Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-06-13
ON SILENT WORSHIP.


DEvorIoN, considered simply in itself, is
an intercourse between Con and us; between
tine supreme self-existent Uncomfortable spirit
vhich formed and preserves the universe,
that particular spirit, with which, Tor awiOl
reasons, he has animated portion OF matter
upon earth, that we Call man. Ii IS Silent
act, in which the soul divests itself OF outward
thing, Hes into Heaven, and pours forth all
its wants. wishes, hopes, fears, guilt or plea
sure, into the bosom Of an Almighty Friend.
Though this devotion, IN its first stages, may
be wearisome or insipid exercise, yet this
arises merely from the deprayity oil mature, &
ofonr passions. A little habit will overcome
this reluctance When you have fairly enter
ed upon your journey, the ways ofthis wisdom
will be WAYS of pleasantness, and ali Its paths
peace. True devotion doubtless requires
: considerable degree of abstraction from the
world. Hence modern Christians treat 1t as
vision---hence many modern writers have
little Gifts junction but it gows in the scrip
tures-it warns in the fathers--it burned IN
Austin, and many others OF the prosecuted
martyrs, who now are with God. hat we
hear little of it, is not wonderful 1t makes
no noise in the circles of the learned, or the
elegant Under heap of worldly care, we
smother the lovely infaht, and will not let 1t
breathe: Vanity, ambition, pleasure, avarIce,
uuench the celestial fire, and these, alas are
too much the god of mortals ever since the
world began, writer's have been amusing US
only with shadows of this piety, instead of Civ
ing US its soul and substance. Superstition
has placed it in opinions, ceremonies, austerl-
ties, pilgriMages, an august temple, OF splen-
did imagery, which have little connection With
sentiment or spirit. Enthusiasm swellad with
unnatural conceptions, and obtruded spurl-
Gus Spring on the world, instead OF this en-
gaging child Of reason and truth; whilst the
lukewarm have rested in few outward duties
: which have had no vigour; and as they spring
not from the heart, never entered the temple
ofthe Most High.
Real piety is OF very different and of :
much more animated nature it looks up t.
God, sees, hears, feels him in every event
in very vicissitude--in all places-in all sea
son>-and upon all occasions. 1t is theory
verified by experience it is faith, substantial
eddy mental enjoyment; It is heaven trans
planted inthe human bosom il is the radiance
of the Divinity warming and eRcircling man
ii is spiritual sense grati6ed by spiritual sen
sstions; without this, al ceremonies are Incl
fcaclous; books, prayers, sacraments and me
citations, are but a body without soul, or
statue Without &iimation. That man is capa
bic of such an intercourse with his Make
there are m.ny living Witnesses to prov,
without having recourse to the visions of fans
tics, or the dreams of enthusiasts it may
proved to spring from natural and philosoph
cal causes. God is spirit so is the mind
bodies can have intercourse SO can soul.
when minds are in AN assimilating state of pr
lity, they have union 18th their Maker. TIL
was the bliss of Paradise--sin interrupted,
holiness must restore it TO soul Thus di
posed, the Creator communicates himself in