Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1827-01-13

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!" LIT he dead sleep on in peace"
"A circumstances lately occurred TO-
the village Of Gray, tMe.) which we Dos
tice. because such things sometimes
happen in our own region. and which
deserves the censure Of every friend
to humanity
+" II seams that an extremely respectable
physic,sn died in that place. some two or three
weeks snce, and The Rev. Nr. Peckham, who
resided 10 the place, W. inv ted TO preach his
funeral sermon, He chose for his text " What
shall the end be Of them who obey not tho
Gospel 2" The c,ergymou, with delicacy
infinitely to be ADMIRED. compared the doc
tor TO thief, robber, or rby gross vialstor
of the commandments"
Al'hougb we do not believe there
are many among our Clergy who would
be guilty Of slandering the dead in go
great degree as this Reverend Mr..
Peckham has, we too often see the
same theme touched on lower key |;
da.kly hiuted at by Crafty ipsiuuation.
And finally sec them consigned to
place Of torment, by the hand Of him
who is called upon to bestow the rights
ofsepuIture upon the dead.
This practice ought not to be coun.
tenanced.
Because, were II not unjust and cru
el, it would sill be useless and uDnec-
essary. The dead are beyond the re-
proof OF man his voice breaks not the
stiffness which reigps hey ond the tomb ;
bis Influence cannot pass the barrier
OF the grave. The dead are in the
hands Of heir God, and, who shall dare
to rob him - the power of judgment.
Because, il one pers n censures or
repro,cs another, knowing that the
person s, reprovcd CT ceDsured can
neither receive bene6 rom he re-
preof M, deie1 "A himself from rhe cen.
sure, chat persou must be prompted by
malice: And person who would graf.
ify bis malicious feelings by insulting
the mrmory of the dead, is worse than
an intidel.
Because, il is injurious to the cause
Of Chri.lianity. If the friends Of the
deceased have never been convinced of
the true principles Of the gospel, by
mild argument, who can hope to see
them SO convinced, by anathemas that
murder the character Of those they
loved when living and whose meme.
ry is dear o them in death.
Because, our Bill of Rights. allows
every man to worship Gcd after the
manner Of his own Conscience and
because, as free and equal citizens, the
religious opinions Of one man are en-
titled 10 as much aspect as those of a.
n9thpr; AID therefore should not be
icb13 mDed: "nc p son being a. liable
10 eTianpus conclusions - another.
Becan e. j. will give the Clergy Of
certai 1encriuaiio =, an undue mfr.
ence aver be MINDS of the people. If
any lass Of men. can .oD' luce The ig-
MIRA I. That they no d in heir hands
the power 10 sb olive or condemn. hai
class Of m II NUT be- emipen'lv dan
gerous 10 10 governm nj unaer wbicb
they live. AID tbi mus be lhe aiR,
of any man VIII at emp,-' 10 convince
the puhllck. tha' my p rson wh dies
not hehevia. the letter OF his creed, is
damned.
Because. the common die a'es Of hu-
maniiy, tech US 10 respect the feelings
Of hose who mourn departed relatives.
Iftbey they were he mos abandoned
Of ne human race, in dea'b we should
forget their crimes, out Of respect 10
the living. For the brand of infamy
coul' ~. make mother forget the
child she nnrsed: N.r wife the hus-
barm Vt her bosom Nor sister, the
tende companion Of her youth, the
brothss he so fondly cherished. No
stain, heweyer dark Can shade the af.
feciions--no hsud can efface the recol.
lection Of those who are dear to US
nothing hut the waters Of Lethe can
drive them from our memory. They