The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-02-14
4ilISss191Us9M5.
Selected for the Grecnsborough Patriot.
LETTER ON THE DEATH OF A
child

the spreading leaves and unfolding bloom
the traitor often consumes the root, and al
The beauty falls.
You are not surprised that my letter open
with serious reflection on the fleeing state
of earthly pleasures. This nv Ircqucn
theme will conlinnc, believe. till my eye
are shut upon this world, and repose upor
a bed of dust. The son of sorrow can teach
you to tremble over every blessing you en-
joy. Pay now to thy living friend ,he teal
that was received for his grave. have
undergone one Of the scvcrest trials human
nature can experience. have seen dear
and cnly child the little companion of my
hours of leisure, the deli sht of my eyes, The
pride of MY heart, struggling in the agonies
of pain, while | poured over him tears and
prayers TO Ieaven-in vain. have seen
HIM dying ad-cofincd Il have kissed
him in his sbroud--I have taken the last
FAREWELL have heard The bell call him TO
the silent vault, and am no more father;--
| am stabbed TO the heart--cut TO the brain!
With what tender care was tho boy
nurscd How often has he been the pleas
ing burden of my arm What hours Of
anxiety have | felt! What cndcaring
amusement for him invented AmiabIc
was his person, sensible his mind--aIl who
saw loved him, all who knew him admired
a genius which outran his years. The sun
no sooner rose than it was ecip psed. No
s,oner was tho flower opened than ii was
cut down My mind eagerly rcvolves every
moment of past JOY. All the parental aft
ectious rush like torrent to ovcrwhclrn me.
Wherever ] 60 I seem 10 see and hear him
turn round and lose him:
What does this world present but long
walk of misery and desoa'ion7 In tears
man is born-ln agonics lie des-what fills
mp the interval? Momcnlary joys and last.
ing pains. Within, a war ofpassons; with
out, tunu't and disorder reign. Fraud, OPP
preston, rapinc, murder, fill up the tragic
tale "fcvery day; 50 that wise man must
often wish IN have his curtain dropt and The
scene of vanity and vcxatinn closed. To
me church-y yard is pleasing walk. My
feet often draw towards the graves, and my
eyes turn towards the vault, where all the
contentious Of this world cease, and where
the weary arc at rest. ] praise with Solo
man the dead who are already dead, more
than tho living who are yet alive.
] will call reason and religion to my aid
Prayers and tears cannot restore my child,
and 10 God who made us we must submit. |
Perhaps he was snotchcd in mercy from
some impending woe. la life he might have |
been miserable, in death he must be happy.
] will no! think him dead will not con.
slider him coftincd in the vault. or mouhicr-
ING in the dust--but rscn--clad with true
glory and immorlaIity-gnne to the regions
of eternal day, where he will never know
'hc loss Of parents, or Of child gone above
the reach nf sorrow. vice, or pain. The little
hand which was 81 busy to please here, now
holds cherub's harp That voice which
was music to nv cars, MARBLES sweet SYM
Dh nies to our Father, Lord and King
Those feet which came II welcome me from
oll, and nv arms received, while held
lim up. and for the blessing used to thank
nv G'd, now traverse the starry pavcmcns
If the Heavens. The sncrclv of weak, i'm
,nre, and unhappy mortas. is exchanged for
hat Of powerful, pure, blessed spirits, and
lis fair brow is encirclcd with never ia.
ling crown.
Shall | then gricvc that he who is become
IN angel, grew not to he man! Shall
Tray him from tho skies? wish him in the
'alc of sorrow! | would not, my dear boy
interrupt thy bliss. !, is not for thee, but
Or myself weep. speak as ifhe was
,rescnt, and who can tell but that he secs
nd hears me?
Our great Milton says: ,
Millions of spiritual creatures walk the Garth,
Unseen, both wien we sleep aud when we wake
Perhaps even now he hovcrs over me with 6
osy wings, dictates to my heart and guides T
he hand that writes.
The consideration OF the sorrows of this I
fc, and the glorics of the next. is our best (.
upport; dark arc tho ways of Providence r
While wrapped up in mortality; but con- c
inced there is God, we must hope and
elicvc that all is right.
May the remainder Of my days be spent
, faithful discharge of the duty owe to t
lc Supreme disposct of all events! am Il
ut pilgrim here; have trnd many rough p
alhs, and drank many bitter cups. As nv II
ays shorten, may the Sun Of ofRigI,teousncss il
rIghtcn over me, till arrive at the New I,
erusalem, where tears arc wiped away Z
ON every eye and sorrow is no more - h
lay descend into the grave from whence {
have lately had so many har-breadlh cs. c
apes, in peace May | meet my angel boy s.
the gate ofd:ath and may his hand con- a
nct me to the place of eternity! O
These are the prayers Of your afflicted b
lend T.. J..
THE ALPINE IIoRN.- The Alpine Horn a
avs an exchange papcr) is an instrument e
ado ofthc bark Of Il cherry tree, and like r.