Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-11-24
THE DYING HOuR

the experience ofthe dying hour could b.
iaiAiully written, the thoughts that then fiji
the Drain, like the last inhabitants of crumh-
ing temple, and the feelings that then occupy
the chilled heart, be revealed to the eve Of
sense, what view would be displayed -
l he period of dissolution brings with it emo
IONS ola peculiar character. There are a,
That time operations through which the soul
never before passed. Nothing appears in its
old aspect. Like a splendid hail which has
been hung in new drapery, each object wears
a different dress. Opinions, that the strong
EST force of argument could not compel to
withdraw from the mind. then hastily depart
pre]udlces that rooted themselves more and
more deeply at every attack then bend before
the blast; cherished feelings, that the bosom
mad ever chung to, then are hated; aud desires
that had ever found home beside affections
altar, then are banished. What fearful change
Is THIS, that then befalleth the spirit! Are
the faculties then so weakened as 10 prevent
1t from thinking and feeling Alright, No; it
now sees things as they are Falsehood has
ceased TO obscure its vision. Truth, long
deprived OF her authority, long forced TO
crouch like slave, obtains her rightful sta
ton, and shows that the pretended nature of
the word is very unlike its real character. O.,
what an hour is this! When the soul is a.
reused to the true relations of objects--when
mistakes are seen, but alas, too late for cor
recnon-when eternity's importance and awe
enter into the decisions, wishes, and feelings
of the mind
The hour of death! In this brief space the
past IS reviewed. However treacherous men,
DRY may have been on a thousand occasions,
she now acquiis herself with fidelity. Omits
she now to unroll the record which her hand
had so often claspedi Is she like the trumpet,
that bloweth an uncertain sound I" Lfe's
history her tongue now repeats-scenes, for
gotten scenes are recalled, and buried events
are bronghts up before the eye Over the
long path which we have made, she leads us !;
here she stops to mediate on some dark deed;
mere she shows another way into which pass
Ion hurried us. Have we injured friends T.
Have the true and fond bosoms on which we
rested been pierced by the darts of unkind-
ness Memory presents it. Have the DESC
latlon of the widow been cheered, and the
loneliness Of the orphan been relieved by us
Has the path Of one individual lost thorn by
our fundamentally, or the wreath of love had
one rose added by our hands, Delighted
with the occurrence, memory repeats it in
strains OF exultation. Crowded into this mar
now period, the moments resemble the waves
that now dance in the sunlight TO the music
VI uie ufceLc, ana now HOW on IN solemn ST.
lence beneath the shade ofoverhangng boughs
But does the past alone employ the fugitive
hour That hour, Imagination also makes
her own. Whatever may have hindered its
operation, is now removed. Loftier and freer
than ever scars its wing. Over the highest
summit il easily rises, borrowing life from
death itself.
The dying hour. tits then that Time and
we are parted. Though he may have led US
over diversified way, we then forsake him;
he continues to travel on in his own course,
but we are ushered into new condition.
Cares cease TO distress The las, tear falls
from the eye, the last sigh escapes from the
bosom. Darkness gathers upon the earth, re-
lieved only by that pure light which proceed
ing from heaven hath power to gld the clos
ing scene. Mortality, shrink not from this
hour Pursue virtue-let religion be thy
study, o man, and whenever and wherever
this event occur il shall find thee happily pre-
pared. Whether death meet thee al the door
when midnight reigneth, or midday pour its
tide OF glory on the word-whether it meet
thee amid the consultations Of home, or the
priystions OF strangers country-whether it
meet thee on the uprising billow or in the
fruitful plain, its stern brow shall bear a soft
and holy expression. and its angry voice
shall speak no tones but these of peace and
love.