Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1873-02-01


robbed in silver-sheen, followed by
train of sparkling attendants, walks in
beauty and majesty through the august
heavens. Old ocean, whether in calm
repose, or boisterous tumult, claims a
tribute Far down its hidden depths
are gems of purest ray serene How
bland the soft zephyrs sigh ! But when
the storm-king drives his chariot over
the main, and lighnings flame from
cloud to cloud, is there not grandeur
in the elemental strife? Life is all
beautiful and there's beauty, too,
when death has set his marble signet on
the brow" Again the poetess touched
a low, sweet strain
"worship the bcuui,t5 in Nature, 1T thought
aud deed,
Scor not earths symbols, for by them alone
Can we approach the mystic spirit-home,
Where beauty from mortality is freed.
Seek, seek the Beautiful in Nature! then
There thou wilt fnd upon her monuments
Ot rock, and mountain, records Of eYcnts
Most wondrous aud prophetic words to men !"
An ambassador from the courts of
heaven heard, and with heart attuned,
in modest tones replied All won
dcrs Of the heavens and munifcence of
the earth fail to satisfy the soul, the i'm
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 loyeliness commands the deepest
reverence and secures the most endur-
ing affection There are subtler, finer
graces in everyday life than in mere ex-
ternal beauty. What can compare to a
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 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 lovelincss is faded,
and the light of her beauty is quench-
ed. " aye broke in the artist, L" there
is indeed no light like that which be ms
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 i'll brilliant coloring
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 ben ,ath
the weight OF years. But, inter-
posed the divine teacher, there is n
part of womans loveliness as lastin; rs
the God who formed her for the bliss
and purity Of Eden, Age need not dim
the luster of her soul, or time despoil
the beauty of her heart. co." ex-
claimed the lover of Nature. truly the
beautiful stirs the soul, and links lis
with angels, and makes us long for the
supernal. Every leaf that rus!les,
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 "a word before
we part, said the man of God. " Let
us bow our hearts before these symbols
of divinity in simple, child-like love,
content to feel that our greatest
thoughts are far too feeble to compre-
hend Gods secret workings, vast and
wonderful as creation. Let us cultivate
taste for all which shall elevate, en-
noble, and give lis 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
DOWNRIGHT 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.
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The Census Office has completed its
statistics of the manufacture of agri-
cultural implements for the year 1870,
1t shows their value have been 49,, 900, :
{ 600. This is more than three times the