Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-02-10
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1t was stated in the preceding number,
that II the scriptures are true, the doctrine
OF particular providence is trae--and that
this doctrine is SO presented TO as in the BIZ
ble--that the heart can feel Its iniuence and
be cheered by it. The following obscrvati-
ons will shew that this assertion was not
rashly made. r' 7's~
Our Saviour says, "are not FIVE Sparrows
sold for two farthingsS Andnot one of them
is forgotten before God. Yea, the hairs of
your head are all Numbered" The Apostle
Paul uses such language as this, Gin him
We live and move and have our being"
The Prophet asks this question, "shall there
be evil in the city, and the Lord hath not
done it," But il would be endless and need
less to cite every passage expressly affirm
ing the doctrine before us; the trnth is the
Bible contains q history Of Providence. And
he who hasnot viewed it in this light, has read
it to little advantage.
The doctrines Of the Bible expressly. as
sert, or strongly imply in every page, par
ticular Providence. The duties enioined in
Scripture are founded OH the same principle.
Why should we pray if God does not govern
the world as in the manaer represented |.
Prayer is the natural language of the human
heart when borne down by a Hood of sorrows.
Whenthe weakness ofhumannatureisf we
cry to God who is mighty to help & are COM
forted. But what folly would this be if the
| Almighty Stoical God, utterly regard
less OF his creatures. In word, she is a
bout our paths, and our bed and spies out all
olr ways" His hand directs all the events
of our lives. "He orders our lot, and ap-
points our portion" Our times of sorrow
and Joy are in his hand. 1t is he who hum
bies us when we are exalted, and lifts US up
when we are bowed down.
Now i will appeal to the heart Of my rea-
der, whether this doctrine is not unspeaka-
bly, better calculated to support and COM
fort the afflicted, to cheer the gloom of sor-
row, to keep the soul firm and erect under
the pressure of life's burden, than that of
fate, of accident, and know not what.
How can the child of sorrow, believing the
truth of the Scriptures, avoid such reflections
asthese: 90 I am indeed aaiictgd, 6aE sF5A-
| ole cometk nor by ehcnee," this isthe appoint
ment of that Almighty and most benevolent
Being who has crowned nay life with many
mercies, who has given thestrongest evidence
that Heaven could give of love to man. This
is ordained by him who I" so loved the world
as to give his only begotten son, that whose
ever believeth in him should not perish but
have everlasting life" His wisdom sees it
best for me 10 be afflicted, and shall / not
humbly submit to the rod of my Heavenly
Father This is the true source of resig-
nation, virtue often mentioned, but little
understood a peculiarly christian virtue,
the full exercise of which has often diifused
that peace and tranquility through the soul,
which cold and stern philosophy never
could afford; has often cheered the gloom of
sorrow and comfortcd the heart of the widow
and orphan. The writer ofthis has seen the
efficacy of his principles tried. Experience
has attested their value. He has seen the
unobtruSive and retired christian in the hour
OF distress, with scarcely single friend to
weep with him, or listen " to the sad tale of
all his Woe" But he received the shock of
adversely as rock in the ocean receives the
buffetings of the waves. His soul had full
reliance on the providence ofhis God. Hear
an anecdote related by the celebrated Geo.
Whitefeld. al knew poor man in London
by the name Of Crawley, who had wife and
eleven children dependent on him for sup
port. This man WAS sick even unto death.
When the hour Of his departure drew near,
his friends gathered about him to perform
the customary ofhccs--And what, says one of
them willbecome of these poor children when
their Father is laid in the gravel The old
man raised his head for the last time, and
said with an air IF the utmost confidence,
(11ark IL. He who hears the Young RAJ
vens when they cry, and feeds them, will
take care of the, young CRAwLEYs.n
Wen then, may we exclaim with the poet
Of Religion
Happy the man, who sees God employed
In all the good and i'll that ehecquer human
life.
Resolving all eveats, with their effects
And manifold results, into the will
And arbitration wise of the Supreme
TASK.
He can bear with cheerful resignation,
the evils OF life. Ard altho' he feels its sor-
rows (for religion does not destroy our SEN
sibility) yet he will be like the humble chris
tan,
Whose pious hope and duty praised
The wisdom Of tho unerring sway
ind While his eyeso Heaven he raised
Its sileat seater sunk a1oay.
Or in the words Of the Psalmist, be able to
say Why art thou cast down, o my soul
---or why art thou disquieted within me
Hope then IN God, for shall yet praise him.
who is the health Of my counteaaHce and nv
God"
PIIII4O.
ZASEsvILLE, (ohio) Jan. IS.
The General Assembly Of the state
of Ohio, participating in the universal sor.