| 492 Tate, a branch of 20 members, three miles south of Richmond, who are strong in the faith of the gospel; they were formerly Campbellites or Reformers but by the preaching of the fullness of the gospel, they became convinced that Alexander Campbell's reformation was only in part, and never could effect the gathering of Israel, nor bring in the millennium glory as declared by the prophets, so they boldly, in the face of both their former teacher and the world, espoused the cause of truth while their deluded teachers still continue to cry false prophet, delusion, delusion; but all their endeavors to stop the progress of truth has as yet turned to its advantage. Many more are convinced of the truth, and the call from the different neighborhoods and villages are sufficient to keep 3 or 4 elders in constant labor; and undoubtedly scores might be brought into the kingdom, as their are a number of respectable gentlemen and ladies who are standing upon the very verge of the kingdom, looking at the works of God and see a beauty in it, but worldly honor and their good name, have as yet hindered; yet there are others who are standing in the hopes of some elder to return from this place to baptize them.-Elders traveling east would do well to call upon them and encourage and strengthen them.
"The priests do rage and the people imagine vain things," but God's work is onward, so let it be. Amen.
Yours in the bonds of the Gospel.
John Cairns.
[For the Times and Seasons]
Hope.
"Eternal hope! when yonder spheres sublime
Peal'd their first notes to sound the march of time,
Thy joyous youth began-but not to fade,-
When all the sister planets have decayed;
When wrapt [wrapped] in fire, the realms of ether glow,
And Heaven's last thunder shakes the world below;
Thou, undismayed, shall o'er the ruins smile,
And light thy torch at nature's funeral pile."
Campbell.
Of all the sensations that pervade the human breast-which stimulate to virtue and excite to action the various classes of mankind, there is none that can justly be considered paramount to this exalted subject, to which the pen of Campbell has done such ample justice; and in his closing paragraph quoted above, there is displayed a reach of thought that remains yet to be exceeded. A metephor [metaphor] as brief and yet so perfect, I have seldom, if ever, seen.
"Thy joyous youth began-but not to fade," Happy has it been for man, that such is the case; were it not for that inherent principle, which God in his goodness has implanted in the heart of man, this life, with all its attendant train of ills, would be insupportable indeed.-But in possession of this ethereal stimulus, we are enabled to press forward, regardless of all the cares and ills of this perplexing world, and unmindful of the present, fix our eye with bright anticipation, upon a far more glorious future, yet in reserve for him "who hopeth all things." None are exempt from its supreme but salutary sway. From the humble suppliant who begs a paltry pittance at our door, to the august emperor who proudly mounts a throne, with his foot upon the necks of Princes, and holding in his right hand the scepter of arbitrary power, demonstrates to the world, and his supreme command fixes irrevocably the fate of nations. But seat that Monarch there with nought [naught] but present power to gratify his swelling soul-with no hope that he should ever advance one jot or tittle, but remain, though great and permanently so, in an entirely quiescent state, neither loved nor feared by Emperors abroad, not menials at home: but find his commands indifferently obeyed, merely as a thing which came by course-no hope of changed, nor cause for conquest; would not his mind clog and be disgusted with so monotonous a scene? Well might it be said that happiness consists in anticipation. Tell what stimulates yon haggard youth to bend by night and day over that huge and musty pile of ancient volumes, thus wasting his health and all his manly strength by unwearied application, unto his sallow cheek and sunken eye, and grow of palid [pallid] marble, attests consumption's fast approach? Ah! the fond hope of becoming signalized as the most profound historian of his age, of securing to himself and imperishable name, of transmitting to ages yet to come volumes of learned lore, the products of his pen, that shall impart to those of the deepest and most extensive research, something new. What impels that bold and intrepid warrior officer thus to dare the horrid front of war, and fily from rank to rank among his men, a target for the opposing foe, regardless of the glancing blade and whizzing ball, that like lightning pass on every side? Alas! The fond hope of accumulating victories, speeds him on to carnage and to death! But the fearless, determined patriot, who shrinks because of cold, hunger and fatigue; and from the instant that his country calls, is never absent from battle; but rather than feel an oppressing despot's power should triumph, will pour his heart's best blood out upon the altar of liberty, a sacrifice of a noble soul, stung by his country's wrongs, driven by injustice, to madness and the grave. By what strange impetus is he impelled? Is it aught [ought] by hope alone?-Hope that he may one day be freed from dire oppression, nor longer be subject to the beck and will of a ruthless and reckless despot. Ah! these are superior spirits, upon whom the world must ever look with wonder and admiration! Yet how many have gone down to the shades of eternity, and left their country bleeding in the chains of anarchy? Such was Cincinnatus, was Tell, was Bruce, was Washington.
Departed spirits of the mighty dead!
Friends of the world! Restore your swords to man,
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