110 THE ADIRONDACK. 



the vision and ruffles the spirit, till it prays for one 

 straggling sunbeam to disperse the gloom. But seen 

 at that distance — shone upon by that setting sun — 

 how glorious ! And here, methought, I had a solution 

 of my mystery of life. With its agitations and 

 changes — its blasphemies and songs — its revelries and 

 violence — its light and darkness — its ecstasies and 

 agonies — its life and death — so strangely blent — it is 

 a mist^ a gloomy fog", that chills and wearies us as 

 we walk in its midst. Dimmmg our prospect, it 

 shuts out the spiritual world beyond us, till we weep 

 and pray for the rays of heaven to disperse the gloom. 

 But seen by angels and spiritual beings from afar — 

 shone upon hy God's perfect government and grand 

 designs of love — it may, and doubtless does, appear 

 as glorious as that evening cloud to me. The bright- 

 ness of the throne is cast over us, and its glory 

 changes this turbulent scene into a harmonious part 

 of his vast whole. " G-od's ways are not as our ways, 

 neither are his thoughts as our thoughts." After it 

 has all passed, and the sun of futurity breaks on the 

 scene, light and gladness will bathe it in undying 

 splendor. 



