Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1881 — Fears of Death. [ARTICLE]

Fears of Death.

James RusseU Dowell. 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 cbnveniency, its symbol, its word, its means of visibility? If the soul lose this poor mansion of hers by the sudden conflgration of ’disease, or by the slow decay of age, is she therefor homeless and shelterless? If she cast away this soiled and battered garment is she therefore naked? A child looks forward to a new suit and dons it Joyfully; we cling to our rags and foulness, .We should welcome death as one Who brings us tidings -of the finding of Ipng-loet titles to a large family estate, and set out gladly to take posession. though it may be, not without a natural tear, for the humbler home we are leafring. Death always means us a kindness, though he has often a gruff way of offering IL