The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-06-30
THE STREAM OF LIFE
BY R. G. BEYNoN.

1t is difficult to give a satisfactory
and clear definition of time. We know
that life takes place in time.
Philosoph srs have attempted to sim
plify it in &C mmon language, but there
remains a reat doubt whether they
have succe, ded. The various defini-
tons of time are numerous, and many
of them are ambiguous.
The briefest know of is that of Jo-
seph Haven. He defines it to be the
condition Of events" yet am in a
state of mental obscurity as to its pro-
per comprehension and Specification.
To define life again, we are immerg-
ed in the gloom of an intellectual dim
ness. If I should attempt to define it
by saying that life is the space of time
which occurs between the birth and
death of every individual, or the time
allotted during which the vital spark
of immortality is united with its body,
1 should have failed and utterly fallen
in my attempt to convey the ideas
which it embodies.
The acute Seneca asserts: That life
is voyage in the progress of which
we are perpetually changing our scenes :;
we first leave childhood behind us,
tim youth. then the ripened years of
manhood, and then the better and more
pleasing part of old age"
Bishop Heber remarks "that life
bears us on like the current of a mighty
river. Our boat at first glides down
the narrow channel through the play
full murmuring of the little brook and
the windings of its happy border"
We are aware that we are carried
along through the progress of time.
We can conceive of beginning, and az
we progress in the channel of duty, we
feel and realize its responsibilities bind
ing us to the established laws of our
being. In the first stage of our tempo
rary existence, we are placed under the
controlling care of parents and friends,
to direct orr feeble efforts in making
our marks on the visible shores of the
voyage. We are not thrown into the
depth of the stream Immediately; we
play in the little brook of pleasure and
innocence, and as we gain strength in
Physical and mental power, the tempta-
tions which allure 80 many of our fell
low beings, exert their influence on us.
Some again form theories and n.y.
potheses of our previous existence,
stating that the rational soul existed
and exerted its power in a celestial
abode before uniting with its frail gar
ment of Immortality. Such men endeavor
to point out things which are totally
impossible. All that is known of our
being is, that the land marks of time
find us floating on the unceasing cur
rent, amid the vicissitudes of life. The
undulating waves of the narrow and
and shallow brook and rivulets ami
mate our emulation to find ourselves
boating in the irresistible river of re-
sponsi5le manhood.
The aspir ng ambition of our nature
will not be satisfied until we shall be
engulphed il the unbounded ocean of
eternity.
Life is q reality. In all of its course
it has its enjoymsAts and disappoint-
ments. It'll chief course is the channel
of duty. There are duties de-
voiVing On the innocent child I'M
der parental care, while playing
on the sunny shores of it's school
days. Animated as the youth is very
often with the undying aspiration of
reaching the pinnacle of worldly fame,
and to hold the garlands of honor and
victory in his hand, how accountable
ought every individual to feel, that
has the important work of modelling
the youths mind for the tumultuons
field of life, and for the unchanging
scenes of an immortal worlat
There is no illegitimaey in the as
piration for honorand wealth, if q man
will bestOw the honor and tribute Of
them which belong to his Creator as the
tprimary object of his existence. II
you are adapted to, and have the incli-
nation for literature, strive to attain TO
its illustrious greatness, like Shaks-
peare, Milton or an Irving, but re-
member it should have q moral object.
So the student of science with bis I'M
fading fame, when looking forward
and penetrating into thseycles of knowl-
edge. knowledge has its utility in the
numerous arts of life, and besides,
there Ia some attribute, or phenome-
Enon in il which directs our conceptions
to the perfection of all knowledge
The arcena Of nature is the students
sublime idol.
/ If our careers were developed in an
undue shape while playing among the
sweet flowers of the brook, we car
never expect the same degree of sue.
cess. When leaving the borders Of
childhood and entering those of you'll
and manhood, the troubles and dis.
appointments rise before us like the
stormy clouds of the atmosphere
They contain the bitter aEaughts which
numb our tender ssnaibilities, and cast
. gloomy aspect On the most afFeCtion'
ate hopes.
Many of thesn we can easily escape
by being cultivated with the requisite
moral training. And on the OtheI
hand some OF fhemascend from the
propensities of human nature.
The stream of life is not always
smooth; tits susceptible of being tosset
: to and frc, enraged by the strong vind