The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-08-17
COVER THE THRESHOLD"

Infinite space is filled with worlds. They
strike the beholder with wonder and admi
ration by their incalculable number, their
harmonious order and sublime beauty.
Amid these glittering worlds appear a
bright little orb, attended with one silver
hued satellite, which with her revolves in
ceaseless motion around the glowing sun.
Hills and dales, woodlands and rivers, the
mighty lakes, the vast billowy ocean and
towering mountains, adorned this little
world, which was destined for the abode of
man, "the crown of creation" So lovely,
so perfect was the future dwelling place of
humanity, that when complete the sons of
God shouted for Joy; and the morning stars
sang together as the great Jehovah launched
lover the Threshold" of Heavens battle
ments this fair earth, to drift on increasingly
upon the waveless sea, the shoreless ocean
Of unfathomed blue.
Man has been endowed with q deathless
soul, God-lixe intellect that enables him
to appreciate and enjoy the beautiful and
sublime by which he is surrounded, and to
still go onward in the glorious task of adorn-
ing and identifying the place of his abode.
Art with eagle glance,
Burst In full splendor from her trance
Beautiful models of gepius stamped with
visions of ascending thought, were soon
scattered like gems over this magnificent
world. The stately temples and palaces OF
art rose in towering grandeur; until they
their music to the will of mighty mind, and
great cities dotted the boundless plains
Such are the variety of features which div
ersify the fair world. The teeming millions
of earth's inhabitants pass in and out "Over
the Thresholds" of the wonderful structures
their hands have made, live out the brief
span of their lives, and then pass "Over the
Threshold" of the mysterious realm OF
death.
All the pomp and parade attached to the
npanarnff0Ua for livin0 In nj -
the brief span of human existence are in
significant compared to what is requisite to
secure eternal happiness. Life holds forth
to the numerous wanderers upon its bound
less plains, the diversities that are presented
in the material creation. Hills and noun
tains. plains and valleys, the rapid current
and the placid streamlet, are but types OF
the inner life OF the human soul. We live
and breathe In storm or in sunshine. In
the warm and genial valley carpeted with
natures richest hues, kissed by the softest
breezes which temper with delicious cool
ness the too ardent chances of the sun, ex-
istence floats calmly and peacefully away.
As the snow-capped wave is dashed against
the hidden rocks and breaks into a thousand
drops of rainbow hue, some fairy hand turns
all trouble into JOY and breaks the threat
ened shock into bright hopes and sparkling
pleasures.
Again, on some bleak mountain path, in
some stormy gorge, the human soul frets
ont its life OF care ever hopelessly beating
against the overwhelming storms Of advers
sity and sorrow But closely connected and
running parallel with the natural life Il the
moral and spiritual pathway. @On the
Threshold Of each life q guardian angel
stands. Sweet patience wOos with gentle
breath, virtue and religion strive with ner-
suasive voice against the baser passions that
are ever ready TO engulf ife's possessor
within the deep abyss of crime, darkness,
and despair. Too often, alas! they are tri-
nmplant, and the wrecked soul wanders
hopelessly and Selplessly, seeking rest and
finding none, ssoyer the thresholdn of death
TO the confines of the great unknown, %
reap with bitter heart the fruits of vicious,
misspent life.
The spiritsof good md evil are ever build
ing tepzPseA I'D palaces, over whose thresh-
old our own agllls will lead usrand within
whose halls will make US meet with either
happiness or woe On one hand. the grace
fu1 spires OF worldly pleasures rlfffering
temple rise In beautiful pE8bortions before
IN. There sits vice decked IN her randy.
r0ua delight, while folly BEARS In her hand
s Drumming goblet of Nepenthean neefRr.
T'here too Ii fair but deluBlve hone. and In
dnience Idals on easy couch. recklasslv snnrd-
inR golden time. Many nowerg-wreaIhea
577 n