Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1805-01-18
MARRIED,
N o " IT o r IA L.
F. re INTELLICENCRR.

THERE is no truth more clearly esta-
Lhshcd, than that all the schemes of hea-
then philosophy, for promoting the
true happines. OF man, were jncomPe-
tent to that end. Being ignorant of the
nature OF God, and the chief good Of
man, they were unable to devise a sys-
tenn of theology suited to the bulk of
mankind hence Socrates, the wisestof
them, conceived it perfectly consistent
with the goodness of God, TO- send a
teacher into the world, properly autho-
ristd to teach mankind afrue system of
ethics, and the extent of his duty as
rational creature, not only to his fellow
men but to his Creator and in particu-
lar, to teach him how to pray. He had
disc overed that the soul vas capable of
happine SIS, or misery, from its own ope-
ratlons in conntxion with the body but
that the ignorance which inveloped its
faculties, was not to be dispelled, to en-
able it to pursue the happiness, and at
tain to the perfection OF its nature, With
out the aid Of Divine instruction.
Such a teacher has appeared in the
world, in the petson Of Jesus Christ, BY
whom life and immortality have been
brought to light, and the duty and hap
piness of man, placed before him in so
conspicuous manner, that he cannot
mistakeit, without wilful pcrrerSity,
that i'll Justly entitle him to the punish
ment threatened to those who obstinate
lvshut their eyes against the light.
In searching the sacred volume of the
gospel, we find precepts, the concise
ness and per>picuity of which, excite
our admiration, and carry the evidence
Of their Divine origin along with them.
The one we shall particularly select at
this time, is recorded in the 9TH chapter
Of i>l9p ,hew', gospel, at the 18th verse.
Il" 7hrref3,r aHthin6s whatsoever you
"uonM th"t n.rn should DO to you, do ye
"eorn&o te item for this is the LazU and
"thr Prophets"
In ibis rrecept we see the duty of man,
as 1t rcspt =, is his fellow-men, comprised
in a lew words, and so plain that a COM
mon understanding win be at no loss to
comrr, bend and apply it on all occasi-
ons OF social intercourse and so admi.
rally calculated to promote the happines IS
ofsociety, that it deserves to be written
in letters OF gold. There is no man who
does not wish, and has right to expect,
to be undisturbed in his person, proper
ty and reputation that he may not at
any time be deceived BY hypocrisy, falls
hood or misre presentation that his
faults and follies should not be aggrava-
ted By malicious construction and that,
in all his Intercourse with his fellow
men, he mav be treated with Justice and
sincerity these wishes, and just ex-
pcctatior, then, becomes the exact mea-
sure of his duty to others, and nothing
will Justify departure from this rule of
duty, because, BY it we shall De Judged,
at the great da, Of retribution.
How exceedingly woaGl the happiness
of society be advancedby 4 strict atten-
ton to this prrcept! How many dis
putes, quarrels, controversies, and oc-
casiens Of contumely, with the whole
/ ydra of knavish transactions, that dis
grace human nature, would be prevent
| ed! Howwould the social affections be
cultivated, for the happiness of all -
Tyranny. oppression, persecution and
party spirit, with all their concomi1ant
evils, would disappear and be lost, in
the practice OF each individual, doing to
others as he ruor I'd they should do to aim.
( Itwould be worth considering, that,
with this precept, and galaxy Of others
equally instructive in the several bran.
ches of duty, with which the gospel is
enriched, before US, and conscience