PAGANISM. The dead are not always forgotten by the pagan negroes : they resort annually to their graves, and offer food and liquor to their departed relatives. A negro mo- ther in Jamaica was known, for thirteen years, to make this annual visit to the grave of her daughter, and, in an agony of feeling, to offer her oblation. Thus " they sorrow without hope." We re- spect the strength of the affection ; we lament its downward, earthly tendency : all the thoughts of that poor mother were in the grave with her child, and the only object of that unabated love was the mere dust of a dissolved frame. Such is hea- thenism ! Melting and mournful thoughts steal over the recollections of the be- reaved Christian mother too, and time has no power to dry up the fountain of her tears ; years may pass away, but the memory of the forms over which she has hung with maternal fondness suffers no decay ; it keeps its place to the last hour of the most extended life. But, when she thinks of her children, she thinks of them as in heaven, not as in the grave and, urged onward by this hope through her remaining pilgrimage, she hastens to embrace them again in the kingdom of God.i2. Watson.
PSALM 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Happy and gracious conclusion of every truly regenerate soul, convinced of an interest in CHRIST, and a personal union with him. The beloved of the LORD shall dwell safely. Isaiah 32:18. REFLECTIONS READER! let you and I never lose sight of the LORD JESUS while reading this Psalm. He is the LORD our righteousness. And, therefore, in all our approaches to the mercy-seat, let us go there in a language corresponding to this, which calls JESUS the GOD of our righteousness. And while men of the world from the world are seeking their chief good, let us desire his favor which infinitely transcends corn and wine, and all the good things which perish in using. Yes! LORD, thy favor is better than life itself. Thou causest them that love thee to inherit substance, and fittest all their treasure, yea thou thyself art their treasure. And oh! thou gracious GOD and FATHER, hast thou in such a wonderful manner set apart one in our nature for thyself? ...
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