Uncertainty Of Life

Thnre is a kind of vvarning voice by which ever and anon we are suinrnoned to reflect upon the brevity and uncerlninty of human existence. Scènes vvitnessed from time to time awaken thoughts of our mortality and evince that in life we are in the midst of death - that unperceived by us the entrance to its vale may lie near our door. Yet unconcious frequently of our near approach to that bourne from which none returns, mingling wilh the busy throng, we pass along merrily in tne journey of life. In the ' day spring of our being,' when the heart beats high with hope, fancy pictures years of coming pleasures. How olten llusory ! How changing and uncertain is human lile ; even as the tender flovver that springt up by our palhvvay which the wind passing o'er peichance may cause lo vvilher and die. It was but yesterday that one in manhood's prime lived, who talked much of venerable oíd age, and ever thought his journey would be long, nor even dreamed his end so near ; but to-day he is no more. Trembling under the weiglit of years, the aged man verges near the tomb ; yet many a blooming yonth, wbose plans for maturer years were laid, and vvhose hopes of future life were bright, enters before him. They whom we least expect are perhaps the first compelled to yield to death's mandate. Isee at a little distance one who, long wasted by disease, was apparently near the grave. Friends in the vigor of youth, and blooming with health stood beside the loved one, and as they gazed upon the place and emaciated form, I heard them say, ' She will not live beyond the falling oft he leaf. ' But strange to teil, the hand of the destróyer was stad; and the sick one hoped of recovery again. Soon the arrows of dea:h vver pointed at those youthful hearts, and in all their beauty they become its victims. Years passed away. Though they long since have mouldred back to tJ nst, she, animated with hope, lingers, and tells the mournful tale of their departure. How myslerious is the mission of Death ! " Tlie youth in life's rreen apricg, and lie wlio is In the ttrength of ycars, matrno.and muid, The bow'd witli njíe, and infant in its sutiles, Sliall, one by ono, be giithereil to the tomb. So live, that when thy lummoni comes to joiu The innumerable caravan that moves To that mysterious reafaü, where each sha'.l take His chamber in the silent halls of death, ' That thou, sustaineil and soothed. approach thy grave Like onc who wraps the drapery of his couch About bint, and lies down to pleasant droams." [Vermont Aurora.'