Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-11-09

ftnouSbt tbat tnty nao proved tnat tnerc
was no such thing as matter; but that
al was spirit; and oil the common ideas
OF solidity and substance were mere delus
.sions: whilst others as sirenuously con-
tended that ali space was foil Of matter.
and that spirit had no existence but in the
heated imaginaiioas of weak men. A.
midst this confusion and perplexity of
mankind respecting their own nature and
what constituted human happiness, and
whilst destitute of what might be relied
onby all men with certainty as guide
shroHgh.lile, and sure support and COLI
ISOLATION in distress, in sickness and in
death and at the very time in which
learning Hourished, and philosophy had
in vain made its boldest efforts to shew
its sufficieucy, but was actually compIeat.
ly qualified 10 detect fallacy, discover en-
rors, and expose falsehood and impos,ure
to'the contempt of an enlightened world;
at this moment, ! say, If Gud had not
made himself known, and revealed his
will to mankind, it might have been sus.
pected that he cared not for the human
race, and had 'lea them 10 grope through
the dark labyrinths of life in folly and err
rors, as regardless Of him, as he appear-
ed 10 be OF them. But happily for man.
KIND, in that critical moment, did he re-,
veal all that human nature is capable Of
| receiving, or that is necessary for man.
kind TO know. Then did Jesus Chris,
the Messiah appear who had been solone
promised to the Jewish world, the rxpcc.
! talion and hope of the Gen,iles; whose
birth, life, death and many circumstances
respecting it, and his resurrection had
!: been foretold by several Prophets. His
preeepts were truly divine, aud his ex-
, ample perfect; his doctrine of future
j state OF rewards and punishmeuss, and of
dsy oftrial and general relribution were
the highest possible Inducements 10 oh.
serve his pfecepls, and most powerfully
deferred from vice.. The truth ofhis doc
trine ne attested by many miracles, and
oy nis resurrection from The dead md
oy raising several persons to life who had
\ been dead, he demonstrated the possibi-
lly oil genera! resurrection of The dead.
This divine doctrine of the gospel and The
heavenly precepts il contains had no aeon
er been taught here unshack!ed by the
oaPrlees and Wild conceits OF Kings and
Priests, than Il was found that we needed
! peither Magistrates, Legislators, nor
Judges. As soon as we were taught To
love one another as children of one corr.
( mon parent, to do TO others as we wonDd
wish them to do unto US; to return coed
for evil, and blessings for cnrsiaes 10
believe that God saw our most secre, ar.
tons, and knew our very thoughts, and
that he will one day bring to ligh,the Sc
cret crimes OF man and punish them se-
verely whilst he viii reward with minnie
happiness all those who believe in Christ
and observe his preccpts !; from that dav.
say, We have been happy withuut anv
form ofgoyernmcnt or laws. The studi-
GUS in our Colleges and Universities NAV
still crafty their curiosity in reading the
ancient philosophy; and indeed that serves
5 but TO rlvet their attachment to the divine
philosophy OF the gospel. Here inter-
, rupted the old man by saying find then,
that was not mistaken when said IN at
' an happy system of education had rem
] dered government unnecessary. Not edu-
cation, replied the old man, but religion
hath done this. 1t is true that the tutors
t and professors assSs;;duously inculcate ON
: tie minds oil our youth the precepts of
the gospel, and demonstrate its divine an.
Lhority; and this they do with good ef.
) tect, because they are themselves Der.
tecfly satisfied that il is merciful rave
, iaiion of the viii of Cod. II is also true
that the belief and consequent practice or
7 conduct in life of the scholars and stu.
, dents, must have had great weight. with
the people atlarge--but had not the grea,
bulk OF the people who had not the 6ene-
ut OF the lectures at the schools, been al.
SO convinced Of the truth of the gospel.
and by an excellent example far more
; weighsy than precepts Introduced into
common practice, the mild, benevolent
and truly arniable manners of sincere
; Christians, We never could have yep,ured
to lay aside The restrictive, coerciye and
und'ctiye powers Of law, and the yiei.
lance and energy of The magistracy.-
Fray, said !, inform me by what stems
! vas this wonderful revolution efFe0ed.
tor suppose it must have been pradnaI'
} and the work Of tiue--It was so, RENTED
he--When it was found that dehts were
seldom contracted, and always paid w;,h
= punctuslity; or, il any difference had a.
rlsen respecting any contract, or condiG.
on oil a harOain - "a