From the Petersburg Mteliigencer.
{"newspaper_name": "American watchman and Delaware advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
Messrs Editors-It has for some time been
custom in the town Of Petersburg, at Funerals, ID
prepare cake and wine for those who attend. Why
such custom should have been introduced, am
not able TO say: but ], Tor one, should be much
pleased TO see it abolished. AT the moment when
Death has entered The domestic circle, united or
years by love and affection, al the moment when the
husband the wife or the hid, has been cut of, and
the rest of the family overwhelmed with sorrow---is
this time to enter into the hustle OF preparation as
il for festivty and mirth :


Immediately after the close Of the sermon, and
when the feelings of the agonized husband Of wife
have been wrought up to the highest pitch Of nqui-
etude-at the moment when the remains OF the de-
ceased are about to be borne from the dwelling, and
deposited in the cold earth-s this time TO be pa
rading the rounds Of large congregation with food
| If and with drink?


When this congregation, whose feelings must have
sympathised with the disresses of the family is
about leave the room 10 perform the last sad Of
| fee to departed neghbor or fiiend--are they pre-
pared for eating and drinking Perhaps some per.
son, whose feelings callous, and not excited by
the presence of woe and the wangs OF distress,
may relish the cordial and the cake but me it is
disgusting. When hear the bereaved wife, in the
agony Of sorrow, crying out, 30 my husband, my
husbandn' and the child, now an orphan, : . my
father, he is gone !2--can with Indifference put
TO my lips the glass, which is sacred to hilar,y or
have an appetite for iood ! II is impossible. And
vet such is The scene. which custom has imposed
upon the families in Petersburg, and such is the
custom which should be abolished. We are slaves
10 custom and to public opinion but where these
are evidently ksome, aud calculated TO produce
pain rather than pleasure, and out oil which no good
i can grow, we should set our faces against them Il
requires little strength of nerve in those who first
become the opposers, but When they are found on
the right side, their ranks will increase, and success
will soon crown their exertions.


SYMPATHY.