Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-11-07

Druids, withFwhose name we are aequa'ns-
ed the manufactures Of the country arr
much better now, than they were at that
time. Things are also somewhat mended
in this country, from what they were IN
the time of the Indians. Our houses are
better than wigwams, especially in rainy.
weather, our churches upon the sabbath are
more decent than the powaWs used TO DC,
and General Washington take him all IN all,
he was superior toking Phillip.
Mr.. Barlow takes some pans to display
to his catholic friend, the sentiments and
feelings Of the puritans OF this country, m
tendinp to have II understood, that his pic
lures originated from the influence OF habit
and at the close of the detail, assures hir,,
that he does not mention these things " with
he least idea Of leuity or epasion." 1t may
be so. But man of plain common sense,
& honesty, would have answered ct the truth
would have permitted) in more direct and
positive manner. We should not have been been
amused with the notions Of q sect, or the
differen. habits of different seot'. -- ne
warmth of wounded friendship, would have
replied to such public call as is contained
in the letter Of M. Gregoire--" ! am a
christian and abhor infdelity as the bane
of human happiness and hopes ne We
rv circumstance of an indirect answer being
given, in a case like the present, at once
raises the suspicion that all IS not risht !
and it will be deemed an evasion by all dis-
interested judges.
MIR. Barlow, fer the proof that he mas not
renowned Christianity, appeals TO ms oook
He saws, /" defy you, and all the crl'lcS
of the English language to point Out pas
sage, if taken in its natural, uhavoldaoie
meaning, which initiates against the genu-
inc principles, practice, faith and hope OF
the Christian system as inculcated in the
gospels, and explained by the apostles,
whose writings accompany the gospel, IN
the volume of the New Testament. TOW
far this strong declaration is wei! founded
we shall not now enquire, as It IS not our
object TO review the Co!umblad, but the let.
ter to Gregoire. Doubtless Mr.. Barlow $
friend thought he found something like
nroof in It. or he would not have written
exactly as he has. In one passas', now
ever. we think there is some evidence OF
the authors inhdeIity, notwithstanding his
assertions to the contrary. The passage
alluded to is the following
.Tbus soaring science, daughter OF The skies,
First DER the nations bids her beauties rise
Prepares the glorious way to pour abroad
The beams of Heavens own morn, The spicn
doris of God
Then ,,lcst RsLsGIoN leads the raptur' mind,
Thro' brighter fields, and pleasures more re
find;
Teaches the rowing eye, at one broad view,
To glance Ger time, and look existence 'hro (;
See worlds on worlds to beings 'ormless end,
With all their hosts on one dread power DC
pend;
.Seranhs and suns, and systems round him rise,
I've in his life, and kindle from his eyes;
His bounslsss love, his ail-peryadins soul,
Il,nme. sublime, and harmonic the whole =
The corresponding passage in the Colum-
bad, is as follows:
/" THUS Physic Science, with exploring eyes
frye, o.cr the nations bids her beauties rise,
Preparcs the glorious way to pour abroad
Her sisters brighter beams, the purest light
of God.
TT GRAZ. SCIENCE leads the lively mind
7 oro' BROADER fields and pleasures more re-
fluid;
Teaches the temper'd soul, at ore vast view
To glance Ger time, ane look existence lhro-
See worlds on worlds, to being s iorni'css ena'
With all their hosts on her prlme power &c
pend; &c..
Seraphs and suns and systems as 'hes iiso'
Live in her life, and kinlle from nef eyes
Her cioud,ess ken, her .all-pervad,ng sou'
Illume, sublime, and harmonic the whole
five understand this passage, !" is no
tu,o1 & unavoidable meaning is, that what
Mr.. Barlow called C purr Rekgioa" IN the