The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-06-20
"a husband to the widow,
Will surely be, (nor need ye dread,)
He did on me through life rely,
His seed shall never beg for bread"
Camden, 1S40. ..H A. G.
Miscellaneous.
FOR THE JOURNAL.
THE GRAVE YARD.


ship, every man is-personally concerned
in the estimate he may form of the house
appointed for all living; and wherein,
sooner, or later, he must, one day, take
up his abode. 1t is, indeed, the last res.
ting place, to which what is mortal of man
is tempo rarily consigned: and it is the on
ly place peculiarly his own, not so much
from the inhabitalion, as from incorpora-
tion with its very element Of dust and
askes. This consideration naturally teach
es respect for the sacred depository.
And the common sympathies Of our ma.
ture demand, that this respect be shown
in such care and adornment as circun1-
stances permit. 1t is remarkable fact,
that the ancients of sacred and prophane
history, were very particular in the ex-
preston of their feelings on the subject.
The Patriarch Abraham showed the deep.
est anxiety for family tomb, which con-
stituted his first possession in the land Of
Promise. From the known customs of
those early times, we are authorised to
believe, that this sepulchre was judicious-
ly prepared and decorated. Recent dis
coveries in Egypt, prove that the tombs
Of its Princes and mobiles, particularly at
Memphis, and Thebes, were erected in
style of most costly magni6cence; and
filled with great treasures deposited at the
burial Of the proprietors. The trea-
sure cities Pithom and Rameses spoken of
in the Book of Exodus, as having been
built for Pharaoh, by his bondsmen, the
Hebrews, have been, not wiLhent reason,
supposed the Pyramids, which were in
tended not only for Astronomical pur.
poses, but also as tombs for Royalty, and
therefore, as the repositories of great
wealth, either with the superstious view
to supply the wants Of the departed in the
other world; or more properly, as offe.
rings Of respect to their memory, presen.
ted by survivors in this life. A similar
feeling of reverence for the dead, and re-
gard for the places of their interment,
more universal through all antiquity. In
modern times, travellers speak with rap
lures of the beautiful cemeteries of Eu-
rope, and the limitations Of them scattered
throughout these United States. Why is
the exception to this common respect for
the "City of the Dead" to be noticed only
at the South? Is it true, that persons who
claim from education, as we'll as nature,
the kind and benevolent feelings, cherish
ed by ardent temperament, should really
forget their departed friends, SO soon as
consigned to their graves' The question
would be indecorous to ask, if the SEEM
ing disrespect was Intentionally shown
by the neglect Of our grave yard! But
what are the facts Of the case7 The ceme-
terry in question. is beautifully situated;
encloses specious area of ground con-
spicuously elevated; and might be made
worthy of the travellers visit, which it
seems to invite. And yet, the place is
over grown with grass and weeds Pri-
vate enclosures are decayed, and tum-
bling down. Tombs are mouldering un-
der the influence Of neglect, more than of
time; and appear to be noticed only on ap'
,palling occasions of interment, when
another inhabitant is carried to the long
home. Who should believe, that this
was indeed the spot which contained the
very ashes of our nearest and dearest re-
latives! and might not rather suspect that
it was the Potter's field, intended as the
receptacle only for the Poor, the unfor-
tunate and the stranger!. This Just COM
plant recognises no apology for the ne
glect., There is no reason whatever that
the grave yard should be considered so
hideous'a scene as to be surrendered to the
uncontrolled dominion of neglected vege-
tation, or the desecration Of estrayed Cat.
tie. Is there indeed no sympathy between
the living and the dead! Must death be
an everlasting separation of souls? And
the grave, does it furnish no view, other
than as the charual house of corruption,