Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

DANGER IN THE DARK. 169
dews of heavenly grace. The human heart is capable
of imeasurable good or evil; of sending forth
mighty streams of life or death. Sometimes, like lava
in Vesuvius, burn the fierce passions within its
glowing caverns; and then is oft poured forth a lavatide
of desolating wrath, consuming in its course whate'er
is beautiful and lovely. The heart, left to itself,
or abandoned to the direction and guidance of chance,
is weak and erring; like an unweeded garden that
grows to seed, produces only that which is gross and
unbeautiful. But with the invigorating and wholesome
influences of proper education, correct discipline,
and true religion, it may be rendered a garden of
sweet flowers, where not an unseemly weed, noxious
plant, nor poisonous herb, e'er spring up to mar its
beauty."
"I feel the truth of your observations; but how
few among mortals attain to such moral purity and
excellence as you have pictured I My own experience
teaches me that there are pernicious influences in a
thousand different forms, which seek to corrupt,
darken, and desolate the heart, and turn it to a frightful
wilderness - where the hissing serpents of malice
coil, and devouring passions rage I Who can effectually
g~ard against falsehood, deceit, envy, pride, ambition,
selfishness 1"
"Oonstant watchfulness is requisite; every door,
gateway, and avenue to the heart, needs to be guarded
with the utmost vigilance."