The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-06-21
IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
The Approach OF the Black Rider
Does Not Incite Fear.

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Does Not Incite Fear.
AS Sir Walter Scott lay dying he
summoned his great friend to his side
by a motion Of his hand and whis-
pered: "Lockhart, I may have but a
minute to speak 10 you. My dear, be
q good man. Be virtuous, be religious
be a good man. Nothing else will
give you any comfort when you come
to lie here"
Nelson in the midst Of his grateful
ness for having died victoriously for
England thought for a flashing mo-
ment Of his early record in its relation
to the life after death. Doctor" he
said to the surgeon, II have not been
a great sinner"
On the other hand, there are innu-
merable instances in the records OF b.
ography pointing to the fact that men
die without thought Of the world be-
yond. Charles II. died thinking OF
"Poor Nell" Sir Richard Grenville
died with his mouth full Of oaths, curs'
ing the TRAITORS and dogs" who had
surrendered his little Revenge to the
Speniards. History is full OF such In
stances.
Indeed, it Is a memorable subject
for consideration" says Stevenson
with what unconcern and gayety
mankind runs on along the valley OF
the shadow Of death. The whole way
fs one wilderness Of snares, and the
end Of it for those who fear the las,
pinch is irrevocable ruin. And yet we
20 spinning through it all, like party
for the Derby"
A doctor tells me that in very long
hospital experience he has never known
Of a sensational deathbed. The ap
proach Of death is, asa rule, doubted
and up to the last moment OF con
sciousness the passing soul retains ID
conviction in the endurance OF earthly
things.
Soldiers tell the same story. TO dit
testing seems the last act OF courage
possible to fighting man, and ~
makes the most of it. Endless are the
stories of soldiers dying in action witt
a shout Of humor on their lips.
Even more wonderful is the colo
bloodedness Of men going to the scar
fold. To feel the edge Of the ak wa!
something of a jest in old days. ane
there is the story Of the felon going tf
Tyburn who blew the froth from hi:
last mug of beer because 1t always
gave him Indigestion!
And yet it is only in brief moments
that the true horror Of death sweeps
over the soul. We do not think abou
it. We put it away from us. Human
ity has made up it's mind not to bt
frightened. Death indeed is even pre-
ferred before life. A hopeless infatua
ton for q painted doll will drive For
tunatus to suicide. Money troubles
will fling a man under a passing ex
press, and dyspepsia has loaded many
a revolver. Life may be unendurable
but death is not to be feared. Into tht
unthinkable mysteries Of the universe
a soul casts itself In petulance ane
the waters Of death close over 1t with
out a sound. ...
What has become Of that soul
Where is that consciousness gone
that personality, that individual forc'
which differed the man from ever!
other who ever lived?
But the mob who watch the poo
drenched and bloated and horrible
body wheeled away to the mortuar!
turn away without any realization o.
death. They so to their taverns ant
their merchandise, take up the OF
greasy and we'll worn threads Of theil
existence, and getting Of food monop
olizes all their thoughts.
Fear death? They fear nothing II
the world. They are not even afraid
NJ fhomselves Chicago Inter Ocean.