Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-16

IL I'd TIC CTitiC, dnl you tame IL into
dulness." AS I just told you, Laun.
celot, read yesterday the British SPY
with increased satisfaction and never
before was so forcibly struck with
the impressive account which the amia-
bic writer gives of a pathetic and soul.
thrilling sermon, preached to rural
audience, in an old, ruinous, wooden
church, amid the shades of an ancient
forest, by an almost decrepid, sight.
less, yet venerable, digni6ed, and tru-
ly apostolic minister of the altar. Up
on perusing that affecting narrative, I
was led through the following range of
thought.
6 What is it that renders sacred e.
loquence, in its primitive, appropriate,
and genuine form, that is, when equal
ly free from the wild rawlings of fanati-
cism, and from the cold symmetry of
studied elegance, or didactic precision,
so transcendently moving, so irresisti-
bly, influential? (What is it that i'm
parts to the voice pfthe christian ora
tor that force, tina pathos, that uncti-
on, that sublimity, at once, so rare and
SO precious ?-Eutropius, long proud
oppressor of humanity, long a relent-
less prosecutor of religion, is hurled
from that height of imperial favour to
which the caprices offortune had raised
him. Loaded with the public execra-
ton, he flies for refuge to those verv
affairs which his impotent rage had as
sailed even there, the tempest of
popular fury hangs over him, and the
interference of Chrisostom is alone able
to avert its impending horrors An
tloch trembles on the very brink of ut
ter destruction Flaviau speaks, and
the fatal decfee is reversed.-A Prince
stained with the, blood of thousands,
approaches the sanctuary where the
God of clemencK. dweils Ambrose
arrests the 'presuIAptuops steps of the
murderous despot, and strikes into his
heart shame, Repentance, and sorrow.
Of what triumphs like these can popu.
lar, or forensic, eloquence, boast
Surely, there is here some supernatur.
al influence i. -!
In the humble mansion of the poor,
and in one of those gloomy moments
when humanity sinks under compli.
Gated load of bodily pain, and mental
affection, place the most eloquent Of
philosophers, for instance, the pom.
pous Seneca. In stiff, laboured style
glittering with metaphor and antithe-
sis, he will deal out the common place
precepts OF the stoics on necessity, tine
contempt of riches, and the frailty O,
life but the cadence of his terse Pc
RODS will die on the ear of the poor
suferer-in the inanity of his subtle
dialecties there will be for the child OF
woe no balmy principle of consolation
and hope. On the contrary, bring into
the abode of wretchednes S, such min
lister of religion as Goldsmith describes
in his Deserted Village )" single
word from his lips will convey reliefto
the lacerated heart. You suffer, will
he say, and hasaot your God suffered
before youE You are poor
What werf the. apostles Present
misfortunf oysfwhdms you its vio-
lence AXIS you down, as she storm
does the humble reed--Look
then, look up to glorious futurity,
and to the halcy ON days4Sf everlasting
calm 20 '''------
Launcelot, honor, respect and love.
in all my fellow-creatures, goodness,
wisdom, justice, and whatever wears a
character of moral beauty, order, and
perfection but it is chiefly such men
as James Waddell that obtain my sin.
cere homage; it is chiefly the worthy
ministers of a religion which breathes
nothing but benevolence, charity and
good will to man, that venerate and
admire. When faithful to their august
and sacred functions, consider them
as the most active benefactors of mar.
kind, as the strongest pillars of social
virtue, and, consequently. Of social
happiness. The sublime morality which
they inculcate isSa dixie happily and
wisely opposed q the impetuous tor
rent Of the human passions; and that
morality alone prevebt pts the soil which
we inhabit from being oyerHowed with
vice, depravity, saassviolence. The
subtle theories which separate Earth
] from Heaven, and Man from Cod