The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-10-27
The Dead Palmetto.

On tne principal avenue or certain city,
there once stood large palmetto tree
There must be tongues in trees" for though
l frequently passed that way, the palmetto
always seemed to address me; 30, between it
and myself, there grew up quite an acquaint-
ance. Its solid trunk was about foot in
diameter, and stood about fifteen feet high.
When l first saw it, its green and graceful
leaves bent over in every direction. 1t was
a fine specimen of its kind, but, alas! it was
lifeless. 1t somewhat reminded me of Naa-
man, the Syrian captain, who was " mighty
man in valor, but he was leper." The
history of the tree is soon told. 1t had grown
up in some sequestered wood, or on some
lonely island, and long fourished with but
few to admire its goodly proportions, or to
rest beneath its grateful shade. But one day
a wealthy citizen, DESTROYS of adding to the
exterior adornments of his large house, re-
solved to transplant the noble palmetto. At
great expense it was raised from it's native
bed, borne into the city, planted in new
bed, specially prepared for it, and having
been we'll stayed and supported, was left to
take root and grow afresh. But in q little
time signs of decline appeared, and not long
after, it became clear to the observer that the
beautiful tree was dead. Its removal had
killed it, 1t had gained an improved posi-
ton, had risen from obscurity to prominence,
from the neglected shade to the peopled
promenade, but the cost of all was its pre-
cious life. l often sighed over my mani
mate friend, which being dead yet spake;
and l will interpret what it one day said to me.
81 am an illustration of many fair maid
en-, born and brought up in the bosom of q
Christian family. Modest as the violet, pure
as the lily, she every day grows more grace
full and lovely, until in an evil hour some
goddess wording offers large price to buy
the beautiful treasure. The enchantment OF
high position, of gay circle Of fashionable
acquaintance, and of unbounded luxury, is
too much for her; installing glitter for gold,
she yields; and her friends, moved with am
bilious prospects, give their consent. She is
first sold, then transplanted to her new sta
ton. But sad signs are soon apparent. The
faded cheek and the emanciated form tell too
plainly that she was not fitted for such false
elevation. She retains the position for a
while, till it becomes too clear that she
lives in carnal pleasure is dead while she
liveth and though all that mere wealth can
do is done to support her, she at last is taken
away, and the world remembers her no more
Virtuous maidensl let dead palmetto tree
warn you that it is far safer to remain in the
position in which God places you, however
secluded, than to exchange it at the will Of
a worldly man for another the most exalted.
Another day the tongue of my tree spake
after this manner: "My decay resembles the
downfall of many worthy young man from
the country. have seen one 60 by me here,
and would have talked with him if he had
had an ear to hear me. He came to town
at the suggestion of well known merchant,
relative of his. The youth was doing well
in his native village, but his friend wanted
him to rise. Well, he had not been here
many weeks before he fell into bad company,
which soon led to evil habits. He began to
attend the miserable theatre which we have,
then he frequently visited drinking saloons,
gamDung houses, anu the naunlS Oh Strdnge
women. He forsook the house of God
though he had been promising member Of
the church at home, and his mother often
wrote to him not to cast awsy,bis Christian
profession. he got into debt on account Of
his vicious course, his health gave way, be
lost his situation, and. after few months
struggle with increasing misfortune, he com
pletely broke down and died. 0 that men
were wise, and, instead of aspiring to dan.
gerous oftiness, were content with the safe
lowliness appointed them by the all-wise
providence of God. What would l, with
cred, sapIess tree, give to be once more alive
and back again in ny quiet retreat; and
what would many son, with increased for
tune, give to be once more a child at home,
with no fortune at all but the priceless in.
heritance of domestic love and happiness
Young men, Il charge you, fling away am
bition: for what would you be profted were
you to gain the whole world at the LOSE Of
your soul? Take warning from the unavail.
ing sighs of poor dead palmetto. Red
qious Herald.