Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-07-14
Am End Of all Perfection,
Mrs Sig ourney

| have seen man in all the glory
of his days, and the pride of his
strength. He was built like the tall
cedar that lifts its head above the
forest trees like the strong oak that
strikes its root deeply into the earth.
He feared no danger he felt no sick
ness and wondered that any should
groan or sigh at pain. His mind was
vigorous, like his body; he WAS per,
picked at no intricacy; he was
daunted at no difficulty into hid
den things he searched, and what
was crooked he made straight. He
went forth fearlessly upon the face
of the mighty deep; he surveyed the
nations of the earth; he measured
the distances of the stars and called
them by their names; be gloried in
the extent of his knowledge, in the
vigor of his understanding, and
stroye to search even into what the
Almighty had concealed. And when
| looked on him / said, "What a
piece of work is man how noble in
reason how infinite in faculties
in form and moving how express
and admirable in action how like
an angel +! in apprehension how like
a God !"
| returned !; his look was no more
lofty, nor his step proud his broken
frame was like some ruined tower
his hairs were white and scattered
and his eye gazed vacantly on all
that was passing around him. The
vigor of his intellect was wasted
and of all that he gained by study,
nothing remained. He feared when
there was no danger land when there
was no sorrow he wept. His memory
was decayed and treacherous, and
showed him only broken images of
the glory that was departed.
His house to him was like
strange land, and his friends were
counted as his enemies and he
thought himself strong and health
full, while his foot tottered on the
verge of the grave. He said of his
son, che is my brother )" of his only
daughter, 81 know her not )" and he
inquired what was his own name.
And one, who supported his last
steps, anu ministered to his many
wants, said to me, as | looked on
the melancholy scene, LET thine
heart receive instruction, for thou
hast seen an end of all earthly per-
fection.n
| have seen a beautiful female
treading the first stages of youth, and
entering joyfully into the pleasures
of life. The glance of her eye was
variable and sweet, and on her cheek
trembled something like the first
blush of the morning her lips NOV
ed, and there was harmony and
when she floated in the dance, her
light form, like the aspen, seemed To
move with every breeze. / returned
but she was not in the dance;
sought for her i'll the gay circle of
nef companions, Dul lounu ner NOT,
Her eyes sparkled not there; the
music of her voice was silent; she
rejoiced ON earth no more. | saw
train, sable and slow paced, who
bore sadly to an open grave what
once was animated and beautiful.
They paused as they approached and
a voice broke the awful silence
"Mingle ashes with ashes, and dust
with its original dust To the
earth whence it was taken, con-
sign the body of our dear sister"
They covered her with the damp soil
and the clods of the valley and the
worms crowded into her silent
abode. Yet one sad mourner linger-
ed to cast himself upon the grave !;
and as he wept he said, "There is no
beauty, nor grace, or lovliness that
continueth in man; for this is the