The Christian Offering for MDCCCXXXII.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1832. Excerpt: ... THE RESURRECTION HOPE. AT THE GRAVE OF A FRIEND. I Heard thee: not the seraph's strain Could wake such raptures in my breast; Thy prayer could ease the bed of pain, And soothe the struggling soul to rest. I loved thee: not the mountain's brow More gladly caught day's youngest beam Than I thy smile: 'tis vanished now--A brief delight, a lovely dream. Avails it that thy mantling bloom Hath left thee in this lonely cell? Avails it that death's darkening gloom Hath dimmed those eyes where love should dwell? That cheek shall wear a fairer hue, When risen from this yielding sod; Those eyes shall wear a softer blue, Love, in the paradise of God! T.W. H. THE CONVICT'S FRIEND. In no instance has Christian benevolence and genuine philanthropy, in this country, fallen farther behind its developement in the old world, than in efforts for the benefit of prison convicts. Nearly half a century after Howard commenced the humble course of inspection and reformation of prisons, which gradually enlarged itself into a system of the most splendid and benign charity which has ever been so completely exhibited by any individual, and which cannot fail to give deathless celebrity to his name, no systematic or general effort had been made, in this country, to detect like abuses, and introduce like reforms. The name and the efforts of the Transatlantic philanthropist were indeed well known. Poetry had here woven garlands for his brow; and Eloquence, both in the pulpit and in the halls of legislation, had not forgotten to adorn her offerings by the rehearsal of his peerless deeds. But, for all practical purposes connected with the sphere of his labors, the light of his experience had been shed on us in vain. Was it because the abuse and perversion which his perseverance had unmasked...