The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-01-30

age of the Infinite. There is no power
like that of virtue, no beauty like that
of goodness. Beauty of form or color
ing is evanescent; but that which is bas-
ed upon the better qualities of the
heart, is permanent Personal beauty
may attract the admiration of the pass
ing hour, but the richer beauty of NOR
al loveliness commands the deepest
reverence, and secures the most eRdur-
ing affection. There are subtler, finer
graces in everyday life than in mere ex-
ternal beauty. What can compare to
noble character, when purified and re-
fined by the graces of the Spirit? How
sublime is that life whose difficulties
and trials are converted by deep religi-
Gus chemistry into Christian graces,
whose weakness and imperfections are
transmitted into spiritual symmetry and
power If there is in this world of sin
and sorrow one embodiment of worth
and beauty, it is that of a young, love
ly woman, whose youth and charms are
all consecrated to the cause of truth,
and laid, as an humble Offering, at the
Saviour's feet. Mary of Bethany, as
she annointed her Lord for his burial,
and received the sweet words of COM
mendation, she hath done what she
could, or as she wept for the departed
Redeemer at the sepulcher, are pictures
no artists skill can portray. The hid
den beauty of love and trust are reveal
ed to none save Him who fashioned the
spirit within. Such an one is worthy of
the reverence of every true and noble
heart, and she will command it, when
the flower of her loveliness is faded,
and the light of her beauty is quench-
ed. " ''Aye," broke in the artist, -" there
is indeed no light like that which beams
from beauty's eye, naught so sweet as
words which flow from woman's lips.
The sunbeam cannot paint upon the
azure canvas of the sky the blended
bow that can vie in brilliant Ooloring
with her glowing cheek; but alas alas !
the eye must lose its brightness and ex-
preston; the cheek must blanch, the !
lips become pallid and silent; the form, |
once so proud and graceful, and active,
must lose its vitality, and bend beneath !
the weight of years. )" g But, inter-
posed the divine teacher, " there is a |
part of woman's loveliness as lasting as
the God who formed her for the bliss |
and purity of Eden. Age need not dim
the Iuster of her soul, or time despoiI |
the beauty of her heart" co." ex-
claimed the lover of Nature, truly the |
beautiful stirs the soul, and links us |
with angels, and makes us long for the |
supernal. Every leaf that rustles,
every wave that sparkles, every bird |
that warbles, every flower that lifts its
face to summer sky, every dew-drop |
that glitters, every waterfall that tum-
bles, every child that laughs in merry
joyousness- these, and ten thousand |
other ministries, touch innumerable |
chords in the soul. All, all are Gods |
hieroglyphs to man. &c A word before |
we part, said the man of God. 60 Let |
us bow our hearts before these symbols !
of divinity in simple, child-like love, |
content to feel that our greatest !
UnOuglUS are lar TOO IeeDle 10 COInpfe- |
hend Gods secret workings, vast and |
wonderful as creation. Let us cultivate |
a taste for all which shall elevate, en-
noble, and give us just appreciation of |
the true moral excellence, and the char
acter becomes radiant with diamonds of |
humility, love, and truth. Earthly |
beauty is destined to decay; though en-
trancing, it is transient and ephemeral.
The golden light of day is soon shut
out by the curtain of night. The rain
bow-bright symbol of mercy-appears !
for moment, and is gone. The land
scape, which thrills with delight, |
changes while we gaze. Time and dis
ease soon shed their blight ON the fair
est, and the sad drapery of the tomb |
covers it until the resurrection. The
beauty of holiness is perpetual; it is
imperishable, eternal"