feastings at funerals so common in Ireland, and called wakes, are similar.

Mourning, as to apparel, was not a black dress like ours, or the wearing any particular color, but was shown by ragged and neglected clothing; it did not last for so long a time as is customary amongst us.

It was usual to make elegies or mournful songs upon persons of rank, particularly when there was any especial reason for lamenting them. Jeremiah wrote a book of Lamentations for Josiah, see 2 Chron. xxxv. 25. but it has not been preserved. The book of Lamentations at the end of the prophecy of Jeremiah, was written upon the destruction of Jerusalem. We have, also, the lamentation or elegy composed by David upon the death of Saul and Jonathan; see 2 Sam. i. 17.

But the Jews and Patriarchs sorrowed not as those without hope. They believed in the RESURRECTION from the dead, as is plainly pointed out in Job xix. 25. Hosea xiii. 14. and many other passages; but it is enough to refer to the words of our Lord, Luke xx. 37, 38. "Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living; for all live unto him." And let us remember, that Christ is "risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive," 1 Cor. xv. 20-22.

In conclusion, I will again intreat the reader to examine such of the passages referred to as he does not distinctly recollect, and I would trust that by the divine blessing some benefit may be derived from these pages. Let it never be forgotten that in reading the scriptures, or any works relating to them, we must bear in mind that they were written for our instruction, not as mere matters of history, but for the good of our souls. A blessing should always be sought upon our studies, but above all, upon the study of THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

FINIS.