Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-08-26
MORAL.
FOR THE LANCASTER GAZETTE.

FOR THE LANCASTER GAZETTE.
MEssRs. Ep1ToRs-The communication
of G in your last paper, though undoubtedly
dictated by serious and laudable intentions,
and calculated to make solemn impressions
on the readers mind, ought not, think, to
rest in the files of the Gazette, without very
kind and friendly animadversion.
The caption is far from being justified.
The writer does not exhibit the superiority
of christianity over human philosophy, as to
its consultations on the death of friends" but
merely shows the different views INDUCED
by Sulpitius and Doctor johnson, relative to
consoling the sorrowful. The former at
tempts to assuage the anguish of grief by
tenderly pointing the mourner to broad
survey of publick calamity and national dis
tress, in which private grief mere personal
affliction, ought TO be wholn1ed, II not for
gotten. The latter kindly endeavours to
console such sufferer, by guiding his med
itations to perfect and eternal felicity be-
yond the grave.
In this letter, Doctor Johnson finds conso-
lation enough for his weeping friend, with
out any direct reference to Christ or his
gospel. He speaks of virtues, and virtues
which elevate; he mentions aninnocent life
and holy death; and various heather phi
losophers have spoken as well, and as evan
gelcally concerning virtue, death, and futu-
rity. 1.-The felt anyreference to the gospel,
he certainly did not express it. In what
sense, therefore, this letter displays " the
superiority of christianity over human phi
losophy," in consoling mcurners, is very
hardly conceivable.
The writer has my full and cordial assent
to his remark that there is nothing in which
the triumph of christianity is more complete,
than in the consultations it affords us on the
death of our friends" He doubtless meant
pious, religious friends; christians in heart
and life. If he intended to say that final
adieu to time and its concerns implies an
entrance into glory, he must have used diff
ferent language.
Still, as this communication of G may be
revised, when he shall sleep with his fathers,
it is subject of regret, that he did not er-
press his reference to godly friends
who appeared in life to be followers of
those who inherit the promises-fiendsw who
witnessed good confession, and were sup
posed to depart in peace, according to Gods
word. But his omission is very easily ac-
counted for. The departure of those dear
to us is now so commonly spoken of, as the
commencement Of eternal happiness-we so
often hear of lamented associates in fitness
OF JOY because they are dead, and not be-
cause they were evidently sincere disciples
and followers of Christ-not because they
were exemplary, watchful, and pious nor
yet because in life they seemed habitually
mindful of judgment to come; but they are
contemplated in the society of the spirits of
just men made perfect, because they are
dead! This is now so Familiarity heard, as
very probably to account for the above omi-
sion.
His contrast would have been much
stronger, and as much more impressive,
though not better intended, had he first
shown what consolation philosophy alone
offers to the sorrowful, and then pointed out
fb0 L. Al