Vanity at the County Fair
By Joseph Clarke
Vanity of Vanities, saith the Preacher. Vanity of Vanities; all is Vanity. Eccl. i, 2. Such is my feeling to-night. This day I have attended the Agr. and Mechanics' Fair, for this county, and to-night my soul is barren of joy, and light, and zeal. I have tried to pray, and to sing away the vanity from my heart, but there it is. I would have staid away, but friends urged the noble objects and aims of such an institution, and the little boys wanted to go, and what harm is there in it; so to the Fair we went. There we found so many acquaintances, and saw so many sights, that I forgot to distribute the Sabbath Tracts in my pocket, and the Youth's Instructor in my hat. Though the subject of the present truth was not forgotten, and I did say a few things in an under tone to a few on the all-engrossing theme; yet I freely confess I should have trembled to have seen my Judge approach, while we were seeking pleasure in such a manner. To be sure, we did not patronize the seller of literary trash, whose stand was contiguous to the phrenologist who sold charts; still we were present, and thus endorsed the vanity. Can we say to-night that we have done all to the glory of God? Is such a place proper for us, who to be consistent with our views and feelings would feel more at rest clothed in sackcloth and ashes, with weeping and mourning for the fall of Zion, that so few come up to her solemn feasts? Am I too scrupulous in this? I dare not trust my feelings. Is it possible to glorify God in attending such places? One thing I must testify, as to its effects upon myself, that I am burdened and chilled, with a sense of the vanity, while no good appears to arise; and yet many would, and will say, Fie! what harm is it? Does any brother or sister view it thus? Portage, O., Oct. 7th, 1857.