The Wilmingtonian., 1824-02-12

more savage than the beasts: and IT we es.I
cape the inconveniences and dangers oi
the air and the earth, there are perils b,
water and periis BY FIRE. This established
course of things it is not in our power to|
change; but it is in our power to assume
such a greatness Of mind as becomes wise
and virtuous men as may enable US t"|
encounter the accidents OF life with tor
titude, and to conform ourselves to the
order Of nature who governs her great
Kingdom, the world, by continual mu-
tations. Let us submit to this order, let US
be persuaded that whatever does happen,
ought to happen, and never be SO foolish
las 10 expOstuiat. with nature. The best
resolution we can take is to suffer what We
cannot alter, and to pursue without repl-
ming, the road which Providence, who di.
rects every thing, has marked out to Us !:
for it is not enough to follow and he is but
"a bad soldier who sighs and marches on
with relactany. We must receive the order.
with spirit and cheerfuness, and not endea-
YOUR TO stink at Of the post which is assign
led US in this beautiful disposition OF things
whereof even our sufferings make ne
|cessary part. Let us address ourselves to
God, who governs all as Cleanthes did in
those admirable verses, which are going
to lose part Of their grace and energy IL
my translation of them.
Parent ofna,ure! Master Of the world
Where'er tiny Providence directs, behold
NV steps with cheerful resignation turn.
Fate leads the willing, drass the backward on.
why shn,.d grieve, when greving must bear
Or take with guilt, what gnllticss might share
Thus let US speak, and thus let US act.
Resignation to the will of God is true mag
Inanimity. But the sure mark of pusil-
Luminous and base spirit, is to struggle a
.cainst, to censure the order Of Providence.
and instead of mending our own conduct,
to set up for correcting that Of our Maker
Fmnsrrl seruice Of the Greeks.--ln
Smyrna, long funeral professions are per-
formed BY the Greeks; and the publicity
of this Christian rite seems reverently to
be allowed in the midst of their Mussul
man oppressors. Visiting, on one occasion.
the learned master Of the public school,
Economus the presbyter, our conversation
was interrupted by the approach OF the
procession Of deceased Greek Of some
consequence, over whom Economus wa'
to preach funeral sermon. in the adjoin.
ling metropoiton church. went with him.
1t was very affecting, to see the corpse y
ing in an open coffin, with the ordinary
dress of life; that is, the loose flowing
Greek robes on his head the calpac, a
large and cumbrous head dress, common
lily worn; and the face exposed. The
sight made me shudder, and 80 did the in.
difference which habit has produced on the
minds of the bystanders.
Economus preached sermon Of twent,
!, minutes length. lie spoke OF the deaf
lin an Attic style Of compliment, unde
;. the title Of kie blessed. He concluded hi
sermon, by breaking out into that awfu
service which the Greek church has 70
: the dead, and in which the congregatio
: in murmuring voice join. 1t is an invita-
|tion to relatives and friends TO bid thei
final adeu:
"Come, brethren, and let US give III
',last embrace to the deceased, thankin
God! He hath left his kindred-he
:. = borne to the grave. no longer needing tn
. things of vanity. and of the burdensom
: flesh. Where now are kindred and friends
!. Now we are separated: whom let US pra
: , the Lord TO take to his rest!
= = "What a separation. o brethren =
: +, Come then, let Us embrace him who it'll
/" while ago was with US. He is consigne
= = to the grave-he is consigned to the grav
!" he is covered with stone--his ab0tl
y Is with darkness-he is buried with tn
'e dead! Now we are separated; whom IL
'e US pray the Lord to take to his rest
- "Now all the evil and vain festivity G
life is dissolved for the spirit hath lei
~ its tabernacle the clay has become blac
!. J. the vessel is broken, speechless, void q
y feeling, dead, motionless: when consign
:. !. ed to the grave, let US pray the Lord
y give him rest forever.
- :. "TruIy, like flower. and as avapo
,s 'e and as morning dew is our life. Com
&c then, let US look down narrowly into th
y grave. Where is the comeliness Of III
u,budy, and where is youthl Where are III
In,deyes, and the beauty OF the fleshs All ar
=, u withered like grass--ali are vanished
;" Come then, let Us fall before Christ i
:, =, tears.
'"r "Come hither, ye descendants of Adam
" let US behold committed to the earth on
:" who was of our rlikeness--all his scomeline.
y cast away-dissolved in the grave-foo
e lfor worms-in darkness-cOvered wi,