Benevolence, 100-A Reflection on the vaft Im- MEDITATIONS AMONG THE TOMB S. In a LETTER to a LADY. MADAM, RAVELLING lately into Cornwall, I happened to alight at a confiderable Village, in that County: Where, finding myself under an unexpected Neceffity of staying a little, I took a Walk to the Church *. The Doors I had named, in the former Edition, a particular Church; where many of the Monuments, defcribed in the following Pages, really exift. But, as I thought it convenient, to mention fome Cafes bere, which are VOL. I. B not, Doors, like the Heaven to which they lead, were wide open; and readily admitted an unworthy Stranger. Pleafed with the Opportunity, I refolved to spend a few Minutes under the facred Roof. In a Situation fo retired and awful, I could not avoid falling into a Sett of Meditations, feri ous and mournfully pleasing. Which, I truft, were in fome Degree profitable to me, while they poffeffed and warmed my Thoughts; and, if they may administer any Satisfaction to you, Madam, now they are recollected, and committed to Writing, I fhall receive a fresh Pleasure from them. It was an ancient Pile; reared by Hands, that, Ages ago, were mouldered into Duft.--Situate in the Centre of a large Burial-Ground; remote from all the Noife and Hurry of tumultuous Life.--The Body Spacious; the Structure lofty; the whole magnificently plain. A Row of regular Pillars extended themselves through the Midft not, according to the beft of my Remembrance, referred to in any Infcriptions there; I have now omitted the Name: that Imagination might operate more freely, and the Improvement of the Reader be confulted, without any Thing that fhould look like Variation from the Truth of Fatt Midft; and fupported the Roof with Simplicity, and with Dignity.The Light, that paffed through the Windows, seemed to shed a Kind of luminous Obfcurity; which gave every Object a grave and venerable Air.--The deep Silence, added to the gloomy Afpect; and both heigthe ened by the Loneliness of the Place; greatly encreased the Solemnity of the Scene.--A Sort of religious Dread ftole infenfibly on my Mind, as I advanced, all pensive and thoughtful, along the inmost Isle. Such as hufhed every ruder Paffion, and diffipated all the gay Images of an alluring World. HAVING adored that eternal Majesty, who, far from being confined to Temples made with Hands, has Heaven for his Throne, and the Earth for his Footftool.I took particular Notice of a handfome Altar-piece; prefented, as I was afterwards informed, by the Mafter-Builders of Stow *; out of Gratitude, I prefume, to that gracious GOD, who carried them through B 2 their The Name of a noble Seat, belonging to the late Earl of Bath; remarkable formerly for it's excellent Workmanship, and elegant Furniture; once the grand Refort of the Quality and Gentry of the Weft; but now demolished, laid even with the Ground, and scarce one Stone left upon another. So that Corn may grow, or Nettles fpring, where Stow lately food. their Work, and enabled them to "bring forth "the Top-ftone with Joy." O! how amiable is Gratitude! especially, when it has the fupreme Benefactor for it's Object. I have always looked upon Gratitude, as the most exalted Principle, that can actuate the Heart of Man. It has fomething noble, difinterested, and (if I may be allowed the Term) generously devout. Repentance indicates our Nature fallen, and Prayer turns chiefly upon a Regard to one's felf. But the Exercises of Gratitude fubfifted in Paradife, when there was no Fault to deplore; and will be perpetuated in Heaven, when "GOD fhall be All in all" THE Language of this fweet Temper is, " I "am unspeakably obliged: What Return shall I "make?"-And, furely, it is no improper Expreffion of an unfeigned Thankfulness, to deco"the rate our Creator's Courts, and beautify Place where his Honour dwelleth." Of old, the Habitation of his Feet was glorious: Let it not, now, be fordid or contemptible. It must grieve an ingenuous Mind, and be a Reproach to any People, to have their own Houfes wainscoted with Cedar, and painted with Vermilion; while the Temple of the LORD of Hofts is deftitute of every decent Ornament. HERE |