than earth's babblers can occupy. Wrapped up in their brooding silence is somewhat of the great primal thought of the universe, starting at their birth on its pilgrimage through life, and never deserting them, nor becoming contaminated by contact with the world. We would fain search deeper into the mystery of their being, and learn from them, if possible, the clue to that life-path from which we have so far strayed. We would dive into the under-current of their thought, and seek what pearls are hidden there. But no idle hand may withdraw the veil which separates us. They are oracles, revealing only to the elect. VOL. XXX. Is this the realm of silence? Are these rocks This hush, This beauteous trance of nature, seems t' invite The mind to meditative moods; the air, Misty and shadowy of the land of dreams, Seems breathing on my brow; bright earth, farewell! The visionary world a sweet low call Is whispering to my soul; and sinking here, Beneath the pine's deep shade, I yield to dreams: 6 42 I. List! what soft delicious music II. Their pure sacrifice of sweetness III. There amid the brilliant poppies IV. Soaring in the placid moonlight, All who tread her holy chambers, VI. O'er her throne in golden lightnings VII. Therefore in more blessed triumph VIII. Lo! into her curtained chambers IX. Charmed by soft and soothing music, Till the enchantment breathing o'er him X. Now he sees in life-like visions A MAN is not proud without inheriting some advantage over others, but he may be vain without any advantage or merit, if you give him the credit of it. GOD is honored in our knowing and receiving what he has done for us, not in our attempts to do the same for ourselves. Vanity, not malice, is the prevalent reason why men take so little pleasure in the praise and gifts of others. What is thought of us, or what we think of ourselves, is not so much a proof of what we are, as what we think of Christ, and what we are ready to do for him. A prevailing curiosity to know things that can be turned to no account, indicates a mind whose improvement has stopped or will soon do so. There is one punishment of an evil-doer which is seldom considered; it is the misery of being left to suppose others possessed of the same evil dispositions as himself. It is a mark of a high and pure mind to imagine greatness or goodness where it is not; to deck with loveliness and beauty actions which have no worthy aim. The ingenuous mind gladly pays tribute to merit, and strengthens itself with the utterance of praise. We must always be wise in order to prize wisdom. The sweetest of all life is that which we live in the good of others. Good things have a bond of union which all changes do but tend to disclose and strengthen. True beauty is that which is fair without striving to appear so. Affectation is but a first fruit of beauty's fall. The wisdom which is according to GoD, is a learning which requires no letters, and whose teacher is love. Our faith must be the most rational of our exercises, because it receives nothing but the teaching of the Divine Wisdom. It is better that one should err and fall by the fault of his steps than of his eyes. More self-denial and thought are expended to keep up the show of what we have not, than would be required in restricting ourselves to the hardest realities. Vanity, long indulged, becomes so exacting at last, that it claims all you can do, and is never thankful for any service. Pride is the dainty occupant of our bosoms, and yet ever feeds on the meanness and infirmity of our kind. True love of our fellow creatures should hardly attach us to the world, for it will be found that the greater number of those we have loved most, are gathered into eternity, so that it is but separation from them, we covet, when we would prolong our stay here. Our greatness is best seen, not in the great things we do or aspire to, but in the great things to which we are called. No man learns in science or religion without faith; he cannot learn without this as a forefeeling of something to be known. He that would be wise, should begin and keep on by believing. Pride and indolence make more slaves than oppression. Real greatness is not greater for the praise of men; it is what it is in spite of them. |