Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

THE COLOURING OF HAPPINESS.

27

Luther's piety was not put on him, but broke out of him. It flowed in a mingled stream, with his every-day life and conversation. The gravel and the gold rolled together in the rich channel of his mind. He made no effort to exhibit only the one, and conceal the other.

LIFE OF MELANCTHON.

The Colouring of Happiness.

My heart is full of prayer and praise to-day,
So beautiful the whole world seems to me!
I know the morn has dawned as it is wont,
I know the breeze comes on no lighter wing,
I know the brook chimed yesterday, the same
Melodious call to my unanswering thought:
But I look forth with new-created eyes,
And soul and sense seem linked, and thrill alike,
And things familiar have unusual grown,
Taking my spirit with a fair surprise!

But yesterday, and life seemed tented round
With idle sadness. Not a bird sang out
But with a mournful meaning: not a cloud,
And there were many, but in flitting past
Trailed somewhat of its darkness o'er my heart,
And loitering, half-becalmed, unfreighted all,
Went by the Heaven-bound hours.

But O! to-day

Lie all harmonious and lovely things

Close to my spirit, and awhile it seems

As if the blue sky were enough of Heaven!

28

THE COLOURING OF HAPPINESS.

My thoughts are like tense chords that give their music
At a chance breath: a thousand delicate hands

Are harping on my soul! no sight, no sound,
But stirs me to the keenest sense of pleasure—
Be it no more than the wind's cautious tread,
The swaying of a shadow, or a bough,
Or a dove's flight across the silent sky.

Oh, in this sunbright sabbath of the heart,
How many a prayer puts on the guise of thought,
An angel unconfessed! Its rapid feet,
That leave no print on memory's sands, tread not
Less surely their bright path than choral hymns
And litanies. I know the praise of worlds,
And the soul's unvoiced homage, both arise
Distinctly to His ear who holds all nature
Pavilioned by His presence: who has fashioned
With an impartial care, alike the star
That keeps unpiloted its airy circle,

And the sun quickened germ, or the poor moss
The building swallow plucks to line her nest.

EDITH MAY.

To determine right and wrong, is of more consequence than to comprehend the doctrine of the planetary system: but while it required, in order to unfold the wonderful laws of the planets, the gigantic intellect of Newton, the higher gift of the determination of right and wrong, is bestowed upon the simplest peasant, upon the man who cannot repeat the numeration

table.

UPHAM.

[ocr errors]

Desirable Fame.

Fame, like the shadow, flees from him who pursues it, but treads on the heels of him who flees from it."

WILLIAM PENN furnishes a remarkable instance of the acquisition of solid and durable fame, by means which in their commencement appeared totally destructive of that end. When, upon arriving at man's estate, he embraced the religious principles of a new and despised Society, he must have considered himself, and been considered by others, as giving up all his prospects of eminence in the world. The mortification which his father experienced, upon discovering the choice he had made, unquestionably arose from a belief that he was renouncing the path of eminence and fame, for one of obscurity and reproach. To see his only son, the heir apparent of his fortune and fame, instead of pursuing the brilliant career which was opened before him, associating with a self-denying people, who were considered as the offscourings of the earth, was more than his philosophy could patiently bear. The pacific principles of the Society to which he was united, as well as the uncourtly character of their peculiar doctrines, must have formed, in the view of Admiral Penn, an insuperable barrier to the advancement of his son. He did not perceive that the magnanimity displayed in that very renunciation of eminence and fame, that inflexible adherence to the path of apprehended duty without regard to consequences, that preference to the whispers of an approving conscience above the noisy clamours of an applauding world, would assign him a station in the temple of fame, incomparably higher than that which the admiral had attained with all his heroism.

30

DESIRABLE FAME.

The fame of William Penn, unlike that of most who have figured in the political field, appears likely to increase with the progress of time. The history of Pennsylvania is so intimately connected with the name of Wm. Penn, as to secure to the founder of that flourishing state a permanent place in the annals of fame. Of the admiral how little do we now hear. We find, indeed, that he commanded the fleet which in 1655 conquered Jamaica, and that in the Dutch War, in the reign of Charles II., he commanded under the Duke of York. It is also known to those who are well acquainted with historical facts, that the name of Penn was prefixed by Charles II. to that of Sylvania, as originally proposed, out of regard to the memory of the admiral, and not from the name of the proprietor. But it is with the son, and not with the father, that Pennsylvania is associated. Sir William Penn is remembered chiefly as the father of the Quaker legislator, and holds from that connection a larger place in the view of posterity than from any other cause. While the name of the father is merged in the countless mass of military characters who are seldom mentioned or thought of, the name of the son stands conspicuous among the greatest benefactors of our race. The history of the province which bears his name, proves conclusively the superiority of the gospel plan above the policy of the world. He has had the honour of proving that the tomahawk and scalping knife of the savage may be stripped of their terrors by the lenient spirit of the gospel. Which would the most eager aspirants after fame prefer, if they could command it with a wish, to be Admiral Penn, with the scanty rays of military renown that now surround his memory, or to be William Penn, the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania, whose wise and benevolent institutions gave a favourable impetus to the legislation of the western world; whose bloodless conquests have been celebrated by poets and historians; whose name is transmitted with reverence from generation to generation, amongst the untutored

[blocks in formation]

inhabitants of the wilderness; whose character is most admired where it is best understood; and who, when the day arrives "in which nation shall no longer lift up sword against nation," will be remembered as one who gave the influence of eminent abilities and a conspicuous station, to promote the advancement of the Messiah's peaceful reign.

E. LEWIS.

Che Tempest.

J. T. FIELDS.

WE were crowded in the cabin,
Not a soul would dare to sleep,-

It was midnight on the waters,
And a storm was on the deep.

"Tis a fearful thing, in winter
To be shattered in the blast,
And to hear the rattling trumpet
Thunder, "Cut away the mast!"

So we shuddered there in silence,

For the stoutest held his breath,
While the hungry sea was roaring,
And the breakers talked with Death.

As thus we sat in darkness,

Each one busy in his prayers,

"We are lost!" the captain shouted,
As he staggered down the stairs.

« AnteriorContinuar »