Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-07-14

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me understanding s"
The DIVINE will ask his heart before eve
~ action, is this consonanf with my high
and holy vocation Is this becoming the
character of one, who has taken upon hin-
self the !" trust Of a shepherd ofseuls :"
Tbs PHYSICIAN will ask, that his talents
may not only be exercised Tor the temporal,
| but for the spiritual good Of his friends
He will wish, above all things, 70 heal the
Islisorders of his own soul: he will ask that
| he may be confirmed in the principles otre-
! ligicn by observing the wonderful powers
and organization Of that system, which he
is called to relieve and invigorate. He will
desire to look through the material body 10
the spirit, which animates it. He will IN
| ouire the cause of its manifold disorders,
and finding :" DEATH to be IS the wages of
SIM" he will then be impercep,ibly drawn
to look and ay unto JESUS, the conqueror OF
death, and despoiler of the grave. Seeing
much oil the in6rmities of the body, and the
consequent unhappiness of the present life,
he will naturally extend his thoughts beyond
1t, and contemplate with Joy and delight that
unmixed state of felicity above, where sin
and death have no place where the inhabl-
tants shall not say, am sick )" and where
tears shall cease forever.
The MERCHANT, though engaged in the
active pursuit OF business, yet, feeling that
the gam of the whole world be miserable
recompence for the loss Of his soul, ponders
upon his plans of profit, and asks ifthey
trespass not upon his neighbors rights, if
they interfere not with the demands of reli.
gion, if they rob him not of an unreasonable
portion Of his time, or do not engross TOO
much of his attention, and finally, if he can
retain his character OF a" a faithful servant"
| of his Lord. If his conscience cannot
promptly satisfy him in these inquiries, his
determination is fixed, to relinquish his de.
signs. His ambition is to lead a useful life,
! to exhibit fair and bright example of man
! engaged in active, extensive business, still
having his first; best thoughts on Elm, who
made and preserves him by whose smile
he prospers and on whose blessing he de-
ponds consecrating TO him his earnings,
and resigning himself to his disposal, any
ious only to secure the t'pearl of great
( price, tue FAVOR Ok NIOQ.
| The POOR NAN, with his small talent Of
svorlcly zuisdom, and still smaller of earthly
goods, convinced tina, riches is denied him
| in mercy, that the sources Of his disappoins
ment and temptation may no, be multiplied,
| fully accommodates his mind TO his
| condition. He has learned that
"Man wants but little here below,
Nor wants that little long"
What powers of mind he possesses, he i'm
proves for the edihca,ion and comfort Of
his companions in poverty; he points to
| the rich "inheritance OF the saints on high
and directs and urges their attention TO Sc
cure title to that unfading, imperishable
treasure. He administers 1t not TO the bo-
div wants of his neighbours, yet to their
spiritual necessities. He endeavours in the
chamber of sickness, and in the hour of
dissolution, to approve himself faithful to
his Lord, by pointing to the Lamb of God,
| who taketh away the sin Of the world; and
| entreating all about him to lay hold, while
I il is vet offered, on the hope of that glorious
| Gospel, which is all that can afford rational
happiness inlife, fortitude, peace, and COM
| fort in death.
Instead of specializing upon doubtful and
difficult questions, which usually Perplex,
/ darken, and confound the mind, rarely i'm
/ pressingsit with seriousness, or leading to
practical goodness; instead of euriously
enquiring Are there few that are saved
we should all fill with usefulness and dig
nifty the several stations assigneslus, striv-
ing to enterin the straight gate, we should
! find in the issnse favourable answer to.
our question, in the multitudes which by
snis conduct; would attain the /" crown OF
glory" the reward of fathfulDess.
IA We are all fastening TO one common