The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-05-10

paralleled in profund;ty and purity OF
thought, shows to all that there ex-
isted within 4 supernatural light that
illuminated his soul, and from this
centre sprang forth rays which divulg
ing and refracting formed halo all
around, and the brilliancy of this light
transmitted and diffused through his
works penetrates and enlishtens the
minds of its readers.
Longiellow's "Psalm of Life" Bry
ants "Thanatopsis,' Whittier'S
sCrucihxion, Watts Sabbath Morn
ing," Cowper's " Longing to be with
Christ" and Wesley's many songs, are
fit representatives Of the tenor of their
writings.
But eulogy alone does not belong
to poets. Like every species of human
ity they are human and addicted to
err Surrounded by the contaminat-
ing influences of this cursed world,
where temptations allure on every
hand ; they forget there is a source of
infinite strength from which they can
invoke divine assistance TO conquer
this most delusive enemy, sin, and
!. fall ready victims in these snares, as
, is shown in most prominent features
: in the lives of Burns, Byron, Poe and
others. Though Burns ..Cotters Sat-
uarday Night" Byron's ebay, of My
Destiny" and Poe's Craven" dis
play marked ability and nothing con-
temptible, these are among their best
pieces, and are not fair tests of their
writings.
Burns was a man Of rare intellectual
endowments and while "Cotters Sat
urday Night" displays great reverence
for the Deity and much regard for
the customs and simple manners of
the Scotch or his native people, most
of his writings are not chaste and are
, fit emblems of his dissolute life.
Lord Byron called himself Napoleon
of the realm of rhyme. He loved an
: Enghlish lady once who f1irted with
I him, and he afterwards wrote beauti-
i full piece entitled "The Dream" which
3 is believed to be the explanation he
gave to the world ofhis own singularly
c incoherant and blasted life.
: .sChllde Harold's Pilgrimage ex-
cited unparalleled enthusiasm in Brlton.
+ The morning after its publication he
awoke to find himself the most cele-
e brated man in England.
: "The Result of Life of Pleasure, >
y a piece that describes the result of a
q life of sin, which sad experience doubt
d less taught him, the last of which
II reads thus:
Il ''Oh could l feel as have felt,
j. Or be what have BEEN
Or weep as | could once have Wept,
IL Ger many a vanished scene;
AS springs in deserts found seem sweet,
81 All hrackish though they be;
- So mid the withered wastes Of life,.
is These tears would flow from me-.
d Poe was an orphan adopted anc
i educated by wealthy gentleman, ane
II every blessing that wealth can give
h was lavished upon him, but his con
y duct was SO bad while at college hi
was expelled, and he led such reck
ne less life his parents disinhe1ited him
d These with many others, by thel
le disreputable lives have stamped al
r indelible stain on themselves and haV
e tarnished the name poet
/ Out of the twenty-five poets, tn
t writer now thinks of and has yer.
ID Slight knowledge of, only one ha
1e graced the circle Of her acquaintance
ne To poetry we are indebted for all vo
IN cal music, which renders home NOR
in attractive, the Gospel more effectiv
and life a happy prelude. The song
he sung in churches from the smalle:
SIS rude structure to the grandcst Catht
y, drals and most spacious Tabernacle
t are but the artless lines of Watt
nv Wesley and Others written among II
hills Of England.
>e Poetry wields such unlimited il
tn fluence over its readers, then were th
y, influence exerted for good what poV
ng erful weapon in the warfare for right
II, We believe outside Of sacred hteratu
,us there is nothing that generates with
ity the heart more holy aspirations tha
he unadulterated poetry. God has give
rol to every one talent, and Oh! awf
III thought, holds each responsible
Within the pales Of poetry there
he variety sufficient to suit the deman
ed of all, even the most fastidious.
Is romance your favorite them'
then We would commend Tennysor
..Hyawatha's Wooing," Whittier
..Maud Muller" Mays "No Swes
heart Now" and M0ore's one co
tinued love song.
Do you enjoy descriptions of t
cts scenes of Nature? then read Byron
US "Apostrophe to the Ocean," Ora,
IN .Elegy' and Bryant's 50 Thanatopsls
OF Do you appreciate heroism of t
heart? we would suggest Owen M'
are rideth' :. Luceil" and Miss Adelai
leir Proctnr's New Mother He (pc
Jul trv) ignores nothing however simple
1.-The violet BY its messy stone,
Ter, The prim rose by the rivers brinl;
the And chance sown daffodil hare found.
Immortal life through him"
PIC FANNIE BRITTAIx
ter -D----