The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-03-10

lne following sentence was pronoua-
ced by his Honor Judge O'Neall, on the
23d ult., in Charleston, S. c.:
George w. Jones-To-day is the Sc
cond time you have been before me, as
the minister Of justice, to receive the sem
tence Of the, law. 1t is, on this occasion,
the dreadful judgement Of the death of the
body. would say to you, prepare to
die! Aad in order to commence that work
of preparation, it is my duty to call your
attention to yourself;-lo point you to that
beautiful star Of hope, which hung over
the S,vioar's lowly birth place, and which
guides alike wisdom and folly 10 his ex-
tended arms of mercy"
What has been your past life! know
Of only two incidents in it, the base THEFT
of strangers all, and the forgery Tor
which you now stand condemned. But, II
report be true, you are no child IN crime.
have heard it said, by your ablc' elo-
uuent, and indefatigable counsel, that
YOU have talents and information, much
above the common herd of criminals:
they have spoken of your position in so
cieiy being once respectable and honest.
If these things be so, what must be your
feelings? How can you look back upon
the beautiful flowers 6f youth, wIthered,
blasted, and trampled under foot by your
crimes, without exclaiming, "oh that
had never been?" How can you remem-
Der your parents, your friends, who once
looked to you with pride, and not feel
the narrowing thought, tina, your parents
grey hairs are bowed with sorrow to the
grave, and that your friends have been
eStransed by your crimes! You Look
around v,u, and there are none present to
svmpathize with you in the present awful
moment, but some merci(ul stranger, who
utters for you the Saviour's prayer OF
mercy, "father forgive him Nothing,
10 mind possessed Of any feeling, can
be more distressing reflection than that
in youth. in crime and in folly; life's
whole expectations have been lost! To
YOU, unless executive clemency should be
extended, time will soon cease, and eter-
nitv, an awful eternity, will commence.
Let the bitterness of your reflection on tho
crimes and folly of your life, prepare you
for the change which may come upon you
under the sentence Of the law; but if that
ignominious ending cf your days should
be spared to you, still, in few years
more, twill certainly come, and you must
meet the Everlasting Judge OF quick aud
dead. | trust, in the solitary cell, which
Won have tenanted for some time, and
which is still to be your home, that you
will read the book Of ife-if you cannot
understand it, call to your aid the holy
men of God, who are its interpreters, and
who stand as it were on the mount Of God,
to point the trembling sinner to the day
spring of mercy on high. They will,
with unwearied p,tience and industry,
explain the way, the truth, and the life,
until you may be able to lay hold on the
hone Of everlasting life. Let me entreat
Won to be not an idle and uninterested
beholder Of the wasting sands in the hour
glass of your life. Nothing but "ceasing
to do evil and learning to do welP' can
save YOU from everlasting punishment in
an everlasting worlI. Nothing but faith
in your Redeemer can give you that re-
nentance which is unto life: Say not, Il
cannot he savcd,"-the thief on the cross
was snatched by faith, from the yawning,
burning abyss Of punishment, which open
ed at his feet. The publican, who could
only cry, "God be merciful unto me a
sinner" was accepted.
None ever came to Christ and was re-
iec,cd. To-day, he stands before you
and cries; "come unto me, and will give
YOU rest" He walks with YOU in your
nrison house, and the silent watches of
the night he stands by your couch of
crime and punishment, and says to you,
"ask and you shall receive" To him.
the fountain which was opened in the
house of David for sin and uncleanness,
(which yoa may wash and be made clean,
would commend you. The help Of man
is vain! Expect i. not! desire it not! Look
forward to the hope which is in glory, far
bevond the brightness of the sun, and
which is TO endure beyond time, and to
flourish in immortal youth at the right
hand of God. May you realize the full
ness and certainty of this hope, and walk
through the dark valley of the shadow Of
death, and fear no ILL.,
"rhe sentence of the law is, that you be
taken hence to the place from whence
YOU last came, and there be closely and
securely confined, until the first Friday in
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