Article #69 - Reflections

The sweet springs, meeting is over, and with it many pleasures it has caused. But memory shall still through coming years revive from that occasion sensatons the highest and purest. It was remarked by some one that day was worth a year of common life – be that as it may the author of that remark must count time by thoughts, feelings and heart throbs – not by figures on a dial, but why require so many days of common life to equal it? it should not be – those same sentiments – inspired thoughts & high aspirations – those same vivid pictures

of the past present & future coming from the cultivated powers of imagination – that same harmony of social feeling – that friendship, love, and flow of soul which made that occasion so inspiring and full of life – should be with us every day and every where; – All may be what but few are – we all may possess those powers and attributes the employment and exersise [sic] of which do really constitute human life – for what is human life? it is answered in the saying “We live in deeds not years – in thoughts, not fleeting breath – He lives most who thinks most feels the noblest acts the best.” But we are prone to attach too much importance to particular occasions, and events; we look too much to the result, and not enough to the cause of things, – we do not look enough into their nature, tis so in every thing – tis so in government tis so in morals, tis so in religion, we prize too highly large gatherings, particular occasions and times as the point at which the world changes or the point upon which it turns, but tis not so – if it changes or turns at all it is gradual – every day works alike, though unseen our destiny – and those great occasions and marked periods & events are but the result of a combination of elements that are daily & hourly accumulating, – But I wish to speak relative to our association, – those large meetings we estimate so highly, we hail them as great manifestations of the spirit of progress, when they even influence the members, who should prize alone the con[s]ciousness of having made some advance in improvement however unentertaining to those who come from idle curiosity – to regard their applause by striving to entertain them with a display of Eloquent addresses – fine Essays, & beautifull [sic] composition regardless of any real improvement. They

excite a pride in the best productions, and cause us to loose [sic] our concern that all are moving on. Those meetings are but occasions for bringing together the results of our individual thoughts, investigations and reflections – which by being mingled excite a sympathy, or exert an influence in a private and individual capacity with increased faith, strength, zeal & perseverance, – meetings are necessary – but they have their place – we must not be deceived by them they are composed of many elements “The good and the true work for Eternity in golden silence.”