The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-25
COMMUNICATED.
SUNDAY MUSINGS.

1t is thought, full of beauty and thrilling interest,"
that surrounded by spirits, who take an nte-
rest in welfare, and who are commissioned from
another world to guard and protect They are
spirits of light, of happiness of purity of beauty
They have walked the golden streets have been clothed
in white robe, and drank the chrysta waters at the
foot of the Eternal Throne; they have struck the
heavenly Tyre and joined in the song of angelic
praise; they have gaze1 upon the revealed gories of
the third heaven, and have reposed in the bosom of
Jehovah; they have been initiated in the constantly
developing mysteries of his happy realms; they have
wandered in its groves, and strayed by its streams,
and held sweet converse with the happy and the re-
deemed.
And what is their province? To encourage in
despondency-to sustain in troubles-to nerve for
the confict-to inspire with hope-to away from
ev--to stop our ears to the charm of the tempter-
to warn Of danger-to to acon-to inspire
pure and holy affec on-o breathe into our spirits
the spirit of martyrs to suggest high and holy de-
signs-enlarged conceptions and grand and lofty
erpriseto lead deeds of bencvolence to the poor
to visit the humble cottage the cell of the prisoner
the couch ofhe aflicted-in word to 90 where suf-
ferng exists in every nation in every city, in every
hamlet, in every lane and alley, dark and gloomy as
it may be, errands of mercy and Of love- Through
their agency, what temptation is resisted, what evil
avoided, what shame, odum, disgrace and danger es
capped. How have the allurements of the Evil One
been weakened how have his schemes for my des-
truction been foed how have his wiles been defeat
ed and rescued from his grasp?
But who are they that are thus commissioned to
bear me up? to watch me in the dark and silent
hour of helpless and unconscious slumber to warn
me of danger to WOO me from vice and evil to
shield me from ruin to allure to virtue and Hea-
ven, and charm me away from my own destruction 2
May be Of their number is some loved one who stood
by my side earth--a brother sister, father
mother, husband or wife, and son daughter who
had received the high and glad commission of being
present with me, though unseen EARTH to lead
me to Heaven. May be some dear friend, with whom
held sweet counsel earth, who, like BROTHER
had shared with the pure and rare enjoyment of
exalted friendshp-one to whom often breathed my
wants, who knew we'll my character in all its fraiy
and imperfection. Or may be some one who though
poor and humble earth, had shielded from OPP
preston, relieved Of want supplied with food, and
raiment and home and, above all, whom was per-
mitted to direct, by my counsel, to the great foun-
tain of life and happiness, and whom first directed
in that career of virtue which led TO Heaven Such
may now be my guardian angel, to counsel, TO
guard, to defend, to encourage to lead me in the
pathway of peace and virtue
Are such my guardians Are such my compan-
ions Do such commune with me in my secret
Thoughts Then let no impure desire, no unhallcw-
ed thought, sin-stained Imagination, no pollution
guilt be attempted to be made their associates
let them not, then, be grieved and driven weeping
away, abandoning me to impudty, and guilt and
shame Shall they, who have just left the courts of
Heaven and have listened to its songs of Joy and liz