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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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tholic , instead of pouring forth his soul in the hour of soirow , as Jesus did , to the Father , the God of all consolation and joy , and to him alone , dividing his homage and petitions with scrupulous exactness in error amongst a host of departed saiuts . By what
costly and painful methods is his God to be appeased ! fVfiat anguish does he feel for the departed soul of his friend , if no holy man have been present to carry his spirit ' s expiring pr&yer to the gates of heaven , and anoint his dying limbs with holy oil I Look at the zealous member of the
Church of England : what trembling anxiety does he feel that his innocent expiring infant should be baptized , and his pious parent receive the sacrament ; and with what lively sorrow is his bosom agitated if these have been unavoidably omitted 1 Visit the
Calvinist after the death of his son , or friend or relative , who , though pure and godlike in his manner of life , had not exhibited that triumphant faith in the atoning sacrifice ( by which alone an angry Deity is to be appeased ) which , his system teaches , must characterize one of the elect . What avail
the angel-smile on the countenance of his child , or the saintly , matron graces of her who gave him birth , or a longcontinued course of benevolent and virtuous deeds in him , whom , but for this stain , he would have been proud to call his father—if either have not
the witness that he is in the number of those whom God has arbitrarily chosen to be exclusive objects of his everlasting favour ? When the child of affliction , weighed down by the burthens of life , and weary of the heartless commerce of the world , with reverence asks to see the face of the
Christian ' s God , the God of Abraham , Isaac and Jacob , the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ; he is shewn a Deity , pavilioned in eternal darkness , dressed in everlasting
frowns , the flames of whose wrath are only to be quenched in blood , who punishes the innocent for the guilty , smiles on a few , and looks with a countenance of terror on a universe !
It cannot be doubted that the Great Spirit who dwells in the heart of the nntutor « d Heathen and the Christian , Jew and Greek , orthodox and heretic , does in all so over-rule the influence of their mistaken views , a » greatly to
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abate their painful and pernicious ef ficacy . But h&w different , my ( j Madam , the sentiments which mv esteemed friend and your lamented father was accustomed to cherish ag the light and joy of his existence ! Upon his view 3 of the gospel , how
encouraging the character of our common Heavenly Father I How simple and rational the preparation for death and eternity—a life of piety and benevolence in obedience to the commands of Christ ! How readily may our fears be quieted , and our
hearts be soothed , under the sudden departure of those who were dear to us ! With what cheerful confidence may we commend their spirits to him who knew and allowed for all the infirmities of their nature ; was ever ready to forgive their offences upon
repentance , and will assuredly reward whatever was good in their characters I doubt not your thoughts and those of the other members of your family , are still chiefly occupied by the melancholy event which has befallen you . But while you dwell on the past and
the present , allow me to remind you that the boundless , heart-cheering and all-glorious future lies no less open to your meditations . Carry your thoughts forwards , my young friends , to the period , though it should be many ages distant , when that heart in which
you discerned so much moral worth , and which so tenderly interested itself in the welfare of each and all of you , shall rejoice in beholding you all again , greatly improved in knowledge and virtue , and blessing his paternal hand for having laid the foundation of a structure , which shall advance in
lustre and beauty throughout the a <; es of eternity . View him no longer oppressed with languor and emaciated with sickness ; his devotions no longer interrupted by disease and pain ; or checked by any earthly imperfection , magnifying that name in which was his and his children ' s confidence
below , in everlasting songs of adoration and thankfulness . With best wishes for the happ iness and improvement of every member ot your family , &c . believe me , Dear Madam , Yours , * with , sincere esteem and respect ,
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J € Q The Unitarian Mourner . comforted *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1822, page 162, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2510/page/34/
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