Clayton herald. (Clayton, Del.) 1867-1870, 1869-04-03
NO. 49.
THE GRAVEYARD.


oh, what stillnessl Death holds here
her empire. Naught is heard but the
low, soft breeze rustling among the
leaves and grass. The weeping willows
bend softly down DER the tombs, as If
holding converse with the sleepers.-
Tread lightly, stranger, for it is hallow-
ed ground. Oh speak not loudly, it
would sound so harsh amid such still
ness. 1t is good to lnger here; it weans
the mind from earthly things and the
conflicting elements of q busy world,
and ii seems the very portal OF heaven.
oh, ye tombs ye silent graves! what
lessons ofinsti uction do ye teachl You
declare to man the vanity of earth's
transitory things. You confirm the dec
laration; "dust thou art and unto dust
shalt thou return" Yes, you teach men
equality, too. For here, he, who once
swayed the destiny eff nations, demol-
ished thrones and temples, laid waste
cities and killed the Inhabitants, causing
rivers of human gore to flow, and the
cries of orphans, the means of widows
to Inngle with the rolling flood, COM
PEELED courtiers and princes to bow the
knee in humble submission before his
glttcring throne, caused the popes that
minister about the golden altar to sacri-
flee the lamb and TO burn holy incense
to his wonderous deeds; yes, even he in
this chilling yard sleeps beside the hum
BILE poor man that ate his bread mois-
tened by the sweat of his brow. And he,
who in purity of heart, III ministration
of charity, and in addresses to the throne
of grace, appeared almost aff angei-un-
fit for earth, mingles his dust with him
who had blackened his heart with deeds
of the blackest die, imbued his hands in
the blood of his fellow mortal, and be-
sprinkled his dagger with the gore of his
cherishing parents! Yes, here all dis
tinction ceases. The skilled i'm science
and strong, tho-rich and the poor, the
humble peasant and the naughty prince,
mingle their atoms together. Here all
broils, all strifess all contentious and en-
nifty must be brought to an end. Friend
and foe, saint and sinner, rest alike in
the grave.
But look around you, here lies those
of all ages, from infancy up TO ripe old
agc y iaving reer JUS 'aIiofoughIv repaTF-
f.s.s.s sythere eeeu
mortality, but scarcely had they looked
around upon the hum of the world,
when they became displeased with tho
sight. The soil was uncongenial TO
plauts so pure, 50 their heavenly Father
plucked them up and transplanted them
near the waters of the river that makes
glad the celestial city.
Here lies those who are cut off in the
meridian of life. Stern death breathed
DER their bright joysoflife, his blighting
breath, and they withered ere they had
scarcely tasted of their sweetness. Their
bright sun of existence arose in unclou-
ded splendor, and shed its genial rays
upon the heart, making the flowers of
hope and lofty anticipation spring forth,
but scarcely lad they budded and opens
ed their beautiful foliage, and sent up
their fragrance, ere the chilling frosts of
the monster death fell thick and heavy
upon them-they faded, wilted and
dropped, and with them fell the noble
stalk. But now thou canst
"Sleep on, sweet one, no angry storm
Shall breaL thy sweet rep Jse."
And those, too, sleep here, DER whose
head had passed the sun of seventy sum-
mers. They barred their bosoms to the
storms oflife-battled with its trials and
its disappointments until, with furrow-
ed brows, sunken cheeks and sapless
limbs, they fell covered with Wounds
Yes, their Father had accomplished His
holy purposes with them, and they were
gathered TO the generation of their faith
ers." Now silently they repose in the
/ "a row house, where
No pain, or grief, or anxious fear
Invade thy bounds. No mortal woes
Can reach the peaceful sleeper here,
While angels watch their soft repose."