Мхи старой усадьбы
The Procession of Life
Feelingwithintheirbreastsashudderingsympathy,whichatleastgivestokenofthesinthatmighthavebeen,theywillthankGodforanyplaceinthegrandprocessionofhumanexistence,saveamongthosemostwretchedones.Many,however,willbeastonishedatthefatalimpulsethatdragsthemthitherward.Nothingismoreremarkablethanthevariousdeceptionsbywhichguiltconcealsitselffromtheperpetrator’sconscience,andoftenest,perhaps,bythesplendorofitsgarments.Statesmen,rulers,generals,andallmenwhoactoveranextensivesphere,aremostliabletobedeludedinthisway;theycommitwrong,devastation,andmurder,onsograndascale,thatitimpressesthemasspeculativeratherthanactual;butinourprocessionwefindthemlinkedindetestableconjunctionwiththemeanestcriminalswhosedeedshavethevulgarityofpettydetails.Heretheeffectofcircumstanceandaccidentisdoneaway,andamanfindshisrankaccordingtothespiritofhiscrime,inwhatevershapeitmayhavebeendeveloped.
WehavecalledtheEvil;nowletuscalltheGood.Thetrumpet’sbrazenthroatshouldpourheavenlymusicovertheearth,andtheherald’svoicegoforthwiththesweetnessofanangel’saccents,asiftosummoneachuprightmantohisreward.Buthowisthis?Doesnoneanswertothecall?Notone:forthejust,thepure,thetrue,andanwhomightmostworthilyobeyit,shrinksadlyback,asmostconsciousoferrorandimperfection.ThenletthesummonsbetothosewhosepervadingprincipleisLove.
