PREPARATION FOR DEATH: BE YE READY

We do not cling to the branch of life very tenaciously. We do not need to be torn from it by rude handling. Dying is not a thing specially to be dreaded. No man ever has the toothache in good earnest, no man ever has the rheumatism or neuralgia, that he does not suffer every hour more pain than dying inflicts upon men ordinarily. There are exceptional cases, but this is the general rule. Death is a thing, therefore, not to be dreaded as a physical experience. There are people who can hardly stand to hear the word death spoken. They live in such mortal dread of it that even the life they have is no joy. Man regard death as the interruption of our plans and affections, it is a thing, certainly, more painful, and to be apprehended with less composure; because death does overhang men in the midst of their love, and in the midst of their schemes; and they have seen among then- neighbors, family and friends and the folly that follow their passing. One prophesies, and asks, “What will become of my children? What will become of my estate? Preparation for Death What will become of these mighty interests that my hands have controlled and guided?” So there, you see are reasons more worthy than the fear of pain, why men do not like to think of death. And yet, even this, philosophy, without any consideration of religion, might be made more tolerable. For, since the world began, has it ever been found that a man died whose place could not be filled? Has the world mourned because a family mourned? Have children that have lost the guiding parent not been able to find their way into life, and through life? Nature is made so large and so bountiful, and the economy of God’s providence is such, that, after all, those who think that they are so important to their estate, to their business, to their families, over-estimate. To be sure, if they should die, the household would not be carried on as they are carrying it on; but it would not be destroyed. A man says, “ Oh! let me compass sea and land, and bring home what my golden net would gladly gather; let me live till I can make my children as princes, warding off all care from them, and supplying them with the means of all culture and pleasure;