ma
tons, INDUCES in the following rehec-
tions:
The great nations which enioyed uni
vcrsal empire, are now silent in the DUST
And, as objects subtend less angle in pro-
portion to their distance, so q century. bur
led deep in the vale of antiquity, appears
but as an hour, and the duration of a ma
ton but as day. In the morning its in
fancy is weak, and its chief defence is in
its obscurity or insignifcance. or in the
weakness OF others; it gathers strength by
adversely, and at length acquires a vigor-
Gus youth. AT midday it acquires a strong
and lofty attitude; it basks for an hour in
the beams ofprosperity, and drinks deep
the inebriating draushts of luxury and
pleasure. And now its beauty fades-its
strength decays-its glory perishes, and
the declining day hastens night of
storms and clouds and everlasting dark
ness.
The nations of men resemble the perpe-
tually rolling and conflicting waves of the
ocean. fla billow rise high, it is but to
to sink as low-if it dash its neighboring
billow, it must be dashed in its turn If It
rage and foam, it is but to exhaust itself
the sooner-if it roll TRANQUILITY on the bos-
ON of the deep, it is but to sink for ever
by its own gravity. 1t is thus with all ma
lions, with all human institutions, and with
all the noDlest inventions and works of
art
r Lne cIIomd,tapt towers-the gorgeous palaces
yea all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like the baselcss fabric of vision,
Leave not q wreck behind"
And alas! the ravages of time, though
rapid and resistless, are too slow to salts
ty the furious rage ofrestless mortals-they
must share the empire of destruction. TO
them the work of death is most pleasant :;
and to cultivate the art of killing and de-
stroying has been their chief pride and
glory in all ages, though, whilst employed
in that dreadful work, they sink in destruc-
ton themselves Unhappy children of
men When will you learn to know and
to prize your true interests? When will
you be convinced of that, than which moth
ing is more certain, that war adds infinite
ly to the number and weight of your ca.
lamities-that it fills the world with mis-
cry, and clothes all nature in mourning
that covers your souls with crimson, mex
piable guilt, and brings upon you the
wrath and curse of heaven!
Is there to be no change in this tragic
this dlretul scene of blood and slaughter {?
Shall brotherly love and cordial affection
never become universal, and peace never
wave her white banner throughout the
earths Is there no durable institution
founded in virtue, and permanent as the
eternal rules ofjustice? Is there no firm
gound of hope-no rock on which truth
and reason may build fabric that shall
never fall Yes-there is Kingdom; its
foundations were laid of old: its King
is the God of Heaven; its law is per-
feet love; its dominions are wide, for
they extend to the wise and virtuous in all
worlds-all its subjects are safe, for they
are defended by almighty power; and they
shall rise to eternal prosperity and glory
when all earthly Kingdoms shall vanish
like shadow or dream.
There is an unseen hand which guides
the affairs of nations. Throughout all their
changes and revolutions, through theseem
ing dark and troubled chaos ofhuman con-
Germs, an almighty Providence overrules;
and all events, past present, and to come
are employed in directing and completing
the destinies of all creatures, in subscrvien-
cy to that infinitely great and glorious
kingdom which shall never be removed.