Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-09-07

The Grave OF .Sa;isOn.

! ORIGINAL ESShYS....No. ".
The Grave OF Jnii3On.
Far away in the depths of the mighty
ocean lie the remains Of one Of nature S
brayest sons, now silent in death. Months
and even years have flown since friends
eazcd on the marble features for the last
time, ere the coll wave closed over them
for ever Where are those friends now
Ask America, and the sound reaches back,
They are here. ask Burmah's green
shores, and the response breaks forth from
millions Of voices, Truly they are here.
Ask yet again, aud 4 gcutle voice from
the spirit land whispers, They are here. But
Why come they not at the rising and set
ting Of the sun to strew fresh flowers and
chant their mournful dirges over his grave?
Why show 50 little regard to one whom
they professed to honor 50 highly? All
almighty wisdom designed that he should
be freed from the haunts of the busy
world that one who had been long wear
led with the burden aud cares Of this life,
should have his final resting place where
none could disturb his repose. But he
needed not such honors for his mouldering
dust. Whilst the lamp Of life was bright
ly burning, Le erected for himself an en-
during monument His whole armor was
ever girt about him, "the sword of the
Spirit, the shield Of faith, and helmet OF
salvation" were his array fer the battle
field; and many were the victories won
fer the New Jerusalem, the city Of the
most High God.
We recount with admiration the con-
quests Of Napoleon; yet Judson ovcrcame
foes more hostile than mere mortal man;
he struggled ugainst the power of darkness.
Napoleon advanced his men to high sta
tions in this world, but Judson was the
means of preparing many hundreds. for
the inheritance of eternal life. He fought
long and well in the cause of his Master;
he built up the waste places in Zion, and
filled her courts with humble devotees.
Where the story of the blessed Rcdecmer
was unknown, he erected an altar to lis
name, and many where the worshipcrs a:
its shrine He left his native shore and
severed ties which were most dear to his
soul, to bear light to that dark land, and
message Of love from his Master. Hearts
of sin and blasphemy wcr, turned to praise
through his instrumcntali'y. For time
they refused to open their eyes to that
light, being SO llindcd by superstition they
thought all va well; at length, dim
light broke in ia.ntly through the dark
ness, and gradually it grew higher and
brighter, and will continues tc increase un-
til it shall cnligh.en the whole world, until
the milleuial day shall ccmc in which "the
knowledge of the Lord shall iili the land
as the waters cover the great deep"
This was the monument he erected for
himself while on earth, and as year after
year passes away, his works still continue
to follow him, though now silent in death.
Who would not prefer such monument
as this to that of one who had won it on
the battle field, by spilling tho blood CT
his fellows, and spreading dcaolGtion
throughout the land though drums tcat
long and loud over his grave in memory
of his former bravery, yet how infinitely
more satisfactory, to one who has grown
weary of the world and its cares, to have
his last resting place where none eau draw
near to disturb tie solemn silence Of the
grave.
Although earthly friends are denied the
privilege of thus honoriDg him, nobler
and more appropriate ceremonies are per-
formed by the God Of Nature. The shrill
voice of the sea bird chants requiem
over his grave, and at times low rumb-
ling may be heard like that Of an earth
quake afar of in the great deep, as it ap-
proachos it breaks forth into loud poals of
thunder; the small dark cloud seen in
the distance soon increases until it ex-
tends to every part Of the horizon, yelling
the face of the sun from view. At first,
the rain falls gently, and the wind is
heard in the distance like the subdued
sigh of a sorrowing heart. But in another
moment, the storm spirit is aroused in its
fdry-ia wild rage the pillows foam and