Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-11-06
THE WASTE OF LIFE.
BY DIR. FRANKLIN.


"Amergus was a gentleman Of good
estate; he was bred to no business, and
could not contrive how to waste his hours
agreeably, he had no relish for the pro-
per works Of life, nor any taste for the
improvement Of his mind he spent ten
hours generally of the twonty-four in
bed, he dozed away two or three more
on his couch, and as many more were
dissolved in good liquor every evening,
if he met with company Of his own hu-
NOR. Thus he made shift to wear off
ten years of his life since the paternal
estate fell into his hands. One evening
as he was musing alone, his thoughts
happened to take most unusual turn
for they cast glance backward, and he
began to reflect on his manner Of life.
He bethought himself what number of
beings had been made sacrifice to sup
port his carcass, and how much corn and
wine had been mingled with these offer
ings, and set himself to compute what he
had devoured since he came to the age
OF man.
"About dozen leathercd creatures,
other," said he, "given up their lives to
prolong mine; which in ten years amount
to at least six thousand. Fifty sheep have
been sacrificed in one year, with hec-
atomb Of black cattle, that | might have
the choicest parts offered weekly upon
my table. Thus thousand beasts Of
the flock and herd, have been slain in
70 hag MI hat tba
forest has supplied me with. Many hun
dred Of fishes have in all their varieties
been robbed Of life for my repast, and Of
the smallest fry some thousand. A mea-
sure of corn would hardly suffice me with
fine flour for a months provision, and this
arises to above six score bushels; and
many hogsheads Of VINE, and other H.
| quors, have passed through this body Of
mine; this wretclred strainer of meat and
drink. And what have | done all this
time for God or man? What a vast pro-
fusion of good things upon useless life ,
and worthless liver. There is not the
meanest creature among all those which
l have devoured, but what hath answer
ed the end Of his creation better than |.
1t was made to support human nature
and il hath done so. Every crab and
oyster have eat, and every grain Of
corn | have devoured, hath filled up its
place in the rank of beings with more
proprety than have done. Oh! shame
tul waste o. life and time.
sin short, he carried his moral rehec-
j. .ions with so just and severe force of
reason as constrained him to change his
whole course of life-break OIL his follies
at once, and to apply himself to gain
some useful knowledge, when he was
more than thirty years of age. He liv-
ed many following years with the char
acter Of worthy man, and excellent
Christian. He died with peaceful con
science, and the tears of his country were
dropped upon his tomb. The world that
knew the whole series of his life, were
amazed at the mighty change; they be
held as wonder of reformation while he
himself confessed and adored the divine
power and mercy that had transformed
him from brute to a man.
"But this was a single instance, and
we almost venture to say "miracle," up.
on it. Are there not numbers in this de.
generate age, whose lives run to uttel
waste without the least tendency to use
lulness 2"