Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1805-03-01
MO NIT 0 R I 4 L!
Far the IHTkLLIGENcER.

PLATO, IN one OF MS moral tfeaus.
Is, asserts, that IF virtue should as
sumo human form, and in allher divine
attractions exhibit herself 10 mortAls,
she would irresistablv inspire every
breast witha wonderful admiration and
sacred hove Of her" The world ha: be-
held this philosophical vision of Plato
realised in the person Of esus Christ
Il has brheld, manifested in the flesh,
the only brgotten Of the Father, full OF
grace and truth. The greatest Charac-
ter that ever appe AIRED in this world, was
that of Jesus. The more infinitely 1t Is
examined, the more will its divine ex
cellenee appear. a His life was perfect
model Of every virtue that can adorn hui
man nature. Pictv, benevo!cnce, cha
rity, sobriety, patience, integrity, us
tice aud sincerity, were folly exemPli6-
ed in his daily conduct. lie taught man
kind no duty but wha, he prac,iced IN its
fullest extent. With what calm compo-
sure did he bear the kecnest insults that
could be offered him! With what won
derful serenity did he meet the highest
degree of obloquy, that malice could in
vent! When he was revited, he reviled
- not again, but with reasons inVlncible
convicted his antagonists of error. He
came to bear witness of the truth, and
never infringed its sacred obligations.
He affected not riches, honours, or other
distinctions, than that of being eminent
ly useful. Although possessed of su-
pernatural power, he did not exertit to
destroy his enemies, because he came
not to destroy mems lives, but 70 save
them. He did not exertit to gyatifK the
Idle curiosity ofbeholder., but Tor the
benevolent purpose Of communicating
health, joy and peace to the bodies, and
souls of men. He did not exert it to
excite the vain breath of popular ar-
plause, but for communicating to the
distressed, those substantial benefits,
their various wants required. o the
extatic delight to see God in person feed
ing his creatures, while the bread is nul-
tipliea in the distributors hand j The
first object the blind ever saw, was the
Author Of sight; and the first sound that
saluted the ears Of the deaf, was the har-
monv Of his divine instructions. The
tongue Of the dumb repeated Hosanrixs
to the Highest, while the cripple went
walking, and leaping, and Praising God
He scrupled not to enter the meanest
cottage, to communicate happins IS to its
: distressed inhabitants. MAs his meat
and drink, to Do the will OF his Father
who sent him, and to finish hi. work
To advance the great interests ofplety,
charity and benevotence in the world -
andto promote the temporal and eternal
. happiness OF man to save him from
the dominion, the guilt, and the punish
mSnt OF SIM. For this he left the bosom
Of his Father. For this he clothed him.
self with human nature. For this he Ia
bourcd ince sSantly in the ministry Of the
gospel. For this he suffered, died, and
rose again. Auditor this He 10 now in
teresding in Heaven.
1t is not, however, for me, or any
man, truly to dellneate character so
spotless, so pure, and holy, which breath
ed nothing but love to God, and love to
MAI He did no sin, neither was guile
found in his mouth yet to set US an ex-
ample Of picty and devotion, he spent
whole night. in prayer to God. BY him
we are intallibly directed to the true OBJ
ject of religious adoration--to pay our
homage to the incomprehensible, and
undivided rrinity, in the ono living and
]. true God, who made the heavens and
the earth, and all things that are therein.
Nor are we left in the dark with respect
10 the subject massr OF our addresses to
be offered up TO- the Father Of our spi-
rits ;---no-our blsssed Saviour has left
US pattern Of prayer, at once (though
SHORTY the most perfect and comprshen-
sive that can be conceived. The hea.
then wtnld, having lost the knowledge
Of the true God. paid their devotion to
l. tkts FL