rning, as I was walking through
the church-yard, in my way to visit her, I stopped to look at the epitaph
which had made such a deep impression on her mind. I was struck with the
reflection of the important consequences which might result from a more
frequent and judicious attention to the inscriptions placed in our
burying-grounds, as memorials of the departed. The idea occurred to my
thoughts, that as the two stone tables given by God to Moses were once a
means of communicating to the Jews, from age to age, the revelation of
God's will as concerning the law; so these funeral tables of stone may,
under a better dispensation, bear a never-failing proclamation of God's
will to sinners as revealed in the gospel of his grace, from generation
to generation. I have often lamented, when indulging a contemplation
among the graves, that some of the inscriptions were coarse and
ridiculous; others, absurdly flattering; many, expressive of sentiments
at variance with the true principles of the word of God; not a few,
barren and unaccompanied with a single word of useful instruction to the
reader. Thus a very important opportunity of conveying scriptural
admonition is lost. I wish that every grave-stone might not only record
the name of our deceased friends, but also proclaim the name of Jesus, as
the only name given under heaven whereby men can be saved. Perhaps, if
the ministers of religion were to interest themselves in this matter, and
accustom their people to consult them as to the nature of the monumental
inscriptions which they wish to introduce into churches and church-yards,
a gradual improvement would take place in this respect. What is
offensive, useless, or erroneous, would no longer find admittance, and a
succession of valuable warning and consolation to the living would
perpetuate the memory of the dead.

What can be more disgusting than the too common spectacle of trifling
licentious travellers, wandering about the church-yards of the different
places through which they pass, in search of rude, ungrammatical, ill-
spelt, and absurd verses among the grave-stones; and this for the
gratification of their unholy scorn and ridicule! And yet how much is it
to be deplored that such persons are seldom disappointed in finding many
instances which too readily afford them the unfeeling satisfaction which
they seek! I therefore offer this suggestion to my reverend brethren,
that as no monument or stone can be placed in a