LETTER XXIV.
DEATH.
THERE is a subject, which perhaps, more than any other, is presented to children, erroneously, and injuriously. It is that of the exchange of worlds. They see it surrounded with every accompaniment of gloom. They may be told that the soul of the departed friend, is in a happier world. But they witness, bitter and uncontrollable mourning, and the evidence of their senses, overpowers the lifeless precept. Fear of death, takes possession of them, before they can comprehend the faith which looks beyond the coffin, the knell, and the tomb: so, that "all their lifetime, they are subject to bondage."
Christians err, in not speaking to each other more frequently and familiarly of death. Teachers of youth, and mothers, should not hesitate to make it the theme of their discourse. And when they do so, they should divest their brow of gloom, and their tone, of sadness. While they mingle it with solemnity, they should soften it from terror, lest they bow down the tender mind, like those
