I ask not for the glittering wreath,
Of India's sparkling diamonds rare,
To deck my brow, while oft beneath,
There throbs a heart with heaviest care.
I ask not for the gilded chain,
Of perishing and worthless gold,
To clasp my neck, while oft in vain
The heart's best sympathies unfold.
Oh! give me not the worthless dust,
For which vain, anxious mortals toil,
To treasure up where moth and rust,
Doth soon corrupt the hoarded pile.
I covet not the gay attire,
In which vain beauty oft appears,
Oft that which wondering crowds admire,
Needeth far more their heartfelt tears.
But there's an ornament I crave;--
To grant, vain world, it is not thine,
It floateth not o'er yon proud wave,
Nor yields it me earth's richest mine.
Oh, may it be a guileless heart!
In heaven's own sight of priceless worth!
Where nought corrupting e'er hath part,
Pure, as the source which gave it birth.
_A spirit meek and pure within;_
May this, alone, my life adorn,
Unsullied by the touch of sin,
Though subject to the proud world's scorn.
This ornament, O God of Love!
'Tis Thine, and Thine alone, to give;
Oh, may I its rich beauties prove,
And in its full possession, _live_!
_Bethel, Conn._, 1846.
=Female Piety.=
The gem of all others which enriches the coronet of woman's character,
is unaffected piety. Nature may lavish much on her person; the
enchantment of her countenance, the grace of her mind, the strength of
her intellect; yet her loveliness is uncrowned till piety throws
around the whole the sweetness and power of its charms. She then
becomes unearthly in her desires and associations. The spell which
bound her affections to the things below is broken, and she mounts on
the silent wings of her fancy and hope to the habitation of God, where
it is her delight to hold communion with the spirits that have been
ransomed from the thraldom of Earth and wreathed with a garland of
glory. Her beauty may throw a magical charm over many; princes and
conquerors may bow with admiration at the shrine of her beauty and
love; the sons of science may embalm her memory in the page of
history; yet her piety must be her ornament, her pearl. Her name must
be written in 'The Book of Life,' that when the mountains fade away,
and every memento of earthly greatness is lost in the general wreck of
nature, it may remain and swell the list of that mighty throng who
have been clothed in the mantle of righteousness, and their voices
attuned to the melody of Heaven. With such a treasure, every lofty
gratification on earth may be purchased; friendship will be doubly
sweet; and sorrow will lose their sting; and the character will
possess a price far above rubies: life will be but a pleasant visit to
earth, and entrance upon a joyful and perpetual home. And when the
notes of the last trump shall be heard, and sleeping millions awake to
judgment, its possessor shall be presented faultless before the throne
of God with exceeding joy, and a crown of glory that shall never wear
away. Such is piety. Like a tender flower, planted in the fertile soil
of woman's heart, it grows, expanding in its foliage, and imparting
its fragrance to all around, till transplanted, and set to bloom in
perpetual vigor and unfading beauty, in the Paradise of God.
=Iron Ore.=
One of the most valuable beds of iron ore ever discovered has been
found in the northeast corner of Dodge county, Wisconsin, and is said
to yield ninety per cent. The deposit is 30 feet thick.
* * * * *
'Pursue your calling with diligence, and your creditor shall not
interrupt you.'