Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1881 — Fears of Death. [ARTICLE]

Fears of Death.

Why should men ever be afraid to die, but that they regard the spirit as secondary to that which is but its mere appendage and conveniency, its symbol, its word, its means of visibility? If the soul lose this poor mansion of hers by the sudden conflagration of disease or by the slow decay of age, is she therefore houseless find shelterless ? If she cast away this soiled and battered garment is she therefore naked ? A child looks forward to a new suit and dona it joyfully ; we cling to our rags and foulness. We should welcome death aa one who

brings us tidings of the finding of longlost titles to a large family estate, and setont gladly to take possession, though it may be not without a natural tear for the humbler home we are leaving. Death always means us a kindness, though he has often a gruff way of offering it. —James Russell Lowell .