Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-11-05
EX7RAc9 oFH LETTER 70 cEYgLEMhN
IN 4'aIs err, DA7'GD JUL7- 90, 1906.

DEAR SIR.
CATER condoing with YOU, rs I
most sincerely do, on the death and tragi-
cal end of cur venerable friend Mr..
eWYTHE, must beg the favor of You to give
me few lines respecting such circum-
Stances of his death as you may think pro-
per 70 communicate. We have heard, and
read, that he died b. paison Had he anv
suspicion that this WAS his unhappy case?
6 YougratiieG NJ very much, by inform
lng me that he had declared to YOU his be-
Eaf in christianity. and great respect fsr
the Lords prayer: and WIS much. PIE IS
ed to find that Mr. Manfcrd IN his Grafton,
informed MS numerous audience that Mr..
fWytie had made declaration 70 him Of
his believing in CHRISTIANITY, .Syvve two
years aSo. It is much tobe lamented, that
free thinkers had ranked him amongst
their forces 50 long as they did and that
the weight of his character 81 nd WEIGH
so heavily rs 1T must have done. with al
-thNse who wish to get rid OF the restraints
O. religion; and VINO at the s-gnc tine 20
save themselves the trouble Of theological
enquiries, as we'll as t. g-a,ify their vapi-
t., might quote lis opinions rcspectng
CIR stiaht'-, IS o. sufficient authority for
theirs, ana michc g,c1-v IN beinr If the
same sect OF philosophers with that illustr;-
'ols sage That the young nd thoughtless.
.sa3a;d wish to abolish christianitr, can ncJ
'be IN occasion Of surprise but that the
ola and serious, the philosopher, and PHI
lafthr92if statesman should. j. TO me truly
astonisEDg! Tor It's greatcst enemies ac-
fnoSFietge the purity and c,,Celence Of its
precepts: and no one can deny, that if rs
divine nuthority were once received. II
would hold ont the highcst possible induce
nents 20 virtue, and 1T the sane time, all
that can be conceived capable Of Inspiring
Inc hilnaU mind with q dread OF vice In
nee, It must be confessed thatif Ell man
KIND were real chr stiaps they would love
one another not only as children Of one
COMMON parent, -necessarv to each other
10 mutual assistance; but, as che chill
dren o. siod, and as Commanded BY his
SPECIAL messenger. T. love che another, as
they love themselves: tlieI- could do no
possible injury TO one another BY word or
deed: and instead of the aarrid mass acres
ans wars which have So lopg des0llted na-
tons the whole world must .ive in peace
and Iaonv--Ibstcssd 81 2 'tyra71t's arm. 10
SUPPORT rider. Tie raid preceDts of tire
gospel mightbe the only laws necessary for
that purpose; and no other king be ac-
IkaoWiedged amongst men e>cept the King
OF kings the Almighty Creator and Sove-
reEn o. the uniVerse--A friend, or lover Of
liberty ard Of his country, ta;nk. would
olcFisi christianity as the best andindeed,
only sRfc support Of the doctrine Of liberty,
ara equSlity; and must dread rreiigion,
rs rendering reputation, property, and life
isscit. unsafe: and severe laws necessary
tor their preservation and an almost des-
.P2tlc government, Indispensable necestarv
for the due and prompt execution Of those
iftNG. 10 account for this, mean the a.
Vc"St N to Christianity, aJn some times al
MOI iNllced tosuspect, that not orlr kinrs,
and lords, or sristocrats, are Interested m
kecping up 2 belief that religion is q mere
engine OF state Us long IT lcast, rs thew
caQ use 1t To sun tAeir purposea] md not of
divine authority, lestit should render their
anta?rity useless; but, that mon Of every
political sect Gf nay use tx. cxrression)
who are hAiio8ofhers, and ehink That they
shall appear to support that character, bv
e s1ewing that christianity appears to fheyn,
rs 1t oiid $50 m" GTecks {o2fshnsss;" or,
who are stt.es-ncn, or legislators, or JUDGES.
or lawyers, OF physicians end it their in
terest to discourage a too general and sin
oere oeief IN chrI5tianity-Far az these
would md their use, aud importance great-
Ay olTninisAed, were christianity once fuilv
received and established amongst mcr-
There would be but little occasion for
statesmen and legislators, and still less for
Judges and iawyers-and as to hhvSiciops.
ca1Ntian temperance. and chdsfiiU, would
greatly curtail their emoluments And
am almost tempted to suspect, that even
IN our rcpublie|all these, mean Statesmen,
legislators, judges, LAWYERS and physicians,
and might add merchaats, arc as rrl-b
interested in the suppression Of christina;
u, as, the chief priests and elders In Jcru
ssiem we're; or, the makers Of the Shrines
ct ID lana at Epic. IS But yet, as these
must see, that as the world goes. there Is
sin enough in The world for their purpogc,
and VIII be for generation or two fer
them; cannot sec, why they wish 70 rob
srch Door superstitious souls as thcv cell ne.
o. the comforts Of our deiusicn esDccjel!y
as our error, leaves them undisturbed in
tho enjoyment Of their opinions, and r~rse
cuent unrcstraincd qualification pe-
tiles. IL they love truth, WHY ulG nine
is hest bulwark, and the most powerful
enemy Of lies? If, however, much t,ev
may bc disposed to disturb the domestic
Happiness Of others, they wish that their
wives and children and dearest friends
may enjoy IL, how can they cndeavor todc-
strcy he only sure foundation on which
that happiness can be established But all
this know, they say is mere defamation
and mere address to our feelincs and f.ail