Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-03-21
Liverpool, Nor. IL, 1905.
From the Columbia Telescope.

From the Columbia Telescope.
Graceful in youth is the tear Of sympathy and
the heart that meIts at the tale of woe. BLAIR.
Sympathy is that principle 10 the mind
which enables US TO feel for the sufferings
or participate 10 the happiness Of others
aud, considered in this light, is one OF the
greatest blessings which Providence has
dispensed 10 man: it is one of those bonds
which unite society together, and were it's
influence more extensively felt. would rem
der the human family an assemblage of
brethren.
Sympathy is the parent Of benevolence,
and all the actions of men which have a
tendency to alleviate the distress or en-
crease the comforts OF their fellow crea-
lures, are its offspring. 1t was under the
influence of this principle that Howard
devoted his life and fortune to relieve the
suflerings of humanity Ciarkson exc
erted every nerve iu procuring the aboli-
zion of the slave trade-~and that Benezet
travelled through The United States to eff
feet the emancipation or alleviate the suf-
feriuss of that portion of our population
which groans under the CALLING yoke of
slavery. But the most perfect pattern OF
beneyolence that ever was exhibited TO
the world, was 10 the life and sufferiugs of
the Saviour OF mankind, who went about
continually doing good" without the hope
If private emolument, or wish to obtain
| the ami ss,se az the world
The blessed effects of sy mpathy are not
confined to making man useful to his fell
low creatures; they also advance his own
happiness for he who is under the influ-
ence Of this benign principle derives more
pleasure from viewing well cultivated
farm. or Witnessing The arrival of ship la
den with the rich productions of foreign
countries, than many do from the possess
ion Of them: he feels that every blessing
fellow creature enjoys is SO much added
to the stock of human felicity, and there
fore participates in the enjoyment Of it:
he feels that the sufferings of an indiyidu-
al is so much added to the mass of human
misery, and therefore endeayors 10 allevi-
ate them. But his sympathy is not that
poignant grief which we feel for our mis-
fortunes: it is rather an active principle,
which incites him TO do good; and 10 fol-
lowing its dictates, he receives more plea
sure than is equivalent to the pain that is
produced by contemplating the object of
il.
When the chilling blast of misfortune
oyertakes a man with. unexpected poverty
when all his prospects of earthly bliss
aud all his golden dreams of pleasure |"
have vanished-il is then that he can app
preciate the value Of a sympathising friend
who comes mol 10 the manner of the world
with unmeaning compliments or express
ions of regard, but with his heart weighed
down with grief for the calamities of his
| friend.
The sacred historian informs US that
when the friends of job saw the extent of
bis suffering, " they sat down with him on
the ground seven days and seven nights,
aud none spake word unto him, for they
saw that his grief was very great How
strongly is feeling depicted in their beha-
NluuE lucy huCW &htuS ttCy
could say to him in the transport of his
grief, would be only " adding fuel to the
llame;" but ia such state Of mind the
mere presence of friend disperses the
clouds of melancholy, aud gives hope an
opportunity Of pointing to scenes Of distant
prosperity, which buoys up the spirits,and
directs the mind to the exertion OF its pow.
ers.
Since, then, benevolence is so condu.
Give to our own happiness, and productive
Of so much good to the community, let US
not smother the principle which produces
it. Let not envy, which is its greatest
enemy, creep in and displace It; but, on
the contrary, let us cherish this fellow
feeling for the success or mislortunes Of
others, as the strongest tie that unites man
kind together in the pursuit Of good, aud
the principle which makes society the
source Of enjoyment,