The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-13
From the Philadelphia Herald.
IMPORTANT DUTIES.

"Set thine house in ORDER is divine admonition,
which would well become every man to apply TO him
self There probably few persons who do not de-
sign at future time to set their affairs in order.
But the great misfortune Of large proportion Of those
who form such design is, that the time which they
look forward ncrer arripes With them To- mo,ro,c Is
the time when all is to be made neht--to- morrow
comes, and yet fomOToc is the chosen time. And
thus they procrastnata the arrangement of their con-
Germs until that fatal meets them IN another
world
When about to commence new year, it seems to be
exceedingly proper that men should improve the occa-
sion their past conductto discard all errors
in principle or practice, which they may discover IN
themseves-,o form new and better habits-and adopt
resolutions Of amendment for the residue Of their lives.
Ny object, at this time, is TO offer few remarks on
one, among the many appropriate duties which men
should perform at the close Of the year 1t that ESQ
arranging their pecuniary affairs, that in the event OF
sudden deaih neither heirs nor creditors may suffer IN
justice.
There arc, perhaps few duties more important, and
vet more neglected than those of making wills, and
annually or periodically settling accounts Most men
so fear the contemplation of DEATH that while they know
themselves TO be every liable to its stroke they
choose rather leave their property involved IN coniu-
son to be wasted in lawsuits, to expose their families
10 want and their creditors 10 wrong, than to perform
those duties which bring the dread messenger to view
They seem regard the preparation for state OF
dissolution with much awe they should the caas-
tophc itself; strangely imagining that their lives be-
come thereby shortened But would men duly reflect
on the folly OF such conduct, they might spare them
selves much trouble through life, and at the final hour
many painful regrets. To those therefore, who have
neglected this important consideration, would recon-
mend an improvement Of the present occasion for the
correction of their error
The duty Of those who possess property, to make
their wills is manifesty Of great importance. Every
prudent man. whe has disposabe property, and who en-
tcrtans lust sense Of the iray Of life, and Of his duty
TO his family and society, will not long neglect to
make his WILL and 10 revise as often as once IN every
year The omission Of this duty most prolific source
Of family quarrcls and Of lawsuits Men know, and
should reflect that they must finally leave their proper
ty and ii not rational 10 suppose that they can
feel Indifferent as TO its disposal, when they shall have
ceased 10 control it, But, il they would not have their
estates swallowed up in the expenses Of settlement or
leave them as bones Of contention among their heirs,
they ought by all means attend to the distribution or
settlement themselves.
On the whole am persuaded that the man who does
not constantly keep his pccunary affairs IN state OF
order as perfect il he expected every Gay 10 De MS
last or who nepects TO make his WILL when he has pro-
pery at his disposal falls far short Of the performance Of
duty to his family and 10 the community