130 WHY MUST WE BE HOLY? vestigation? That law is not new to him. His power first impressed it there. What intercourse can feeble, created mind, enjoy with such a God? There is but one point of union between the infinite Mind, and that of any of his creatures. Through that all their social enjoyments must flow. That single point is sympathy! The feeblest mind can love as perfectly as the infinite mind of Jehovah. This is the great point of beat in unison with his own. Those, and those only, can be intrusted with such business, who desire God's glory supremely, and the highest happiness of all his intelligent creatures. Those only whose moral characters are perfect before God, can thus be permitted to roam at large throughout the universe. Those who have the least inclination to disobey, must be confined where their disobedience will not work rebellion, or invade the peace of loyal subjects. That place is the great prison-union, not only between all created minds, but house of the lost. between them and their Creator. But one heartif we may so speak-pervades the moral universe. Every beat of the heart of God causes a pulsation in the breast of every loyal subject. Here is that perfect union which binds the happiness of all together, and unites with that of God. While they continue obedient, it is impossible for them to be unhappy. The infinite God loves them, and his love sends ineffable joy through their souls. All the powers of his eternal mind-all the resources of Deity—are employed in promoting their happiness; while they, in return, love him with all the powers that he has given them. He fills them with himself; and, so long as he is happy and they obedient, their happiness will be commensurate with their utmost capacities, and run parallel with the existence of God himself. We remark, finally, as a reason why holiness is necessary for an entrance into heaven, and a participation of its enjoyments, God is holy. He is the great moral sun of the universe. Around him all minds, from the mightiest to the feeblest, revolve. From him they derive both the power of enjoyment, and the means of promoting that enjoyment. Their great, their chief happiness, consists in his approving smile. In whatever they are engaged, they have the sweet consciousness of his approbation. His holy law is their only rule of action. They delight to do his will. The thought or desire of disloyalty and disobedience never enters their pure minds. They have no desire, no will, no purpose, contrary to the great will and purpose of Jehovah. For him every thing is done. In his presence they find ineffable delight. Every But, O, if the golden cord of love be severed, thought of every heart is open to his inspection. where then shall rest and happiness be found? A Yet conscious rectitude deprives them of all fear. mind thus cut from God and holy beings, would The desire of concealment is the offspring only of be like a planet without an orbit, and without a sin. There every heart is open to the searching fixed centre. The laws which keep the others eye of that Being in whose sight the heavens are immovably in their undeviating track around the not clean. The infinite holiness and purity of sun, upon this exert no power. Solitary and alone Jehovah finds nothing in them inconsistent with it pursues its uneven way-subject to no law-a the perfect rectitude of his own character. Their wandering star-cast out from the great family of feeble minds-feeble when compared with his-harmonious spheres, and doomed to perpetual descannot comprehend all the wisdom or designs of his purposes. He sits and sways the sceptre of universal empire over both loyal and disloyal minds. He executes the moral government which he has established. Even to them his ways are past finding out. How, then, can feeble, created mind, find happiness in the presence of such a God? how they of but yesterday hold intercourse with a being who has existed from all eternity? His powers are infinite, while theirs are finite and feeble. His knowledge embraces all things past, present, and future, while theirs is limited to a few events of past or present existence. Do they bring intelligence with the speed of thought from the most distant part of his empire? To him it is not unknown. His omniscient eye beheld it while yet future, and acted accordingly. Have they made some new discovery in the works of nature? has some law of the physical creation, which has hitherto eluded their grasp, been detected and brought to light by more careful and vigilant in olation. Upon the wings of imagination, we might follow a spirit destitute of holiness in its flight to the imperial city, and to the throne of God. Arrived at the gates of the New Jerusalem, it knocks for admittance. "The heavenly gates on golden hinges turning," are opened for his reception. Struck with the external beauty of the place, we may almost hear him congratulate himself upon his safe arrival. A pure spirit approaches, and presents him with a golden harp, and bids him follow to the place whence were offered their morning oblations. The song of adoration begins"Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts! Heaven and earth is full of his glory." As they cease, a responsive choir bursts forth in the strain-" Alleluia! salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God; for true and righteous are his judgments." A single voice is then heard, saying, "Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great." And the WHY MUST WE BE HOLY? 131 grand chorus of the universe is heard, like the "What!" he exclaims, "is the same theme here, too? sound of many waters, and mighty thunderings— || I came here to converse with you on themes such A sullen sigh of disappointment escapes from After the morning devotions are over, we may follow him as he walks around the celestial city, seeking something to divert his mind from the thoughts which burdened it, or to find some congenial spirit with his own. A heavenly intelligence condescends to be his guide-his companion he cannot be; for the newly-arrived cannot enter into the spirit of his conversation. His only theme is God. His character-his attributes-or his works, fill the mind and heart of the attendant spirit. Wherever they go the same feeling is seen. God is the universal theme of all the holy inhabitants. Wearied, at length, with the monotony of a scene in which he could take no delight, he pants for the society which he once enjoyed on earth. "Where are the learned men who have come from earth?" he asks; "I have often held de-only art holy." At this sound, the unhappy earthlightful intercourse with them below, when viewing the works of creation. May I not see some of them again?" "Certainly," replied the attendant angel. "Come with me, and I will speedily bring you to them." They are quickly saluted by some pure ones, whose countenances bespeak high intelligence. Among them the newly-arrived recognizes one, with whom he had often mingled in society on earth. He had been a faithful minister of the Gospel, and had often, while engaged in his earthly ministrations, faithfully warned the spirit before him to flee from the wrath to come. new thrill of joy pervades the soul of the devoted servant of God, as he beholds another of the fruits of his labors walking the streets of the New Jerusalem. He immediately commences extolling the love of God in Christ, in thus bringing rebels back to allegiance and happiness. Such a strain reaches the heart of the earth-born, and produces dismay. From such a state of unhappy soliloquizing he is aroused by a company of celestial minstrels, breaking forth in the strain--"Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God almighty! Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou A born raises his head. But, O, what a view meets 132 Original. NIGHT. BY MRS. DUMONT. -- THE gathering night Is stealing softly on, to rule the hour NIGHT. With dusky robe, and gems of pure, pale light, And many a ministry of voiceless power; With gorgeous train the regal day hath pastAnother sway is o'er us to be castShe comes like dark Sultana from her bower. The quiet night! Stilling with viewless weight the roar of life, The silent night! Shedding soft coolness o'er life's heated tide, The slumb'rous night! Shedding on worn and weary frames soft sleepBringing the beggar visions warm and brightCurtaining his straw with her own shadows deep, And calling out from nature's chords around, Her many whispers of sweet lulling sound, The blessed seal on his closed eyes to keep. The changeful night! For she hath sterner ministries than these: She hath other train! Blackness and rushing storms attend her swayWild dancing lights, exulting in her reign, And lurid fires, round her pavilion play; While the deep measure of the winds afar, Mingling their rush with the loud thunder's jar, Round their dark chambers holds its pealing way. But night-deep nightOwes not the pomp of storms her awful power'Mid all her beauty, when her starry light O'er earth and sea falls like a silvery shower, Through her long watches gathers fearful gloomA breathing sense of mystery, and the tomb Through all her realm, deepening her softest hourA language traced By her dark shadows, 'mid her wide repose, Whispering of sleep, by heavier chain embraced Than that she links at day's recurring closeA dreamless rest no matin sound shall break, Though all glad sounds with morning's call awake, And day's broad radiance o'er the slumberer glows. Yet, while she breathes of death, before her shrine, For its awed depths swift ecstasies o'ersweep- With brief, bright flash, poured on the imperfect eye, Leaving sad yearnings for the glorious light, Witness the power of its vailed faculty; So the soul's lightning glance, its flitting sense Of splendors, for its vision too intense, Give token of its place of birth on high. TO A DEPARTED SAINT. AND thou art gone to thy long resting place, No more on earth to meet love's fond embraceNo more to hold communion with thy friends; For here, alas! all love-all friendship ends. And thou art gone! yes, gone from toil and careFrom all that mortals know, or feel, or bearGone to the lonely, quiet shades of death-In peaceful slumbers yielded up thy breath. No more shall tears of grief each other chase Adown thy time-bleached, and thy care-worn face; For now, with thee, all tears-all griefs are o'erNor pain, nor sorrow e'er shall reach thee more. How tranquil now thy once so anxious breast! How calm thy sleep! how undisturbed thy rest! And thou wilt rest till Christ shall say, "Arise! Come home! come to thy dwelling in the skies!" And then thy scattered dust shall re-unite, And thou, all pure, shalt dwell with him in light. ELLEN. SKETCHES OF TRAVEL IN BRAZIL. Original. SKETCHES OF TRAVEL IN BRAZIL. BY D. P. KIDDER. RIO DE JANEIRO. Landing at the Palace Square-The Crowd-BuildingsRua Direita-Coffee Carriers-African Songs-Cries-Piaça do Commercio-Alfandega-Post Office-National Flag. 133 see its inmates. The buildings at the rear of the palace square, were all erected for ecclesiastical purposes. The oldest was a Franciscan convent, but has long since been connected with the palace, and used for secular purposes. The old chapel remains, but has been superseded in popularity as well as splendor by the imperial chapel, which stands at its right. Adjoining the imperial chapel is that of the third order of our Lady of Mt. Carmel, which is daily open. In apartments at the rear of this edifice, is the public and national library. THE stranger, in whatever way he may have arrived in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro, usually lands in a small boat at the Largo do Paço or palace square. At flood tide the waters of the bay dash and foam against the stone parapet, which at this point marks their limit, with a violence that enables one to appreciate the granite stairs upon which he may set foot, while the boat is held fast along side. At various other places of landing, the passenger must expect to be indebted to a ride through the surf on the shoulders of his boatmen,priated to the storage and display of goods; while or to receive a wetting in attempting to jump on shore. Of docks there are noue, nor any semblance of our usual facilities for bringing vessels into connection with the shore, save in some recent fixtures for the steam ferry-boats, which ply between the city and Nitheroy on the opposite side of the bay. Coasting steamers, merchant vessels, and men-ofwar, lie at anchor in the stream. The streets of the city are generally quite narrow, and paved with stones of a large form. The unevenness with which these stones are laid, causes great jarring of carriages. The houses seldom exceed three stories in height, but nearly all are occupied as dwellings. Even in streets chiefly devoted to business, the first floors only are appro At the palace square, the stranger finds himself surrounded by a throng as diverse in habits and appearance, and as variegated in complexion and costume, as his fancy ever pictured. The majority of the crowd are Africans, who collect around the fountains to obtain water, which flows perpetually from a score of pipes, and which is caught in tubs or barrels and borne off upon the heads of both males and females. The slaves go universally bare-footed, but some of them are gaily dressed. Their sociability, when congregated at these resorts, is usually extreme; but sometimes it ends in differences and blows. To prevent disorders of this kind, soldiers are generally stationed near the fountains, who are pretty sure to maintain their authority over the unresisting blacks. At certain hours of the day, great numbers of citizens and foreign residents walk out in the Largo do Paço, to enjoy a look down the bay and the refreshing coolness of the sea-breeze. A guard of soldiers usually stands in front of the palace, which is a heavy building, exhibiting the old Portuguese style of architecture. It was long used as a residence by the Viceroys, and for a time by Don John VI., but is now appropriated to various public offices, and contains a suite of rooms in which court is held on gala days. Not unfrequently an imperial coach makes its appearance here, whose galloping guards and out-riders produce a sensation in the crowd of a different species from that caused by a desire to families reside above. Granite is the material of which nearly all the edifices are constructed. The outside walls, however, are not laid up with hewn blocks, but with finer and irregular fragments, cemented together and coated without by plastering. The color is almost invariably white, and glistens in the sun in powerful contrast with the red earthen tiling of the roofs. Passing out of the Largo do Paço to the right, we enter the rua Direita, which is the widest and most important street of the city, running nearly parallel to the shore of the bay, on which the city fronts. Nothing can be more animated and peculiar, than the scenes which are witnessed here during the business hours of the day. These are governed by the regulations of the custom-house and consulado, and extend from nine A. M. till two P. M. During these hours only, vessels are permitted to discharge and receive their cargoes, and at the same time all business at the public offices must be transacted. Consequent upon these arrangements, the utmost activity is required to remove the goods dispatched at the custom-house, and to embark those productions of the country, which are daily required in the transactions of a vast commercial emporium. When the reader, moreover, is told that all this labor is performed by human hands; that scarcely a cart or a dray is used in the city for such purposes-unless, indeed, it be drawn by negroes, as, for the heavier burdens, a few are he will be prepared to figure before his mind some scores of negroes moving, with loads upon their heads, in every direction. The coffee carriers usually go in troops, numbering ten or twenty individuals, of whom one takes the lead and is called the captain. These are usually the largest and strongest men that can be found. While at work they seldom wear any other garment than 134 SKETCHES OF TRAVEL IN BRAZIL. a pair of short pantaloons. Their shirt is thrown || lishment, upon very limited pay, that some are aside, for the time, as an incumbrance. Each one takes a bag of coffee upon his head, weighing one hundred and sixty pounds, and when all are ready they start off on a measured trot, which soon increases to a rapid run. As one hand is sufficient to steady the load, several of them frequently carry musical instruments in the other, resembling children's rattle-boxes. These they shake to the double-quick time of some Ethiopian ditty, which they all join in singing as they run. Music has a powerful effect in exhilarating the spirits of the negro, and certainly no one should deny him the privilege of softening his hard lot, by producing the harmony of sounds, which are sweet to him, however uncouth to other ears. It is said, however, that an attempt was at one time made to secure greater quietness in the streets, by forbidding the negroes to sing. As a consequence, they performed little or no work, so the restriction was, in a short time, taken off. Certain it is, that they now avail themselves of their vocal privileges at pleasure, whether in singing and shouting to each other as they run, or in proclaiming to the people the various articles they carry about for sale. The impressions made upon the stranger, by the mingled sound of a hundred voices falling upon his ear at once, is not soon forgotten. The Piaça do Commercio, or exchange, occupies a prominent position in the rua Direita. This building, formerly a part of the custom-house, was ceded by government for its present purposes in 1834. By means of considerable expense, it was modernized and beautified, so that it now presents an aspect quite in contrast with the antique structures by which it is surrounded. It contains a reading-room, supplied with Brazilian and foreign newspapers, and is subject to the usual regulations of such an establishment in other cities. Beneath its spacious portico, the merchants of eight or nine different nations meet each other in the morning, to interchange salutations and to negotiate their general business. Adjoining the Piaça is the public entrance of the Alfandega, or custom-house-an institution which most travelers in foreign countries have occasion to remember. The vast warehouses of this establishment extend quite to the sea-side, upon which conveniences are constructed for landing goods under cover. Once out of boats or lighters, they are distributed and stored in respective departments, until a requisition is formally made for their examination and dispatch. That troublesome delays should occasionally occur, in the dispatch of goods and baggage, is not surprising, to any one acquainted with the tedious formalities which the laws require; nor would it be strange, among the host of empregados or sub-officers connected with the estab occasionally found, who will embarrass your business at every step, until their favor is conciliated by some direct or indirect appropriation of money to their benefit. Most of the large commercial houses have a dispatching clerk, whose especial business it is to attend upon the Alfandega; and the stranger, who is unaccustomed to the language and customs of the country, will always avoid much inconvenience by obtaining the services of one of these. If he does not then succeed to his liking, his only remedy will be "ter paciencia," to have patience. From my own experience in passing books and baggage through the different custom-houses of Brazil, I am prepared to say, that a person who understands and endeavors to conform to the laws of the country, may expect, in similar circumstances, to meet with kind treatment and all reasonable accommodations. Should he succeed in getting through the Grande Portam Rio, about the time that huge door is being closed up for the day, he will witness a lively scene. Boxes, bales, and packages, of every species of goods, cases of furniture, pipes of liquor, and coils of rope, lie heaped together in a confusion only equaled by the crowd of clerks, feitors, and negroes, who block up the whole of the rua Direita in their rush to obtain possession of their several portions, and in their vociferations to hasten the removal of their merchandize. In the same street, and near by the Portam da Alfandega, is the Correio Geral, or general postoffice. You enter by a large vestibule with a stone floor, which is occupied by several soldiers, who frequently lie in a very unmilitary posture, on the benches around the sides of the apartment. A flight of stairs conducts you to the second floor, from which you may enter on the left the offices of the national bank and treasury. On the right, behind a high counter, are the letters and newspapers of the post-office distributed-not in boxes, according to alphabetical order, but in heaps, according to the places from which they have come. On the sides of the room are hung numerical lists of names, arranged under the head of cartas de Minas, de S. Paulo, &c. The foreign letters, with the exception of those belonging to certain mercantile houses, who pay an annual subscription to have their letters sent them, are generally thrown together promiscuously, and he who comes first has the privilege of looking over the whole mass, and selecting such as belong to himself or his friends. Although in such a method of letter delivery there is an apparent liability to frequent mistakes, yet, in my own experience, mistakes or loss of letters seldom or never occurred. Charges for postage are moderate. It sometimes happens, however, that books or packages, which ought to have passed through the custom-house, find their way to the |