The Evansville daily journal., 1858-04-20
The Horniess STRANGER.

Doctor P. Holmes, In our yesterdays
issue. he did no: die with no one but
the negro nurse with him in his last
agony. Doctor HalIocS and another hu-
name gentleman attended his death bed
and closed his eyes. He would have
been earlier taken from the wharfbo at
by Mr.. Rudyard and young Mr.. ORiiey'
if he would have consented to lie re.
moved. They procured him supper,
and on Sunday furnished him with
breakfast. They also procured an order
to take him to the aims house, but he
refused to be removed and persisted in
his determination to go to Memphis; no
steamer would however receive him
His condition Of body and mind rendered
him incapable Of determining the..proper
course for himself and he was proper
object for the care and control Of the he
nevolent and humans. Mr.. p. q.
O'Riley, was himself sick and confined
to his house, and had no knowledge Of
TIE circumstances of the unfortunate
stranger, till after he had beer removed.
Every one who is acquainted with the
kind and generous impulses Of the pro-
prietor of the wharfboat, knows that his
hand is as open as his Irish heart to the
calls of charity and suffering, and had he
been present, the sufferer would not have
been permitted to remain on the deck Of
his wharfboat from early Saturday morn
ing till Sunday noon without being made
comfortable. Several instances have
fallen under our notice within the last
few months, where destitute and afflicted
strangers have been most generously
aided by Mr.. ORiley, in manner that
reveals most noble and generous heart
His position makes these calls upon his
benevolence frequent, and it is not doing
him more than justice to say we do not
believe there is citizen Of the town
whose expenditures in charity are fifth
OF the amount he cheerfully bestows.-
We have refrained from delicacy to the
parties, from relating instances, within
our own knowledge, that would do him
honor.
But the poor sufferer was seen in his
helpless condition by large number o
citizens and no proper measures were
taken for his relief; and the facts are 9
sad commentary upon our practica
christianity. In the midst of a religion!
excitement, when the hearts of our peo,
pie are supposed to be moved by new
ly awakened conviction ofour obligations
less and homeless Old man, with cult
rated mind and refined sensibilities j:
eft to die among negroes and outcasts,
md no minister of the gospel approaches
lin with the consultations of the religion
hey are so loudly proclaimins night and
ay to assembled throngs from the pull
its. There is often more religion-it is
aid-in the gift Of loaf Of bread, than
II long sermon or homily, or protract
I'd prayer in public places. We hav,
professions and preachings enough t.
make the world far better than it is. w,
need more, - many more practical illus
tions of the spirit and efficacy in tn,
daily walks Of life, in care for the pool
and destitute, in charity for one another
of that religion SO much preached ant
proclaimed to us. Religion is senti
tion of the reason, and needs .eultivatin
by appeals to our sense Of the goodness
Of God and our dependence upon Him
and our obligations to OUT fellow-mer
But the temporary excitement Of tn
feelings that ends in no works, and like
Pickering blaze expire within us, is bu
counterfeit and spurious exhibition o
the spirit which Christ manifested in
His life. While the present religious
fervor lasts we hope to see it turned t
some practical, visible good. The nc
blest christian virtue is charity. Th
'
the gospel of Christ which can be giver
is the selfsacrifces which the convert
willing to make. We coo old ayariciou
sinners making loud professions of the
convictions, but we hear not word of
single dollar of ill-gotten gain being re
stored to its rightful owner. We hea
earnest asseverations of determinatio
to sacrifice all worldly lusts and inte,
ests to God, but you can't get dollar
sacrifice to poor, suffering, destitu
fellow-mortal who needs it. Our reliy
ion-like everything else-is becomir
the essence of selfishness. We are n
ligious to save our own souls
to save ourselves from wra,
and punishment without caring muc
about others, excep. few for compar
in heaven. Religion, truth, virtue, hol
ness and beauty have few followers +
their own sakes. But as they are su
posed to carry the sanctions of etern