Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-03-09

MS itttUuIt UUSt 10 ptttCt ulm In q Situ3-
ton in which he might ainass riches
To this object he began to apply himself
with diligence; and was becoming IN
some manner reconciled to the manner.
and customs of our planet. strangely as
they differed from those of his own, wh EN-
an ipcident occurred which gave an en-
tirely new direction to his energies.
1t was bat a few weeks after his arrival
on our earth, when, walking in The cool
OF the day with his friend in the outskirts
of the city, his attention was arrested by
the appearance Of spacious enclosure
near which they passed. He inquired
the use to which it was appropriated,
1T IS replied the nobieman, "a place
of public interment.'
Il do not understand you,' said the
stranger.
'lts place. replied the friend.
where we bury our deat.'
Excuse me, slr,' replied his compan-
lou, with some embarrassment, Il must
trouble you TO explain yourself yet far
ther.'
The nobleman repeated the infcrma.
ton in yet fairer terms.
Il am still at lost to comprehend YOU
perfectly said the stranger. turning
deadly pale; sthis must relate to SEINE.
thing of which L was not only totally ig-
norant in my own world, but of which |
have, as yet, had no iutimaton in YOURS.
pray you, Their fore to satisfy my Curl
osity; tor it | have any clew to your
meaning, this, surelvis matter of more
mighty concernment than anv to which
you have hitherto directed me-,
My good friend, replied the nobeman
'you must be indeed novice among us.
if you have yet to learn that we must all.
sooner or later, submit to take our place
i'll these dismal abodes; nor will deny
that it is one of the least desirable Of the
circumstances which appertain to our
for which reason it is a matter
rarely referred to in society; aud this
accounts tor your being hitherto uninfor.
med on the subject. But truly, sir, if
the inhabitants of the place whence you
came are not liable to any similar mis-
fortune. 1 advise you to betake Yourself
back again with all speed; for be assured
there IS no escape here; ner could
guarantee your safety for single hour.'
'Alas!' said the adventurer, Il must
submit to the conditions of my enterprise;
OF which, till nov, little understood Che
import. But explain to me, | beseech
you, something more of the nature and
of this wondrous metamor-
phosis, and tell me at what period it
most commonly happens to man.
While he thus spoke, his voice falter-
ed and his whole frame shook violently:
his countenance was pale as death, and
cold dew stood liz large drops upon his
forehead. BY this time his companion.
binding the discourse becoming more Sc
rious than was agreeable, declared that
he must refer him to the priests for fur
Their information: this subject being very
much out OF his province.
Howl exclaimed the stanger, then ]
cannot have understood you; do the
priests only die9 Are you not to die
also;s'
His friend, evading these questions,
hastily conducted bis importunate friend
to one of their magnificent temples !;
where he gladly consigned him to the
instructions of the priesthood.
lhe emotion which the stranger be-
trayed when he received the first idea Of
death was vet slight in comparison with
that which he experienced as soon as he
had gathered from the discourses of the
priests some notion Of Immortality; and
OF the alternative of happiness or misery
in future state. But this agony of mind
was exchanged for transport, when he
learned that. by the performance of GER
tara conditions before death, the state Of
happiness might be secured.
His eagerness to learn the nature of
these terms excited the surprise and e.
ven the contempt of his sacred teachers.
They advised him to remain salts
he'd for the present with the instructions
he had received, and 10 defer the remain-
der OF the discussion until the morrow.
'How' exclaimed the novice, say YOU
not that death may come at any hour !?
may it not then come this hour? and
what if it should come before | have per-
formed these conditions! @. withhold
not this excellent knowledge from me
single moment.'
The priests, suppressing a smile at his
simplicity, then proceeded to explain
their theology to their attentive auditor:
out who shall describe the eestacy.of his
happiness, when he was given to under
stand that the required conditions were
generally of easy and pleasant perform
ance; and that the occasional difficulties
or lnconveniences which might attend
them would entirely cease with the short
term .ef his earthly existence. IF, then,
understand you rightly said he to his.
instructors, this event which you call
death, and which seems in Itself strange
ly terrible, is most.desrable and blissful.
What favor is this which is granted TO
me, in being sent TO inbabit a planat IN
which can der The priests again ex-