The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-06-05
Hope and the Hopeful.


The eye has not penetrated, the ear has
not heard. nor has human knowledge ex-
pressed the true meaning of this simple
word-hope; the desire accompanied with
probability of realization. 1t speaks vol
umes itself, prevailing all periods of life.
What sacrifice is there that we should relue-
antly make, or what obstacle should we not
meet with courage and determination in
compensation for this blessing. Did not
her spark illumine the dark waters of the
trackless and unknown sea, over whose tur-
bid bosom was borne the discoverer of our
own, the most beautiful and desirable land
on the vast globe? Certainly such daring
adventure would never have been undertake
en- had not beam of hope first aa.hed
acros the mind of the immortal Columbus.
The mind OF man is prone TO cherish the
hope of success, and it Is this that lessons
his burden, and enables him to meet lifes
trials with alacrity. There is not a more
inspiring feeling residing in the heart of
man. Was It not this that constantly
weighed upon the mind Of Napoleoan, and
prompted him to endure every hardship,
and relinquish without reserve all-nay,
even his holy religion-for the good of his
country?
What but this caused Hannibal and Sci
pio to ply the waters of the Medritanean, in
the days of i'll omen, which resulted in the
utter destruction of the memorable Garth.
age? 1t was hope of success that elated
Maceden's King, else his sway would have
been far less limited. 1t was hope of rails
ing Rome from that state of degradation,
and sin, into which she had been plunged
by tyranical emperors, that Constantine ac-
cePted the reins of government. Frequently
1t occurs that success is thus proclaimed,
and stratagem is resorted to as a means by
which the end may be accomplished, and
thus tarnish the sheen of the sweet virtue.
How often, Oh how often would that in
veterate tyTant disPair Turk in our bOsoms,
soliciting an opportunity TO WELD his cum
bersome weapon, did not the sweet vision of
hope reign triumphant there? Its bright
rays enter the prisoners cell, and there
fain would find access to the restless heart.
1t is the inviting associate in the cave of
the lonely hermit, who would rather die
weary of life if she were to desert his abode.
The whole earth should resOund with praise
to the Unerring Hand for the blessed hope
of sooner or later seeing the use of strong
drink, which has driven so many to dispair,
pass pass from orr land, as docs the dark
angry cloud before the mighty rays of the
penetrating sun. The tongue of fully can
not express, nor can the artists Michael
Angelo or Raphael depict the horrible
scenes which it has caused. 1t scatters
smiles like the raindrops falling in the sun
shine, and darkens innumerable homes with
the terrible frowns of its wrath. From the
King to the lowest mental at his feet it al
lures men into its thirsty arms with the
arts and caresses of bosom friend, and
then when they have trusted themselves to
its poisonous breast, it revenges itself with
wild and bOsterous vehemence until life is =
real burden. When il lashes them into
fury they prey upon the nObler feelings of
their loved ones with the ferceness of a
hungry lion upon the gentle lamb.
When the young man leaves his paternal
roof, and bids adue 10 all the dear compan-
iOnsSof his earlier years, lac too sensibly feels
that the angel of hope has thrown her
sword of protection over his anticipations.
She fingers above his footsteps, and though
his path be checkered by the hand of fate,
she Gains every fear and ever meets him
with the same sweet accent.
How strange, yet how very true that 30
many promising young men after having
thus far assembled the hill of fame, and with
such bright future before them, turn
listleEs ear to all this and are led to seek
happiness in the intoxicating bowl. But,
alas too many living examples prove this
course extremely dangerous.
No feeling in the world is better fitted to
produce loneliness and desolation, than
that occasioned by too free indulgence in the
cOndemning liquor. The ensnared one
loathes every thing around him-loathes
himself, and is tempted to choose death
rather than life. Every thing that is done
to cheer his heart seems an ingenious device
to increase his misery. The sweet mem
cries of home lose their charm. The fond
anticipations of the future are clothed with
oil 4 no Of laua.
and kindness seem TO have been reversed,
well as the vital functions; and they all
conspire to people his imagination with nor
rors. His sleep does not refresh him. He
is scared with appalling dreams. He starts
up from brief Inconsistencies, painting with
alright, and weary with imagined contests
with the demons of darkness. Now perhaps
the sainted face of a mother smiles no
more, but has been laid low by grief Hope
alone prolengs the life of the father, sisters
and brothers who never knew anything
but to love, to care and be cared for, are
alike the victims of his Unsuitable revenges !;
and this Is the happiness in the depths of
the bowl. Withered hopes and dying affec-
tions lie scattered like the fallen leaves of
autumn. DisconsOlate man, how sad must
be your reflections Your heart was once
hopeful, your aspirations lofty, your expec-
tatiOns bright, vast was your fortune in
Yet, alas ! twas too soon your fate to rea-
lie that 1t was all an empty dream" and
in youth yOu too freely Interpreted the Ian
guage OF hope. Your prospects OF long ago
now lie shattered, humid and dead. No
friend offers an assisting hand, humanity
seems to have grown disappointing. The
kind words which once fell upon your heart
IS soft as the dew upon the rose now are I'M
needed.
You ponder in the "far off beautiful and
unknown" and thus pine for one solitary
bOsOms there are yearning's longings for the
good they comprehend not" Strong drink
| is the ignis-fatuus that has led you into in
to interminable swamps, from which ex-
traction is doubtful. You tremble to think
of the future, and the thought of eternity
brings no hope. No hope in l;fe-nO hope
in death-no hope in eternity-how awfully
solemn the thought. Though we shrink in
sensibly upon beholding the picture of the
/ hopeless heart, yet the ministering spirit
hope-does not entirely forsake the bosom
| of mortals, her cherished and sacred abode.
| Man entreats her as did Jacob with the
angel saying 81 will not leave thee, except
thou bless me. All yes when misfortune
/ has cast damp over our once blithe spiritsE;
when that siren pleasure has allureG us on
without fruitiOn, until we feel sorely tempt
ed to yield to dependency; when sorrow,
which intemperance generates, Is weighing
! heavily upon us, and grief is burning the
hearts most secret core, and is drinking
drop by drop our very life blood, and it is
| only in our power to bewail our fate,-it is
| then, that hope, the sweet messenger, as I'M
/ blemished as the pure white dove, fingers
around the portals of our hearts, in plant
ing the flower of affection, which it will
! cherish ever more