The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-06

brooks did We pant for tie refreshing and cooling
breezes The storm came and did its work OF destruc-
tion but also carried healing its dark and sweeping
wings, purified the atmosphere aud brought comfort
and rest 10 many sufferer Fguratively such storms
sweep from time TO time the heads Of nations
and individuals but the superficial m nd in them
nothing but the destructive element The keencr and
more earnest observer, however, secs IN them tho
evidence at once OF
THAT IS HEALraYcL
and saluary. He who sends them the God Of saliva
ton The veriant grass. the varegated flowers are
the garments with which He clothes the earth Fading
ana changeiul are the seasons eetng and pershablo
the vegetation, but permanent o and the law OF
nature, sustained by Him who is everlasting lie His
tory tells twofold tale. The incidents and phases,
tho ups and downs In tho life nations their
In power, their decline and final downialjthcse dem
onstra'e that men are but and flowers ON the
vast neld OF hunantys lie. but far moro important
Is history in her teachings the herald OF divine
wisdom II shows that Providence lcads mankind on
aprogressive path and substantes the truth that the
material power OF the mightest nations decays whle
the creations oil the human SPIRIT carefully stored up
remain ,sa, forever thus procla'mng that spirit,
uahty Is the true LIE and law and scope OF
the human race Greece has been conquered
by Rome. No trace OF her ancient Independence has
been lett Greek art. however, retained It's master
ship over the conqueror. and, reaching down to our
days, Is admired ana enjoyed. Rome fell victim 10
her own vices and 10 the rage OF invading hordes The
mistress OF the world sank never to rsc again, but
Rome lives today IN the spirit, the grandeur and
subhmity OF the laws that she has given to the world
But the most eonsp cuous embodiment OF this truth
hidden in the text is our own (Jewsh) nation. State
and sanctuary taken from judah the Of
political destruction swept the country; the
grass withered, the flowers faded hut the lite
was not touched by the political cyclone Indeed, II
only purified the moral and spiritual atmosphere OF
tho nation, so that with greater splendor and moro
vigorous than ever the divine law be-
tore the people And the
descendants OF Abraham have wandered through the
centuries aud the nations protected by the banner OF
their great religious idea Herein IS an important
lesson TO the nations Neither the vastness Of their
territory the denseness OF their populations
the abundance OF their materalresources and wealth
none OF these constitutes the true
STRENGTH AND VITALITY OF COMMONWEALTH.
The moral idea, when faithfully represented IN pub
lie ic rs the only safe guarantee Of the prolonged
stence and welfare OF nation. And the IL true
applied TO individ Many persons regard the fad
ing flower and the wnerng grass OF material wealth aud
pleasure the pth and essence OF life They mscon
the aim aud end OF their being and hence enclose
themselves chain o! faults and ollies, mistakes
and perversions OF lie. Little by little the foundation
Of their future webeng is undermined. and they
know not until 10 is alas too late, that
what they considered stronghold is naught but a
totterng rum which the hrst adverse wind Will
lay merclessly In the dust Let US earn,
them IRON the prophet to estimate things according TO
their true value. Outward cpoyments and goods are
precious means necessary aduncts TO life, ana their
requirement Is worth the sweat Of brow, but not
the sight of our eyes the everlasting happiness of
the soul. The core Of being lies in the spirit the
strength OF our life in the mind, and IA pure and
yrtuous affords comfort IN the greatest affection and
offers safe harbor when storms blow and hurricanes
rage. For though the grass whereth and the flowers
iadeth the Word OF our God will stand firm forever.