Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-09-25
miStelI
coSsoL ATOMS FOR THE APrLicrxD

human heart. But a rejecting mind
will recollect with gratitude, that the
children of distress are not left comfort
less, are not abandoned to re NEEDLESS and
hopeless misery. Sympathy is implant-
ed in the human breast-and pity flows
from the eyes and tongues of spectators.
And it is no small relief to see, or even
to hear, that others sympathise with him,
and pity his misfortunes.
Among the numerous evils which be-
siege our gates, which break into our
houses, and transfx our breasts, some
admit of cure, some may be mitiga-
| ted, and as to others, our inward powers
may be braced, and our minds fortified
in variety of ways, by which we may
be enabled to bear them without sue
cembency, often with cheerfulness, and
always with patience. When our friends
and neighbors inform us, for our COM
| fort, that one and another has sustained
! heavier aoressures than have been laid
upon us, has suffered greater losses, or
has been pierced with keener affections,
| they not only discover their benevolencs
and compassion, but really suggest
something which diverts our attention
from ourselves, enables US to make COM
parsons in our own favor, and recon
Giles us the more readily to our condi-
ton, to ourselves, and tothe viii of Hes-
ven.
1t is pleasing says an ancient poet,
to look from shore upon the tumults Of
the ocean in storm, and see a ship
struggling with the pillows; it is pleas
ing, not because the pain of another can
give us delight, but because we have
stronger impression of the happiness Of
safety Thus says DIR. johnson, when
we look abroad, and behold multitudes
that are grooming under evils heavier
than those which we have experienced,
we shrink back to our own state, and
instead of repining that SO much must
be felt, learn to rejoice that we have not
more to feel
Twas once acquainted with lady of
uncommon sensibilty, and whose ma
ternal tenderness was rarely exceeded.
When relating the revolutions that had
taken place in her family, and the trials
she had met with, she gave noe the fol-
lowing account:
i once had two pretty boys nearly Of
bigness, and not far distant in age
sweet children-my heart was bound
up in them--I know now | loved them
too well-but every body loved them
that saw them-they were so innocent
had such endearing actions-were so
fond of each other-and of me--they
seemed to engross every affection and
concern of my SOUL wished not to
live but for them, and thought it impos-
sible to live without them. But right
eous heaven soon put me 10 the trial:
know | did wrong in setting my heart SO
much upon them. | have been Justly,
though severely punished. Before the
eldest had completed his fifth year, the
throat distemper seized them, and both
my little cherubs were snatched from
me within few days Of each other. 1t
is impossible to describe the agony | felt
my trouble, said to myself, is greater
than | can bear, and greater than any
body ever bore. was ready to accuse
Providence ofcapricious cruelty; | could
see no comfort no enjoyment, no Justice
in the world loathed life, and wished
! to lie down in the grave with my babes.
My friends and acquaintance used eve
ry method IN their power to console me;
but my grief was not to be assuaged.
At length my husband, anxious for my
relief proposed my taking asride: |
could not consent; wished for no
change of place, or of objects, to take
off my attention from my sweet chill
dren; wished to go TO no place, but
where they lay. But my husband know
ing that my sorrows thus induIged.would
soon sink me in the grave, kindly forced
me into the chaise. | knew not where
was going; he carried me to a house
where had never been before Twas
received by an elderly matron, in whose
countenance discovered serenity inter-
mixed with melancholy. She knew me,
and had heard of my loss; she told me
in the usual phrase, that she was sorry
for my affection Seeing me over
whelmed and unable to speak, she pla-
ced me in chair, and seated herself by
me--then taking me by the hand, adj
dressed me as follows:
They tell me you have lost two pretty
children; | do not wonder you grieve;
it is an affecting loss, but you must not
be inconsolable. Providence is mystic
rious in its proceedings, but never I'M
just can feel for you'll have lost