The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1865-11-22
THOU FOOL.

THOU FOOL.
Major General Burn. Of the British Ma
rines, relates an incident which forcihly
illustrates the folly Of making the accsmu-
lation Of wealth the oae object Of life.
While he was returning iron jamaics and
when in sight Of England. violent storm
set in and all on board the ship we're in
imminent danger. He says:
"As beings imagining they had but few
moments to live, all stro,e with dying ca
gerness 20 reach the quarter deck but we
had scarcely raised ourselves upright. when
the ship struc second time, more violent
" than before. and again threw us all pros.
trate. We now considered aur destruc ton
as inevitable. The most dreadfuI howIings
and lamentations we're heard from some,
whilst the dis6gured coun tenances of others
manifested the deepest anguish. The
scene was enough to make the heart Of the
stoutest sinner tremble. Though connot
exactly describe the state of my own mind
at the trying moment, very we'll remem-
Der the agony Of one Of my poor msssnates.
This man had acquired considerable pro.
perty in Jamaica, and during the voyage,
like the rich man in the parable, Luke Xii.
10. was frequently devising plans Of future
happiness. At this awful moment he ex-
claimed most bitterly against the treatment
Of Heaven. that had made him 10 spend so
many toilsoms years in a scorching and
unhealthy climate to procure little
wealth; and when with pain and trouble
he had heaped it together. had taRtalized
him with sight Of the happy shore where
he expected peaeeably to enjoy it but now
with one cruel, sudden stroke had defeated
all his hopes. The cutting reflections and
bitter complaints which came from this
mans mouth expressed such black despair,
that he appeared more like fend OF the
bottomless pit. than sinner ye, in the land
Of hope"
In striking contrast with all this was the
demeanor Of one person on board. Gen.
B. says;
"Oh how unlike in every respect to the
conduct of that exemplary Christian the
captain Of the ship When she FIRST
struck. il is rather remarkable that be was
kept from falling as the rest OF US did and
being prosidentially next the cabin door.
he ran Immediately upon deck. and gave
his orders with so much compesure, and
wisdom that he appeared to be raised above
the fear of death, having smile on his
countenance. though speedy dissolution
seemed inevitable. From his exterior be-
hayiour at this alarming moment. we may
fairly conclude that he enjoyed the great
est peace and serenity within. as a fofetasse
OF that heaven Of glory. int which To all
appearance, he was just entering. When
we reached the deck, saw our danger, and
witnessed his mistaken conduct, we were
ready 10 tall down and worship him, and
ever after held him 10 the highest esteem.
We're there no other advantage 10 be de-
rived from true religion. than the com o-
sure OF mind il gives in the time Of danger,
and the blessed hope it holds Out in the
prospect Of death, surely il ought to be
snIiously cultivated BY rational beings,
whs are surrounded every moment with
dangers and deaths OF various descrip tions.
BY the captains distinct orders the vessel
was presently put before the wind. and
,hus IL pleased the Lord 10 prevent her
striking third time, which in all proba-
bility would have stove her 10 ni,ees.n