Thou art an heir of
immortality, and the pleasures which endure for a season should be
nothing to thee. Wealth, and honor, and power are only the gildings of
a groaning and sin-cursed earth. The shouts of mirth and revelry borne
upon the midnight air, are only the prelude to tears and sighs and
mourning. Behind thee is the blackness of despair, before thee the
everlasting sunshine. Away, away! tarry not to sip water from the
broken cistern, for the living fountain gushes forth, clear as
crystal; and the invitation is for all: "Ho, every one that thirsteth"
(Isa. 55: 1; Rev. 21:6; 22:17).--_Aug_. 10, 1856.
MISCELLANY.
THE DYING YEAR.
Hark! there comes at midnight hour
Sound like funeral knell,
Chaining us with magic power,
Whispering, "_Farewell_."
'Tis the dying year's last sigh
Mingling with the storm;
Closes now his hollow eye,
Sinks his feeble form.
Still at midnight, dark and lone,
Mournful echoes ring,
Murmuring in solemn tone,
"_Time_ is on the wing."
INCOMPREHENSIBILITY OF GOD.
O God, where art thou? where thy mighty throne?
Why is thy face unseen, and thou unknown?--
Source and support of all, why is thy form
Hidden from mortal eyes? when every storm
That sweeps athwart the dark and angry sky,
When all the bright and burning orbs on high,
When the deep sea that in its fury roars,
When all its beautiful and fertile shores,
When every river, hill and lowly dale,
When every mountain, tree, and flowery vale,
When every bird, and e'en the springing
Whisper aloud, _"There is, there is a God!"_
These are thy works; but where, O God, art thou?
Pavilioned in deep darkness, is thy brow
Hid in dark folds, ne'er to be drawn apart?
Will mortal never see thee as thou art?
Yes; when the wheels of time have ceased to run,
When yon bright orb its glorious, task has done,
Then will the veil be rent which once concealed
The throne of God, the mighty unrevealed;
Then human eyes will view his dwelling-place,
And saints, as angels, see him face to face.
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