Camden gazette and mercantile advertiser. (Camden, S.C.) 1818-1822, April 20, 1820, Image 4
POETR Y.
FROM THE PITTSBURGH GAZETTE.
* Hope delayed match h the heart sick *
p
Fanny, my love, if hope could tear,
One thorn from love1* enchanting wreath,
Or place one ^grant blossom there,
To gild the Terdant chain of faith ;
The lover then might dream of bliss,
Through fancy's blooming garden roam,
And lose the softly promis'd ki*s,
To dream of kisses yet to come I
But hope and fear so closely twine,
? In every garland love has made.
That one nas scarcely room to shine.
Beneath the others gloomy shade.
Believe me, then, that Jove's delay,
*!* folly's dance o'er pleasure's tomb,
And one luxurious kiss to-day,
is worth a thousand yet to come ! O.
Miscellan eous .
J From the ?iV. F, National Jldvocate.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
A friend of mine sent me a small
pamphlet to read, which has just
issued from the press, under the fol
lowing title ; " Reflection on the fol
ly aud vanity qf Priestly ornameuts,
and die evil tendency of Hacerdotal
titles of distinction," which he re
quested me to read, and give him
my opinion of Us merit. 1 looked
at the yellow ; cofasr and turned it
about some time before I ventured
to open it? shall I read it, said 1
to myself? the subject is certainly
trivia), but then it has a remote affi
nity to religion, and there isnothing
trivial connected with that study aud
pursuit ; but it plates to dress and!
titles, not to elements of faith ? never
mind? read i*> there may be some
new features in it worthy of atten
tion. After this , dialogue between
me and my self, 1 cut open the leaves
and soon got through it. 1 found it
to be a sensible, wetl-written, repub
lican kind of letter^ which aimed at
the abolition of sacerdotal titles, robes
and bands, and with a view of giv
ing simplicity to a religion, which
has its basis " meekness and humili
ty." The writer was strong and
, impressive in bis arguments, which
he sup|M>rted by many cogent scrip
tural quotations ; yet 1 did not ag^ree
With him on every point 1 like
every thing natural and simplified,
mid could w.|4> to see all religions
rendered mare intelligible and dives
ted of conflicting dogmas, and, above
all more tolerant to the great family
of mankind: yrt, if religion is to
be familiarised > to the mind? if the
in w itrMense is to be occu pied, some
thing extraneous is also required;
the ciye must bpvesometbingto dwell
upon, to keep alive the inward sen
sation , and it is through those fine
and sensitive organs that deep im
pressions ai*e sometimes mad?. If
the inhabitants of the world were
equally enlightened, and touM drink
defep at iaored fountains, the simpli
city of the patriarchs could be |-eVi
t$u$ luit it so happens that a large
portion of mankind are too poftr*
too much occupied, too unenlighten
ed, to 4well with effect upon tlteolo
gical subjects ; and it, therefore, be
come* necessary tp wake an impres
sion upon tk^m by a suitable display
of religious solemnities. If an ob
server of education regards the saints,
carved in wood or moulded in wax
?*? (he highly colored altar pieces ?
tjie painted glass, throwing a dull
light over the aistes of a Church?
the bishops mitre or the cardinal's
hat, the pone's tiara, the crosier,
the censer filled with frankincense,
or the full flowing gown and white
linen bands of the prelate, he wilt
consider them as auxiliaries, but b\
no means essential* of religion ; bui
Where one man of mind regards
these olyects without awe, thousand*
?f unenlightened persons hasten 1 v
view them, and through them at
quire solemn ?nd impressive idea
of religion, which lead to good re
sults. I mast confess, therefore,
that I would not like to see ministers
of religion throwing aside their robes
[and bands; when they ascend the
pulpit, 1 wish to see them distin
guished in some simple manner from
mere laymen. 1 could also wish
tbat the judge on the bench would
wear a robe ? it^kuld create awe,
aud probably iiu^)ire confidence
among that class of the community
the^m?Ubrtrtrto receive impressions
from exterior appearances. I am,
however, surprised to find such tri
vial subjects seriously discussed,
While others more important are neg
lected. Instead of writing a book
against T^(k robes and bands of a
minister, l\hould think it necessary
to iustitute an enquiry into the claims
and qualifications of persons who
are candidates for the holy office. ?
It is not to be concealed that amouii>
speculative professions that of
minister of religion is becoming oi
primary importance. A young man.
with a decent college education, is
admitted to practise law : finding hi*
prospects unfavorable at the bar, he
shrugs up his shoulders and w alks
into the pulpit ; or probably lie com -
mences his career in the army? -d ash
es with his sword and epaulet* fights
very bravely, and, when (he army
is disbanded, he translates himself
into the church militant, exchanges
his embroidered coat for a black
gown, and from the pulpit fights
o'er the battles of David and Joshua,
of . the Moabites, the Canaanites.
and the Hittites, and is considered >
very animated, eloquent and hand
some preacher* Now, under favoui
of all pursuits and professions, tlr*
of the church is the most serious ami
awftyly responsible. '2 It require*
frota the ? very foundation, a good
cassical and theological education?
a pious, placid, patient, charitable
temper ? a mind disciplined in all
the events of sacred history, a know -
ledge of the primitive language, an
enlarged and comprehensive under
standing, and years of probationary
study* No man should be permit
ted (o say, 1 have tried several pro*
fessions; but, finding that they do
not answer, I will now try the church.
The church is libt * suitable object
for experimental aspirants?the trust
is a sacred one, for the influence of
the pulpi^^f projierly exercised, is
jery extmnvely felt. Whije, there
fore, pompous and empty titles
should be discouraged, and simpli
city, corresponding with religion,
be promoted, the road to the pulpit
should be guarded w ith more vigi
lance than it now is ; and thus would
the influence and importance of those
w ho are admitted after full prepara
tion be materially advanced.
While I am on this subject, it
may be well to glance at a few im
proprieties connected with religion,
that l-.couldjviah to see reformed : 1
allude to customs at funerals, ( as well
as the fashions of mourning. Not
long since, I was invited to the fu
neral of a friend, for whose charac
ter 1 bad a sincere respect; 1. found
two rooms crowded with company/
who camo to pay the last sad horn r
to his remains ; belay in his coffin
at the end of the ljall, and his friends
cast a melanttoly glance at hig pal
lid countenanA, serene and tranquil.
A heavy gloom c^me over me, while
reflecting upon the gay moments we
had passed together, and the lively
expressions and jocund laugh which
frequently escaped him ; there he
Was, mute, cold and senseless, and
about to be conveyed to the silent
tomb, and remain undisturbed until
the last trumpet sounded. I was
aroused frpm my reverie by a black
tpan, who handed me a waiter filled
with wine? -1 turned away iu disgust
?What? drink wine? at such a
moment to raise the sparkling gftblet
to the lips ? at such a time, when
drowAed with grief, to pour down
libations? shame, shame, on such
customs; and yet they are common.
The festive board is sometime spread,
md when the eye should be bed'up
ned with tears, and the heart o'er
, owing in the luxury of grief, the
appetite is pampered, anil, instead
of sackcloth and ashes, the revolting
sight is presented with salvers o!
wine, cake ami cohl meats ? 44 He
upon it, O fie." If this custom i*
cousklered as^nn honour to the ileail,
however ancient it may he, it is
" more honoured in the breach than
the observance." I w as once told,
that?at the death of a bishop in this
city, no less than live pipes uf wine
were -drank : the higher the lank,
the more wine do they consume. It
is well that we have no kings in this
country, or we should w ish his death,
if it were ouly to 44 drench draughts
of Rhenish down/^ff his memory.
This bishop was so much !>eloved,
that the whole ptopul&tion of our city,
with tears in their eyes, sent their
tankardg to be tilled with this spiced
wine, that they might, by potent li
bations, drown their grief. W hen
a celebrated v\ine merchant died, he
was observed to havQjv long funeral
? stragglers fell in tlie fanks, because
they anticipated a glass of his old
viadeira. YV hat a poor compliment
.o tlie living ? what a reflection oil
the de\d. At this funeral of which
1 spoke, one friend, having drank
a few glasses, went quietly to sleep
in a corner, and the ptocession mov
ed off without him ? he \*as roused,
and asked it' he did not intend to
follow tlie funeral ? O, yes, said he,
rubbing his eyes, 1 came for that
purpose.
In referring to the odious custom
of eating and driuking at funerals,
of turning a house of mourniug into
.< house of merriment, I cannot avoul
noticing the ueak sactifices which j
are made to appeafferictSs,. and eveiij
the rough intrusion of .fashion, in
?.enes of grief and melancholy. ?
V.hile in one room .the lifeless rem
itant of mortality is laid on the lmnli
floor, and the dim tapers shedding
gloom around,' another apartment is
filled w ith shopmen and samples of
crape, linen and bombazet : before
the dead is " quietly iuurned," a
hustle is made to decorate the living,
and even the very flounces of crape,
the Very shape of the bonnet and]
cut of the coat, are conformable to
the iron rules of fashion ; and while
jibe pale countenance is shaded with
a deep and interesting melancholy,
and ever and anon the bursting tear
rolls doWn the channels of the face,
due attention is bestowed on the pin
of the handkerchief, the adjustment
of the waist, the folds of the flowing
veil; and, while a host, of officious
friends are sheeting what they con
sider necessary among the articles,
tnd eudeavo?Hng to make cheap
bargains ; while they are employed
in manufacturing tasty scarfs and
graceful weepers, Agrim dearth ? looks
on and smiles contemptuously on
this "vanity of Vanities/'
?4 'lis not alone my iriky cloak, good mo
ther,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
No, nor the fruitful r|^r of tlite eye,
Nor the dejected haviour of the vissage.
Together with all Jormt, modes, ?how* of]
grief, < ? ? ' .
That dan denote me truly." Hamlst.
Much money is unnecessarily ex
Inended in mourning dresses, and if
The is a remote prospect of a loss
in a family, such is tlie despotism of
custom, that the younger branches
watch the event with some anxiety
to obtain a new suit of clothes. ?
Let these customs be abrogated.
HOWARD.
From the Metropolitan.
ON CALUMNY.
The learned Pascal relates (hat
the church delayed giving the JSacra
ment to calumniator* and murithera
until the hour of death.*? The coun
cil of Lateran decreed, that no one
who had been guilty of calumny
should be admitted into ckrical or
iters. The authors of false defam*
tory libels were condemned by Pope
Adrian to be severely and publicly
scourged. In Turkey, the houses
of jteraons who have been guilty of
propagating falsehoods to tlie ijury
of another, are painted black.
Appellee is related to have painted
i picture, which is thuu described,
Credulity, represented with lou^
twrs, and accompanied by l^noraiat
land Suspicion, stretching out hei
hand to Calumny. Ignorance was
represented under the figure of a
Mind woman ; ami Suspicion appear
ed in tlie form of a man, win seem
ed to be agitated by a secret disquiet
ude.- ? Calumny, with a ferocious
look, occupied the centre of the pic -
ture shaking a torch w ith her 1
hand; with her right dragging In
nocence, in the form of a supplicat
ing cltiid, by the hair of the head.
She was preceded by Envy, who
with a wan and meagre look and
piercing eyes, was followed by Stra
tagem and Flattery, at a remote dis
tance. Truth was seen slowly ad
vancing in the footsteps of Calumny*
leading Repentance clad in a mourn
ing robe.
An inventer and retailer ot Ca
lumny is perhaps of all characters
the most detestable ; virtue wither* 4
before his pestiferous breath; the ,
good mau^s name is blasted by his
vei]pm ; hejias the fangs of an ad*
der; the talons of a vulture; Abe
impudence of a bawd ; and thevirn
lence of an imp of Hell. Who can
escape the tongue of a calumniator?
The old adagen although vulgar*
may afford some eonsolation to a per*
son calumniated, namely, that the
birdb always peck at the~ best fruit*
What must be the remorse felt by a
vile detracter when his- shafts fall
harmless? and especially, when
they recoil upon bis own bead. ?
Calumny, frequently, has no higher
motive than the gratification of envy.
Whenever a man actsjndependently*
or, refuses td run after the multitude
4ii every popular caprice, or ventures
to stem the torrent of vice, he imme*
diately becomes the object of calum
ny, its whole artillery is levelled at
him, O virtue ! why are not your
forces united against this infernal
fiend. < CENSOR; v
id !' "T:
?
trom the Connecticut Journal*
- A WIFE WANTED.
A gentleman of little fortune*
neither handsome nor ugly, of good
habits and character,- wishes to form
a connexion with an agreeable female
for life. He dispUea vanity, but
thinks he can safely say there are
few better calculated to tender the
marriage statf^ agreeable than birp
self. lie is industrious and in good
business. He is not disposed to be
difficult. Any lady who applies
must not exceed 35 years of age,
nor be under $0 ; she roust be of
temper, mild and sweet, of fertile
imagination, and of good family
must understand human nature, and
the superintendence of domestic af*
fairs. Beauty will not be insisted
on, though she must not be ugly.?*
Riches are not made a sine qua non ;
although he thinks two or three
thousand dollars could not be entrus
ted in better hands. The* gentle
man takes this method, merely be
cause bis time is constantly engros
sed with his business, and he diV t
likes the tedious forms of protracted'
courtship. Application, by a letter,
addressed to A. B. New-Haven,
(Conn.) will be duly attended to.
Ignorance qf Danger. ? !A child
of one of the crew of his Majesty's
ship Peacock, dnring the action with
the V. 8. vessel Hornet, amused
himself with chasing % goat between
decks. Not in the least terrified' by
the destruction and death alt aroand
him, he persisted, till a cannon ball
took off both the hind legs of the
goat ; when seeing her disabled, lie
i uniped astride her, crying " Now
I've caught you." This singular
Anecdote is related in a work called
M Visits of Mercy, being the s$cou<|
journal of the e%ted preacher to the
hospital and almshoufe, in the cfoy of
New- York, by the Her* j?. 8. XAySh
*?/-? '~WW 0 # t
> SELECTED. \.t <
Caviling and oUectiji^kipm) any
subject is much easier than clreain*
up difficulties; and lhis last part will
always be put upon tbe defenders of
religion. Now a man may be fully
convinced of. the truth of a matter, and
upon the strongest reasons, and yet
not be able to answer all tlbe difficul
ties which may hp raided upon it