Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-10-15
Frieaas, CaIntSynle'', ana
Fello1v-ChriStians,

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Fellorv-Chr'stlans,
AMONG the various addresses pre-
sented to the public, on the subject OF the
ensuing presidential election, have not {. 90
served any one that views 1t in that hight
which should principally attract the attsn-
ton Of Christian. am well aware that
the bare mention of this observation vii ex-
cite IN many the feelings OF scorn and ihe
smile of contempt. Persons accustomeu TO
deride or disregard all connection between
political happiness and the Christian reiislon
will, of course, upon pereeWing the o@)sre
of this address, disdaintully throw 1t aside
as the sanatiel illusions OF q drivciling
mind; and even some grave charaeters' VINO
pass for Christians, will not acknowledge
the proprietv Of coupling the sanctions OF
religion with the politics OF stare. 70
persons of this description, these reflections
are not Addressed. 1t IS TOO well known
that then n,ed1lie not auith Stch things, un-
less it DE with view to expose them TO r.
dicule, ard laugh them to scoEn. But TO
the rial Christians in these states, 1t may
not, perhaps, appear matter OF indlffer-
ence. or OF supertiuous attention to eAa-
mine, how far the principles OF thsir oiss ~,
religion, which, they acknowledge, shooia
influence the whole tenor CT their conduct,
ought to be applied to the exercise OF one OF
tn most important duties OF society. IN
calculabie indeed, would be tbs dement, 70
the world. at any rate to the chris an
world. if rhe avowed disciples or the LORD
Jesus would cease to consider themselves OH
a,ast a, oaat exempted FROM the duty q eA-
tending his kingdom, or to chsrlsh any NC
taphysIcal distinction between tneif lellt5ioas
and political Obligations. Such dlsfncuoh
must surely be highly inconsistent WIN taat {.
singleness Of heart, and that slmpiiclty %
character, which constitute the cnleI ooleets.
of Christians ambition. Ii Christian
"eaa,,ot seroe Cad and 9talRmon, SO nel-
ther can he pray, or labor Tor the extension
of Gods Kingdom, and at the same que
cont sbIte TO place power IN their hancs' VINO
are e,ther enemies to this kingdom or lnelii-
ferent to its prosperity. 1t is the want OF
this unity in the Christian character that rem
eers 1t so light IN the scale OF nations, ana
frequently enables men OF intrigue 10 sport
with it as they please. When the same
principle that actuates mans eternal inter
ests, is not deemed necessary TO direct sl.ch
as are temporal, the sanctions meant bv pro-
violence for the harmony and prosperity CT
the world become divested OF halt tilelr ef-
6cacy. and wIliie a person conceyes NM
self to be a follower Of Christ, he is per-
haps. acting in concert with his most deter
mined enemies, dupeto their professions,
and extending, unwlttlngiy, the sphere CT
their misehievous machlnatlons. Fellow
Christians of every name, we all acknoW-
LEDGE what our common religion expressly
inculcatzs, that this life is nothing more than
an introduction to another. We are taught
explicitly to preserve the recollection OF this
great truth through every representation vi
every subject; SO that Christian, as a
nervous writer expresses 1t,T is not aiioW-
ed to contemplate any of the Interests OF lite
in view which detaches them from the
grand object and conditions OF HE ifseii.-
An apostle could not address his friends On
the most common concerns, tor the length
of a page. without the final references. he
is like person whose eye, while ne IS con-
versing with you about an object, or a sue
cession OF objects Immediately near, glane-
es, with thoughtful consciousness, every
moment toward some great spectacle ap-
pearing on the distant horizon.
The correct consequence of converslng
with our Lord and lis apostles would be,
that the thought of Immortality should be,
come as habitually present and famillarlzed
to the mind, as the countenance OF domes-
TIC friend. That it should bethe grand test
of the value of all pursuits, friendships and
sFostcr's Essays.