Jenks' Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1803-1805, 1804-03-03
FOR THE PORTLAND oAzErrs.
1a6 COMPANION-No. /.

THE character have aGamed gives ne the
piisilesge Of acdreing my readers in the language
of friendihip and familiarity "a Familiarity, chat
tened however by ,b. eorfder ations of property
and correanef., both sf condaa and principle
With thefr guardians to dirett me, there is little
danger Of my adopting the Rile Of the Companion
OF the bottle or the gaming table an, ambitious
Of being acknowledged as a Caapanon OF the more
uieful clais bound to deferve the character by re.
commencing the virtues which render lociety rep.
ptab'e and endeariug and diduadng from thole
vice. or folles which prove The mind to be dspta-
yed sHd1tsie, " The heart heterogeneous by trsa.
ting things ferrous IN ferrous manner, I'd at pro
per times BY fporsing 70, amuement and the light
er kind OF inttruetion - Putlung this path hope
my THE Abors may not be wholly in vain more
Especially at time when political diainaions and
party zeal are creating ,houiand jealouies ;n
neighboshood At iueh period ',is importan, to
al'ay the unfriendly Palions, and to cherih thole
which were given US to ncrealc our domelfic Joys,
and render our journey through this world eafy
and agreeable.
Lite, unfweetene1 by the focal affections, poi.
fei'es but few charms, and can furnh but few de.
lights to an ingenious mind. Ills true, rhe /e,dd,
the a'5;s'!y. and syftsins. may enjoy a fet of un
meaning lasisfaetions; they may feel ahpid kind
OF Independence but for the fame reafon that we
would avoid .deferving their reputation, we fhould
cultivate the vi,tue, Of ea.y and 10 render il what
Heaven defgned it fhouid be-, the fouree of happi
NETS and the confola,ion of our lives. In purlat
OF 'bs happiness and tbs eonfolaon, let US ever
remember that Religion is The bats Of morality !;
and morality the BATS of. :. wha,foeyer thina, are
lovely and of good report" We have the more
rsafon for the couasns recollection Of This truth,
bceaufe at the preiens day, there is, among GER.
tain portion Of our fellow citizens, public op;nion
unfAvorable to the cultivation of aeisljssEag. Viz
tues and feelings of vjsonary kind are extved as
more sonfonant to the dignity and perfeetabl,y Of
human nature: Theory is ufurping the place of
experience, and undertakes to inftrua her pupils.
This talie idea OF man, and the rational faculties,
deeeives By its re6nemsnts and while it profsiIes
to Lead its votaries onward t. perfection lays the
foundation Of erroneous lyaems. both in principles
and conduit. # we with to avoid theie delul;ons.
and add fubRansial dgaity to human nature, let US
aim to amend il BY amending our own conduct.
Let Us Ultimate mankind as they are 10 reality (;
not as angels Of purity. but as serring rnortals.
Let Us not iPend our time in philosophical adn,ra
ton Of the hvelinsG Of wriaA but uoiforn.ly prac,
tiee her precep,s aud do good as we have ability and
opportunity. IT'S peaing to indulge in refies,;ons
of this nature; and anticipate the benefits refu,ine
TO foeiesy from the due obervauee of its laws, and
the moral 0dlg1si0as which it impofes IT'S the
duty Of every one to srengshen them; insfmuch
as they are the bands: which unite Ms ia Gate Of
Brotherhood, and which claim al uninterrupted
in'erehange Of eivilisy, kindnris, friendlhip and
a(Ii(tance.