Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-11
DOES DEATH END ALP

The following extract from the discour se de-
hvered on the funeral occasion OF the late B. F.
peasants, by the Rev. DIR. Sunderland, IL an
Impressive commentary on an address made
over the remains OF an honored gentleman,
which attracted the attention of the press Of
the country generally, and elected great adm.-
ration OF the beauty Of language in which it was
expressed.
In the awful presence of death the mind re-
volts at the idea OF destruction, and hope of q
happy resurrection springs up to dspel the har-
rowing thought. The good and the wise of all
ages have believedin blissful immortality aud
regarded death as the gateway Of admission
to 1t.
Said Socrates: 81 am going to join the assem-
Oily OF VlrtuouS men. I am going to see again
those estimaole persons whom have admired
Said Cato, upon the loss of beloved son,
addressing his friends, who stood around him
l have loved and venerated so much; not only
to those great men whom have known, bit
also to those whom have heard of. am going
to Them with SO great Joy that it would De dun
leave a world defiled BY Grimes, to JOIN the
sacred society Of those who have left the earth
. before e, me: There shall find not only those
vert one of the best OF men. Alas, closed thy
dying eyes, While 1t was rather tiny part to at
tend my funeral. But thy soul has not quilted
me; and, without losing sight OF thee, ., my
dear son, thou hast only gone before me into
that happy region where thou seest well that |
must soon follow thee. II l have endured thy
but have consoled my heart with the sweet
thought, with the deep conviction that We shall
De separated but short time"
So Seneca wrote to Marcia, Roman matrOD,
ca the death OF her idoliZed son: $50 not to the
tomb OF thy son. He hovers among the blessed
souls; He is received into the august assem-
all men are kindred, your illustrious father en-
braces his grandson, Respondent with new
light, and 1nstructs him at the fountain of truth
itself. Conduct yourself then as In their pres
witnesses. From the height Of the celestial
Vault, o Marcia, your father who had as great
authority over your soul as you had over the
soul OF your son, addresses you these words:
Why does this prolonged grief consume your
days, my daughter? Contemplate the hap
p PIN 81 OF those you mourn We i've all united
you. There is nothing concealed with US. Our
souls penetrate each other our hearts reveal
themselves, our life is public, our view en-
braces all truths all ages, all events"
This Is the voice Of natural religion the world
over!
On the rostrum and In the hey-day of life 1t
may DO for men-to say that mature produces
man without purpose and ooliterates MIN With
out regret'-to say that when we die 1--WE
shall be like streak OF morning clouds, fad
ing into the infinite azure Of the past" to say
that "after this short life we shall sink into
silence, and be as the murmUr and the plant,
and the sharp scream and the cry of agoly
WHICH Uue uHeQuIl gusts Oh yesterday uQ
81 ct h from the strings of w1nd-harp."
But at the bier and sobbing with grief for the
loss OF friend, the heart Of man holds far
dinefen! language. Then it is that "in the
night CT death HOre sees star and listening
Love can hear the rustic OF wing"
And when our dying, installing the approach
OF death for returning life, says, II am better
now" the answer Of the living is ''let US be-
lieIe In spite of doubts and dogmas, of fears
and Tears, that these dear words are true OF all
the countless dead!'
on 6tScf v,nf :, III In a
a,hism!
The epitaph Of Webster is testimony from
the grandeSt intellect America has produced
words:
Philosophical speculation, especially that
drawn from the vastness OF the universe, in
comparison with the insignihcance OF this
globe, has sometimes shaken my reason, for the
faith which Is in me; but my heart has always
assured and treasured me that the gospel Of
Jesus Christ is divine reality. The sermon Oh
ton. This belief enters into the very depth of
my consciousness. The whole history of man
proves It,"
Lord Byron said: "Indlsputably the firm be-
levers In Christianity have this advantage over
all others-that if it is true they will have their
reward hereafter-and If it be not true they can
but be with the intidel in his eternal Sleep
having had the assistance of an exalted hope
through life without subsequent diSappoint-
ment, since at the worst for them out of moth
Ing nothing can arrive, not even SORROW"
And now We have another tesuimony-the
saddest and the latest-the echo Of a scene
which has not yet died out of the ears Of men.
"Hope sees star and listening Love can hear
the rustic of wing"
'.Let us believs in spite OF doubts and dogmas
Of fears and tears!'
The faith thus feebly, darby limited has for
its basis the most vital need OF human nature
And though 1t be expressed In obscurity and
error, yet it Is proof of the sincerity and fer
vor with which humanity in its most tender
and sacred moods, turns to the light Of Immor-
tally!