Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-04-24
A VIEW OF LIFE.

up OF many parts, having it's lessons
OF disappointments, regrets, sunshine
and clouds. We suffer the pangs en-.
tailed by destiny and the elements OF
happiness depart from us ere we know
it. Lifc's severest teachings avail but
little, because our natural inclination
is euer experiment.
We arc mortified il we have been
duped and our kindiest affections
mocked at, and if our hearts, when
laid bare, have been but food for the
vulture. its preying has gnawed until
We feel bitterly and truly tho betrayal
Of our highest aim, our purest inten-
tion.
Our heller nature Is checked and
we fear to indulge ourselves in on out
ward expression of confidence and
love. We doubt, and wrapping the
mantle of selfhood more closely around
us, shrink from being made the subject
OF ridicule, and seek our communion
with higher life. We gaze into the
starry maze and dream Of an eAistenoe
beyond-spirtual and lovely-far re-
moved from lower cares, from all the
materiality surrounding. Where with
the cause expressed, we feel our divin.
ity and its effect fully noted, we cling
TO the assurance of spiritual power
made manifest in its reuelations on
earth, giving us hope beyond the dark
valley, where, cen mid the starry
would We too may revel in soul whis-
perings to earth.
There is wild confusion in earth
life; it slike the mighty seat heaves,
foams and becomes vexed we fly TO
the immortal and blessed port, to a
reclasping of the spiritual chain, and
turning to the loved ones, repeat our
song of loving trust, and the spirit
with its image of God within bids us
be hopeful and in that sacred hope re
alize the blossomsas well as the thorns
Life has many dreams-somc very
sweet and some so fugitive that the
heart swells with fearful emotions to
contemplate them and when we are
warmed by the celestial fire we feel
too surely the cold scorn Of rough and
selfish natures. Who believe not in
the fresh flowers offered at the shrine
of soul inspiration or the golden gift
of heart worship? / care not to dwell
on the weeds of life or its many strug-
giles, IL it wears not the color of the
rose in its bright, young bloom; its
withering dryness fills my heart with
too much pity, and | sigh DER the
fragrance departed and its scattered
leaves fall like pail. Perchance our
native element is toars, and in its cup
we drink human hopes, fears and ex-
pcctations-for feast in reality is
life; if we but scan well her many
services, it bears a bright igniS fdtuus
fame that but dazzles and blazes until
~--:..in. ~ .-isl Z. 80 i,-~~-,. ;.ca,n,
ated; its very infatuation has a real
charm we care not to dspel, but with
the wild delusion before us, we court
assidulously the gay deceiver, and
build our fairy castles without fear or
sigh cen though the lasting is not
designed; yet these fabrics of beauty
inspire our natures and the impress
sion on the spiritual bears its part un-
til confession is made and we delve
once more into its soiled condition, its
inconsistencies, it's many contradic-
tions; perpetual warfare is going on be.
tween the outer and the inner life; it
is indeed nicc point Of distinction to
discern that which is, and that which
only seems. We conceal ourselves till
even to ourselves we become confused
webs are woven around US with such
dexterous hands that to disentangle
them our best time is employed, and
our social relations are filed with
mean envyings and paltry hopes. We
view it, how worthless, how small
and where the mind is narrow-how
severe the conflict; not a generous
emotion TO lift it out of It's wretched.
ness, but bugging itself in its narrow
cell sees no beauty in the Divine Hand
that spreads so bountifully the glori-
GUS gifts OF tho bright, beautiful and
true but wrapt in miserly selfishness
sends its poisoned arrow into the TEN.
pie of hopo and destroys the soothing
influence it would fain give its vota.
rics, telling of soft tidings, of life's
evening being filled with the rich per-
fume Of thousand flowers, and the
golden fruit of well spent time being
gathered into the harvest of eternal
rest. Oh the mind with its vivid
energies may indeed be filled with
gratitude even for tho storms and
clouds, knowing full well that the
green valley and silver stream of spirit
life is all the more beautiful for heart
trials endured, aud if lic's cares and
troubles are many, and stir tho deep
fountains of our souls, It's sweet TO
know that the balm is within our
reach, that the barrier Qf one exists
cannot will us to be its slaves, bnt with
our knowledge of the future we mount
tho higher world and cling to the Rock
of Ages.
Life is full of strange contrasts; tho
wieo! whirls around, and, scarcely re-
alizing IT,, wc find ourselves in totally
different attitudes; my very heart
suspends its bcatings when think of
there to day--whcro tomorrow p
All who can tell. Our imagination
may DO vivid and increase our perhaps
well stored brain with blissful visions,
and the loud wind that | now hear
seems but mighty echo of the uni
versal song or moan Of life, its sun
shine or sorrow. If wo would live our
individuality and throw off the temer-
ity taught by caution, there would be
q free er brow, and more soul string
music in our actions; there would be
less of coldness and false notions and
q higher enjoyment of all Gods benc-
fits. Tho lip would wear swcctcr
smile, the tongue would have q softer
tono, zoe pouid feel our rdy through
social spheres and known is rdhe. !
would not, if ] could control, exile
from earth, affection and sympathy
twin sisters of the soul-but cultivate
the heart and even bid IL 20 on being
deceived rathsr than TO have no faith.
1 would not bow to scryilc faith or