Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-13

tale. &c. One of these letters we suDJo'n'
;fy tbe perhaps innocent curiosity wh'ch Is Ia..
ralIy felt to know the pccullar't'es Oh '"an
mind and feeling under such circums:a99.,tss,
and not for the purpose of intlmaung oehel .n"'
he is truly penitent. The reader viii oe susP',s
ed at the apparent readiness Win WHICH 'e "'A"''
quotations from Scripture. ~ ,os,
Rv,IEyUE PRIsox,* March 20. 1881. :,
Its with regret that take my pen IN manu- .ha
to address you with these few lines, uhuer VIC
GREAT embarrassment of my feelings, piaeea w'uh-
in these gloomy walls, my body bound WIN ena'"S
and under the awful sentence OF death' ,.n',,
nouqh to throw the strongest min" ,nt' Sroo",
PROSPECTS, but find that Jesus Christ Is su'i''sn'
to Give consolation to the most despa'r'hs 'ou,
For he saith that he tnat cometh 10 me l WIZ
in no wise cast out But it IS Impossible ~! "''
70 describe unto you, the emotions OF my 'ee'i"S'
NV breast is like the tempestuous ocean, ras'ns
in its own shame, narrowing up the bottom Vi W..
own soul. But look forward to that serene
calm when shall sleep with kings anu coun'
seIlors of the earth. There the wicked shall cease
from troubling, and there the weary be at resi-
There the prisoners rest together; they near "o'
the voice of the oppressor. And trust .hae 'he'e
nv breast will not be ruffed by the storm ofsIn-
for the thing which greatly feared has come up
on me. was not in safety, neither had | rest;
vet trouble came. 1t is the Lord, let him do what
seemeth to him good. When saw you in Lly-
ernool. and peaceful calm waited across both
our breasts, and Justice no claim upon US. li'tie
did I think to meet YOU in the gloomy walls OF a
strong prison, and the arm of justice stretched
out with the sword Of law, awaiting the appointed
period to execute the dreadful sentence. have
had fair prospect in the world, at last 1t buddea
and brought forth the gallows am shortly 10
mount that scaffod, and to bid adleu to this world,
and all that was ever dear to my breast. but
trust when my body is mounted OH the gai'o"s
hirh. the heavens above will smile and pity me.
hope that you will reflect on your past, aud ny
TO that Jesus, who stands with open arms TO re-
ceive YOU. Your character is lost it is true
When the wicked turneth from that wickedness
that they have committed, they shall Save their
soul alive Let US imagine for moment that we
see the souls standing before the awful tribunal
and we hear its dreadful sentence, depart We ours
ed into everlasting fire. Imagine you hear the
awful Iamentation Of soul IN hell. Ii would be
enough to melt yout heart, If it was as hard as
adamant. You would fall upon your knees anu
plead for Gods mercy, as famished person
would for food, or as dying criminal would tor
pardon. We soon, very soon, must 60 me way
where we shall ne'er return. Our names Will be
struck off the records of the living, and enrolled
in the vast catalogue of the dead. hut may 1T
neer be numbered with the damned. l hope 1t
will please God to set you at your liberty, and
that you may see the sins and folies Of your life
past. shall now close my letter with a few words
which hope you will receive as from dying
man; and hope that every important truth Of
this letter may sink keep in your heart and be
lesson to you through life.
Rising grefs distress my soul,
yand tears on tears successive roll
For many an evil voice is near,
To chide my and mock my fear;
lad silent memory weeps alone,
O'er hours If peace and gladness hown.
still remain your sincere friend
CHARLES GIBBS.
*We have thought best to correct the spelling
and punctuation In other respects the letter
stands as it was written.-Edts. Jour. Com.
-sss6e4s~