American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-07-27
How We sasHIa Art iH she Ercsraec OF
chr Dying.

Ii is a most solemn and impressive scrna
to witness the departure OF an irnmo rtsl
spirit from tAe b0jy into tle world 20 sp.r.ts;
and to demean ourselves properly oa such
an occasion Is very desirable. It would
seem that the character q such scene
would suggest AZ once the proqsicties bccou-
ing death room; but it j. 8 fact which has
been painfully noted hy some whose duties
call them often To the dying bed. tbat per-
sons are sometimes tha1-htle-s. or 81 least
mistaken in their views z pruprietv az such
a time. We may reasonably suppose that
while It Is often the case that rerzs.s are
entirely unconscious ia their dying moments
many others are fully conscious AMI keen
" sensitive 10 every thing that occur., and
Others still are in a confused state of u4iud,
which may or may not he elected by oct
ward things. In any event ia wogll seem
that the following considerations might not
be out OF place;
l. Let there be no more persons ia tho
room than are necessary, unless BY special
request Of the dying one Ii there should
be large number 81 relatives and friends.
let them come in one or two at time AnG
retire
:. In walking across the room, let i Do
done slowly and softly.
3. Let those who are in the room Do
seated, and at some distance from the pa
tient, unless IL be one or two dear friends
who can control their feelings. BY all
means avoid crowdihg around the bed.
4. Avoid all impertinent questions 10 tho
dying one, such as ~Do you know met"
slow do you feel nowln and even questions
in reference 10 their religious state had
better be dispensed with, unless tie case is
a very clear one. In general il Is best to
allow the patient 10 speak on his own
motion.
! 5. Let there be as little conversation
as possible, aud that in subdued tone
6. Ii may not be Amiss FOR some one pres
ent occasionally to quote an appropriate
! passage OF Scripture, or a verse Of hymn.
:. IL the patient desires II, or Is sufficient
: Iy calm, prayer offered briefly and in low
tone Is always in place.
&. Let there be no sobbing or vioient DE
: monstratiOns in the room, nor within hear
tAs-- AZ N@AA~N N+4A--- NAC-41C4NE. lct
them be removed.
Q. An appropriate or f4vorite hymn, or
part Of hymn scH-. especially ~ the re-
quest OF the departias.on IS quite IN place
and would be very soothing 70 many.
Doubtless the ki1i words and officers a
! dear friends nasst Be committing % the spiri,
D n its struggles with dissclving nature; but
in many instances, il would be Ear better
for the poor sufferer 10 60 On through tia
dark waters than TO be annoyed As dyias
people sometimes are Friends would often
be FAR better employed in distant room q
their knees Khan % be ENGAGED a. they are
!. Especially would we avoid that tosturins
!. process Ct asking tisose whose evidence la.
y been indispuiatie. after they are spsecbiess
D 70 husd up their hand As a further san d
\ victory ben no more j. needed. o.. stand
upon the verge q the eternal weird with
solemn ave = ycu see your friend going
e down into the DARK waters 0f death; Saj
}. not only give han all TIE conS.lNfloa w.
4 can, bnt just AZ that moment t-ks = look
beyond present tain-~, such - Yen zrs IN.
accustomed - ..o.--Slnlstss CsrisssEa Z 10
ca.