Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-12-05

the author OF the following dying bequest
station high in letters but that amis-
bic surrender of popular praise for the re.
tired and noiseless occupations ofbenevo-
lepce, emb0dles, and as it were, hu.
manises our feelings. Where We might.
at distance, have revered the author,
we might feel Friendship and love for the
man. Under these circumstances, | can
not feel otherwise than as comforting ia
vor on you, by giving the following paper
a still greater publicity.
Il Clcrgymaa's Legacy 10 Ais Parishioners.
As the last advice of dying friend
may have often a better effect than his
living advice, have ordered these few
rules, my brethren, to be printed, and distri-
buted among you at my funeral.--They
contain t : sum OF what ins; lion may,
at different times have given you.
The great end for which God Almigh-
ty sent us into this world. have often
informed you, is to fit US for heaven.--
Why, God instead of making us happy at
once, thought proper 10 lead us to state
of happiness in heaven, through state of
trial in this world is question, we have
nothing to DO with. II is Gods pleasure
it should be so; and we have only 10 sub
NIT to his means of making US happy, aud
to take it for granted they a;e the best.
We are to consider ourselves, therefore,
as placed in this world, as in school of
preparation 10 FIT us for the next, by lay.
ing aside all wickedness--and fitting our
selves for a state Of purity. shall there
fore give few rules to shcw you what is
chiefly required oe Us, in our passage
through this world.
To God our first duties are owing
As we receive all from God, he has
claim on the utmost Of orr love and gra-
ttude. Through him we liye---through
him we are preserved--and through his
| mercy we are redeemed, by the atone
ment of Christ from the evil consequent.
ces of sin. TO him therefore, we should
| shew our gratitude by daily pray er.--
Make him your friend. by good life, and
| through faith in he merits Of blessed
redeemer, you may hope to be accepted
by him. He wili supper, you, when eve
ry thing else fails.
Whosoever neGIeGts the church can
have Itde regard Cor religion and he
WHO negicets the sacrament, can have as
l,rl.c ior the dying commands of that Sa.
vior, who died for his sins.
Never let an oath come out of your
mouth. AS there is no temptation 10
swear, it is in faGt doing The devils work
for nothing.
Be honest and fair in your dealings
Fricking and cheating serve only pre-
sent occasion. They never turn cut well
in the end. Consider also that if YOU are
in any parish Office, it is as unjust to chsat
the parish, as 10 cheat neighbor. In
deed, it is worse, as YOU break ! trust.
Take care not to get iabit OF drink.
ing. AS drunkenness includes every vice
andf0liy, nothing is more offensive to God.
The man is turned into beast. Consi-
der tlso that there is no vice more easily
learned. A few times going 10 the
alehouse will form habit. In your
meetings with each other, never speak i'll
of those who are absent be not rough
and abusive to those who are present
and never dehle your lips with lewd and
Iilthy discourse. Such discourse shews
you have corrupt hearts yourselves, and
tends to corrupt others.
Be Industrious in your caIliHgs. Do
the best you can yourselves but leave the
event to God.
In Your families be kind and gentle
Spend what you earn, al home, not on
yourselves. Instruct your children as well
as you can--and, above ali things, set
them good example. IF the father lets
his son hear him swear, or see him gc
drunk, or cheat, he must not wonder il his
son turns out i'll.
Young men who have the same wages
as those who have families, ought to lay
by ltte every week. 1t viii teach them
to be frugal, and enable them, when they
have families, to furnish 4 house.
Do these things, and you will be hap
pier in this world than wic&edness can
make; and | hope we She'll all meet a.
gain together in blessed eternity hereaC- |
ter; which is the sincere prayer of
Your affectionate Minister,
WIN. GILPIN.