The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-01-11
5ANUARX IL, 1927


turned from what she had been in her mai
denly glee and bloom, to contemplate her
when her heart had been crushed, when her
fairest and fondest hopes were withered at
once, and stood like one between earth and
heaven waiting for wings to watt her to the
happier sphere. Then sorrowing tears and
sobs stole from the gentler being and sigh
expressed the grief of a manly bosom, and
each felt the bonds of mutual affection
drawn closer as they mourned together over
the wreck ofthc young, beautiful, and lately
happy creature who was unrepiningly, nay,
gladly approaching that event which has
such gloom for youthful hearts.
On the morning Of that sabbath, every bc-
som in the village was tempered with more
than usual solennity, and every prayer that
assembled came warmer from the heart.
Ihe meeting bell warned me to draw nigh
the House OF Gnd, and as went, on every
countenance marked the tnr of grief, a
calm expression OF sorrow which showed
that the spirit was indeed affected. At the
close OF the morning services. when our aged
pastor mentioned that funeral sermon
would be preached i'll the Afternoon, and n,-
medlately alter, the corpse be conveyed
from the meeting house to the grave, though
all previously knew that such was the ar
ransement, a deep hush pc.vadcd the house
few tears trickled silently, and when his
words were finished, breathing sound like
genera! sigh was heard, and each retired
with suJdued and saddencd feelings
| Never was our meeting house SO crowded
as on that afternoon, and all who came were
nourners. There was no confusion, fer
each arrived early to have last lock of ono
they loved; the coffin with the lid thrown
open rested in the broad aisle, and after a
glance at the still placid features, late all
6caming with fife aud joyousness, they re-
tired with softer tread and more halowed
feelings. AS the house became fuller tho
men silently resigned their seats and stood
in the aisles, aud many hard, worldly lace,
WAS shaded with Il raised hat te conceal that
soitcning of the teatures which all ragged
bosoins are ashamed to exhibit. Though
the number WAS immense, greater stiffness
never reigned, and when the audience rose
to pray, it was by one simultaneous move
mcDt without hustle and noise of seats
wlicn too often prevail. Before the PRAYER
was ended, many gentle frames had sunk
I! down upon the seat soVercome by weeping,
| and many naughty eye was shaded.
I Our ecnerab:e minister. his voice broken
with emotion, took tor his text a passage
! from beautiful chapter Of Iob-1ian COM
eth forth as q .fo,prr, and is CIT DORM; nc
/ teen also as a shuIo.c, and continneM not.
! The sermon was such as all ought to be-
calculated to make men better; but the
preacher felt his subject, and was therefore
eloquent, and he found that the feeling
which made tears stream over his iurrow-
ed cheeks was participated by all present.
Some few were overborne by the tide otfeel
ling and were compelled to withdraw, but
itt,
and fixed their eyes upon his fearful face,
wholly unconscious that the same marks of
sorrow rolled ever their own cheeks. At
Intervals a stihed sob was heard, and gentler
soul OF woman was entirely dissolved in
weeping. When the sermon was over, and
the low, solemn, oft repeated notes OF the
funeral anthem walled on the car, mourning
the supremacy of death, cold shudder
went through the house, and look OF dcs-
pairing widncss was OIL many features; but
when the strain swelled into the glorious
peal OF triumph that another angel was adj
ded to the skies, every heart was resigned,
and with returning confidence and hope ech-
oetl the sentiment, "Oh, grave, where is
thy victory =
The simple procession was soon on its
way. The hearse was in attendance, but
was not allowed to be used; a number OF
Young men who knew the deceased and low
ed her as a sister, took the bier upon their
shoulders, and occasionally relieving each
other, bore the respected bulthen all the
way to the grave. A few white roses part
lv withered, we're strewed as emblems OH
the pail. First after the coffin, came the
old minister supporting an aged woman,
the only person who was clothed in deep
, mourning. 1t was found that without any
. previous concert, all the maids of the vii
, lage, from the little girl of seven summers
to her who like the deceased had just bloom
, ed into womanhood, had arranged them
selves into pairs, with pale blossom at their
breasts, quietly placed themselves in the
procession Then followed long file Of
matrons, succeeded by the boys from the
sunday school, and these again followed by
I the various inhabitants OF the village.
| have looked on long professions honorine
, the remains of the soldier and statesman
the quaint attire Of masons, the reversed
arms and furled banners of the military, the
gorgeous hearse, and the string OF mourning
, coaches; but the mulfled drum. the low deatl
dirgc, the glitter, pomp and pageantry o
wealth and pride failed to make such deep
holy and lasting impressions as sunk into my
heart at the spontaneous and affecting re
r speet rendered to simple village maid-i
: was the tribute of our better feelings to dc
] parted excellence.
t The bier rests upon the ground; younl