The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-07-25
Moral and Religious.
From the Christian Remembrance
ON DE- TII.


II is an awful and solemn thing TO die; and am
sometimes amazed at myself that seeing it is not
only awful but sure, can be void of reflection
or recollection, as frequently nm concerning it.
Through Jesus Christ alone is death disarmed
When the Savior speaks peace and salvation through
his and Righteousness, this last great enemy is
the king of terrors He gives up his fearful
sting and destroys nothing about the Christian but sin,
and the means of sin.
o how sweet is the smile of that Christian, who
dying in the body, feels himself just upon living for
ever! 'sIe is not sick nuto death, but nuto life, in
deed He quits his cares his sorrows, his nfrnities,
and all that could distress distract his spirit here,
and looks calmly into the state before him, where he
can meet with nothing but concord and joy in the
cety oftho redeemed and of his Saviour. He is
weaned from the earth, and therefore part with
it easily he is fitted for heaven, and therefore longs
for it earnestly. He cannot but desire that which is
congenial with his own renewed mind; and this can
only truly and perfectly be found in the regions of
glory.
Lord, when / shall quit this clay, know not, nor
do desire to know. II twill be sufficient for me, if
thou sustain me by thy grace now, and if am d.
vine'y assured that shall be for ever with thee in
Lord may indeed be my strength when lie down
upon the bed of languishing and death, waiting from
moment to moment for Christ and for my dsmssion
TO be with Him.
Soon shall this body turn to the dus, from whence
il formed but nothing extinguish the life Of
my spirit, which hath relation to earth, which can
not subsist by matter and form, and which, in lis
faculties of will, understanding, love- and perfection
is of kin to bright werld. And o, how revving the
thought am not only OF kin to angels and heaven
ly spirits by the very nature Of my soul, but
doubly related 10 them and to my God, 10y being
born again and renewed after his blessed image or
likeness, through Jesus Christ, am made by this,
child and heir Of an everlasting inheritance. All
that death, then, do to mo is to tell me that
fagc, and to lead me forth from these chambers OF
darkness to celebrate my birth day in the palace Of
glory. There is, in this view, what hath often been
tested, kind Of luxury in dying. In such blessed
such an animating of DEATH ought to say that
he deserves quite another name; rather, to exut
with the prophet and apostle, go death where is thy
sting? grave, where is thy vicory?'
Whence, then, at times, is the shuddering reluc-
lance feel at the prospect ofdyng? Surely, is be-
cause my faith and hope not lively as they are
privileged to be; it is because do so steadfasly
trust in the truth of those things which my mind APP
prehends, and profess to be waiting for Earth is
too real, and heaven too unreal; or could not thus
hesitate, tremblngly stand the bank Of the brook
which keeps me (row the fiuton Of my God. The
struggle of my heart would be for longer and lon
ger continuance here, if my spirit firmly per-
suaded could be, my inheritance and mansion
in glory.
Thou, blessed Savior ofpoor sinners like me, on
thee, and thee alone, my eyes fixed In the SOL
emn last hour of my pilgrimage below, o let my eyes
of faith be yet steadily and ardently Fixed
upon thee! And do thou, in the tender compassion
Of thy heart which sympathise with all thy peo-
pies woes, look down in my departing moments upon
me- Soothe the pangs Of death with thy rich conso-
laton and care. Let me then thee by precious
faith, who to carnal sense art invisible, ready willing,
glad to receive my soul and let me pour forth, in
an ecstacy praise and desire, into the bosom of
everlasting love! o my God, thus to die would not
be dying, but only departing to live and be happy for
ever!
So true are thy gracious words, o my Jesus, that
.whosoever liveth and beeveh in thee, shall never
de;' no. she shall perish, but is passed from
death unto life and shall live forevermore' Glory
be to thee for this rich this invaluable promise Lord
believe; o help mine unheliec