Des Arc citizen., 1866-10-27
TheiInstability of Life. s

2 That lite IS uncetaln, ana deatn unaVolda7 ble, is maxim which. though all admit to be true, all seem willing to- forget. It is maxim which has been so often reter- atcd, thatlnonei can be- ignorant of 1t; and ifany were disposed to disregard it!the perpetual occurrences of its jfulhlment might be sufficient for its establishment as an eternal truth Granting. then that it be true, is it not a matter of such ,cohseI quence as to demand our most. serious at tention? Can any one. bestow on 1t even the slightest consideration withoutteeling its importance. without perceiving that, regarding it merely as relating to com plete removal from this world and all its concerns, independently ofithc reward or punishment which is to follow, it is appoint of the utmost importance5' Can any one reflect, as on matter of no concern, on the being separated from all those whom he loves, and by whom he is beloved? Can he disregard the tears which will be shed, and the sighs which will burst from the bosoms of those whom filal or fraternal affection have bound to him? Can he think unmoved that he .will.no more aug. ment their joy or soothe their grief-th;at whatever danger may threaten them, hls can no, longer lend his assistance to avert it, and that whatever blessings may con join toomake them happy, will be embtter
 ed by the reflection that he is not sharer in them ?a He who can think on this without emotion, is more or less than man
 Yet these are the consequences of. that event, the occurrence of which to every ono is certain, and the period at which il shall take place is unknown Can it be denied, then, that this is ao matterdemanl ding our most serious attention ~ Butthe departure from this world however a4ec; tion or friendship may endcarrss 1t ons: must ever be considered, by the virtuous
 as a cause of joy, sinee,it removes. them from regions of darkness and of sin tc realms of light and purity Surely then he who wishes to make even his death con- tribute to the happiness of those whom he loved while living, will soconduct himself in this hfe as to leaveno anxious doubtinss op their minds with respect to his welfare in the life eternal. He will act SO that at the end he may look back with tranquility
 and forward with rapture, without regret
 for the past or fear for the future..a Bu
 the disposition of mind necessary for tile attainment of life productive of this
 ifable conclusion, eannotlbe acquired ex
 cept by afrcquent and serious consider a
 tion, and firm conviction of the truth Q
 the above maxim; sincesr without sqcf
 conviction the highest incentive. to virtue would be wanting It is, then, not only the duty but the interest of every one ts reflect in manner suitable to the impor
 tance of the subject, on the uncertainty O
 the present life, and on the consequen
 necessity of being prepared for the chang which we know must take place atsom' period, how, near or how remote, we are by an all-wise Proyidepees kept isnoran
 of. Nor can the wisdom which dictate
 this concealment be nmpeached.oi Wert the time at which our dissolution sheul, occur known to us, it's p remoteneSs, if dis tant, would breed indolent security, or it
 audiences, if near. occasion terrors whicl would prevent preparation for it. .1o5qaa,, j,q