The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-02-14
H!igrrllanrull5.
For the Journal.
Our Duty in regard TO Sleep.
COPIED FROM STURM, ny 7.

A melancholy remark we have often occa.
sion to mention, is, that most people lie down
to sleep with an inconcevahle insecurity.
To consider it only as far as it relates to
our bodies, the revolution produced by sleep
ought to appear to US of great consequence !;
but if we consider it in still another light, II
we were to form to ourselves all that might
happen to US while we were enjoying repose,
it appears to me, that in consequence, we
could not, or ought not to- throw ourselves in
to the arms of sleep, without having taken pro-
per precautions, and having, in certain de
gree, prepared ourselves for it. In reality, it
is not surprising, that those who in their wa
king hours are sn in.olsiderate, so negligent
of every duty, should be equally so in that
which relates to sleep. Let US, however, learn
in what manner we may glo'i!y God, and as
it becomes the character of 4 Christian i'll this
respect
What thanksgvings are due to the Creator
for the blessing of sleep! Some may not
know the value oft, as it may have never
been denied to their wishes. when they have
desired it. But, how soon would sickness.
sorrow, fear and old age deprive them Of the
sweets of repose! Oh! it is then that they
would acknowledge that sleep is the most
pressing want of nature, and at the same time
an ine<timable blessing oft the Deity. But shall
they wait till they lose this blessing to become
wise No; now while they enjoy the advan-
tages of slerp-and that the beginning of each
night makes them feel its saIutary effects
never let them give themselves up to it with
out lively sense Of gratitude towards their
heavenly Benetactor. Let this gratitude pre-
vent them equally from making an abuse of
sleep, or, by a contrary extreme. not making
use of it.
1t is always wroae to prolong, through Idle
ness, the hours designed for rep"se. Nature;
in this respect, as in every thing else, is content
with little and seven or eight hours OF quI-
ct, uninterrupted sleep, is as much rs is neces-
sary.
But we are not less blameable, when, thro
avarice, ambition, or any other motive "t that
sort, we lose our sleep aud necessary rest. l"
both cases we act contrary t. the rules estab-
lished by God, and contrary to the gratitude
we owe him for such blessing. Above all
things, let us endeavor to go to sleep win
proper turn of mind What should We do, II
we were to know for certainty, that from the
death! Should we not enpoy our last mo-
mentS in preparing ourselves for this passage,
in recnllecling our past life, in seeking, through
the blood of Christ, the omission Of our slnse
Well, then, we may every night consider
this case possible.
In each winters night-that is to say, in the
space of twelve or fifteen hours 'lerc die a.
bove fifty Thousand people. Who can say
whose name is not in the list of those which
death will remove out Of this world No"
leave it to the decision of every ones heart
what they would have done, it, in the midst OF
their sleep, they had been called upon to APP
pear before the tribunal Of Jesus. lfin the
course of this night, God had disposed ot thtm'
would they have been prepa'e ed t" appear before
him 2 Oh God to whom all hearts are open,
and from HON no secrets are hidden, what
can we conceal from Thee? We daily feel
our weaknesS-pardon sins, we bcseech hee,
and enter not into judgment with US for them