THE FEAR OF DEATH.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 273, 8 May 1917, Page 4

THE FEAR OF DEATH.

The first element in the fear Of death is an Idea of physical pain. It Is natural that this should be connected with the idea of death, for ia many cases intense pain precedes death. But the two are far from being invariable accompaniments. Intense pain may be followed by life as well as by death We mult distinguish between the fear of pain and the fear of death. Death may be painless. Pain and death # do nol stand in tho relation of cauie and effect One is sometimes the preceding condition of the other, btot not a cause. Besides this, the fact must be recognised that death is but point of time, an instant, a second, and that neither tho preliminary proi cess nor the immediate dissolution ift constantly attended by pain. Even the worst death may be welcomed as bringing a release from suffering So let us thrust aside the notion oi pain, and keep carefully separated from It the fear of death.

Second is the Idea of the mystery of the change. Let us keep closeljr in mind what death is—it is an instantaneous change. One moment was life, the next was not life. One instant was the exercise of vital enery gles, the next their total stoppage. One second one was with this world* the next he is gone from it for ever* This mystery, unlike pain, is Inseparable from death and the idea of death. One cannot think of death and not think of the mystery of the change and the lonesomeness of It Everyone has to encounter it for and by himself. ' Third is the idea of that which 18 beyond death. This idea also Is inseparable from the contemplation ot the change. Whether one believes in a life beyond the grave, or in annihilation, makes no difference. There is something beyond and the drfc&d of that mystery—

"Puzzles the will, And makes us rather bear the Ills Wt have Than fly to others that we know nqt of."

There are few who have not see* someone die. It is a matter of general knowledge that the number ol death-beds where the one who waf experiencing the change, lias been un* nerved is very small. The dying out is not moved by his loneliness. dees not weep at the separation What grief he does manifest is more for those who are left than for hintself who is going. Whether a weakened vitality blunts his sensibilities or whether he Is prepared for the last great change by unusual strength matters not. There is the fact, the dying man conies to die, at the real and very decisive moment he hAi no fear of death. ■