The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-03-01

continuance, gatlhcation, and enlargement.
feel a satisfaction, which ] know not how to
express, in the innumerable privileges, pleas
ures, and advantages of social and domestic
life, in the interchange of Offices of kindness
ard sympathy with my fellow men, IN the joys
of virtuous friendship, and convivial and intel
lrctual converse, and in the contemplation OF
the immense improvements madeby mankind
il arts and sci noes. and moral worth. adj
mire and would wiah 10 possess that truly
christian spirit Of cohtcntmcrt. gratitude and
b, nevolence, which the venerable Lindsey
exhibited. when at the close OF life OF much
suffering and hardship, he vas able to say with
perfect simplicity and serenity, that even II
there were no life bcvond this, he acknowl
edged himself greatly blessed; and, without
the hope Of a future reunion. yet from the
intercourse aud friendship. which he had en-
joyed with SO many wise and excellent men,
he should depart from life well satisfied
guest. But if had no hope beyond the
present transient scene, know not how
should sustain sorrows, which every day be-
fal me; know not what should support me
under the numerous ard distressing inroads,
which death is daily making in the circle of
nv friends $40 me confess, as one well
describes the effect of death upon the Hea-
! II,
sound, and could not but be attended with
| train of most melancholy reflections. 1t
would unavoi1ably mix with all my enjoy
ments and unavoidably alloy and spoil their
relish. It would be like a sword continual
| " hanging over my head by single hair;
a spectre always haunting my abode; which,
| whatever some libertines might pretend,
would cast a sudden damp on every JOY, and
leave no present ratification free fiom pain
and uncasiness." cannot envy that gloomy
/ scepticsm or that brutal insenslbility, which
regards such events unmoved. | would not
wish to purchase relief with the extinction
of memory, since in the always present rec
objection of departed friends, who deserved
nv respect and affection, find powerful
stimulus to virtue, and satisfaction, though
melancholy, vet most refreshing to my woun-
ded and aching bosom.
! In these sentiments think | utter only
1.-THE sentiment of every virtuons and feeling
heart, What words then can express the
value of a religion, which di,pels all anxiety,
so.icitude, ard grief ~ the departure OF orr
yirtubus and christian friends! what IAN
guagc can express the value OF that blessed
hope, which entereth into that state, which
is beyond the veil OF death; whittier the
forerunner, the guide and prince of life, the
conqueror of death, even Jesus has himself
entered in glory and triumph
| Christian father and mother! when YOU
have deposited in the grave the child of your
affection, and confidence, and hope, perhaps
the son whose virtues, and talents, and man
" qualities were your pride and delight, or
the daughter who clung closely to your
heart, and whose affection and tenderness
you hoped might soften the pangs OF advers-
itv, and cheer the evening OF your lite, tell
me for what you would exchange that bless
ed hope, which after short interval re-
stores them to you. enrobed in celestial
glory, beauty and Immortality. Christian
when you have seen the grave close over the
mortal remains of father, who has been
your guide, and counsellor, and the most
faithful OF friends In your prosperity and ad-
versity, or the kindest of mothers, whose
hope and delight you were, who nurtured
lyour helpless infancy, and so often watched
while you slept, and so often, by her labo-
rious and afiectionate assiduity, soothed the
hours of sickness and pain, and who with so
many prayers and tears, daily approached
Gods mercy seat for your health, happl-
ness, improvement. and salvation, tell me
tor what you would exchange that thrilling
hope, that they rest in peace with that d.
vine Father, who cares tor them with even
more IenQerDeSS tndn rDey Carcu Ior }ou.--
Christian when thy bosom friend has been
snatched from your side, the friend, with
whom you took sweet counsel, and with
whom you walked to the house OF God,
whose sentiments and sympathies were all
yours, whose interests were indssoluoly as
sociated with your own, when YOU have
heard the last affectionate farewell and tax
en- the last look, and caught the last beam OF
Kindness which shot from his closing eyes,
say for what you would exchange the trans
porting hope of reunion in purer friend
lship in better world.
Christians ! speak not to the aged only
but to those, who have just past the morning
of life, when you remark around you the
MANY vacancies which death has made "a
mong those whom you loved, and valued,
when you see how many of TIE aged, and
venerable, and deep-rooted trees have been
upturned, and how many of the fairest open
ing blossoms nipped, how many in their me
redian have been suddenly cut down with
the unripe and ungathered fruit hanging
thick around them, when you have SO often
seen death trampling with indifference on
the pride and boast of genius. wit, and learn
ing, and piercing with his fatal arrow the
thickest shield and panoply of virtue, and
desolating the farest scenes of human hap
piness, usefulness, and promise, tell me have
you never felt the infinite value of that hope
!, Il tf, mi nt