IN THE WORLD. 4.55 view of which act he is making it. May not this alteration in the practice be partly ascribed to the decline of habitual prayer?* * I beg leave to strengthen my own sentiments on this head, by quoting a passage, from an eminent and truly pious barrister, with an extract from* the last will of one of the greatest;men of our age. " Of late years., it has been the fashion (for there is a fasfilon even in the last act of a man's life) to omit these solemn preambles. I confess myself an approve': of them, as believing it to be useful to the surviving relatives of the testator to draw their attention to the tremendous conse- quences of the separation of soul and body at a season of impressibility and reflection." By the following extract, from the will of the late Mr. Burke, it will be seen, that his sentiments, on this point, coincided with those above expressed. f First, according to the ancient good and laudable custom, of which my heart and understanding re- cognise the propriety, I bequeath my soul to God, hoping for His mercy through the only merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. My body I desire, if I should die at any place very convenient for its transport thither, (but not otherwise,) to be buried at the church at Beaconsfield, near to the bodies of my dearest brother, and my dearest son, in all humility praying, that, as we have lived in perfect unity together, we may together have part in the resurrection of the just." Roberts on Wills, vol. ii. p. 376.
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