As solemnly he took the earthly state

Which flung its purple o'er his path to Heaven.
The oath was said, and then one mighty pulse
Seem'd throbbing through the multitude-
Faces were lifted upward, and a prayer

Of deep thanksgiving wing'd that vow to Heaven.
Time slept on flowers and lent his Glass to Hope-
One little month his golden sands had sped
When, mingling with the music of our joy,
Arose and swell'd a low funeral strain,
So sad and mournful, that a nation heard
And trembled as she wept.

Darkness is o'er the land,

For lo! a death flag streams upon the breeze,― The Hero hath departed!

Nay, let us weep, our grief hath need of tears-
Tears should embalm the dead, and there is one,
A gentle woman, with her clinging love,

Who wrung her heart that she might give him up
To his high destiny. Tears are for her,-
She lingers yet among her household gods
And knoweth not how low her heart is laid.
From battle-fields where strife was fiercely waged,
And human blood-drops fell a crimson rain,
He had returned to her. God help thee, Lady,
Look not for him now!

Thron'd in a nation's love he sunk to sleep,
And so awoke in Heaven.

NEW YORK, April 5.

VICE-PRESIDENT TYLER'S RECOMMENDATION OF A

NATIONAL FAST.

OFFICIAL.

To the People of the United States.

A RECOMMENDATION.

When a Christian People feel themselves to be overtaken by a great public calamity, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of Divine Providence, to recognize His righteous government over the children of men, to acknowledge His goodness in time past, as well as their own unworthiness, and to supplicate His merciful protection for the future.

The death of WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, late President of the United States, so soon after his elevation to that high office, is a bereavement peculiarly calculated to be regarded as a heavy affliction, and to impress all minds with a sense of the uncertainty of human things, and of the dependence of nations, as well as of individuals, upon our Heavenly Parent.

I have thought, therefore, that I should be acting in conformity with the general expectation and feelings of the community in recommending, as I now do, to the People of the United States, of every religious denomination, that, according to their several modes and forms of worship, they observe a day of Fasting and Prayer, by such religious services as may be suitable on the occasion; and I recommend Friday, the fourteenth day of May next, for that purpose; to the end that, on that day, we may all, with one accord, join in humble and reverential approach to HIM, in whose hands we are, invoking him to inspire us with a proper

spirit and temper of heart and mind under these frowns of His providence, and still to bestow His gracious benedictions upon our Government and our country.

WASHINGTON, April 13, 1841.

CONCLUSION.

JOHN TYLER.

Thus the national bereavement, so signal and so overwhelming, has been acknowledged by many sincere demonstrations of sympathy and grief-and finally by an executive recommendation of a day of national fasting and prayer. President Tyler has done well to enter upon the honors of office by honoring our fathers' God and ours! The public solemnities attending the late fearful dispensation are appropriately concluded by the humiliation of the whole people before the majesty of Heaven.

Christians! the voice of God summons you to Zion! Prepare ye to assemble at her solemn places with humiliation and prayer. The national visitation demands national penitence; and the garment of our praise must be wrapped in the spirit of heaviness.

Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before Thee, that hath come upon us, unto this day. Howbeit Thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for Thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly. We have not kept Thy law, nor hearkened unto Thy commandments and Thy testimonies, wherewith Thou didst testify against us!

To the Lord our God, belong mercies and forgiveness. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive!

Sp