The weekly Columbian. [volume] (Columbia, Tuolumne Co., Cal.) 1856-1???, 1856-07-19
Funeral Sermon.

In compliance with the wishes of bereaved
friends, we take pleasure in publishing portions
of a Funeral Discourse. delivered, incident to
the death of the late 3. N. BRAINAED fColum-
bia, by Rev. Mr.. Hamilton of this place, to
whose kindness we are indebted for the use OF
his manuscript The discourse is an able one,
and furnishes ample food for the reflection of
the living. We regret that limited space will
not permit its publication entire. The text Sc
lected for the occasion is from Psalms, 49th
chapter and 18th verse:
"Man being in honor abideth not
Sometimes death comes into community. so
selecting his victim and surrounding his adj
vent with circumstances of such peculiar dread
and narrowing anguish. that the general pulse
seems 20 beat more solemn measure, and even
the gay and thoughtless 60 aside to hide their
stiied sobs. It is startling t learn tNat the
fearful disease has began to rage at our own
doors. 1t is almost agonizing to learn the sus-
pense while for a brief period varying report
keeps the intense feelings fuctuating between
hope and fear But soon with suppressed voice
and with looks that tell more THAI words and
more than the heart is willing to own even to
itself. the sad intelligence is passe from one tc
another that disease has finished its work. A
deep shadow moves along with it over the
whole community and rests upon the face of ali.
Pleasure for the moment forgets its aims, and is
heard to sigh The voice of mirth is hCshed in
the sreets-men appear to talk Of their ordina-
~ business in subdued tones. Grief mingles
with fear. Even tde courageous tremble. 4 s.
lent awe seems to pervade the air, and the flu
neral bell.
Telling tolling, tolling IN that mufed mountain,
Seems glory in rolling the human heart stone 4"
Sometimes death so comes, making us almost
fee his mysterious presence as a personal en-
emv He ruthlessly tea from cur hearts the
object around which their affections are most
closely twined and while the wound is fresh
and bleeding, seems 20 finger and Turk about
ourselves. as if watchin~ oar motions and list
ming to overhear tn whispered plans in Our
thoughts to avert his dart from our own bosom.
He seems to hover on the air above Us mock
ing at our care to prevent his unwelcome visit.
1t is then that We feel how frail we are. He
has come: He Will come and we mot stay
his hand We must yield that we were
ready.
a few DAVIS ago me was with : upon whose
society Or long years to come, many hearts
loved 20 count; and with acemngly just expec-
tatons.--Life threw the crimson of health over
that countenance. and seemed to exllt against
the strength Of the destroyer. lie was for
tunes --orite, and all the appliances OF wealth
were at his command. The asSi- dous care OF
affectionate friends also waitet. around him.
To-day we meet as have been want to meet ia
the solemn sanctgry. but one place IS vacant;
one seat is empty; and hearts hat loved feel
empty too as TIE sad certainty rushes upon
them that oue familiar face will no more return
- fill that vacant seat Death has done his
md no NJ, hat ftlat
is gone from rs. will know him no more forever.
| need not detail tte circumstances of this sad
bereavement. They are. and will long remain
fresh in your memory. They should not fail 10
make and leave a salutary impression on your
hearts.
The Rev. Gentleman then very eloquenty
Impressed upon his audience the certainty OF
death, and the fact that it makes no distinctions
but comes upon the rich as well as upon the
loor; the honorable as well as the unknown;
the King as well as tha peasant &c.
death" said he. twill certainly invade the
loftiest emnenee of human glory. The massive
walls and iron-bound doors and windows of the
palace no more exclude his entrance than the
rafting clab-boards Of the deserted tenement
where the midnight winds whistle around the
head Of the samberilg vagrant. God has in
mercy to us made it true that nm being in honor
dbideth not.
He next speaks of the advantages that follow
the certainty of approaching death; the effect
that it has upon the lives of the living-show-
ed the dangers offorgetting the responsibilities
that rests upon all men, and eloquently appeal
ed to the intelligence and nobler qualities Of
humanity, that they should turn from the error
of their ways and seek for consolation and wis
dom in the promises of the gospel. With the
following appropriate remarks, closes this truly
eloquent discourse
The sudden death which so startled this com
munity one week ago to-day and spread over
many hearts SO deep gloom. is OF such mo-
ment to us as people, that eel justiii in
laying aside my general rule not to speak at all
! OF the personal character or portion of the de-
ceased III preaching funeral sermon | should
/ hardly be excusable for strictly adhering to the
rule on the present OCCASION. 1t is usually
thought a delicate matter for one in nv posi-
ton to sp ak of the dead. 1t is not so when
there is any proprety in speaking at all. If the
character has been VIGOROUSLY bad all the finer
feelings OF our nature recoi from the ostenta-
tous display OF its lmperfections-no good end
could be answered by it. He is most faithful
/ to the living who draws the veil of silence over
such gross oblIqulties But we are often called
10 gather around the grave Of one whose charac-