The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-08-13
COMMU NICATIONS.


Perhaps there is scene SO truly profitable TO
serious and rejecting mind grave ward. In such
place we have every thing to invite meditation, and
upon subjects OF no trifing nature We see collected
before US the ashes OF ages-here are persons who,
like ourselves, were once possessed OF ardent feelings
and whose prospects were as fattering as ours-who
down in the flower of their years, while as
yet the dress of the cup of life they had tasted
We are reminded TOO that the hour approaches in
which must bid adeu 10 this word-its Joys and
Its sorrows, and like these before resign
bodies TO the
Deep, damp vault the darkness and the worm,
which 10 those unprepared for the awful change,
cannot be otherwise than
''-the bugbears Of a winters eve
How forcbly are we reminded by such reflections
of our dependence upon Supreme Being how nsig-
nihcant must appear TO ourselves when reflect,
that few short years, and our pilgrimage on earh
will end that few short years and the ioliies which
now attract our attention, Ike
"Gilded bubbles of lites shallow stream
will cease TO amuse US and how awfully interesting
10 is the reflection that short time only will pass
away ere shall be placed in state OF supreme
| happiness, excruciatng pain. These reflections
profitable in moral and religious point of view,
when we consider that our situation in future world
depends uron conduct and views In this.-li
satisfied there is future world if we are sat
shed of the authenticity of the scriptures, If
satisfied, that felicity-means must be ssed
Il say if we believe these thngs-our reason points
e way and in H. prudence, and every otller NtuOuS
motive urges US to walk.
Let those who eagerly pursuing pleasure in
dissipation, calmly reflect upon the end OF the thomy
euoyments. If they would but consider that time j.
but second when compared with eternity. if they
would but consider that only Of the many hours
which they spend in dehauchery would occasion them
hundreds Of thousands of years otndescriba6e pain
the fTowns of an injured God-and the horrible goad-
ings Of their consciences, they would certainly
" turn and not die
in which thew endure if possible lrorse than the tor
ments Of he'll. To such, reflection is the direst Of
evils And such.frequently though without reflection,
endure IN one moment more exquisite agony-afising
from the admonitions of the faithful guide Within
disspaied ask themselves if such would he their con-
only one week--we need not wait for an answer
There is among them whose conscience is en-
trely seared-not one but possesses one spark of feel
ing-not one but would tremble the idea Of being
hurried from their sins 70 the bar of the Almighty
Let SUCH then, conduct their reason would direct
them in such situation ; let them not keep their eve
steadily fixed on tme-but let them occasionally view
the things Of eternity.
| But stop we may well persuade the African 10
provoke what he considers the Of all evils-the
wrath of the Obi manor the catholic 70 incur the
maledctions OF bald headed mcnk-as 10 persuade a
| person 50 desperately wicked 10 consider. No in
their course they viii press till death check their
career OF iniquiyand when they find themselves up
on the very brink OF that precpice down which the
godly look not without dizziness-they will have am
pie time ior reflection rather, horrible anticipation.
ID.