American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-01-17
nd Friday, by albert & Henry Wilson,
WILMINGTON, Del TUESDAY, JANUARY II, 1926.

we experience are SO touching and SO whitening
that believe none can be more exquisite. We
never know ourselves so we'll as then We never
see 10 SO clear light the vanity ofmoral pursuits
ihese feelings when the event that occasioned hem
is recent IN the mind draw il off from every
other thought and contract all its sensbility to one
centre point OF afflicton, which wounds the heart
to torture by its intensity. But when familiarity
with the scene, when interval has softened and
blended these keen pangs into serene and tender
melancholy, We can observe the advantages which
such shocks work on the heart. Though they may
seem like the lightning, which, to purify the air,
scathes and rends or the earthquake which makes
the world tremble, and leaves behind it dreadful
mementos OF its desoation: yet these events like
these commissions OF the elements. which make the
earth sale habitaton, while they remind US so
powerfully OF our meanness and our end, make US
Misunderstanding to our minds the virtues Of our
friends Incite us to initiate them in the duties OF
benevolence and philanthropy and remove also
the selfish considerations Of common life, dwelling
IN the heart like an angel Of mercy, making every
emotion pure and recollection sacred.
| All may look on the Grave as place where they
have general right, and where all will be gathered
to the arms OF death. Here is acted the last scene
and here is perfected the great catastrophe of Ma
ture. Who views it with adherence? 1t is qui-
ct and lasting resting place from all disturbance and
| sorrow. The old and the weary may sleep here
peacefully. Those who have commended with life
OF misiortunes and drank the b.terest cup of its
vexation. may come here and say that their cares
are ended
10 this place can the saint look with peculiar de-
sire, He is tired of his sufFerings he is anxious
for the reward which has been promised him. He
cannot look on the grave and shuddcr at its solem
nifty and solitude, but considers it as the entrance
which, after his sorrowfu pilgrimage on the Jour
ney OF lite, will admit him lonely and wretched as
he IS to his mothers bosom, in peaceful home.
For him It's darkness is illumined by the bright
glory OF heavenly hope, and that light guides him
TO the world above.
convinced OF our depravy and degradation, we in
cline to favor and forgive the faults of those around
US; and knowing that our remains must soon min
gle with the dust of the meanest beggar, we are
willing even before we meet there to call him
brother
1t is the place TO learn wisdom. The perfection
OF human knowledge is the knowledge of self.
When We draw away from the world and hold COM
munion with ourselves in place lonely and sacred
when we lay over the tomb of friend and his sp.
rit OF remembrance descends upon US the heart
fills and expands with the flow of sensibty We
mourn over our errors and frailties; we look with
regret on the past, bat with hope ON the future.
We are never so convinced of weakness as
when we look over whole field filled with all that
Hooic atlu tar III HldD anu we never raise our
hearts and eyes to heaven, in purcr devotion and
brighter anticipation, than when we long to have
done with life. and make haste TO pass through this
dark passage, which We know will introduce us to
that holy retreat, where the weary rest in peace
and none live but the just.
We cannot, then, visit this place too often, to
learn the most solemn lessons of humanity and Of
wisdom. Our hearts are clear, when surrounded
with such associations, from wicked thoughts and
proud aspirngs.
Who could indulge in dreams of pride and OF
ambition, who would feel bitterness against his enc
my or would form schemes of guilty pleasure, when
perhaps he was standing on the grave of one who
had been gay and oud with him; or who had
been his enemy, but now was humble and helpless,
and gone from him foreverp Who could commit |
crime, when standing by the grave OF Father
There is feeling OF the heart which makes it pure
and tit for good impressions, when it is melted by
the remembrance of former love and early and con.
tinued endearment, which We can know and feel
no more. When we reflect on the tenderness OF |
departed parent, the solicude and the sorrows the
prayers and the tears, which are so often the wit
nesses OF fathers care all the sweet dreams and fam
cics OF childhood return; We remember how we
have played on his knee and hid in his bosomwe love
to recall the times, when we could throw on him
the burden OF all our cares and find with that
sympahizing friend protection and advice in all our
little troubles. We feel bitterly how often we
have offended and panied his tender bosom with our
disobedience and unkindness and when all these
scenes and recollecons press on our memories we
forget all our woned worldly views and interests,
and become children again. o would as soon
disturb and be sacregious to his ashes as to COM
nit single evil deed, or to indulge one impure
thought on that holy ground, where the honored
bones OF my father are resting.
1t is consecrated not only by memory and affec-
ton, it has the grief of your most unhappy mo-
ments. and has been watered not only by your own
tears, but been the altar on which your mother has
poured the incense of her sorrows, and to which